CarBrief

The 2018 Honda CR-V has the most owner complaints of any CR-V model year on file, 2,160 in all[1]. It also has five recalls, so check that each repair has been done[2][3][4][5][6].

2,160owner complaints[7]
5recalls[1]
27–30MPG combined (EPA)[8]
5★NHTSA overall rating[9]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 2,160 owner complaints on file for the 2018 CR-V[7]. Of those, 46 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 47 injuries, and no deaths are reported[7]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The groups with the most complaints are:

Brakes has the fewest complaints on that list but the most crashes. Forward collision avoidance and brakes each list 10 injuries[11][17].

We also read a small sample of complaint texts in four of these groups. It is too small to show how common any problem is, but it shows what owners describe.

We did not read samples for electrical, brakes, fuel system gasoline or the unknown group, so we cannot say what owners describe there.

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year. Each one names a free dealer repair. Newest first:

Recalls can apply to only some cars. To see whether a specific car is covered, look up its VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Fuel economy

EPA lists four versions, all on regular gas and all with an automatic (variable gear ratios)[18][8][19][20].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
FWD, 1.5L turbo[8] 28 / 34 / 30 $2,250
AWD, 1.5L turbo[20] 27 / 33 / 29 $2,300
FWD, 2.4L[18] 26 / 32 / 28 $2,400
AWD, 2.4L[19] 25 / 31 / 27 $2,500

The turbo 1.5L is rated 2 MPG better combined than the 2.4L with the same drive type. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2018 CR-V 5 stars overall, 5 for frontal crashes and 5 for side crashes, in both AWD and FWD form[9][21]. Rollover is rated 4 stars[9][21]. Rollover risk is 16.2% for AWD and 16.3% for FWD[9][21].

Engine and size

EPA lists a 2.4L four-cylinder and a 1.5L turbo four-cylinder[18][8]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications, converted from metric, and may differ slightly from US models[22][23].

FWD AWD
Length[23][22] 181 in 181 in
Width[23][22] 73 in 73 in
Height[23][22] 66 in 66 in
Wheelbase[23][22] 105 in 105 in
Curb weight[23][22] 3,311 lb 3,483 lb

How 2018 compares with other years

1997: 108 complaints, 2 recalls19971998: 128 complaints, 3 recalls1999: 127 complaints, 3 recalls2000: 129 complaints, 2 recalls20002001: 142 complaints, 1 recalls2002: 515 complaints, 15 recalls2003: 468 complaints, 13 recalls20032004: 501 complaints, 12 recalls2005: 479 complaints, 12 recalls2006: 398 complaints, 12 recalls20062007: 887 complaints, 12 recalls2008: 962 complaints, 11 recalls2009: 386 complaints, 12 recalls20092010: 481 complaints, 15 recalls2011: 554 complaints, 13 recalls2012: 403 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 382 complaints, 2 recalls2014: 587 complaints, 1 recalls2015: 672 complaints, 3 recalls20152016: 394 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 1,776 complaints, 7 recalls2018: 2,160 complaints, 5 recalls2,16020182019: 1,106 complaints, 8 recalls2020: 440 complaints, 9 recalls2021: 443 complaints, 5 recalls20212022: 344 complaints, 6 recalls2023: 633 complaints, 8 recalls2024: 481 complaints, 5 recalls20242025: 289 complaints, 6 recalls2026: 171 complaints, 2 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each CR-V model year. The 2018 is highlighted[1].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19971082
19981283
19991273
20001292
20011421
200251515
200346813
200450112
200547912
200639812
200788712
200896211
200938612
201048115
201155413
20124033
20133822
20145871
20156723
20163943
20171,7767
20182,1605
20191,1068
20204409
20214435
20223446
20236338
20244815
20252896
20261712

The 2018 model year has the most NHTSA complaints of any CR-V year on file, at 2,160[1]. The 2017 model year is next with 1,776, then 2019 with 1,106[1].

Recalls tell a different story. The 2018 CR-V has 5[1]. The 2017 has 7, the 2019 has 8 and the 2020 has 9[1]. The 2002 and 2010 model years have 15 each[1].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so use the numbers as a rough guide only[1].

Should you buy a used 2018 CR-V?

The crash ratings are strong, with 5 stars overall[9][21]. The complaint count is the highest of any CR-V year, and the engine group is the largest with 544 complaints[7][10]. In the samples we read, owners describe a fuel smell and fuel-smelling oil, and others describe sudden automatic braking[10][11]. Five recalls are on file, including two fuel pump recalls and a 2026 air bag sensor recall[2][3][4][5][6]. Before buying, run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm that every recall repair has been done, and ask for the service history, since our data cannot tell you about repair costs or long-term reliability.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Honda CR-V?
Engine is the largest complaint group on file with 544 of 2,160 complaints[7][10]. Forward collision avoidance (395) and fuel/propulsion (376) follow[11][12]. In the samples we read, owners describe fuel-smelling oil and sudden automatic braking[10][11].
Does the 2018 Honda CR-V have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists five: a 2026 passenger seat weight sensor recall (26V332), fuel pump recalls 23V858 and 21V215, seat belt buckle recall 23V158 and steering magnet recall 18V663[2][3][4][5][6].
What gas mileage does the 2018 Honda CR-V get?
EPA rates it from 25/31/27 city/highway/combined MPG for AWD with the 2.4L engine up to 28/34/30 for FWD with the 1.5L turbo[19][8].
Is the 2018 Honda CR-V a good year?
It earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[9]. It also has the most complaints of any CR-V year on file, 2,160, though counts are not adjusted for sales[1].

Facts and sources

  1. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda CR-V model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  2. Recall 26V332, filed May 21, 2026: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 23V858, filed December 18, 2023: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 23V158, filed March 9, 2023: Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 21V215, filed March 25, 2021: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 18V663, filed September 27, 2018: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  7. NHTSA has 2,160 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Honda CR-V (46 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 47 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. EPA rating for CR-V FWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 34 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 544 complaints name the engine component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,957). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 395 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,204). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 376 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,050). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 332 complaints name the steering component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 284 complaints name the electrical system component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 232 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,098). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 209 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,901). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 199 complaints name the brakes component group (13 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,392). NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA rating for CR-V FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 32 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for CR-V AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for CR-V AWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 33 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CR-V 4DR SUV AWD: length 181 in, width 73 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,483 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CR-V 4DR SUV FWD: length 181 in, width 73 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,311 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.