Tech line summary article - Is the MIL on with DTC P2271 (secondary HO2S [sensor 2] circuit signal stuck rich)? What's likely causing this is the PCM is misinterpreting the A/F sensor (sensor 1) signals, causing the PCM to think that sensor 2 is stuck rich. To fix this issue, replace both sensors.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Honda CR-V powertrain problems
severe 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 21 powertrain complaints filed for the 2005 Honda CR-V, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service bulletin - Under severe conditions, water or other liquid may enter the driver's window and reach the power window master switch on the door panel. Liquid in the switch can damage the switch?s printed circuit board (PCB), causing the switch to fail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) COMES ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0706 OR P1706, ENGINE MAY NOT CRANK.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2005 CR-V describe a pattern of powertrain failures spanning transmission and rear differential issues. The most common complaint is rear differential fluid contamination, with owners reporting grinding or chattering noises when turning at low speed as early as 17,000–28,000 miles, despite the factory maintenance schedule calling for service every 60,000–90,000 miles. Multiple owners state the problem recurs after fluid changes and requires frequent clutch burnishing procedures (costs cited from $150–$250 per service). Some repairs were covered under warranty or goodwill TSBs, others out-of-pocket.
Transmission problems are equally reported: shuddering between gears lasting over five years, sudden complete failure at highway speed without warning, pump noise at 79,000 miles, torque converter lockup, and a case of unintended acceleration while in Park. One owner reported transmission failure following an accident, with a dealership noting water in the fluid before the eventual $4,607 repair. Another reported severe driveline vibration within days of taking delivery of a 2015 model, with Honda assigning a case manager but no resolution noted.
Front-wheel-drive models reported rumbling and slipping under acceleration. Dealers frequently told owners they could not duplicate problems, yet independent mechanics and dealership specialists on second visits reproduced issues within minutes. One owner reported a high-load condition (snow chains) creating loud drivetrain noise that two separate dealerships could not diagnose despite $220 in diagnostic fees.
Same Honda CR-V powertrain reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Rear differential fluid contamination and chattering
Differential fluid becomes contaminated prematurely (as early as 19,000–28,000 miles despite factory maintenance schedule of 60,000–90,000 miles), causing noise, difficulty turning, and vibration. Owners report the issue recurs after service and requires frequent fluid changes and clutch burnishing.
When: 19,000–53,000 miles; earliest reported at 17,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: grinding or chattering noise when turning at low speed; howling from rear end during turns; difficulty making turns; whole vehicle shakes
Repairs/costs cited: Rear differential fluid replacement, differential clutch burnishing procedure; costs reported as $150–$250 per service; some performed under warranty or goodwill TSB coverage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) issued for 2002–2007 models; goodwill warranty repairs noted in some cases; factory maintenance schedule of 60,000–90,000 miles deemed inadequate by owners
Transmission shudder between gears
Recurring shudder when vehicle shifts between gears, particularly between 2nd–3rd and 4th–5th, lasting over 5 years. Dealers unable to diagnose; independent mechanics confirmed the issue quickly. Owner reports safety concern due to difficulty maintaining steering control at higher speeds.
When: 5+ years of ownership; vehicle over 100,000 miles when diagnosed
Symptoms owners cite: shudder when shifting between gears; shudder between 2nd and 3rd gear; shudder between 4th and 5th gear; difficult to maintain steering control at higher speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic was able to recreate issue and diagnose within 5 minutes; dealer repeatedly said 'cannot duplicate problem'
Transmission failure with sudden loss of forward motion
Transmission completely failed at highway speed without warning, causing sudden loss of forward motion and forcing vehicle to coast to roadside. Vehicle had passed inspection 10 days prior with no symptoms. Repair estimate $4,300.
When: Highway speed; inspection passed 10 days prior; no prior warning signs
Symptoms owners cite: sudden loss of forward motion at highway speed; complete transmission failure
Repairs/costs cited: $4,300 repair estimate for total transmission replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda denied any issues with vehicle; owner notes if located in different state, vehicle would qualify as lemon
Transmission noise and pump wear
Transmission pump noise reported at 79,000 miles on regularly serviced vehicle. Dealership quoted higher price; owner had repair done elsewhere for half the price.
When: 79,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: transmission pump noise
Repairs/costs cited: Repair completed at independent shop for approximately half of Honda dealership quote
Torque converter repeated lockup
Torque converter locks up repeatedly and troublesomely. During one incident on an icy road, lockup caused vehicle to lose traction.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: repeated torque converter lockup; loss of traction during lockup on icy road
Driveline vibration under acceleration
Severe vibration felt throughout vehicle, especially during slow acceleration and around curves. Began immediately after purchase (within 2 days of delivery). Described as bumpy ride on uneven roadway; steering wheel and seats vibrate at stops. Owner reports feeling unsafe.
When: Within 2 days of purchase (2015 model picked up 2/18/15)
Symptoms owners cite: severe vibration during acceleration; vibration feels like bumpy ride on uneven roadway; steering wheel vibrates at red lights; seats vibrate at red lights; vibration especially noticeable around curves
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership service manager test-drove vehicle and confirmed issue; video sent to Honda for review; owner had case manager assigned
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda of America case manager assigned; no resolution reported
Transmission slip and rumbling under acceleration
Front-wheel-drive model exhibits rumbling in front end and slipping sensation during acceleration. Owner reports concern about reliability for travel and compares issue to similar complaints from other 2005 non-AWD CR-V owners.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: rumbling in front end; vehicle seems to slip when accelerating
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda refused to help, per owner
Unintended acceleration in park
Vehicle accelerated while in Park with foot off brake, crashing into building. Gear remained in Park after vehicle stopped.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle accelerated suddenly while in Park; vehicle crashed into building
Transmission failure following accident
Following April accident with front strut damage (repaired under insurance), transmission exhibited slack action and poor performance. After dealership inspection noted 'a little water,' transmission completely failed mid-week and became undrivable. Repair cost $4,607. Insurance denied transmission failure was accident-related.
When: Following April accident; failure occurred by end of week; dealership visit on September 29
Symptoms owners cite: slack action in transmission; transmission not acting right; transmission failure (no pulling, completely undrivable)
Repairs/costs cited: $4,607 transmission repair cost; towing and lodging expenses due to roadside failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership noted 'a little water' in transmission but cleared for driving; Honda/insurance claim denied accident causation
Rear differential case leak
Case halve (case half) in rear differential developed leak after multiple fluid replacements due to low fluid. Owner reports majority of CR-V owners report same problem and describes expense as very costly.
When: Mileage/timing not specified; multiple prior low-fluid incidents
Symptoms owners cite: case half leaking in rear differential; repeated low fluid conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Repair for case halve leak described as very costly; multiple prior fluid replacements required
Transmission shudder at specific RPM
At 1500 RPM (approximately 50 km/h), vehicle shudders then smooths out at 1800 RPM. Occurs intermittently. Dealership quoted $1,800 fix or recommended multiple transmission fluid changes at 100,000-mile intervals. Multiple fluid changes reduced frequency but issue persists.
When: 130,000 miles at time of complaint; shudder occurs at 1500 RPM / 50 km/h
Symptoms owners cite: shudder at 1500 RPM; smooths out at 1800 RPM; occurs when going approximately 50 km/h
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted $1,800 for fix; owner attempted multiple transmission fluid changes at 100,000-mile intervals; issue reduced but persists
Intermittent driveline noise (snow/high-load conditions)
Loud roaring noise from drivetrain area occurred when driving in snow (with chains) at low speed (under 10 mph) and again at Palm Springs Aerial Tram. Dealers unable to duplicate either time despite two separate attempts at different dealerships. Diagnostic fee charged and no root cause found.
When: Within few months of August 2004 purchase; recurred on subsequent occasions
Symptoms owners cite: loud roaring noise that sounds like it came from drivetrain; occurs under load conditions (snow chains, aerial tram conditions); vehicle cannot go more than 10 mph without noise
Repairs/costs cited: $220 diagnostic fee charged; dealership stated problem unrelated to drivetrain components
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda stated they could not help since dealer found no problem; advised to take to different dealer on second incident
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I bought the car in august 2004. After a few months drove it to the mountain, put the snow chain and the car couldn't go more than 10mph, instead it make a loud roaring noise. Took to dealer but couldn't duplicate the problem. Call direct to Honda they said they couldn't do anything since the dealer didn't find any problems. Since than we drive another car whenever we went to the snow. Last…
When driving at a low rate of speed when making turns, the 2005 Honda crv grinds or chatters due to a problem with the rear differential (according to the dealer here in blacksburg,va). I was told a service bulletin exists for this problem but have been unable to find it. I was told it would cost $150 to fix. My vehicle has 40,000m on it. *tr
Had powertrain trouble with your 2005 Honda CR-V?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2005 Honda CR-V?
It's a meaningful issue. 21 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 27,000 and 79,000 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 79,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Honda/CR-V.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.