2018 Honda CR-V problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 1,572 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Honda CR-V, most often about fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion. There are 5 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 1,572
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 30
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 29
- Median mileage
- 42,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion is the most-reported problem area, named in 434 of 1,572 complaints (28%).
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (421) and steering (321) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 42,000 mi.
- Owners reported 30 crashes, 0 fires and 29 injuries.
- The 2018 Honda CR-V has 5 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It has the most serious complaint record of all 22 Honda CR-V model years we track.
- That is 68% more complaints than the 2017 model year (938).
2018 Honda CR-V problems by category
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion · 3 crashes434 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 5 crashes421 complaints
- Steering · 4 crashes321 complaints
- Electrical System · 3 crashes211 complaints
- Engine · 5 crashes208 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 1 crash143 complaints
- Brakes · 8 crashes142 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 2 crashes44 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash41 complaints
- 28 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash15 complaints
- Airbags · 6 crashes14 complaints
- Body & Structure · 2 crashes14 complaints
- Wheels & Tires11 complaints
- Lighting10 complaints
- Suspension6 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Steering | 316 |
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 312 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 219 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 206 |
| Electrical system | 201 |
| Engine | 195 |
| Unknown or other | 136 |
| Service brakes | 129 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2018 Honda CR-V recalls (5)
- AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.
Risk: An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are NDA, QDB, BDC, MDD, LD9. TDF, FDG, ODH, YDI, ZDE.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
- STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Honda Civic and CR-V vehicles. The magnet that controls the torque sensor output signal for the electronic power steering system may not be properly secured, allowing the magnet to become dislodged. During a full lock turn, the dislodged magnet may cause steering assist to be applied in the opposite direction.
Risk: The unintended steering input reduces vehicle maneuverability and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gearbox assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C2N, P2O.
NHTSA defect investigations
- EA24002Opened Apr 15, 2024Open
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles. The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that they were aware of a total of X,XXX reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Hon…
- PE22011Opened Nov 28, 2022Closed Jul 22, 2024
Rear Differential Seizure
On November 29, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE 22-011 after reviewing field reports alleging rear differential seizure in 2018-2022MY Honda CR-V and HR-V vehicles equipped with all wheel drive. To date, ODI has not received any consumer complaints. Some of the field reports received alleged the vehicle’s wheels locked up with no warning while the vehicle was in motion. These vehicles were towed to a dealership. Examination of these vehicles showed the driveshaft had broken and the differential unit was completely damaged. The field reports cited a lack of oil due to …
- PE22003Opened Feb 21, 2022Closed Apr 18, 2024
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles. The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that they were aware of a total of X,XXX reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Hon…
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Honda CR-V SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2018 Honda CR-V SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Recent 2018 Honda CR-V complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 7, 202680,000 miMSElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, several unknown warning lights illuminated with an audible alert. The vehicle was previously repaired. The warning lights turned on and off and eventually remained illuminated. While driving, the vehicle failed to exceed 12 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where undisclosed repairs were performed; however, the failure recurred. The dealer determined that there was a leak…
NHTSA complaint #11769690 · source - Filed Oct 6, 202698,000 miTXAirbags
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the supplemental restraint system and front passenger’s side air bag messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and referred the contact to…
NHTSA complaint #11769431 · source - Filed Oct 5, 2026CASteering
The Electric Power Steering (EPS) rack failed internally, causing heavy, sticky, and stiff steering accompanied by noise during turns, particularly when making small corrections at freeway speeds. The defect directly put safety at risk by impairing steering control, leading the inspecting authorized Honda dealership technician (Tech #3129) to officially document that the vehicle is "not safe to drive". Both the vehicle and the failing EPS assembly remain unrepaired. The…
NHTSA complaint #11769187 · source - Filed Oct 3, 2026FLSteering
Steering wheel sticks when turning causing over correction and safety issues. Other years have a recall-2018 does not. First reported in 2025 at 70,000 miles which is not a reasonable amount of time for a major part like that to break or malfunction
NHTSA complaint #11768728 · source - Filed Oct 3, 2026TNElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
Had injectors replaced 2 times before it had 100k miles, HONDA KNEW what was happening. One of the men in the service dept told me while having them replaced the 2nd time. I took my car to the dealership at 123k miles and told them theres a problem with my oil getting gas in it but they blamed it on overdue oil change. I was forced to continue driving the car because I got a $7k quote and I couldnt afford to fix it I kept coolant in it and the car runs fine. David told me…
NHTSA complaint #11768662 · source - Filed Oct 2, 2026MDFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The warning lights on the dash all lit up, and upon inspection of the vehicle, gave error code P0172. We took it to the Honda dealership near up, who confirmed that the vehicle needed the fuel injectors replaced. If we did not fix it immediately, our catalytic converter was at risk of also being damaged, along with other parts of the vehicle. We had it fixed, but on our own research, have seen that this is a very common failure in the 2018 Honda CR-V line vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11768532 · source - Filed Oct 1, 2026WAEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
The timing chain and camshaft broke the car froze while driving 70 mh. No warning. With about 67000 mi on it. Yes it can be inspected. At risk on the freeway going 70 mph. Was able to coast to the right side before engine locked the wheels. Not able to restart. Towed to an independent garage. They gave a diagnostic test and then opened it up to find timing chain broke and caused camshaft as well as other damages. No warning! Taking it to Moses Lake Honda dealership tomorrow…
NHTSA complaint #11768420 · source - Filed Oct 1, 2026CAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
I brought my car into a dealership on 09/25/26 due to recall (system update), no maintenance light is on nor any alerts--was told to replace front tires and to have 90k maintenance done. After the software update-- 3 days later, my dashboard lights all lighted up (Christmas tree). Brought the car back on 09/30/26 because I figured technician failed to calibrate after updating the system software but then I was told i needed to replace the fuel injection parts. The car…
NHTSA complaint #11768289 · source
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Other 2018 Honda models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology