A digital content creator and handyman is going viral on Facebook after reacting to a Honda CVT transmission that appears to have completely fallen apart at an auto shop.
Andrew Campbell (@ajcampbelliii) shared a recent Reel showing the transmission removed from the vehicle and set on a table. As it sits there, pieces start breaking off—metal fragments dropping away until what’s left looks more like a pile of parts than something that could be put back together.
The video shows a mechanic standing nearby as the transmission continues to come apart, leaving behind what appears to be a messy teardown rather than a repairable unit.
Campbell added his own commentary on the clip.
“If you’re going to send your transmission to Jesus, send it there in so many pieces that not even he can put it back together again,” he says. “It’s the only acceptable way.” As of this writing, the video has more than 749,000 views.
Why Do CVT Transmissions Get A Bad Rep?
CVTs get a bad reputation mostly because when they go, they tend to go in a big way.
Unlike a traditional automatic, which uses gears, a CVT relies on a belt-and-pulley system that constantly adjusts. That setup is great for fuel economy, but it also means there’s more stress on key components over time. Heat is a big factor, too. If the system runs too hot, parts can wear down faster or fail altogether.
Maintenance plays a bigger role than many people realize. Some cars are sold with the idea that the transmission fluid lasts for life, but that’s not really how it works in practice. If the fluid isn’t changed regularly, it can break down and stop protecting the internal parts, accelerating wear.
Driving habits matter as well, according to Reddit users who have CVT transmissions themselves. Hard acceleration, towing, or constant stop-and-go traffic can all put extra strain on the system, and, over time, that adds up.
Part of the reputation also comes from older models that had real issues. Some early CVTs, especially from certain brands in the 2010s, failed sooner than expected, according to CarParts.com, and those stories stuck.
When something does go wrong, it’s usually not a simple fix. These transmissions aren’t easy to repair, especially not at home, so they’re usually replaced entirely. That’s where the cost jumps, often running into the thousands.
That said, not every CVT is a problem. Newer versions from brands like Nissan, Honda, and Toyota, in particular, have gotten more reliable. And with regular maintenance and reasonable driving, they can last a long time.
Commenters Poke Fun At CVT Transmissions
Viewers who came across Campbell’s video didn’t hold back, with many using the clip as a chance to take shots at CVT transmissions.
“That’s just what CVTs do,” one person said.
“CVT transmissions are the worst,” another added.
Some focused on the condition of the transmission itself, questioning how it got to the point where parts were falling off.
“Sounds like a straight cash register,” one Facebook user joked.
“Who open the piggy bank?” another wrote.
“The all-new million-piece CVT puzzle,” a third person said.
“Sounded like you dumped a bag of nickels on the counter,” a fourth added.
Others took it a step further, saying the video reinforced their decision to avoid CVTs altogether.
“Well, first of all, avoid buying a vehicle with a CVT in it because they’re VERY expensive to rebuild,” one person warned.
“Literally every Nissan CVT after 70,000 miles,” another commenter said, pointing to a brand that’s often criticized for earlier CVT issues.
“This is why I don’t buy Nissan vehicles because I know after the engine, there is disaster,” a third person added.
Motor1 has reached out to Campbell via direct message on Facebook. We’ll update this story if we hear back.
