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
2,145 reports, newest first.
Forward collision avoidance, Aug 21, 2026
I was driving 35 mph and my car automatically braked suddenly despite no object in the road. Afterwards I checked the front of my vehicle and there was no obvious dirt/bugs/etc on the front radar or camera. I now turn off the collision mitigating braking system each time I start the car as I'm afraid it will brake again without cause.
Engine, Aug 20, 2026
Head Gasket failure due to coolant interference in engine
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletins: 19-032 and 19-037. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with fuel injector failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
Steering, Aug 17, 2026
The steering on my 2018 Honda CR-V intermittently sticks around the center position. When making small steering corrections, the steering wheel does not move smoothly and requires additional force to move past the center position. This creates difficulty making precise steering corrections and is a safety concern, particularly at highway speeds. I am concerned about a potential steering gearbox/EPS steering defect. I contacted Honda Customer Service regarding this issue, but Honda denied assistance because there is currently no recall associated with my VIN. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this represents a safety-related defect affecting 2018 Honda CR-V vehicles. I want to report this as a potential safety defect and Honda should rectify with their own cost. This is similar to hundreds of other complaints.
Engine, Aug 17, 2026
I sometimes get a reduced engine power shutter grill problems
Engine, Aug 17, 2026
Vehicles began starting very rough. Had spark plugs and coils. Replaced still continued to have issues with rough starting. Got an engine overheating message and the thermostat begin reading hot cold hot cold. Discovered coolant jug was almost empty. Refilled that and then noticed every few days to a week. It would need refilling. Car was pressure tested three times showed no leaks.. Finally independent mechanic took it in and took it apart and replaced the head gasket which had blown. He said it was a design flaw the way the parts were connected and an engineer should have caught that before it was even put into the vehicle. So I was a victim of what is apparently a relatively common part flaw with this age CRV. I have seen and heard of multiple issues with head gaskets in 2017 and 2018 CRV‘s.
Steering, Aug 15, 2026
I am writing to report a severe, premature safety defect in the steering system of my 2018 Honda CR-V.While attempting to turn the vehicle,I noticed an audible grinding sound accompanied by a distinct feeling of "stickiness" and resistance in the steering wheel. Despite being a low-mileage vehicle with approximately 54,412 miles,the vehicle's steering has experienced a significant mechanical failure.Two independent, certified mechanics have thoroughly inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the steering column assembly has failed internally and requires a complete replacement.Both mechanics stated that the mileage was too low for this kind of issue.There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure, nor have any began occurring.The vehicle was last inspected in April of 2026 by the Honda dealership and passed.The failed steering column causes unpredictable mechanical binding, grinding, and a sticky sensation while turning.This creates a severe safety hazard as the steering wheel catches and requires increased physical effort to steer safely, significantly increasing the imminent risk of a collision or loss of vehicle control.The failure occurred under normal driving conditions without any prior collision or external damage.I have official diagnostic reports from two separate repair facilities confirming this diagnosis.There is currently a very limited existing steering recall for this generation (NHTSA Campaign 18V663000),but my VIN is excluded despite exhibiting identical hazardous symptoms.I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this widespread steering column/gearbox failure trend in 2018 Honda CR-Vs to force an expanded safety recall before a catastrophic accident occurs.I contacted Honda's official recall department to report this defect.The representative documented the issue but stated there was nothing further they could do.When I asked if the case could be reviewed for a potential recall, I was told there is no formal process.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated and then turned off. In addition, the contact stated that two days later, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes independently activated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 12, 2026
Before the recall repairs, I did not experience any loss of acceleration, hesitation, jerking, or flashing warning lights. These symptoms began only after the recall service was completed. 1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle experienced a loss of acceleration while driving. The vehicle also began to jerk or stumble, and multiple warning lights flashed on the dashboard. The vehicle is currently at the Honda dealership and is available for inspection. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The loss of acceleration created a potentially dangerous situation because the vehicle would not respond as expected while driving. I did not feel safe operating the vehicle, especially in traffic, because the vehicle hesitated and lost power. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The vehicle was inspected by a Honda dealership. The dealership initially diagnosed a shutter grille issue (code P16E8). After that repair did not resolve the problem, the dealership later indicated that the fuel injectors might be the cause. The symptoms persisted after the initial repair. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Honda dealership. It has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms before the failure, and when did they first appear? Multiple warning lights began flashing after the recall service was completed. The symptoms, including loss of acceleration and vehicle hesitation, first appeared after the recall repairs were performed.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2026
Around 68432miles my 2018 Honda CRV EXL AWD has started getting the problem of "Shutter Grill problem, power reduced" warning light. It often happens on highway speeds after about 75-100 miles of driving on long trips. Its very dangerous once I encounter it in the middle of the highway with reduced power to operate the vehicle safely. Have not encountered this issue in city driving at all. Once I receive this issue, only solution is to safely pull over on the shoulder of the highway, turn the vehicle off. wait 5-10 minutes and then restart the vehicle hoping it will not come again. But on long trips and at highway speeds of 65-75mph It usually comes on again after 30-50 miles again after the restart of the engine. Verified that engine temperature gauge is at normal position when this happens (Please see attached picture for dashboard controls). So that tells me engine is not running hot even though system throws this warning and suddenly reduces the engine power for the driver. American Honda is hiding behind this issue with my car to avoid fixing the Oil dilution problem that I am experiencing as well and I have reported that as part of NHTSA complaint number 11756292. To me these two are separate issues those American Honda has to address separately. After American Honda failed to address these issues separately I am bringing both of these issues to NHTSA 's attention with hope that American Honda should do the right thing and stand behind their defective product.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 11, 2026
In Feb-2020 While driving on [XXX] just south of Altoona, PA experienced sudden loss of power with multiple warning lights on in the dashboard along with engine light. Safely maneuvered the vehicle to the shoulder. Turned it off, waited some minutes and then tried restarting it. To my surprise vehicle started with normal power but lights still present. I continued my driving and after few miles later even the lights went off. Then covid pandemic happened. Did not drove this car much that spring and summer and ultimately took the car to Autozone to read the stored DTC codes on Nov 19 2020. Autozone read the Error codes as P0303, P0304 and P0300 as part of Autozone paperwork Report ID# [XXX] Called American Honda and registered complaint case # [XXX]. Honda advised to take it to the nearest Honda dealership to read the codes again but Honda dealership said there are no codes those they were able to read on 11/23/2020. Updated Honda with dealership findings on 12/15/2020. American Honda assured me that vehicle is still under warranty and they will do the right thing if problem resurfaced. 09/26/2025 - Once I got this problem again around 73k miles on odometer, I Called Honda again to make the things right with their July 2019 advisory and emissions warranty extension to me under Service bulletin #19-032. 11/06/2025 - American Honda tried to resolve the issue as per advisory to me under Service bulletin #19-032 at 80K on the odometer. 02/11/2026 - Experienced the same Engine misfire codes again in January 2026 and called American honda to reopen the case# [XXX] and took the car to local honda dealership again where the warranty work as per Service bulletin #19-032 was performed in Nov 2025. 03/04/2026 - Upon dealership's further diagnosis talked to Dominique at American honda and he refused to stand behind their product and refused any fix. To me Honda failed to address oil dilution issue for my 2018 CRV EXL AWD. See attachments INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Aug 11, 2026
While driving safely on the highway at 55mph speeds, my 2018 Honda vehicle suddenly displayed multiple unexpected warning lights and alerts on the dashboard. The vehicle experienced an abrupt loss of normal operation behavior, posing an immediate safety hazard and risk of a collision in fast-moving traffic. I took the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealership for diagnostics, paying a $200 diagnostic fee. The dealership confirmed a severe mechanical failure involving the head gasket. Because the vehicle is out of the limited warranty window, the dealership quoted a prohibitively high repair cost and advised me to trade the vehicle in rather than fix it. As a Costco employee who relies entirely on this vehicle for my livelihood and commute, this sudden catastrophic engine failure jeopardizes my employment. A core engine component like a head gasket failing prematurely at highway speeds is a critical safety and structural defect that puts drivers at risk. I am filing this complaint to request a federal investigation into potential 2018 Honda 1.8L engine and gasket defects.
Steering, Aug 11, 2026
The steering on my 2018 Honda CR-V intermittently sticks around the center position. When making small steering corrections, the steering wheel does not move smoothly and requires additional force to move past the center position. This creates difficulty making precise steering corrections and is a safety concern, particularly at highway speeds. I am concerned about a potential steering gearbox/EPS steering defect. I contacted Honda Customer Service regarding this issue, but Honda denied assistance because there is currently no recall associated with my VIN. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this represents a safety-related defect affecting 2018 Honda CR-V vehicles. I want to report this as a potential safety defect and honda should rectify with their own cost.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 11, 2026
Cylinder head gaskets failure with coolant migrating into the cylinders, available for inspection upon request; Dahl Honda Sheboygan took videos of inspection and liquid in the cylinders. Upon starting the car, the engine sounded strange and sluggish. As I started to drive, engine sounded like it was misfiring. I was able to drive only 10-25 mph (safety issue) from residence to the Dahl dealership (2.8 mi). All electrical warning lights were flashing. I thought it was my battery or a loose connection. They appeared all at once upon starting the car that morning, no prior warning.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 10, 2026
Parked car and engaged the push button keyless ignition system to shut the car down, SUV would not shut down, no recourse available to power down vehicle. We immediately drove to the local Honda dealership, Braham Honda 7000 Coral Way, Miami Florida for assistance with the issue. Was advised that even disengaging the battery would have still left the alternator engaged which eventually may have cause damage to that part. All new parts required to fix the "keyless," issue at a cost of $1,200. This seems like an obvious defect and safety issue, if needed we to refuel to get to the dealership, legally we couldn't, since we were unable to shut the car down. Complaint filed with Honda case #XXX. [XXX] Honda Invoice for Service #XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Service brakes, Aug 7, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH, the wheels locked up unintendedly. The BRAKE warning light was occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the failure reoccurred with several unknown warning lights flickering. The contact stated that a local independent mechanic arrived on scene, and the failure codes were cleared. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the brakes independently activated. In addition, the contact stated that the brake pedal was firm while depressed and the tires squealed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,565.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2026
Component Affected: BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW CAMERA / INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMDescription of Safety Defect:The factory infotainment/Display Audio screen intermittently freezes, loses power, and goes completely black while driving or transitioning into reverse. When this manufacturing hardware defect occurs, the backup safety camera completely fails to activate and display any video feed. This introduces a severe, immediate backover safety hazard, leaving a massive blind spot that prevents the detection of pedestrians, small children, or objects behind the vehicle.This vehicle is a one-owner vehicle purchased brand new in May 2018. The defect matches the exact symptoms, hardware failures, and software glitches documented in Honda Service Bulletin 19-066. A certified dealer (Honda of Columbia in Lexington, SC) diagnosed the vehicle on 7/27/2026, confirming the internal radio head unit is defective and requires a complete replacement at an estimated consumer cost of $800.Because this hardware failure directly compromises a critical safety feature mandated by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111, it poses an unreasonable risk to public safety. American Honda has refused to cover the repair under the existing TSB campaign, claiming the issue is VIN-specific. I am filing this complaint to urge the NHTSA to investigate this systemic failure and expand the scope of the campaign into a mandatory safety recall.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 53 MPH with the cruise control feature engaged, the vehicle started losing motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the highway and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic performed a diagnostic test and discovered that the fuel pump was inoperable and needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,176.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 31, 2026
Vehicle steering wheel would eventually seize up, then snap out while driving on all types of roads, causing the whole car to jerk left or right. Happens at all speeds on any road type Upon inspection from Schofield Honda in Wichita KS, they determined that it was the electronic power steering module that failed and needed to be replaced. A $4,949.31 bill for parts and labor. This vehicle just hit 51,000 miles so not new necessarily, but for something to make the vehicle inoperable while driving... There were no warning lamps, message, anything at all and progressivly got worse the more it was driven over the span of a month
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 30, 2026
My car started experiencing a loss of power and began to shake a lot when I was parked. When they put the scanner on it, it said that cylinders number 2 and 3 had faults, so they replaced them.But after a few days the same message returned, so they think it's the injectors. In addition to all that, the problem started after the fuel pump was replaced at the Honda dealership in Lancaster, MA.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 29, 2026
Have replaced the fuel injectors twice after completing the recalled fuel pump and now getting P0172 code with another bad injector!!! This is a piece of shit and I’m going to trade it in on a Toyota.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Jul 28, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to the residence while driving approximately 30 MPH. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a misfire in cylinder #3, and that the head gasket and fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,500.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 27, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70-75 MPH on the highway, after entering the highway uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light flashing. The driver pulled over, and the vehicle was restarted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Engine, Jul 26, 2026
1. Head gasket leaking into engine, car is overheating now. Told it is a slow leak, not safe for long distance travel, need new car. 2. My car is available for inspection upon request. 3. I am a woman and could have been stranded by this in vulnerable situations. I am a travel worker driving to places like Maine and California and camp alone in remote areas. Starting to overheat has happened on 270 in Maryland during a traffic jam after I had the mechanic tell me I can drive locally as long as the coolant is kept full — which was done 2 days ago. 4. My mechanic looked at the car Friday, July 24th, 2026 and can confirm the failure. 5. My car started overheating this week when I was idling in Park with the AC on and the air started blowing warm air. I had overheating light one time and it was a flash. I thought I was out of Freon and needed it serviced. Now, If I put my car in park with the engine still on, the thermostat goes up. If I drive in a traffic jam where I am stopping and going, the thermostat goes up. The AC won’t work most of the time now. 5.1. A year ago my check engine light came on, turned it off, and sat for a half an hour. I called my mechanic and he said to bring it over if the light was off. I started the car and the light was off. He looked at it and said all the coolant had blown, replaced the coolant and said to drive locally for a while, that it might be that the thermostat got stuck and as a safety, the coolant blew out. No more problems. Same mechanic. I have been the sole owner of this car, I have taken very good care of it. I have the same mechanic do 95% of the work. I only have the oil changed at his place or trusted mechanics in other area I see online that this is a known issue for this year, make, and model — on Reddit and it was Chat GPT that was the first that let me know that this is showing up on different auto boards and in articles for 2017 - 2018 Honda CRVs that have Turbo engines with links to sources.