ProblemsByVin HONDA / POWERTRAIN

146 model-year entries · 2005–2025

Honda powertrain problems

4,721 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Honda vehicles for powertrain issues. 1 active recall campaign. See powertrain across all makes →

Complaints

4,721

Recalls

Year-models

146

Avg fix

$2,500

158crashes

23fires

98injuries

1fatality

Editorial perspective by Shop Foreman · Lead technician

At the shop, Honda transmission and driveline issues have a recognizable signature. 4,721 documented complaints across 146 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. Complaint volume is spread across the lineup rather than parked on one bad year. That's the signature of a platform or supplier issue, not a single-year flub. 1 fatality report on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Honda vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Across the 2,279 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 57,496 miles. Repair exposure averages $2,500, which is meaningful money outside warranty. Pull a transmission fluid sample if you can. Color and smell tell you more than mileage alone. If the fluid is dark or smells burnt, walk.

Worst-affected Honda model-years for powertrain Top 25 by complaint volume

2016 Honda Pilot

194 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2015 Honda Civic

169 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2018 Honda Odyssey

158 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2005 Honda Pilot

146 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2017 Honda CR-V

143 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2015 Honda CR-V

135 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2018 Honda Accord

132 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2019 Honda Odyssey

120 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2017 Honda Pilot

118 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2005 Honda Accord

103 complaints · ~$2,500 severe

2013 Honda Accord

100 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2014 Honda Civic

98 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2005 Honda Odyssey

98 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2007 Honda Civic

90 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2013 Honda CR-V

86 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2019 Honda Pilot

85 complaints · ~$2,500 severe

2006 Honda Odyssey

77 complaints · ~$2,500 severe

2016 Honda HR-V

73 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2018 Honda Pilot

72 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2014 Honda Odyssey

70 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2007 Honda Odyssey

69 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate

2014 Honda CR-V

65 complaints · ~$2,500 severe

2006 Honda Civic

64 complaints · ~$2,500 severe

2008 Honda Accord

63 complaints · ~$2,500 severe

2014 Honda Accord

59 complaints · ~$2,500 severe

Active recalls — Honda powertrain 1 on file

severe NHTSA 11V458000 September 7, 2011 2011 Honda CR-Z

Honda is recalling certain model year 2011 cr-z passenger cars with manual transmissions, manufactured from january 8, 2010, through june 27, 2011

Unexpected vehicle movement could increase the risk of a crash or personal injury to the persons in the path of the moving vehicle.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. The safety recall began on september 26, 2011. Owners may contact Honda automobile customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Common questions

How many Honda powertrain complaints are on file with NHTSA?

4,721 complaints across 146 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 1 active recall campaigns cover powertrain issues across the Honda lineup.

Which Honda model has the most powertrain complaints?

The 2016 Honda Pilot leads with 194 complaints in this category. Next: 2015 Civic (169) and 2018 Odyssey (158).

What does it cost to fix Honda powertrain problems?

Independent shops average $2,500 for powertrain repairs across the Honda lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.

Are there Honda powertrain recalls?

Yes — 1 active recall campaign covers powertrain on Honda vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin and not affiliated with Honda. Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record. Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.