Honda CVT Transmission Reliability & Problems: Worth The Hate?

Honda has a penchant for bulletproof reliability, but this gleaming image has somewhat been compromised by their new-age CVT transmissions. Hailed as a revolutionary piece of tech, CVTs are supposed to show the way forward, allowing gearboxes to shift smoothly, quietly, and more efficiently. However, is the reliability of a Honda CVT transmission really that bad?

Most of Honda’s current line-up, including their wide range of hybrid cars, come with a CVT transmission. While other options are available, such as an old-school H-pattern manual gearbox or a conventional automatic, these are the exception rather than the rule. Thankfully, since you can’t avoid them, Honda’s CVTs are actually pretty reliable, all things considered.

Honda CVT Transmission Reliability & Common Problems

So, the good news here is that Honda makes some of the most reliable CVTs on the market today. Few owners have made complaints about Honda CVT reliability issues, but it’s by no means as bad as some other brands, such as Nissan and their CVTs. However, it would be a good idea to understand more about how you can spot a CVT problem, should it appear.

This will help to better prepare you in case you need to send your car off for repairs. There are thankfully some very clear symptoms that can be exhibited should your Honda’s CVT start to fail. We don’t recommend driving your car around for much longer if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. With that in mind, here are some common symptoms of a failing CVT:

1. Transmission Running Louder Than Normal

As we’ve learned earlier, CVTs are a bit louder than the more conventional automatics owing to their design. However, these noises should be faint, and can simply be drowned out by your radio. If you notice becoming ever louder (loud rattling or whining noise while your car is running), this is a sign that your CVT starting to show signs of failure.

Aside from the loud rattling or whining noises (particularly when accelerating), you might also notice other sounds… 1) increased humming or rumbling noise while idling, or 2) sudden and odd changes to your car’s sound pattern during acceleration.

There are several reasons why your Honda’s CVT might become loud:

• Worn-out bearings
• Low transmission fluid levels
• Old or contaminated transmission fluid
• CVT belt slippage
• Misaligned CVT transmission pulleys

As to how much fixing these might cost you:

• Transmission fluid change ($100 to $250)
• CVT belt replacement ($200 to $500)
• Bearing replacement ($300 to $600)
• Complete CVT transmission replacement ($2,000 to $4,000)
• Mechanic diagnostic fees ($50 to $100)

2. Vibrations Or Shuddering Under Acceleration

One thing to note here is that some carmakers intentionally program a “step” feature into their CVTs. This simulates the feedback and sounds of more traditional gear changes. However, this feeling is different from the constant vibrations or transmission shudder that might point toward CVT failure. This is often caused by overheating of the CVT gearbox.

Excess heat can cause transmission mounts and bearings to wear out prematurely, causing all the shaking. Besides the consistent shudder or excessive vibrations (mainly under acceleration), you might also notice sudden jolts. Otherwise, you could also experience reduced power during acceleration or unusual clunking or thudding noises.

The underlying reasons why you notice these vibrations or shudders include:

• Overheating or continuous strain
• Worn-out transmission mounts
• Damaged or worn bearings
• Transmission fluid contamination
• Damaged or slipped CVT belt

To fix these, you might have to consider these expenses:

• Transmission fluid change ($100 to $250)
• Transmission mount replacement ($150 to $350)
• CVT bearing replacement ($300 to $600)
• CVT belt replacement ($2oo to $500)
• Mechanic diagnostic fees ($50 to $100)

3. Sluggish Acceleration Or Stalling While Driving

If your car is struggling to get up to speed, it is another sign that your Honda CVT transmission is on its way out. This slow acceleration happens when your car hesitates to change up a gear. Or, if you notice how your car won’t move in any gear at all. Ordinarily, CVTs should offer you a gradual and progressive build-up of power.

For some cars, significant component failure could also trigger the car to go into its “limp home” mode that restricts speed. Sometimes, CVT failure can cause the car to stall or shut down completely while driving. Other noteworthy symptoms include a lack of power, your car refusing to move at all in any gear, as well as unexpected stalling.

This acceleration or stalling issue might arise due to these CVT-borne faults:

• CVT belts damaged or worn out
• Contaminated or old transmission fluid
• Failed valve body or solenoid
• Faulty CVT transmission sensors
• Internal damage (gears or other components)

For a general idea of how much it might cost you to fix these underlying problems:

• Transmission fluid change ($100 to $250)
• CVT sensor replacement ($50 to $200)
• Valve body or solenoid repair ($200 to $600)
• Complete CVT transmission replacement ($2,000 to $4,000)
• Mechanic diagnostic fees ($50 to $100)

4. Burning Smell Coming From The Transmission

Although CVT transmissions have few running parts, they can still run hot. Without proper cooling or maintenance, they can still overheat. You can notice a particular burning smell from your car; a sign that something is running a lot hotter than it should be. Or, you might be able to check your car’s temperature gauge and see if there are any anomalies there.

Apart from an overheating transmission, that burning smell could also point to a transmission fluid leak on the hot exhaust. You mostly notice this after driving, and in some cases, you might even notice smoke or steam. More telling is experiencing transmission gear slippage while shifting up or down, as well as puddles, pointing to a transmission fluid leak.

There could be numerous underlying reasons why your transmission is overheating:

• Inefficient or compromised CVT cooling system
• Transmission fluid leakage
• Worn or contaminated transmission fluid
• Faulty CVT transmission cooling lines
• Bad CVT bearings or belts

To help you budget for a trip to the local workshop and fix your transmission, consider:

• Transmission fluid change ($100 to $250)
• CVT cooling system flush ($100 to $150)
• Transmission leak repair ($150 to $500)
• Cooling line replacement ($100 to $400)
• Mechanic diagnosis fees ($50 to $100)

5. CVT Transmission Fluid Leaks

Just like a conventional gearbox, CVTs have their own transmission fluid to aid in lubrication and cooling. Overheating can cause parts of the cooling system to wear out prematurely. This includes cooling lines or seals. The result is a pinkish puddle underneath your car. Transmission fluid leaks are another sign of potential failure with your CVT gearbox.

As such, it can no longer provide the optimal amount of lubrication, as well as cooling for the CVT transmission. Some other related symptoms you might notice include seeing a pinkish puddle under your car, gear slippage while shifting, whining or humming noises, as well as dashboard warning lights, and a hot smell from the gearbox.

CVT transmission fluid leaks can originate from a wide range of underlying faults and issues:

• Old and worn transmission fluid seals
• Compromised CVT cooling lines
• Overfilled transmission
• Fault transmission pan or gasket
• Poorly installed transmission fluid filters

Solving these might involve the following expenses:

• Transmission fluid top-up ($50 to $100)
• Seal or gasket replacement ($200 to $600)
• CVT cooling line repair ($100 to $400)
• Transmission pan replacement ($100 to $300)
• Mechanic diagnostic fees ($50 to $100)

Other Common Honda CVT Transmission Problems

Besides the top 5 common Honda CVT reliability issues that we mentioned earlier, here are some other common transmission-related faults you might encounter with your Honda:

1. Delay In Response – When you shift your Honda from “park” to “drive,” there should be an instant response. With a failing CVT, you might experience a noticeable delay. This hesitation poses a safety hazard, and it also signals a larger issue. A delayed response might be a symptom of a declining transmission control module or an issue with the transmission’s valve body.
2. Warning Lights – If there’s an issue with your CVT, the transmission warning light or check engine light may illuminate. While these lights can be triggered for various reasons; a persistent warning light should never be ignored. Having the error codes read by a professional or an OBD scanner can quickly pinpoint if the issue is with the CVT.
3. Poor Fuel Economy – One of the perks of CVT transmissions is better fuel efficiency. So, if you start to notice a decrease in miles per gallon, your CVT could be the culprit. When the CVT isn’t functioning optimally, the engine works harder, consuming more fuel. Keeping a close eye on your fuel consumption can indirectly hint at CVT problems.
4. Inconsistent Movement – A smooth driving experience is a hallmark of CVTs. If you observe your Honda suddenly jerking or surging, especially under steady speeds, there’s cause for concern. This unpredictable behavior can be a symptom of transmission slipping due to low fluid levels, worn belts, or issues with sensors controlling the CVT.
5. Difficulty Shifting Gears – While CVTs don’t have “gears” in the traditional sense, you might still feel a sensation similar to shifting. If this becomes noticeably difficult, or if the transitions become jarring, the CVT might be malfunctioning. Moreover, if your car struggles to find the right “gear” ratio or you feel constant up-and-down shifts, it’s a sign that something’s amiss.