I got to know that I have two recalls open since October 2024. I called Honda campaign to follow up on the recalls as and I opened a case with them on [XXX]. The case number is [XXX]. I was referred to the dealer and when I contacted the dealer who sold my car, he said that he is repairing cars based on a waitlist and that parts are not available with them for both recalls. This car with its…
2023 Honda CR-V powertrain problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2023 CR-V owners report widespread transmission issues including shift delays, power loss, and complete failure, some occurring before 50K miles and on vehicles under warranty. Sudden unintended acceleration, inadequate power during highway driving, and brake system problems create documented safety hazards that dealers have difficulty diagnosing or repairing.
Twelve 2023 CR-V owners describe serious powertrain problems starting as early as October 2025 with less than 50K miles on the odometer. The most common complaint is transmission malfunction: delayed engagement on highway merges, stuttering before acceleration, gear slipping on flat roads and hills, spontaneous power loss while driving, and complete failures requiring engine restarts. One owner experienced sudden stops on Interstate 55 after receiving critical engine and transmission failure messages. Another reports the transmission mount failed, allowing the unit to clunk around inside the vehicle.
Several owners describe unintended acceleration—vehicles surge forward 1–2 seconds during stop-and-go traffic or EV-to-gas transitions despite brakes applied. One owner's CR-V moved forward when shifted into Reverse, then lurched forward when the driver simply lifted their foot off the gas.
Engine problems include severe shaking, misfiring diagnosed with engine replacement, and inadequate power output. One owner found all dashboard warning lights illuminated; another's dealership replaced spark plugs at 21,000 miles (owner considers this premature), yet the power loss continued.
Brake hardware rubbing the front-left rotor causes loud noise and hard stops, forcing owners to brake lightly and far ahead. A separate complaint documents metal shavings in the rear differential of an AWD model, which the dealership stated is common among CR-V AWDs but not warranty-covered.
Honda has active recalls on transmission and gearbox components, but parts remain unavailable at dealerships, leaving owners stranded for 60+ days.
Same Honda CR-V powertrain reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission shift delay, stuttering, and loss of power
Transmission exhibits delayed engagement on highway merges, hesitation followed by stuttering before vehicle moves, high RPMs without proportional acceleration on flat and uphill roads, complete power loss while driving, and spontaneous deceleration. Multiple owners report shift delays and power loss particularly during acceleration and gear transitions. Some incidents result in sudden stops on highways.
When: Started October 19, 2025 at unknown mileage; occurs intermittently and spontaneously; reported at 300+ highway miles; one incident with less than 50K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed engagement when accelerating onto highways; Stuttering or jumping twice before vehicle moves; High RPMs while driving without equal acceleration response; Gear slipping sensation; Spontaneous deceleration and complete loss of power; Sudden stops on highway
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (appears after multiple warning signs), Transmission fault code (diagnostic performed by dealers, specific codes not stated), Brake system code (reported on same incident), Multiple dashboard error lights (all warning lights illuminated in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple owners report dealers stating complete transmission replacement needed. One case mentions engine misfiring; piston misfiring diagnosed with engine replacement performed and possible fuel injector replacement needed. Transmission mount failure requiring mount replacement reported on vehicle with less than 50K miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda recall on gearbox (active November 2024) but parts unavailable at dealerships as of complaint filing; owners waiting 60+ days for repair parts
Sudden unintended acceleration while braking
Vehicle unexpectedly surges forward 1–2 seconds during low-speed stop-and-go traffic or when transitioning from EV to hybrid-gas mode, even with brake pedal applied. Occurs intermittently with no warning lights. Honda service technician experienced issue firsthand; testing of 2025 CR-V Hybrid showed similar behavior but dealership characterized it as 'normal.' Dealership refused further diagnosis without customer ability to replicate issue.
When: Intermittent, typically at low speeds (25–30 mph); no specific date or mileage provided
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected forward surge for 1–2 seconds; Occurs during stop-and-go traffic; Occurs during EV-to-gas mode transition; Vehicle accelerates even with brake pedal applied
Codes mentioned: No warning lights or error codes recorded
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; Honda dealership inspection found nothing unusual and declined further investigation
Transmission eCVT malfunction with insufficient power and gear slipping
eCVT exhibits high engine revving, gear slipping sensation, and insufficient power output particularly on uphill highway acceleration and during lane changes. Owner reports all dashboard warning lights illuminated in early August, cleared after battery reconnection, then gears began slipping. Dealership replaced spark plugs at 21,000 miles despite owner belief this was premature. Multiple Honda dealers found no error codes and stated no fault detected, but owner believes issue relates to eCVT recall expansion.
When: Started late August 2025 at 300+ highway miles; vehicle has 21,000 miles total
Symptoms owners cite: Unreasonably high engine revving on long drive; Gear slipping sensation; Insufficient acceleration response when gas pedal applied; Barely able to climb hills at highway speeds with heavy acceleration needed; Loss of power during lane changes; All dashboard error lights illuminated (early August incident)
Codes mentioned: All error lights: check engine, transmission, emissions, blind spot (cleared after battery reconnection), No codes found on subsequent dealer visits
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced spark plugs at 21,000 miles (owner considers premature). Problem not resolved. Two additional Honda dealers found no fault.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: eCVT recall exists but owner believes it does not cover their specific symptoms and calls for recall expansion
Transmission shift control failure – forward movement in Reverse and forward lurch when foot released
Transmission fails to engage correct gear. In first incident, vehicle moved forward when shifted into Reverse (light accelerator pressure applied), then again moved forward on second attempt. Shift lever confirmed visually in Reverse position. After restart and re-selection of Reverse, operated normally. In second incident, vehicle lurched forward when driver lifted foot from accelerator without braking during low-speed approach (under 7 MPH). No warning lights.
When: First incident 9/20/2025; second incident 9/24/2025; specific mileage not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Forward movement when gear selector in Reverse; Forward lurch upon releasing accelerator without braking; No warning lights or messages
Codes mentioned: No warning messages or error codes
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle scheduled for dealer inspection at time of complaint; no repair completed
Engine misfiring and critical powertrain failure with limp mode
Engine experiences rapid loss of power, severe shaking, and complete inability to move. Owner reports critical engine failure and transmission failure messages received while on interstate highway. Dealership diagnosed piston misfiring and moved in replacement engine. Fuel injector replacement may be needed but parts shortage delays repair. Another case reports unspecified PCM defect causing limp mode with sudden loss of power at both high and low speeds characterized as dangerous.
When: 9:30 PM Saturday June 17, 2025 (time noted: pre-6/17/2025); another case with timing unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid loss of power while traveling on interstate highway; Severe engine block shaking; Complete loss of mobility; Sudden loss of power at high and low speeds; Vehicle enters limp mode
Codes mentioned: Critical engine failure error message, Transmission failure error message, Emission system error message
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replaced at dealership. Possible fuel injector replacement pending; fuel injector parts shortage reported
Transmission mount failure and loose transmission
Transmission mount fails, allowing transmission to move and clunk inside vehicle during braking and occasional acceleration. Vehicle has less than 50K miles and no accident history or rust. Owner states mount should not fail under normal use and considers it safety hazard.
When: Specific date not provided; less than 50K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission clunking when brakes applied; Transmission clunking occasionally during acceleration; Loose transmission movement in vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission mount replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response mentioned; owner requests recall or warranty coverage
Metal shavings in rear differential fluid
2023 CRV AWD exhibits metal shavings in rear differential fluid. Honda service advisor stated that most Honda CRVs with all-wheel drive experience this problem. Fluid replacement is not covered under warranty. Owner questions whether NHTSA has been notified and why recall has not been issued.
When: Discovered at unknown mileage; timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Metal shavings present in rear differential fluid
Repairs/costs cited: Rear differential fluid replacement needed; not covered under warranty per dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; service advisor indicated problem is common among CRV AWD models
Brake system hardware rubbing rotor
Front left brake hardware rubbing against rotor, producing loud noise and hard sudden stops. Owner must apply brakes lightly and far ahead of stops to avoid hard sudden stops that create safety hazard.
When: Same timeframe as transmission failure (late October 2025); discovered during transmission failure diagnostic
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise when braking hard; Hard sudden stops if brakes pressed firmly; Brake hardware rubbing against rotor (front left)
Codes mentioned: Brake system fault code (detected during transmission diagnostic)
Repairs/costs cited: Brake hardware and rotor service required; specifics not detailed
Emission system failure and immobilizer engagement
2023 CR-V Hybrid reports emission system failure with no resolution after one month at dealership. Immobilizer system became engaged following emission system failure. Additionally, powertrain unresponsive due to loose wiring diagnosed and repaired.
When: Timing not specified; emission issue unresolved for one month at dealership
Symptoms owners cite: Emission system failure; Unresponsive powertrain (due to loose wiring); Immobilizer system engaged
Codes mentioned: Emission system failure code
Repairs/costs cited: Loose wiring in powertrain repaired; emission system issue unresolved after one month dealership service
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Honda CRV 2023 Sport Touring Hybrid AWD. Vehicle under normal circumstances will be peformaming normally until defective PCM causes car go into limp mode. Vehicle is considered is dangerous due to sudden lost of power if going at high speeds & low speeds.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2023 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 2023 Honda CR-V?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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/2023/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.