The Lemon Index2008 Honda CR-V.
The 2008 Honda CR-V is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 90 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 46, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 22 to 23 mpg combined. The best Honda CR-V year is 2001.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 962 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda CR-V year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 50K to 105K miles on the car (531 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 50K–126K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 60K–105K miles
- doors, locks & latches complaints mostly came at 60K–90K miles
Recalls 11
- body structure 2023
A detached rear trailing arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- airbags 2019
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high …
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high a…
Show all 11 recalls
- airbags 2019
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2017
One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
- airbags 2017
The air bag inflator repair kit may have been assembled by the supplier with an incorrect wire harness.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- transmission & drivetrain 2011
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 ACCORD, 2007-2010 CR-V, AND 2005-2008 ELEMENT PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2004, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3, 2010.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 97 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine has a loud rattling noise at a cold start up
- On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing
- A warranty extension, on some vehicles, due to a/c compressor clutch was wearing out with…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Brake rotors need to be resurfaced at 11,000 miles of normal driving.
2008 Honda CR-V owner · NHTSA complaint 10268416
More owner reports
Tire pressure monitoring system "system failure" icon illuminates intermittently. Honda unable to diagnose or repair after 7 service visits and 72 cumulative days out or service. It is uncertain whether the system is functional.
NHTSA complaint 10347517
2008 Honda crv- two out of 4 bridgestone tires were down to the wear bars at 21k+ mileage and could not be rotated.
NHTSA complaint 10307902
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Honda CR-V reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 46; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda CR-V year by this measure since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2008 Honda CR-V problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (14%), brakes (13%) and steering (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda CR-V have?
11 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Honda CR-V get?
22 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Honda CR-V problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,000 and 105,000 miles. The middle report was at 74,100 miles, from 531 complaints.
Does the 2008 Honda CR-V have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Honda CR-V cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Honda CR-V have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Honda CR-V year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2010 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works