2018 Honda CR-V
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 2,145 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 CR-V model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 46 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 47 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerMay 21, 2026
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.
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 26V332000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023
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.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, buckle assemblyMar 9, 2023
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.
An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V158000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpMar 25, 2021
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.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V215000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemSep 27, 2018
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.
The unintended steering input reduces vehicle maneuverability and increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18V663000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
327 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, May 1, 2025
My vehicle became difficult to steer, similar to driving with all the tires low on air. I made an appointment with Proctor Honda. They determined the Electronic Power Steering Rack was sticking and replaced it with a 5320-TLB-A23 : G/BOX ASSY, EPS. Honda assured me this was not a recall issue. After paying the $4365.66 repair charge, I determined there was a Service Bulletin 23-037 issued for this same problem. It applied to 2018 Honda CRVs. However, it only covered 54 vehicles and my vehicle was not included. This seems unreasonable given it appears to be the identical issue as the vehicles subject to the recall. I'm a 76 year old female and have no means to challenge this other than to ask for your help in determining if I am being treated fairly. If it truly is not the same issue, then I understand. Mileage is 87,661.
Steering, May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel was sticking. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,955.
Steering, May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel became temporarily firm and was difficult to turn while at the center position, causing the driver to turn the steering wheel with additional force, causing the vehicle to experience oversteer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Steering, Apr 27, 2025
Experience a "sticky" feeling in the steering wheel, increased effort to turn, and even difficulty controlling the vehicle, especially at higher speeds on highway.
Steering, Apr 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds in the hot weather, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle was drivable however, the contact had to drive slowly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,600.
Steering, Apr 22, 2025
When driving the electronic steering is sticky. To make slight adjustments it feels like you have to break it free and it results in an over correction of the steering. This has not been confirmed because the problem is not always present.
Steering, Apr 18, 2025
At highway speeds, while steering wheel is centered, steering “sticks”, when turning to the right. It takes some effort to get it to go past this sticking point then feel a pop in the steering and it lets go. Just like the recall says, but this vehicle as well as many others are affected. Yet still no recall on them
Steering, Apr 12, 2025
CLICKING NOISE AND STICKY FEELING WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT(NOT CONTINUOUS) AND A LIGHT JERKY AT TIMES STARTED ABOUT A WEEK AGO (STARTED MARCH 24,2025) MILEAGE 64405
Steering, Apr 9, 2025
Steering sticks while cruising down the highway
Steering, Apr 2, 2025
The car developed "sticky steering". In a curve the steering would stick and then give way suddenly to continue the turn. The dealer said the electronic power steering rack was binding and it needed to be replaced. The safety issue was the sudden give to the steering which led to some overcorrection. When this problem was first identified in 2018 Honda recalled 54 cars which they said had a faulty part. Now they refuse to recall or pay for the power steering rack even though the problem is identical to the cars they recalled. The dealer's chief mechanic checked out my complaint in the parking lot, said he didn't need to drive it, he knew exactly what the problem was and had seen it in several other cars. There were no warning lamps or messages ever seen with this issue.
Steering, Lane departure, Apr 1, 2025
Steering sticks at highway speeds, particularly around curves. While driving on the highway I noticed around curves that instead of the steering wheel straightening out on it's own (or with very minimal effort) the steering would stick and I had to force it out of that stick. It was very alarming at first and frankly terrifying with how badly it was stuck. I did have the lane keep assist on so I thought maybe it was that, however I have since been driving this vehicle without the lane keep assist and although it doesn't stick as badly, it does indeed still stick. This issue occurs nearly each time I am going around a curve, sometimes when I am making slight turning maneuvers like lane switches, and rarely while going straight. The exception to that last one is when I have the lane keep assist on, then sometimes it will stick even when going straight. Now, before you start thinkin that this is somehow user error and I am unaware of how these systems are supposed to work. I was a service advisor for Honda for several years, I have driven many Hondas and many other vehicles with these types of systems; this is NOT supposed to happen and this is NOT normal. I have driven this car for just over a year and put over 20K miles on it and there is a distinct difference between normal operation and when the issue occurs. Additionally, there is a metal-on-metal clunk and what I think sounds like a very slight grind when turning the steering wheel fully to the left and right that comes from the steering box and you can feel that the steering wants to push you back in to the opposite direction. I believe that there is a connection between the steering and the lane keep assist for this issue and that it's related to Service Bulletin 18-103. However, I have not yet had this vehicle diagnosed at the dealership since I no longer work at Honda and I do not want to pay their diagnostic fee.
Steering, Mar 31, 2025
Steering sticks. Most noticeable at highway speeds when making sweeping turns. When trying to correct steering or exiting the turn it sticks and requires more force to un-stick it. This makes driving difficult. This has been happening for several months and seems to be getting worse.
Steering, Lane departure, Mar 29, 2025
Steering initially sticks when attempting to change lanes and "grabs" when going straight. Has occurred numerous times, whenever we drive the car.
Steering, Mar 22, 2025
Steering on freeway sticks when turning.
Steering, Mar 11, 2025
STEERING "STICKY STEERING CHECK STEERING THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS IN CERTAIN SPOTS ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING WHEEL
Steering, Mar 7, 2025
Steering has sticky response from the neutral position. Car has 60000 mi. Seems be after car warms up, and over 35 mph. When driving, when car is starting to drift left, light steering to right hangs up briefly before jumping right slightly. No warning lights and lane departure is off. No tire problems. Recent alignment. No recall on this car, but problem seems very similar to other cr-v recalls with electric steering. My wife is afraid to drive car very far, as problem has become much more pronounced since it started last month. There is a definite feeling of lack of steering control. Car will taken to dealer as soon as possible.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 3, 2025
EPS RACK. steering sticks turning left and right
Steering, Mar 2, 2025
Steering has a sticky spout requiring extra effort when making slight adjustments.
Steering, Feb 28, 2025
Steering becomes “sticky” when turning. Wheel does not reset to straight position in timely manner. Extra effort required to steer vehicle. There is no warning light or engine light that comes on. Car almost impossible to steer making the vehicle unsafe.
Steering, Feb 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel failed to respond as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact and her husband diagnosed the vehicle with sticky steering. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because it was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Steering, Feb 8, 2025
When making a steering correction, there is a tendency for the steering to get stuck in a fixed position for a brief period. It takes an abnormal level of force to overcome this stickiness before it becomes un-stuck and allows a steering change. As a result, there is some jerkiness in the steering, which presents a significant safety issue. It is more noticeable at higher speeds and can be a bit alarming, and a potential collision hazard, particularly if surrounded by other vehicles on a major highway, which I have experienced with this vehicle. I have not yet taken it to a dealer or service provider but have read several forums on-line and tried some of the recommended remedies, such as adjusting the steering column and turning the wheel slowly through full motion, which did not resolve the issue.
Steering, Feb 6, 2025
In this model of Honda steering wheel looses controls like loosing the steering for fraction of seconds it like steering and wheel movement has lag you feel like it's tiny motion in steering wheel. If you holds steering wheel while driving it tends to not stay in place and you need to keep making tiny motion to keep in place. Dealer did not recognize this as issue and asked to comeback if it's get worst. As driver my fear is for me and my family as if it fails or do malfunction we can loose control of the vehicle and loss of life can occur. Someone needs to carefully inspect it to find what component making is responsible and provide remediation.
Steering, Dec 10, 2024
My 2018 CR-V EX is experiencing a "sticky steering" issue that has gotten noticeably worse over time (I purchased the vehicle new). When driving around long, steady curves, in particular, and typically at speeds in the 40 to 60+ mph range, the steering wheel sticks at that orientation to the point that you can feel it doesn't want to move. When coming out of the curve, or if the turn radius changes requiring you to straighten out a bit, it doesn't want to move back toward center; it requires a bit of effort to get it to "unstick" and straighten out. Once you apply that required force, though, it doesn't unstick smoothly but in sort of a jerking fashion back toward straight, which can cause a bit of an overcorrection. I see that there is a steering recall of 2018 CR-V's requiring a replacement of the gear box, although my VIN is not included, and I also see that there is a major recall recently for newer Hondas, including the CR-V, that seems to perfectly describe this issue. Apparently, it's a significant safety concern if they're recalling one to two million vehicles for it, and from all of the similar reviews and complaints I've read from other 2018 CR-V owners, it appears it's long been an issue with this gear box, although only recently acknowledged on the more recent vehicles. This should clearly be evaluated and reconsidered going back to 2018 when the CR-V redesign happened, as I and MANY other 2018 CR-V owners are and have been experiencing this same issue that's warranted a safety recall on the newer models.
Steering, Dec 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the steering wheel seized and the contact stated the steering wheel felt very tight with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering became difficult to turn and also heard a clanking noise when the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gearbox failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 33,100.
Steering, Lane departure, Nov 27, 2024
Steering requiered red light in the dashboard and a lane departure warning