Are you leaning toward buying a Honda? If so, they are great vehicles. However, there are plenty of Honda CVT transmission problems to consider before making your purchase.
What are the most common Honda CVT transmission problems?
There are several issues with the Honda CVT transmission. These are the most commonly noted issues.
- Transmission jerking or jumping when changing gears
- Transmission fluid leaks
- Overheating or burning smell
- Vibration or shuddering
- Transmission gear shift hesitation
- Loud acceleration noise
- Sudden loss of acceleration
Let’s take a moment to go over what is a CVT transmission and discuss some of Honda’s history. Then we’ll move on to detailing some Honda CVT transmission problems.
Honda and the CVT Transmission
CVT stands for continuously variable transmission. While driving, these transmissions seamlessly change gears in a continuous manner through an endless range of gear ratios. This is different from other transmissions that have a fixed number of gear ratios and hard shifts between each one.
Honda started using CVT transmissions in 1995; the first was the 1995 Honda Civic HX, and they still use them in several of their models today. However, they have gone through some changes over the years.
The Seven Most Common Honda CVT Transmission Problems
Transmission Jerking or Jumping When Changing Gears
A common problem with CVT transmissions is that even though they are supposed to provide a smooth transition between gears, owners have continually reported experiencing a jerking or jumping movement during the initial acceleration.
Transmission Fluid Leaks
The CVT transmissions sometimes leak. People report seeing the pinkish transmission fluid on the ground after moving their vehicle, which is the sign of a problem.
A CVT transmission has a wide variety of external seals, and any given one could leak at any time. Some of these seals can be easily fixed, and others can’t.
Overheating or Burning Smell
Sometimes, with a CVT transmission, it might smell as if something is burning. This is a sign the transmission is overheating.
The burning smell could be caused by the leaking transmission fluid getting into the exhaust system. An overheating transmission is a problem that needs to be fixed immediately.
Vibration or Shuddering
If you feel a vibration, shuddering or shaking sensation when you are driving at a high rate of speed, it could indicate a problem with the transmission. That vibration could be caused by another issue as well. Either way, you will need a mechanic to look at it right away.
Transmission Gear Shift Hesitation
Another extremely common problem in a CVT transmission is a hesitation when putting the vehicle into either a “D” or “R” gear. This transmission issue is usually caused by the vehicle not having enough transmission fluid, a loose belt, or a malfunctioning clutch pack, which is part of the internal transmission seal.
Loud Acceleration Noise
Many Honda drivers report a loud droning type of sound that happens during the initial acceleration. This noise occurs because the CVT transmission makes the engine run continuously at a high RPM until it gets up to the right speed. And while this sound is normal, it’s extremely irritating to some people.
Sudden Loss of Acceleration
A CVT transmission has sensors that keep it from overheating. If the transmission detects a problem, it will go into “limp home” mode to protect the vehicle from further damage.
There are some factors that might cause this such as outside temperature, load and speed of the vehicle, etc. that could make it to go into limp home mode. If these types of conditions aren’t present, have a mechanic check for low fluid levels or to see if there are any codes present.
