Is the 2018 Honda CR-V a bad year?
2,166 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other CR-V years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2018 Honda CR-V are in line with other CR-V years. Fuel system, collision avoidance and steering stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 CR-V owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 8,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 608 (28%) | 3k–50k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Collision avoidanceSTANDS OUT | 396 (18%) | 20k–53k miles · ahead | — |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 334 (15%) | 33k–78k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 544 (25%) | 3k–15k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 285 (13%) | 4k–34k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 197 (9%) | 6k–29k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed control | 65 (3%) | 4k–36k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 64 (3%) | 5k–38k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Visibility and wipers | 43 (2%) | 8k–33k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 30 (1%) | 2k–23k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 27 (1%) | 6k–34k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 25 (1%) | 0k–23k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 22 (1%) | 2k–23k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Lane assistSTANDS OUT | 46 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 8,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 2,166 complaints: 46 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 39 report an injury · 59 say the car was towed.
236 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Gasoline in lubrication oil in 1.5 liter turbo charged engine. Vehicle stationary in garage. 6,000 miles on car.
Oil on dipstick smells like gas. The car cabin smells like gas and it basically stinky unless the car windows are open.
Purchased january 2018. Noticed occasional gasoline smell, engine slow to warm up and oil level rising way above maximum.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 8,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2018 Honda CR-V: 5
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 232
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 Honda CR-V. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire
Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected) stored
Under certain circumstances, the vehicle may experience driveability issues, which may result in DTCs P0300 (random misfire detected)…
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Rear Differential Seizure
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Neighbouring years
2017 CR-V: 1,778 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2019 CR-V: 1,107 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda CR-V year
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Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2018 Honda CR-V a bad year?
2,166 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other CR-V years. At 8,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Honda CR-V?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (608), collision avoidance (396), steering (334), engine (544), electrical system (285).
How many recalls does the 2018 Honda CR-V have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 26V-332), Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-858), Seat belts (NHTSA 23V-158), Fuel system (NHTSA 21V-215) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.