P0740 on Honda

The 10th generation Accord 2.0T uses the ZF 9HP48 9-speed automatic transmission - the same unit that caused widespread complaints in the Honda Pilot (2016-2019) and Acura TLX/MDX. Software-controlled dog clutches are incompatible with Honda's original calibration, causing violent shuddering, harsh downshifts (especially 2nd-3rd gear), hesitation accelerating from stops, and torque converter shudder between 20-65 mph. Honda issued multiple TSBs. The 10th gen 1.5T uses a different transmission (CVT or 6-speed) and does NOT share this issue. 2.0T models are exclusively affected.

Early Honda Accord CVT transmissions suffer from widespread start clutch juddering caused by a manufacturing defect. The issue causes shaking or juddering during acceleration, especially from a stop. Honda acknowledged the problem and extended the warranty to 100,000 miles or 10 years for affected VINs.

The Honda 4-speed automatic in the mid-to-late 1990s Accord is prone to slipping and outright failure, typically around/after 100,000 miles. As the internal clutch material wears, debris circulates in the fluid and clogs the shift solenoids, causing harsh or delayed shifts, flaring, and eventual loss of drive. The J30 V6 automatic (introduced in the US in 1995) is especially notorious, and the failure mode carried into the 1998-2002 V6 cars, which became one of Honda's most infamous transmissions of the era. Owners who never serviced the fluid (Honda ATF, every ~30k) fare worst.

Numerous powertrain complaints describe automatic transmission failure with little warning, including hard shifting, slipping, delayed engagement, loss of acceleration, and torque converter circuit faults. Several owners reported failures at relatively modest mileage, making this one of the clearest expensive mechanical patterns in early 2000 Civics.

The 2001-2005 (7th generation) Civic automatic transmission is widely documented as failing prematurely, often before 90,000 miles. Owners report harsh/abrupt shifting, the engine revving without the car moving, slipping, or no engagement in drive — typically from torque-converter failure, overheating ATF, and worn clutch packs. NHTSA complaints and HondaProblems data place 2001 as the worst year; more than half of reported failures occur under 90k miles, with about 1 in 5 before 70k. This generation falls in a gap in our current coverage (we span 1992-2000 then jump to 2006+).

The 4-speed automatics on 1990s D16 Civics develop slipping and harsh or stuck shifting. Frequent causes are a failing shift-control solenoid and, distinctively, the distributor O-ring leaking oil onto the transmission solenoid connectors. Torque-converter breakdown that burns the fluid is the more severe failure mode and worsened into the following (2001+) generation.

Honda Crosstour (2010-2015) owners report transmission shuddering, hard shifting, slipping gears, and hesitation during acceleration. The 5-speed automatic transmission experiences torque converter shudder at low speeds (15-35 mph) and harsh shifting between gears. Honda issued software updates for torque converter control, but many owners report issues persist. Transmission fluid flush may help temporarily.

New CVT in 3rd gen Fit (2015-2020) had significant issues, particularly 2015-2016. Hesitation, shuddering during acceleration, whining/howling noise from transmission. Honda addressed some issues with software updates. Transmission cooler addition ($80-150) reportedly prevents issues according to some owners. CRITICAL: Use ONLY Honda HF-F CVT fluid ($35-50/quart) - other fluids void warranty and cause damage. Change CVT fluid every 30,000 miles religiously.

The 2016-2022 Honda HR-V CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) experiences shuddering, judder, hesitation, and premature belt deterioration. Symptoms include vibrations during acceleration (especially 15-35 mph), delayed engagement, and strange whining/grinding noises. Honda extended the CVT warranty to 7 years/150,000 miles for 2016-2020 models due to premature belt wear. If caught early, CVT fluid replacement can help, but severe cases require complete CVT replacement ($3,000-5,000).

The 2010-2014 Honda Insight (second generation) CVT transmission experiences judder, shuddering, knocking noise during acceleration, and complete failure. Early CVT steel belt failures were identified. When CVT fails, the green "D" indicator on dash blinks. The transmission shudders at low speeds (15-35 mph) and makes knocking noises when shifting or accelerating. Honda extended CVT warranty to 10yr/150k miles on some models. CVT replacement: $3,000-5,000.

Judder from torque converter lock-up clutch felt while driving between 20-60 mph. Honda determined the judder was caused by deteriorated transmission fluid exposed to intermittent high heat loads under specific driving conditions. Most noticeable during light acceleration when torque converter attempts to lock up.

Honda Passport owners report annoying vibration and wobble at highway speeds (45-65 mph). The vibration is cyclical, often felt through the steering wheel, floor, and seats. Common causes include: wheel balance issues (OEM wheels are finicky), tire cupping/uneven wear, driveshaft imbalance, transmission torque converter shudder, and worn suspension bushings. Some owners report Honda dealers dismissing it as "normal characteristic" despite it being clearly abnormal. Road force balancing (not regular balancing) often fixes tire-related vibration.

The first-generation Passport's 4-speed automatic is widely documented for torque-converter clutch shudder, slipping, harsh shifts, and eventual hard-part failure, especially loss of 2nd gear. Honda issued service information tied to Isuzu-sourced driveline components, and owner complaints frequently describe the vehicle revving without acceleration or dropping into limp behavior after warm-up. Once clutch material contaminates the fluid, the problem often progresses quickly from intermittent shudder to a full rebuild or replacement.

Early first-generation Pilot models share a well-documented 5-speed automatic transmission weakness with other Honda/Acura trucks of the era. Honda issued a safety recall to install an oil jet intended to improve lubrication/cooling of second gear because inadequate lubrication could lead to gear overheating, discoloration, breakage, and eventual transmission failure or lockup. Owners commonly report slipping, harsh shifting, flashing D4, burnt fluid, and complete loss of drive, sometimes even after the recall if damage had already begun.

The 1997-2001 (5th gen) Prelude automatic is notorious for a high premature-failure rate, well above typical Honda reliability. Failures cluster into an early death (often under ~30,000 miles) or a later slip/harsh-shift failure. Honda quietly extended the automatic-transmission warranty on 2000-2001 cars to 100,000 miles, attributing the problem to a manufacturing deviation (raw materials/workmanship) rather than design, but left 1997-1999 owners to pay for rebuilds themselves. Manual-transmission Preludes are not affected.