1998 Honda CR-V Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 128 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 113,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Honda CR-V, 6% of the 128 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The transmission goes into neutral by itself and no gears work at all until you turn it off and restart it then it will move a short distance and do it again it happened on the freeway and I almost had an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10984801, filed 2017-05, 170,000 miles“Transmission slips violently out of gear once the engine is warm up, and the RPM's go over 2700 occurs during acceleration ( from a stop or when merging/passing on the highway) and when trying to maintain speed up incline. The rapid acceleration when the car slip out of gear on the highway and especially on incline on the highway and local street send all the surrounding drivers into evasive maneuvers to avoid collision. This event occurs when the car get warmed up (after about 35-40 minutes of driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10249332, filed 2008-11, 210,000 miles“Intermittently vehicle jerked forward when accelerating. This was due to transmission failure. The insurance adjuster indicated that water got into the transmission. Then, transmission was replaced. However, the problem recurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10061721, filed 2004-04, 57,000 miles“The consumer stated that there is a problem with the transmission, and needs to be replaced. The consumer feels that this is an issue with Honda's. Scc”
NHTSA complaint #10003743, filed 2003-01, 53,200 miles“When trying to accelerate transmission would start to slip, and consumer would have trouble moving the vehicle. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.”
NHTSA complaint #8008524, filed 2002-04Related service bulletins
- 10014181Jun 1, 2004Rear differential moans moans with brakes applied at low speed. (4wd)
- 10014230Feb 16, 20042nd to 5th or 3rd to 5th gear upshift.
- 10014328Dec 1, 2003Atf (automatic transmission fluid) leaks from cooler line banjo bolt.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 | 11% |
| 2025 | 7 | 3% |
| 2024 | 17 | 4% |
| 2023 | 14 | 3% |
| 2022 | 10 | 4% |
| 2021 | 12 | 4% |
| 2020 | 20 | 6% |
| 2019 | 20 | 2% |
| 2018 | 64 | 3% |
| 2017 | 144 | 8% |
| 2016 | 45 | 11% |
| 2015 | 150 | 22% |
| 2014 | 68 | 12% |
| 2013 | 95 | 25% |
| 2012 | 48 | 12% |
| 2011 | 14 | 3% |
| 2010 | 30 | 6% |
| 2009 | 11 | 3% |
| 2008 | 37 | 4% |
| 2007 | 36 | 4% |
| 2006 | 25 | 6% |
| 2005 | 25 | 5% |
| 2004 | 13 | 3% |
| 2003 | 23 | 5% |
| 2002 | 24 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 15 | 12% |
| 1999 | 11 | 9% |
| 1998 | 8 | 6% |
| 1997 | 5 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1998 Honda CR-V
38 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Honda CR-V
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology