2020 Honda CR-V transmission & drivetrain problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

20 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2020 Honda CR-V, 6% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 11,500 mi.

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints
20
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
11,500 mi

Specific components reported

Transmission & Drivetrain covers: transmission shifting, slipping, axles, driveshaft, transfer case.

ComponentComplaints
Power train20

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints across Honda CR-V years

1200646200825201051020124128201427242016704420181820202012102022141720247202026
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year. The 2020 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

2Under 10k210k–30k30k–60k160k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Aug 25, 2026CTEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    The check-engine light comes on immediately before the vehicle loses the ability to accelerate. While driving, including at highway speeds, pressing the accelerator does not produce normal propulsion and the vehicle loses motive power. If I pull over, turn the vehicle completely off and restart it, the check-engine light clears and normal acceleration returns. The problem is intermittent and has occurred more than once. The dealership has previously been unable to identify…
    NHTSA complaint #11759311 · source
  2. Filed Aug 10, 2026GASteeringTransmission & Drivetrain
    While driving at highway speeds, my steering wheel physically binds, catches and then suddenly jerks when trying to make normal adjustments. This creates an unpredictable control hazard. This is similar to NHTSA Recall 24V-744 and Honda TSB 24-011. The internal steering gearbox is binding due to the same design & manufacturing tolerances.
    NHTSA complaint #11755882 · source
  3. Filed Jun 15, 2026VATransmission & Drivetrain
    Vehicle has only 100,395 miles on it (Hondas are know for being long lasting), vehicle was burning radiator fluid and repair for new head gasket and cylinder head is over $6300! Hondas are known to last a long time, a 2020 model with 100,000 needing a repair that is nearly half the value of the vehicle is shocking - i have seen similar complaints online and want to file my complaint officially.
    NHTSA complaint #11744198 · source
  4. Filed May 3, 2026ALDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
    In November 2025 a new transmission was installed Curry Honda in Atlanta GA on my 2020 Honda CR-V. The new transmission came with a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. In March 2026 my vehicle broke down and was towed to Tameron Honda in Daphne Al where a speed sensor was replaced at my expense of 388.44. The adaptive cruise control was not working prior to this repair. Within two weeks the vehicle experienced further issues and had to be driven in a compromised condition back to…
    NHTSA complaint #11735409 · source
  5. Filed Mar 17, 202662,000 miOKElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2020 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started, and the gear shifter was stuck in park(P). Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact researched and became aware of an unstated recall; however, the VIN was…
    NHTSA complaint #11724993 · source
  6. Filed Nov 1, 2025CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    My car lost roughly half its power while traveling in heavy traffic on the interstate. The engine light in the lower left hand corner of the dash began blinking at the same time. I was able to get off the interstate whereupon I turned the car off and then restarted it. This cured the problem and it has not happened in the week since. No one has inspected the problem, but I have an appointment with the dealer on November 4, 2025.
    NHTSA complaint #11696944 · source
  7. Filed May 7, 2025CABrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
    Recently ([XXX]) my wife was left stranded away from home when our 2020 CR-V started but would not go into any gear and had multiple warning messages about system failures including brake system problem (No Working Brakes), electric parking brake problem, tire pressure monitor problem, transmission system problem and auto engine idle stop system problem. If she had removed the [XXX] that cut the wires while driving the brakes would have stopped working. She had to call for a…
    NHTSA complaint #11659603 · source
  8. Filed May 4, 2025WITransmission & Drivetrain
    "ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM PROBLEM" notification appears on dashboard of 2020 Honda CRV. Dashboard also indicates only FWD is operational rather than AWD which should be operational all the time. Honda Service Bulletin 23-031 dated April 7, 2023 states corrective action is to replace the rear differential pump motor. Per online postings this is a common problem with the 2020/2021 Honda CRV.
    NHTSA complaint #11658817 · source
  9. Filed Jan 30, 2025SDFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
    While driving down the freeway at around 60 mph, I sharply accelerated to negotiate traffic and my vehicle lost power and the check engine light was flashing. I was able to roll to an exit ramp where i could barely get up a slight incline. I was able to get out of traffic but at speed of less than 5 mph. It sounded like the vehicle was running on two cylinders. I pulled over and turned the car off. I was able to re-start the car after which it ran normally. I went directly…
    NHTSA complaint #11639655 · source
  10. Filed Oct 23, 2024NVTransmission & Drivetrain
    This vehicle has 33k miles on it and both front axels make noise when the vehicle has been driven for about 20 minutes and one starts to make turns. Honda says it needs new axels but does not know why they have failed. Honda says the CV boots are intact. Seems like this part should not fail on such a new, low mileage vehicle and is likely indicative of a larger problem with the vehicle.
    NHTSA complaint #11621585 · source
  11. Filed Sep 1, 2024FLSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain
    A warning on the dash that read, "All Wheel System Drive Problem," came up several times during the past few days on my 2020 Honda CRV with only 70,000 miles. It came without any prior warning and power was diverted from all four wheels to just the front wheels. It posed a safety risk because it came so suddenly, but I was able to drive carefully to the dealership. There is a Service Bulletin with Honda with the NHTSA (#23-031) located at [XXX]. This is a known problem with…
    NHTSA complaint #11611992 · source
  12. Filed Jul 9, 2024MDTransmission & Drivetrain
    While driving my crv about 40 miles away from home, an all wheel drive system error alert came on the dash. The car seemed to slow as I was driving. I pulled over and parked turned the car off and re started it and it was ok. The error came back on and did not go off and this time the car did not feel safe to drive while accelerating to 20 mph there seemed to be a delay and feeling of wobbling. Had my car stopped at any point on the road this could have caused a major…
    NHTSA complaint #11600375 · source

Other 2020 Honda CR-V problem areas

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology