Honda CR-V Common Problems

STEERING

Owners of the 2023 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with sticky or resistant steering, particularly noticeable at highway speeds. These complaints describe the steering wheel feeling as if it catches or sticks, requiring additional force to overcome, which can lead to jerking movements and difficulty maintaining a straight path. Several reports also mention the steering wheel not returning smoothly to the center position, contributing to potential overcorrection. The issues are often noted shortly after purchase, with some vehicles having fewer than 5,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with at least four complaints involving crashes and two injuries reported. Buyers should be aware of a related recall, but parts availability for repairs is a noted concern among owners.

Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports

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

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

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

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

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.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners of the 2019 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system, particularly the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) activating unexpectedly. Typical symptoms include the vehicle coming to a sudden stop without any apparent obstacles, often at speeds ranging from 20 to 50 mph. This issue is sometimes linked to metal plates on the road or road signage, with some reports indicating occurrences in clear weather conditions. Complaints often mention safety implications, including near-miss rear-end collisions and injuries such as whiplash, with a few reports involving actual crashes. The problem appears to occur at various mileage points, with some reports as early as 25,000 miles, suggesting potential concerns for used car buyers regarding the reliability of this system.

Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 14 injury reports

STEERING

Owners of the 2019 Honda CR-V frequently report issues with the steering system, specifically describing a "sticky" or resistant steering wheel. Typical symptoms include the steering wheel sticking or feeling heavy, often accompanied by a clicking noise, particularly when making corrections or turning. These problems are noted at various mileages, with some reports occurring as early as 12,000 miles and others at higher mileages, such as 55,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as some owners describe near-accidents due to the steering sticking, and there are reports of two crashes and one injury associated with these issues. Potential buyers should be aware of these steering concerns, as they may not be covered under existing recalls for earlier or later model years.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports