2018 Honda CR-V Problems

What owners report

Owners most often report the automatic braking system applying the brakes or stopping the car without an obstacle present, followed by steering complaints tied to a steering recall. Stalling and power loss under fuel system recalls, and reports of fuel or sludge in the engine oil, are also common.

1. 1
   Forward collision avoidance

   Automatic braking applies without an obstacle

   • 389 complaints (18%)
   • median 16,500 mi at 2.1 yrs old (137 state mileage)
   • 21 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,735 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the car braking hard or stopping abruptly on its own, often at moderate or highway speed, with no vehicle or object ahead and sometimes with brake or collision warning lights on. Several say the dealer found nothing wrong or could not repeat the problem. Some were told a software update was made, or that the system could be turned off after each start, and one describes near collisions with cars behind. Reported between about 8,000 and 109,000 miles, with a median near 32,000.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the Honda Sensing software update described in the service bulletins has been applied to this VIN. On a test drive on a clear road, check for unexpected braking and make sure no brake or collision warning appears after a restart.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving straight in an open street, no obstacles at all. However, my vehicle started beeping and slammed the brakes to a complete stop. I was almost thrown out of my seat but thank god I had my seatbelt on. I checked my dash camera footage aswell no sign of obstacle, nothing at all. I believe its the collision mitigation braking system that got activated for no reason. I have my dash cam footage to support my claim.”

   NHTSA complaint #11404062, filed 2021-03, 37,900 miles

   “On two occasions, the car has unexpectedly and without any reason, braked to a virtual stop, as though there were a vehicle directly in front of me, while driving in the city on a road going about 40mph. However, there were no cars anywhere near my vehicle. In addition, my car will also unexpectedly beep and signal to me that I must brake, again, without a car being in front of me, again, while in motion at approximately 35mph. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11340717, filed 2020-07, 23,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering rack or steering gearbox failure

   • 348 complaints (16%)
   • median 52,264 mi at 5.9 yrs old (95 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,958 (median of 62 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the steering wheel sticking, pulling to one side, feeling loose or stiff, or locking during a turn, sometimes with a clicking, popping or clunking noise. Dealers typically found the steering gearbox, rack and pinion or torque sensor faulty and recommended replacement. Several owners say the VIN was not included in the recall they had looked up, and some were told the part was not available. Reported between about 23,000 and 128,000 miles, with a median near 46,000.

   Recall 18V663000

   What to check: Look up recall 18V663000 with the VIN, since owners often report it is not listed, and ask the dealer to confirm the steering gear or torque sensor was checked. On a test drive, turn the wheel lock to lock and listen for clicking or popping.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When steering far to right or left while traveling on a highway or street and then straightening up there is a jerk or catch as if something is caught in the steering mechanism.”

   NHTSA complaint #11402629, filed 2021-03, 26,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at 40–65 MPH on the highway, the steering wheel was sticking on the left side. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11592975, filed 2024-06, 45,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Stalling and power loss under fuel recalls

   • 363 complaints (17%)
   • median 34,822 mi at 4.3 yrs old (157 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 15 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe stalling at speed, lost power, lagging acceleration, sudden acceleration, or difficult starting, often with several warning lights on. Many say they were told the recall parts were not yet available or that the VIN was not included, and some paid for fuel pump or fuel injector repairs themselves. Reported between about 63,000 and 164,000 miles.

   Recall 23V858000Recall 21V215000

   What to check: Check whether recall 23V858000 or 21V215000 applies to this VIN and whether the repair was completed. Ask for the repair history on the fuel pump and injectors, since owners report paying for work out of pocket while parts were unavailable.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and the brake light and check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11642135, filed 2025-02, 120,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 5 MPH. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11540493, filed 2023-08, 64,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Fuel or sludge in engine oil, or blocked oil flow

   • 398 complaints (18%)
   • median 5,000 mi at 1.1 yrs old (308 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,825 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe oil that smells of gasoline, a high oil level, or sludge or metal in the oil, with dealers finding dilution, a blown turbo, or engine damage. Some say the oil was changed or the engine flushed but the problem kept returning, and one says the oil dilution continued after reprogramming and a module replacement. Another reports the oil passage was found blocked before the engine was replaced. Reported between about 2,200 and 70,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the engine oil for a gasoline smell or thin consistency, and ask for records of oil changes and any engine flush. Ask whether the dealer reviewed oil dilution or sludge complaints and whether a software update was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On december 22, 2019 I was headed to church on a four-lane highway and heard the sound coming from the engine, a loud metal to metal sound and the vehicle died. I was able to restart the car and pulled off the road and had car hauled to dealership where I purchased the vehicle and where I had it maintained. I had the vehicle hauled over to dealership on a trailer to avoid driving it. After the dealership investigated, they found that the oil to the engine was blocked but couldn't determine what blocked the oil. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11298067, filed 2020-01, 39,800 miles

   “Engine oil dilution continues after Honda fix with reprogramming engine computer and AC control module replacement. Honda has extended the powertrain warranty to 6 years unlimited mileage from the original sale date. Current mileage 14,000. Engine oil and filter has been changed 8 times due to this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11309775, filed 2020-02, 6,329 miles

Buying note. Check the recall status for the steering and fuel system on this VIN, and test the automatic braking and steering on a road test. Ask for oil change records, since several complaints describe fuel or sludge in the oil.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 80 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.