Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin File / 2018-HONDA-CR-V NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Honda

2018 Honda CR-V problems

The 2018 Honda CR-V has 2,100 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 5 active recall campaigns.

The 2018 Honda CR-V has 2,100 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 390 complaints, typically surfacing around 15,248 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Honda CR-V owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2015 CR-V 668 3
2016 CR-V 388 3
2017 CR-V 1,743 7
2018 CR-V (this page) 2,100 5
2019 CR-V 1,072 8
2020 CR-V 336 7
2021 CR-V 313 4
2018 Honda CR-V
Photo: EurovisionNim / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Honda CR-V
0 5 10
Reliability score
5.4 / 10

Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.

0
Critical
5
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2018 CR-V?
High-risk ownership

Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall

Overall 5/5
Frontal crash 5/5
Side crash 5/5
Rollover 4/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2018 Honda CR-V SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.

Buying a used 2018 Honda CR-V? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 20,511 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 5 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 5.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2018 Honda CR-V

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

Embed this reliability snapshot

Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →

<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2018-honda-cr-v/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2018 Honda CR-V reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2018-honda-cr-v/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2018 Honda CR-V reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
390 reports · fails ~15,248 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
steering
315 reports · fails ~56,297 mi · avg $700
moderate
electrical
247 reports · fails ~22,213 mi · avg $850
moderate
fuel system
226 reports · fails ~79,283 mi · avg $1,200
moderate
brakes
123 reports · fails ~20,511 mi · avg $450
severe
powertrain
54 reports · fails ~23,607 mi · avg $2,500
severe
cruise control
43 reports · fails ~25,177 mi · avg $600
severe
visibility
31 reports · fails ~34,325 mi · avg $350
moderate

Your road ahead on this 2018 Honda CR-V

When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.

  1. ~6,804 miengine~$3,100
  2. ~12,100 mibody~$1,500
  3. ~14,300 mipowertrain~$2,500
  4. ~14,500 miwheels~$400
  5. ~15,124 mielectrical~$850
  6. ~16,150 micruise control~$600
  7. ~18,000 mibrakes~$450
  8. ~21,007 miairbags~$1,100
  9. ~32,000 mivisibility~$350
  10. ~52,400 misteering~$700

"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.

Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2018 CR-V's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2018 CR-V?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2018 CR-V · fuel system
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had…
2018 CR-V · engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Honda cr-v. The contact noticed that fuel was mixing with the engine oil. There was also a loss of power and brake functionality as various warning indicators and gauges flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to southeastern Honda…
12/31/2018 · at 3,800 mi · NHTSA ODI #11164218.0 · see engine pattern →
2018 CR-V · engine
I first noticed an issue with my car on October 16th. ALL the dashboard lights came on as if the car had a new battery while I was driving. My Honda dealership said: Explanation: fuel system too rich due to faulty fuel injectors. Repairs to be completed: replace fuel…
2018 CR-V · electrical
Warning lights for multiple (possibly all) systems begin appearing and all ADAS including traction control is deactivated. The condition clears eventually in its own after fuel up, possibly several days later. Dealership attributes conditions to bad fuel injector with no other…
View all 2,100 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2018 Honda CR-V? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 5

severe NHTSA 26V332000 May 21, 2026

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
severe NHTSA 23V858000 December 18, 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
severe NHTSA 23V158000 March 9, 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are NDA, QDB, BDC, MDD, LD9. TDF, FDG, ODH, YDI, ZDE.
View all 5 recalls →

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

EA Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking · opened April 2024

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA24002 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2018 Honda CR-V reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.4 out of 10 based on 2,100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Honda CR-V has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2018 Honda CR-V?

The 2018 Honda CR-V is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Brakes: 123 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 9,789–29,285 mi; Powertrain: 54 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 4,525–38,200 mi; Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average; 5 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2018 Honda CR-V?

Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 390 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 15,248 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2018 Honda CR-V a good used car to buy?

It scores 5.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 2,100 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 15,248 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2018 Honda CR-V?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 390 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 15,248 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 15,248 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Honda CR-V has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Honda CR-V?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 2,100 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Honda/CR-V. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Honda. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
Sponsored
Get a free warranty quote →