2008 Honda CR-V cruise control problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the CR-V accelerating on its own while the brake pedal is pressed—and the brakes not stopping the vehicle. These incidents happen mostly at low speed: pulling into parking spaces, making slow turns in garages, entering driveways at 2 mph. The engine revs loudly, the car surges forward, and the driver cannot regain control. At least three owners crashed into walls, pillars, or poles. One incident occurred at 70 mph on I-75 when the transmission dropped into neutral with RPMs fluctuating wildly; the driver barely made it to the shoulder. Another owner experienced the accelerator not responding during normal driving at 45 mph, followed by engine shutdown. A transmission issue appears separate: multiple owners report the vehicle hesitating or failing to shift between 3rd and 4th gear, with hard shifts between 1st and 2nd, banging noises, and temporary neutral drops during sustained driving. Burning smells are noted during unintended acceleration events. Honda dealers refused to inspect or investigate in multiple cases, and the manufacturer offered no assistance when contacted.
Same Honda CR-V cruise control reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration with brake failure
Vehicle accelerates on its own while driver applies brakes; brakes ineffective at stopping the vehicle. Occurs most frequently in low-speed situations (parking, turning into spaces), but also reported while driving at highway speeds (45 mph, 70 mph). No floor mat obstruction present in at least one case. Accompanied by engine revving sounds and burning smells.
When: Low-speed maneuvers (parking, slow turns) and highway speeds; mileage range 66,398–180,290 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs loudly despite foot on brake; Brake pedal unresponsive or ineffective; Vehicle accelerates uncontrollably; Burning smell from engine bay or interior; Driver unable to regain control
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple owners report Honda dealers declined to investigate or service the vehicles. One dealer refused to inspect the car until bodywork was completed. Body shops unable to reproduce the condition.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda declined phone consultation in at least one case. Manufacturer provided no assistance in another. No recalls, TSBs, or warranty programs mentioned by any owner.
Transmission shift hesitation and neutral drop-out
Transmission fails to shift smoothly between gears, particularly between 3rd and 4th. Vehicle drops into neutral while cruising at highway speed (70 mph), with engine RPMs fluctuating wildly. Hard shifts between 1st and 2nd gear. Condition intermittent, repeating after brief periods of normal operation.
When: During sustained driving; first occurrence noted after 50 miles of normal operation, then recurring
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed or no shift between 3rd and 4th gear; Hard shift between 1st and 2nd gear; Vehicle drops into neutral mode unexpectedly; Engine RPMs vary indiscriminately; Loud banging noise during shift; Loss of speed control
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Vehicle continued to operate with condition present.
Engine stalling and loss of power
Engine loses motive power and shuts off while driving. Occurs after accelerator pedal depression with slow vehicle response. Vehicle restarts after several minutes but may shut off again during operation.
When: While driving at 45 mph; mileage 180,290
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of motive power while driving; Engine shuts off unexpectedly; Slow accelerator response preceding shutdown; Multiple shutdowns during single trip
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but no assistance provided.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2008 Honda CR-V?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 54,900 and 98,593 miles, with the median around 66,398. A quarter of owners report trouble before 54,900; a quarter make it past 98,593. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.