5-Speed Automatic
The five-speed automatic fitted to relevant petrol CR-Vs uses conventional hydraulic and torque-converter technology. Valve-body wear, solenoids, converter lock-up and clutch condition are central diagnostic areas.
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The Honda CR-V has used several very different automatic transmissions in the UK, including five-speed automatic, nine-speed automatic, CVT and Honda's later hybrid drive system. A single 'CR-V gearbox fault' description is therefore too broad for accurate diagnosis.
A 2014 petrol CR-V that shudders at cruise needs a different approach from a 2016 diesel 9-speed that changes harshly or a newer Hybrid showing a powertrain warning.
CR-V transmission history includes conventional five-speed automatics, a nine-speed automatic on relevant diesel 4WD models, CVT on later turbo-petrol versions and e:HEV/e:PHEV hybrid drive on current generations.
| CR-V generation / type | Typical UK versions | Automatic transmission | What owners often search for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CR-V Mk4, 2012–2014 | 2.0 i-VTEC petrol automatic | 5-speed conventional automatic on relevant UK models | CR-V 5-speed auto fault, converter shudder, delayed Drive |
| CR-V Mk4 facelift, 2015–2018 | 1.6 i-DTEC 160PS 4WD / 2.0 petrol | 9-speed automatic on relevant diesel 4WD; 5-speed automatic on relevant petrol versions | CR-V 9-speed gearbox fault, harsh shift, delayed engagement |
| CR-V Mk5, 2018–2023 | 1.5 VTEC Turbo petrol and 2.0 Hybrid | CVT on relevant petrol versions; i-MMD fixed-gear hybrid drive on Hybrid | CR-V CVT fault, Hybrid transmission warning, shudder |
| CR-V Mk6, 2023–present | 2.0 e:HEV AWD and e:PHEV 2WD | Honda e:HEV/e:PHEV automatic hybrid drive with fixed-gear architecture | New CR-V hybrid gearbox warning, e:PHEV drive fault |
The five-speed automatic fitted to relevant petrol CR-Vs uses conventional hydraulic and torque-converter technology. Valve-body wear, solenoids, converter lock-up and clutch condition are central diagnostic areas.
The nine-speed automatic on relevant 1.6 i-DTEC 4WD models uses a different hydraulic strategy and internal clutch arrangement. Harsh changes, delayed engagement and ratio faults must be assessed as 9-speed-specific problems.
Later petrol CVT and hybrid CR-Vs again diverge: turbo-petrol CVT uses variable ratio control, while e:HEV/e:PHEV models use Honda's electrified fixed-gear drive architecture rather than a normal belt-CVT.
CR-V searches frequently revolve around '9-speed gearbox fault', 'CVT shudder', 'delayed Drive', 'torque converter vibration' and 'hybrid transmission warning'. The generation and engine tell us which of those search terms is mechanically relevant.
A shudder when moving away may involve CVT/start-clutch behaviour, converter lock-up on conventional automatics or a driveline/mounting issue.
Delayed Drive can result from pressure loss, valve-body control, converter fill or internal clutch application on five-/nine-speed automatics.
Harsh changes on a 9-speed CR-V can be influenced by hydraulic control, solenoids, adaptation or internal clutch wear.
RPM flare on a CVT or conventional automatic can indicate insufficient hydraulic pressure, ratio-control problems or internal slip.
A hybrid warning on e:HEV/e:PHEV models should be checked across the electric drive, fixed-gear system and hybrid control modules.
AWD, wheel-bearing and driveshaft noise can be transmitted through the body and mistaken for gearbox or final-drive whine.
Tell us whether the CR-V symptom appears at low speed, during one particular shift, at steady motorway speed, under AWD load or during hybrid operation. That driving condition is especially useful on a model with several transmission families.
| What you notice | How drivers describe it | Possible areas to investigate |
|---|---|---|
| Judder pulling away | “It shakes as I move off or reverse.” | CVT/start clutch or torque-converter behaviour, mounts, engine running or driveline |
| RPM rises without speed | “The revs climb but the car does not accelerate properly.” | CVT belt/pulley pressure, internal clutch application or hydraulic control |
| Delay selecting Drive | “I select D and it takes a moment to engage.” | Hydraulic pressure, clutch application, valve body/control or internal wear |
| Whine that follows speed | “It gets louder as road speed rises.” | CVT/final-drive bearings, pulley/belt system, wheel bearing or tyre noise |
| Warning / limited drive | “The transmission or hybrid warning appears.” | Stored TCM/hybrid DTC, sensor/control fault, pressure data or protection mode |
| Hybrid revs feel unusual | “The engine revs do not seem tied to road speed.” | Can be normal e:HEV operating strategy; diagnose only if accompanied by warnings, poor drive or abnormal noise |
CR-V DTCs are read in the context of five-speed, nine-speed, CVT or hybrid architecture. Ratio, pressure, converter and hybrid-system codes should not be treated as interchangeable.
| Fault code | What it broadly relates to | What may need checking |
|---|---|---|
| P0700 | Transmission control system warning request | Read the Honda transmission control module for the underlying transmission-specific DTCs |
| P0715 | Input / turbine speed sensor circuit on applicable automatics | Speed-sensor signal, wiring, control data and internal transmission operation |
| P0730 | Incorrect gear ratio / ratio plausibility on applicable transmissions | Commanded versus actual ratio, hydraulic pressure and internal wear |
| P0741 | Torque-converter clutch performance on applicable conventional/CVT automatics | Converter lock-up, hydraulic pressure, control valves and fluid condition |
| P0847 / P0848 | Transmission fluid pressure switch/sensor circuit on applicable Honda automatics | Pressure switch signal, wiring, hydraulic control and transmission pressure |
CR-V engine, model year and AWD/Hybrid status are essential for identifying the correct transmission before repair.
CR-V pricing varies from valve-body/pressure-control and converter work to full 5AT, 9AT or CVT reconditioning. e:HEV/e:PHEV repairs require diagnosis of the hybrid drive before a firm quote.
| Honda CR-V gearbox work | Typical guide range | What can change the price? |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic scan and road test | From £30 | 5AT, 9AT, CVT, AWD and hybrid complexity |
| Valve-body / solenoid / pressure-control repair | Approx. £800 - £1,600 | Automatic or CVT hydraulic-control condition |
| Torque-converter related repair | Approx. £900 - £1,800+ | Where fitted; converter condition and removal labour |
| Full gearbox repair / reconditioning | Approx. £2k - £4.5k+ | 5AT, 9AT or CVT internal damage and parts required |
| e:HEV / e:PHEV hybrid transmission / drive repair | Diagnosis required | Hybrid motors, fixed-gear drive and control-system involvement |
We confirm CR-V generation, engine, AWD status and exact transmission or hybrid drive.
Honda diagnostics are used to inspect transmission pressure, ratio, converter and hybrid control data where applicable.
The fault is reproduced at the speed, load or temperature in which the owner experiences it.
We then quote the hydraulic, converter, CVT, internal or hybrid-drive repair supported by the test results.
Tell us whether the CR-V is a petrol, diesel, Hybrid or PHEV if known and describe the shudder, delayed engagement, harsh shift, slipping or warning message.
Service4Service South-East supports Honda CR-V five-speed, nine-speed, CVT and hybrid-drive diagnosis and repair throughout the South East, with bespoke collection and delivery available.
Local service pages connect CR-V owners with established regional gearbox coverage while this page stays focused on the exact transmission and drivetrain fitted.
More Honda gearbox guides:
For the wider Honda transmission range, visit our Honda gearbox repair page for the South East.
On conventional automatic versions, torque-converter lock-up is one area to investigate. On CVT models, hydraulic/ratio control may be relevant, while AWD and wheel-related vibration should also be ruled out.
Harsh shifting, delayed engagement, ratio faults and transmission warnings can involve hydraulic pressure, solenoids, adaptation or internal clutch operation on relevant 9-speed models.
Pressure leakage, valve-body control, torque-converter fill and internal clutch application can all cause delayed engagement on conventional automatics.
Yes. Valve-body, pressure-control, bearing, pulley/belt and other internal CVT faults can often be repaired or reconditioned if the unit is economically viable.
The guide table shows component repairs below the cost of a full gearbox rebuild, with full 5AT, 9AT or CVT reconditioning listed around £2k–£4.5k.
No. Honda's e:HEV/e:PHEV CR-V uses an electrified hybrid drive with fixed-gear architecture, which should be diagnosed differently from a conventional belt-CVT.
CR-V diagnosis should first identify five-speed, nine-speed, CVT or hybrid drive and then test the hydraulic, converter, ratio-control or electrified system fitted.