CR-V transmission issues

My youngest daughter's CR-V (first generation, which was lighter with a smaller engine) is past 280,000 miles on the original automatic transmission. Honda for many years used essentially the same 4-speed OD on all model lines, and it was not troublesome in lighter vehicles with less powerful engines. I would not worry about transmission life for a CR-V of that era, unless you mess it up not following towing procedures and restrictions.

Honda's reputation for transmission troubles comes from the heavier vehicles and the most powerful Acura models.

My older daughter, driving 2nd and 3rd generation Odyssey minivans went through two transmissions on the first one, traded it at 180,000 miles on moderate mileage 3rd gen Odyssey, replacing the transmission just past 120,000 miles and trading it in about 30,000 miles later. New one has a different transmission.

J-Rooster wrote:
No, I have the CRV that's the last year that you can tow them.

2014

Have a 2014 CRV AWD (automatic trans) and tows four down with no problems and car has been trouble free for two years.

2014 was the last year you could tow CRV with the automatic four down.
They changed the tranny in 2015 (as did Subaru) and the automatic is no longer towable four down.

Moved from Class A forum.

Thanks to you all, next stop Honda dealer.

Whatever you do, NEVER put anything but Honda OEM fluid in a Honda transmission. It will start slipping and shifting hard.

ExH did that to my daughter's Civic. Had some local mechanic change the tranny fluid (unbeknownst to me.) He put in some aftermarket fluid and it was awful. We took it to a dealer who flushed and refilled with Honda fluid, that was over 200K miles ago and it is still on the road.

No, I have the CRV that's the last year that you can tow them.

We have a 2013 CR-V. 59K miles on the ODO, 40K miles +/- additional being towed. We did the tranny service last year, at the dealer. Zero issues with the trans. BTW, if you test drive a 13 or 14 and you heard a really strange noise as you pull out from a stop, it's a pump on the back differential. It literally sounds like a frog croaking under the back seat. It's a quick fix, and should be under warranty. Good luck. CR-Vs are far from exciting, but they are a durable transportation appliance that won't let you down.

Second owner of an 2005 AWD CRV. Have towed about 5000 miles or so with a total of 130,000 total (last owners racket up 110,000 of it). Not a problem. Prior tow car was a 1998 Accord Coupe. Towed it about 15,000 miles and was also my daily driver. Started slipping up shifting to second at about 200,000 miles. Let her go at 230,000 as a trade in 2010 Accord Coupe. Fall back tow car if something ever happens to the CRV.

Just follow the owners manual for pre-tow set up and change the transmission oil as scheduled. Measure what you drain and refill with the same amount, about 3 quarts or so. Honda oil only.

Mr. Al, we have had a 2007 CR-V AWD and now a 2013 CR-V AWD. Both have been flawless.

The first Honda we drove it 68,000 driving miles PLUS 57,000 towing.... total = 125,000 miles.

The second Honda we are at 31,000 miles driving and an additional 21,000 miles towing....total = 52,000 miles.

MM.