Noticed the transmission fluid on my 2009 crv has an odor. I wouldnt say it is a burnt smell necessarily, well, maybe a slight tad. But fluid level and color appears to be good. Is it normal for there to be an odor?

Check the fluid level of the transmission. Check fluid quality. It should be red in color and smell clean. If it's dark and has a burnt odor, your transmission is slipping and is on it's way out.

You mean check the fluid?
You will run the vehicle to operating temperature and make sure the transmission has shifted in drive and reverse gears. Once it is at operating temp, you will park on level ground, place the shifter in NEUTRAL and set the parking brake. You may now pop the hood and remove the transmission dipstick, wipe it clean re-insert it into the transmission dipstick tube and pull it out again. Look at the level of the fluid on the stick. Look at both sides of the stick and the lowest level mark on the stick is you transmission fluid level.
When you are checking the transmission take note of the color of the fluid. It should be a reddish pink color and not have a "burnt" smell. If the fluid is turning dark red, orange-ish, or darker the fluid should be changed. Also is the fluid smells burnt or has small metallic particale in it, it should be changed. The mopar ATF does have an odor but it is not offensive or burnt smalling when the fluid is in good condition.

Transmission fluid doesn't smell the greatest. LOL!! If the fluid was dark, or black, I would be worried. It wouldn't hurt to have a transmission service, per the owner's manual service schedule.

If you've never changed the trani fluid, change it. I use mobil synthetic. a bit costly 12.50 a qt in guam but it works.

Yes, it's the additives that smell funny. Or it may have just aged a little prematurely, have you replaced it every 30k as recommended?

No, mostly it is a not unpleasant smell. Your transmission may be getting hot due to the work you do. I would advise you to change the oil and filter and fit an after market cooler into the oil cooling circuit.

Check tranny fluid level and make sure you put in the correct fluid.HONDA SPECIFIC tranny fluid only.

Number of miles since last transmission filter cleaning and transmission fluid replacement could have a strong impact.
Check the fluid level and fluid color and odor.
If level is ok, and color appears good (gold or red) and odor is NOT burnt smelling, then a clog in one of the pumps inside the transmission could be the culprit - take it to your local transmission shop.

If the fluid is any of the other issues listed above,
Drain the fluid (using a 4 dollar drill pump available at Harbor Freight) via the transmission dipstick tube. Now pour in an identical amount of new fluid (amount is not specified because you cannot get all the fluid out this way - so add only the amount that you are able to remove).

Put a few miles on it and it will be much better.

BTW - I assume that you have checked for the obvious vacuum leak - cracked vacuum hose, or disconnected hose....

Let us know!! -Jim

first thing to check is fluid level and fluid condition and odor, if it smells burnt you have a problem, if fluid is low but okay otherwise then look for leaks, do a systematic check , if all looks good you may have other things wrong, some hard part failure anywhere from a torque converter to a transmission pump on down the line... try a reputable transmission shop...please rate my help.. thanks

level surface, vehicle transmission hot, selector in park, vehicle not running---check dipstick level to be within hash mark lines. Look for orange/red color, and smell dipstick to ascertain a "burnt" odor.

If color is not orangew/red, fluid smells "burnt", and level is low, BE$ CAREFUL!