The Lemon Index2018 Honda CR-V.
The 2018 Honda CR-V is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 803 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 209, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 27 to 30 mpg combined. The best Honda CR-V year is 2001.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 98 YouTube videos about the 2017–2022 Honda CR-V, 25.1M views. The 2018 is the same CR-V.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical589K views
2017 - 2022 Honda CR-V Key Fob Battery Replacement - How To Change Replace CRV Remote BatteriesPYR Automotive · 589K views - Transmission & shifter483K views
2017+ Honda CR-V Transmission CVT Fluid Change How To -Jonny DIYJonny DIY · 268K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service450K views
2017+ Honda CR-V Oil Change How To -Jonny DIYJonny DIY · 209K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS445K views
DIY Honda CR-V Rear Brake Replacement Using Honda Tech Instructions 2017 - 2021 Models with EPBRob's Garage Woodworking · 198K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Timing chain & engine438K views
2019 Honda CRV - The Ultimate User GuideTwo Guys and a Ride · 178K views · 3 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring428K views
2018 Honda CR-V Multiple Warning ADAS System Lights Code P2583-76Phillip Bailey · 178K views · 3 videos - Oil dilution & oil burning384K views
2017 2018 Honda CRV 1.5 Oil Dilution Product Update RecallJack of All Master of None · 212K views · 3 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4189K views
Honda CRV AWD Rear Differential Fluid Change - 5th Gen - 2018 - Vortex GarageVortex Garage · 189K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems with Honda CRV 2017 to 2022RB The Mechanic · 319K views
2017 - 2022 Honda CRV problemsBCauto_ · 182K views
2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid: Should You Buy The Hybrid?Ben Hardy · 167K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 2,158 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda CR-V year. 2018 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 3K to 38K miles on the car (889 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 2K–13K miles
- automatic emergency braking complaints mostly came at 20K–55K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 2K–9K miles
Recalls 5
- airbags 2026
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- fuel system, gasoline 2023
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- seat belts 2023
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.
Show all 5 recalls
- fuel system, gasoline 2021
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- steering 2018
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.
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 269 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Service bulletin - The ACC, LKAS, ROM, Collision Mitigation Brake System, and BRAKE Indicators…
- Servicenews article - When installing the shipping fuses, never do it with the engine running
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenInadvertent automatic emergency braking2024
- ClosedInadvertent automatic emergency braking2022–2024
- ClosedRear differential seizure2022–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Honda CR-V SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2150–2400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Repeated loss of power / stall. Checked fluids and oil dipstick level is high and smells strongly of gasoline.
2018 Honda CR-V owner · NHTSA complaint 11141580
More owner reports
2018 Honda crv exl. Consumer writes with concerns to a oil dilution problem with newly purchased vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 11174010
Engine oil appears to be diluted even after Honda's fix. Heater works poorly even after fix.
NHTSA complaint 11172210
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Honda CR-V reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 209; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda CR-V year by this measure since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2018 Honda CR-V problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (48%), fuel or ev drive system (25%) and electrical (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Honda CR-V have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Honda CR-V get?
27 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Honda CR-V safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Honda CR-V problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 3,800 and 38,000 miles. The middle report was at 12,600 miles, from 889 complaints.
Does the 2018 Honda CR-V have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2018 Honda CR-V cost in fuel a year?
About $2150 to $2400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Honda CR-V have?
1.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Honda CR-V year is better than the 2018?
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