2002 Honda CR-V Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 5%of 515 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Honda CR-V, 5% of the 515 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While I was shopping, my parked crv popped out of gear, going from park to neutral. It then rolled backwards into another parked vehicle. I left my crv in park, and it is impossible to have removed the key unless it was in park. Honda readily agrees this to be the case. Honda has torn my car apart, searching for the cause, and come up with nothing. Subsequently, I have seen many news reports of Honda's popping out of gear, and I am afraid. …”
NHTSA complaint #767711, filed 2002-09, 5,000 miles“My 2002 Honda crv has only been serviced by Honda dealerships. All maintanence has been performed according to their schedule, yet just after 50,000 miles the dealer says my transmission needs replacement. I was driving at 30 MPH and accelerated to pass a car when the vehicle violently shuddered. I pulled over immediately to check the car and found no leaking fluid, no warning lights, but the sound of metal pieces rolling around the transmission when I depress the gas...even with the vehicle in park. …”
NHTSA complaint #10056472, filed 2004-02, 50,050 miles“Car stalls when you brake to stop or if stopped will stall when you begin to accelerate. Also will stall when moving the drive indicator from drive to reverse or reverse to drive when stopped. Car stalls when making slow turns. Stalls are totally unpredictable. Honda states that it can't fix the problem without a fault code. Stalling is a serious issue that can cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10556302, filed 2013-12, 170,000 miles“Whining noise while car is decelerating. Occurs at approximately 45 MPH and continues until stop. Mechanic stated it was rear differential--fluid was drained and flushed and replaced without a change in noise. Honda wants to try new tires before they'll change the differential. Car is a 2002 Honda crv ex 4wd.”
NHTSA complaint #10066417, filed 2004-04, 22,000 miles“The gear shifter became hard to shift at times, the consumer was told to make sure the brake was pressed hard enough when the gear was placed into park or being taken out of park. Three weeks later the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle rolled while still in park, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the consumer was told the part was exposed to elements which caused it to rust.”
NHTSA complaint #10022814, filed 2003-08, 10,000 milesRelated recalls
- 03V274000Jul 29, 2003On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, excessive corrosion of the shift cable linkage could prevent the driver from shifting…Covers: Honda CR-V 2002–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10129465Apr 8, 2014Service bulletin - Under severe conditions, water or other liquid may enter the driver's window and reach the power window master switch on the door panel. Liquid in the switch…
- 10016346Apr 16, 2005Automatic transmission fluid (atf) leaks. Honda tech line summary.
- 10013626Nov 19, 2004Noise or vibration when accelerating from a stop.
- 10014512Nov 16, 2004Harsh 3-2- and or 2-1 downshift.
- 10013607Oct 1, 2004Automatic transmission solenoid replacement criteria.
- 10013844Sep 16, 2004Transmission solenoid replacement criteria.
- 10014290Aug 1, 2004Drivebelt noise? Could be a bad water pump bearing.
- 10014146Jun 16, 2004Shift lever won't come out of park after throttle body r&r.
- 10014181Jun 1, 2004Rear differential moans moans with brakes applied at low speed. (4wd)
- 10014230Feb 16, 20042nd to 5th or 3rd to 5th gear upshift.
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 2002 Honda CR-V
143 complaintsElectrical system
95 complaintsExterior lighting
60 complaintsEngine cooling
58 complaintsEquipment
39 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsSeat belts
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsSeats
24 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsSuspension
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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