Problems · by component

2008 Honda CR-V power train problems

37 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Honda CR-V cite power train, 4% of all 963 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
37
4% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2008 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before returning to normal functionality. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V395000 (Power Train), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 190,000”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2023Power trainODI 11552930
“A/C compressor in 2007-2011 Honda CR-V has a known defect in the A/C compressor clutch. The clutch component of the compressor includes the pulley which turns the compressor motor. When the clutch fails, the compressor motor seizes up and stops the pulley from turning. The pulley on the compressor is driven by one serpentine belt on a tensioner which turns the alternator, the power steering motor, the crankshaft, the water pump, and the A/C compressor. When the A/C compressor seizes up, the belt will snap in two every time because the A/C pulley will not turn. The car will not be operable unless the A/C compressor is replaced. To replace the A/C compressor, the refrigerant must be vacuumed out, the condenser and desiccant replaced, the compressor replaced, the system recharged, and a new belt put on. This costs about $2500 at Honda or at another shop around $1700. Honda refused to fix the clutch when I took my car in after discovering the A/C was not working. I have replaced the compressor in this vehicle twice already, and now it needs a third replacement. It is a safety issue because the belt will break while driving causing power steering to go out, possibly…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2023Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11534287
“Honda body shop switched and stripped components/ parts of my vehicle when State Farm Adjustor wrote the repair assessment like it was in a high speed head on collision when it was actually a left side fender bender. That’s fraud… but nonetheless, State Farm agreed to fix the car. It’s a Honda CR/V that has had the engine replaced now but it’s having drivetrain issues. It rattles and violently vibrates upon takeoff (Automatic transmission) and when going uphill. It has electrical problems due to rodent chewing soy based electrical wires. I’ve replaced myself many components such as axle CV, electrical, fans, air conditioner, starters (3 in past two years) and basically had to rebuild the entire front end because the Honda body shop was using my car for a parts car. Curry Honda in Chamblee GA. Honda has refused to acknowledge any issues. 2008 Honda CR-V has drivetrain issues probably related to the software which Honda charges $150-200 every time just to clear a code. They don’t work with 3rd party parts providers and like Apple, are monopolizing their car company making it unsafe to take your car anywhere but to a Honda dealer for things as simple as an oil…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2022Suspension, Power train, Electrical systemCrash reportedODI 11497912
“The contact owns a 2008 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and failed to respond as needed while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently while driving. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V395000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. Additionally, the vehicle was bouncing abnormally while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an alignment was performed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 8, 2022Power trainODI 11496594
“Hello Sir/Madam, I own 2008 HONDA CR V. Yesterday when I tried to start my car, I head loud abnormal loud noise and the MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT LIT ON the dash board. Since the noise was very abnormal and very loud, I decided not to drive the car. Next, I searched on internet to see if other Honda owners have same issue. I went to https://owners.honda.com/servicemaintenance/recalls?id= website and found the following. HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 ACCORD, 2007-2010 CR-V, AND 2005-2008 ELEMENT PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2004, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3, 2010. THE OUTER RACE OF THE SECONDARY SHAFT BEARING MAY BE BROKEN DURING CERTAIN DRIVING STYLES. A BROKEN OUTER RACE MAY CAUSE ABNORMAL NOISE, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO TURN ON, AND ALLOW CONTACT BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION IDLE GEAR AND AN ELECTRONIC SENSOR HOUSING WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. SAFETY RISK: THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. ADDITIONALLY, BROKEN PIECES OF THE OUTER RACE OR BALL BEARING FROM THE SECONDARY SHAFT MAY BECOME LODGED IN THE PARKING PAWL RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AFTER THE DRIVER HAS PLACED THE GEAR SELECTOR IN THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2021Power train, Electrical systemODI 11433121
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ROLLED BACKWARDS MAKING CONTACT WITH THE PERSON AND KNOCKING HER TO THE GROUND. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE TIRE ROLLED OVER THE LEFT FOOT CAUSING A FRACTURE OF THE FOOT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V395000(POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2020Power trainODI 11366510

Showing 6 of 37 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: control module (tcm

Free remedy

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 ACCORD, 2007-2010 CR-V, AND 2005-2008 ELEMENT PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2004, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3, 2010. THE OUTER RACE OF THE SECONDARY SHAFT BEARING MAY BE BROKEN DURING CERTAIN DRIVING STYLES. A BROKEN OUTER RACE MAY CAUSE ABNORMAL NOISE, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO TURN ON, AND ALLOW CONTACT BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION IDLE GEAR AND AN ELECTRONIC SENSOR HOUSING WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION.

Power trainReported Aug 4, 2011NHTSA 11V395000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.