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Honda’s updated response to consumer reported 2015 Honda CR-V vibration

Because Honda cares as much about our CR-V readers as we do...
Honda_CR-V_Vibration

With 134,660, 2015 Honda CR-Vs sold this year to date, despite a spattering of consumer reported 'at idle' vibration events, CR-V remains the best selling compact SUV in North America; and that’s no small feat with Ford, Hyundai, Nissan and Toyota nipping at your proverbial heels.

Torque News has driven the competition in a side by side fair comparison under exacting field conditions. We, like the majority of auto journalist polled, vote 2015 Honda CR-V overall winner in the segment, based on construction quality, interior ergonomics, overall ride and handling characteristics, advanced styling and last but not least, fuel efficiency. We further acknowledge what we believe to be the best engine, CVT combination in the class.

With that said, what’s with the reported vibration issue…

As earlier reported by American Honda Motors and expanded on by Torque News and others, a small percentage of 2015 Honda CR-V buyers have experienced what they perceive as an unacceptable level of interior vibration when CR-V sits at idle engaged in “Drive-mode.” Honda has acknowledged the issue and as promised earlier in this video, to explore the cause and effect of the video, and, address an appropriate remedy.

This is where ‘things” get a bit tricky in a world where automotive engineering and a company's intent to serve the end user often collide; at times the individual customer’s perception comes into play.

In short

The cause and effect of a reported problem, short of an obviously defective component, is more often that not difficult to identify, much less replace within a “chapped” customer’s timeline. What one consumer views as a blaring nuisance, or defect may be an unknown or an acceptable condition to another; none the less, bothersome just the same to the unsatisfied new or used car owner.

What does Honda have to say about this and what does the future hold for 2015 CR-V owners?

Honda’s comment

When asked to comment on the issue at hand, Honda points to the use of an identical Earth Dreams ™ direct injected 4 cylinder i-VTEC engine and CVT transmission in the very popular 2015 Accord without incident of excessive vibration. This points to a (possible) “harmonics” vibration transmitted through the CR-V ACE structure or attached frame member.

Note: Although the pin-pointed source of vibration has not been divulged to Torque News, Honda assures us and CR-V owners that the acknowledged vibration presents no danger of present or future component failure, and, that the company is working diligently on an acceptable fix. On a personal note, Torque News did not experience unusual vibration when initially test driving 2015 CR-V. we will revisit CR-V this week.

According to Honda spokesperson Chris Martin, “we're working to come up with solutions that will address several different customer perceptions of the vibration at idle. While it
is annoying to some, it is not noticed by most, and it does not represent a
detriment to the safety or reliability of the vehicle," states Chris.

Base on past dealership experience and subsequent product recall time line: Our advice to Torque News readers that currently experience an ongoing (slight) vibration issue with Honda CR-V is to report it to your dealer and patiently wait for a notification of recall from American Honda Motors. CR-V is the best selling SUV in North America. And, Honda will do all that is necessary to preserve the overall quality reputation of CR-V while serving the customer.

Update and disclosure

Honda-Torque News is an independent automotive news and review site dedicated to reporting world-wide, regional Honda Motors, and Acura Division news and developments. Although a long-time consumer, owner and fan of all things Honda, that's where the connection to Honda begins and ends.

Torque news is not directly affiliated with Honda, nor does Honda compensate Torque News directly or indirectly for company related news reports. You may read our latest unbiased, seat of the pants review of 2015 Honda CR-V AWD here.

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Comments

Jessica (not verified)    April 5, 2017 - 8:48PM

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I bought my 2015 Feb touring Jan. 2016.. My car shutters at low RPM 1000-1500 RPM. It happens when I'm stopped and then accelerate. It is almost as though it may stall. I've had 2 computer updates. The master technician drive my car for 4-5 days and it didn't do it! Doesn't that figure. It does it every time I drive it. I am more concerned with any long-term effect this may have on my $32k new car. I talked to the service manager today and he said he hasn't heard of this issue and then i come home and find all these threads! Very disappointed... I love everything else about my honda.

Jamie Wright (not verified)    August 31, 2017 - 5:50PM

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We bought a 2015 CRV AWD for my wife. After 12,000 we are deeply disappointed with Honda "quality." The mileage is terrible - I can squeak out about 23.5 MPG on the highway, my wife about 23. This is versus the 28 mpg advertised. The shaking IS AN ISSUE HONDA. I don't drive it often but drove it two weeks ago. I thought it had flat tires and pulled over to check. Nope. Will be taking it back to the dealer to see if anything can be done for both issues. I SHOULD HAVE READ REVIEWS BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS JUNK. Very, very, very disappointed with Honda.

Robert Lewis (not verified)    October 5, 2017 - 1:38PM

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We purchased the 2015 CR-V new on October 21, 2014. On 11/21/2014 (817 miles), we took it back to our Honda dealer because of a "vibration", primarily at highway speeds. They test drove it and decided to swap out the wheels/tires off another 2015 CR-V. Our dealer (and Honda) apparently was not yet aware of the vibration issue on these vehicles. The vibration was still extremely evident. We complained about the vibration with every oil change. The dealership tried rotating the tires at 6841 miles. We were also having issues with the "low tire" light coming on. On 10/20/2016, while at the dealership again for an oil change, I again mentioned the vibration issue... the dealership stated there was now a CVT recall 16-053 and a TSB 15-046. The dealership's invoice (no cost) reflected they did the Mode 1, Mode 2 and Mode 3 repairs. The vibration at highway speeds still exist. Again, with each oil change, I inquired about any other possible corrections. On 05/05/2017 (25,896 miles), I took the CR-V back to the dealership... "time to fix this thing". The Service Manager drove the CR-V and then contacted the the District Service Manager (DPSM). The DPSM was at the dealership on 05/26/2017 (26,470 miles), took the CR-V on a road test, acknowledged the vibration and stated it was a "normal characteristic of this vehicle". He directed the Service Manager to replace both driveshaft assemblies in an effort to reduce/eliminate the vibration. He also sent a $200 loyaty card for "all the time we have spent on this issue" with the dealership. The invoice (no $$, warranty repair) reflects there is still vibration. At my request, Honda provided an extended Vehicle Service Contract of 5 years/80k miles with a $100 deductible on each warranty service. The VSC policy was issued 09/14/2017. Sounds good, but... NOW, FOR THE FINE PRINT... any issues that existed prior to the issuance of the VSC is not covered. I pointed this out to our Honda Dealer Service Manager... he said (paraphrased), "...not too worry. As long as he is there, there will be no problem with getting the warranty service. Great... Our original 36 month warranty will expire in approximately two weeks (10/21/2017)... I screwed-up by not filing a Texas Lemon-Law claim within the 24 month time frame. Be aware... the new phraseology being used is, "normal characteristic of this vehicle"... they build 'em with a vibration and it is "just the way it's made"... suck it up buttercup!! Thanks, Honda...

Jon Beder (not verified)    August 24, 2021 - 9:56AM

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I drive a 2016 accord lx with manual transmission. the whole car has a high frequency vibration but acceptable. However the steering wheel vibrates to a totally unacceptable extreme at 3,000 rpm sitting in the driveway or on the road in any gear.
Also the newly introduced aluminum lower front sub frame failed at 18,000 miles. that should never ever happen. (Honda replaced the unit and the dealer was excellent.)
However aluminum and steel do not work well together for a number of reasons and the intense steering wheel vibration is one of the symptoms. I love Hondas
but am surprised they took such a risk combining dissimilar metals on a vital
safety component.