Owners have reported 43 crashes, 2 fires and 46 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Honda CR-V. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints361
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2018 Honda CR-V frequently experiences issues related to oil dilution, where fuel contaminates the engine oil. Complaints often mention a strong gasoline odor from the oil and inside the cabin, with some noting elevated oil levels on the dipstick shortly after oil changes. Many describe symptoms like stalling, loss of power, and warning lights on the dashboard. These issues typically arise around or before 100,000 miles, with several reports of head gasket failures leading to expensive repairs. Safety implications include potential engine stalling and two reports of crashes, one involving a fire, and two injuries. This information is pertinent for used car buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints257
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with the steering system, often describing symptoms such as sticking or catching when turning, popping or cracking noises, and difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle. These problems are typically noted at mileages ranging from approximately 48,000 to 90,000 miles. Some complaints indicate that these steering issues become more pronounced after the vehicle has been driven for a while or in hot weather conditions. Safety implications are evident, with reports of loss of steering control leading to crashes and injuries. Buyers considering a used 2018 Honda CR-V should be aware of these potential steering system issues and may want to verify if the vehicle has had related repairs or is subject to any recalls.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints243
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report that the 2018 Honda CR-V frequently experiences unexpected activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), often referred to as "phantom braking." Typical symptoms include the vehicle suddenly stopping or slowing down without any apparent obstacles, and the "BRAKE" warning message appearing on the dashboard. These incidents occur at various speeds and conditions, including highway driving and city streets, with some reports indicating occurrences at mileages as low as 15,000. Safety implications are significant, as some complaints involve near-miss rear-end collisions, and three reports involve crashes with nine injuries. Prospective buyers should be aware of these issues, particularly as they may persist without a clear resolution from service inspections.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 9 injury reports
Owner complaints232
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving dashboard warning lights illuminating without cause, often occurring from the time of purchase and persisting despite dealer visits. Complaints commonly describe problems with the battery, such as unexpected drainage or failure, with some reports indicating replacement as early as 21,000 miles. Additionally, multiple owners describe infotainment system malfunctions, including erratic screen behavior and loss of radio functionality, typically resolving after restarting the vehicle. Safety concerns are noted, with three reports involving crashes and two injuries, one related to an overheating seat warmer. These issues suggest potential reliability challenges for prospective buyers, especially in vehicles with higher mileage or those experiencing these symptoms.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints223
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the fuel system of the 2018 Honda CR-V, primarily involving fuel injector failures and problems related to recall repairs. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as illuminated warning lights, abnormal fuel odors, stalling, and the vehicle entering limp mode. These issues often occur around 25,000 to 130,000 miles. Additionally, there are numerous reports of delays in recall repairs due to unavailable parts, with no immediate resolution provided. No crashes or fires are reported, but the stalling and limp mode could potentially affect vehicle control.
Owner complaints135
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with the fuel injectors and fuel pump. Common symptoms include a sudden loss of power, stalling, and multiple warning lights on the dashboard, often indicating a "System too rich" error code. These issues typically emerge between 58,000 and 88,000 miles. Some complaints mention that these failures have resulted in dangerous situations, such as entering 'Limp Mode' on highways, and one report involves a crash. Buyers should be aware of ongoing recall-related delays and potential out-of-pocket repair costs for vehicles not covered under warranty extensions.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints118
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) engaging unexpectedly, often at speeds around 50 mph, leading to sudden stops without any obstruction or vehicles in proximity. Many complaints detail instances of "phantom braking," where the automatic emergency braking system activates without apparent cause, sometimes resulting in rear-end collisions and minor injuries. Reports indicate these incidents occur across various mileage ranges, with some vehicles experiencing issues as early as 36,000 miles. Additionally, there are isolated reports of parking brake failures leading to unintended vehicle movement. These patterns suggest potential safety risks, including crashes and loss of vehicle control, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 7 crash, 0 fire, 9 injury reports
Owner complaints53
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Honda CR-V frequently report power train issues, with common symptoms including loss of acceleration, rough idling, and sudden reduction in speed, sometimes dropping to as low as 5-10 mph. Many complaints describe problems with the transmission, such as internal failures and the need for replacement, often occurring around 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Additionally, several reports mention blown head gaskets leading to coolant leaks and engine damage, often resulting in costly repairs. Safety implications are noted in some instances, with two complaints involving crashes and one injury reported. These patterns suggest potential concerns for used car buyers, particularly regarding transmission and engine reliability.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints40
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with unexpected braking and loss of acceleration. Common symptoms include the vehicle braking without obstacles present and unintended acceleration, which has led to crashes and injuries in some cases. These problems often occur at varied speeds, including highway conditions, and are sometimes accompanied by dashboard warning lights or system malfunctions. Complaints suggest these issues can emerge at mileage as low as 16,000 miles. The unintended braking and acceleration raise safety concerns, particularly regarding potential loss of control.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints15
AIR BAGS
Owners report several issues with the airbag system in the 2018 Honda CR-V. Complaints frequently mention non-deployment of airbags during crashes, with some instances leading to injuries. In several cases, owners describe side and front airbags failing to inflate upon impact, even in severe collisions. Additionally, there are reports of airbag indicator lights malfunctioning, such as staying on when they should not. These issues are reported at varying mileages, with some incidents occurring as early as 16,000 miles. The safety implications are significant, given the number of crashes and injuries reported, making this a critical consideration for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 10 crash, 0 fire, 11 injury reports
