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Honda · NHTSA safety record

2018 Honda CR-V

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 2,148 safety complaints about the 2018 Honda CR-V with the US government. Of those, 46 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 47 people were injured and no death is recorded. 5 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 528 complaints, 25% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 12,500 miles, the median across the 886 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers December 2017 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

2,148 complaints on file

2,148

Complaints

46

Describe a crash

2

Mention fire

47

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints fell 39% year on year: 225 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 366 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 528 · 25%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 394 · 18%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 372 · 17%
STEERING 327 · 15%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 282 · 13%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 231 · 11%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 208 · 10%
SERVICE BRAKES 186 · 9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 65 · 3%
POWER TRAIN 63 · 3%
LANE DEPARTURE 45 · 2%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 35 · 2%
0 212 423

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 2,148.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 397.

420 315 210 105
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2018 Honda CR-V, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 16.2% 16.3%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

5 on file

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

26V332000 · May 21, 2026

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
The risk
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 98,892 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

23V858000 · December 18, 2023

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 2,490,460 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

23V158000 · March 9, 2023

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. 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.
The risk
An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy
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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 448,613 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

21V215000 · March 25, 2021

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 624,552 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

18V663000 · September 27, 2018

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Honda Civic and CR-V vehicles. 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 risk
The unintended steering input reduces vehicle maneuverability and increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gearbox assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C2N, P2O.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 54 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

3 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking

EA24002

Still open engineering analysis · opened April 15, 2024

forward collision avoidance

On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles.  The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that they were aware of a total of X,XXX reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and alleges that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the CMBS and its limitations.  However, many consumer complaints allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that they were informed that this is considered normal CMBS operation. To date, ODI has received a total of 1,294 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of CMBS in 2017-2022 Honda CR-V and 2018-2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A total of 31 complaints alleged a crash and 50 alleged an injury.  The Total column in the Failure Report Summary removes duplicate reports and shows the total number of reports with unique VINs from all Manufacturer, ODI, and EWR data sources.  In some cases, there were multiple reports associated with a particular vehicle in which recurring failures were alleged.  In total, there were X,XXX reports, 93 injury incidents and 47 crashes involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect. PE22-003 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations. The scope has been expanded to include assessment of model year 2020-2022 Honda CR-V and Accord vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Rear Differential Seizure

PE22011

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened November 28, 2022 · closed July 22, 2024

the power train

On November 29, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE 22-011 after reviewing field reports alleging rear differential seizure in 2018-2022MY Honda CR-V and HR-V vehicles equipped with all wheel drive. To date, ODI has not received any consumer complaints. Some of the field reports received alleged the vehicle’s wheels locked up with no warning while the vehicle was in motion. These vehicles were towed to a dealership. Examination of these vehicles showed the driveshaft had broken and the differential unit was completely damaged. The field reports cited a lack of oil due to damaged oil seals as the cause. Honda provided data including consumer complaints, field reports, and warranty claims they received relating to the loss of oil retention and resulting differential damage. Honda’s data cited 1201 incidents with unique vehicle identification numbers (VINs). The rear differential oil seals  prevent the oil from leaking out and protect internal components from contaminants. A loss of oil lubrication results in failure of the vehicle differential.  Honda stated that the oil seal’s lip contact with the driveshaft may become unstable due to intermittent changes in internal pressure. Their review of field report and warranty data indicated that these failures occurred early in the vehicle’s life thus the failures were covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Honda stated that in November 2021 they changed the seal specifications and improved the packaging process of the parts for transport.  Honda also enacted an enhanced visual inspection process both before and after the oil seal installation on the assembly line. Honda stated that in the event of differential failure, the operator can control the vehicle without stability loss. After the drive shafts break due to differential failure, the operator will hear noises and the vehicle will still function as a 2WD vehicle preventing complete loss of motive power. Based on the following factors, ODI is closing this investigation: ·       Information regarding field failures does not indicate hazardous outcomes ·       The failures are occurring early in the life of the vehicle ·       Repairs are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty ·       The vehicle can continue functioning as a 2WD without loss of stability control in the event of failure The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.

Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking

PE22003

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened February 21, 2022 · closed April 18, 2024

forward collision avoidance

On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles.  The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that they were aware of a total of X,XXX reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and alleges that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the CMBS and its limitations.  However, many consumer complaints allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that they were informed that this is considered normal CMBS operation. To date, ODI has received a total of 1,081 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of CMBS in the subject vehicles.  A total of 24 complaints alleged a crash and 42 alleged an injury.  The Total column in the Failure Report Summary removes duplicate reports and shows the total number of reports with unique VINs from all Manufacturer, ODI, and EWR data sources.  In some cases, there were multiple reports associated with a particular vehicle in which recurring failures were alleged.  In total, there were X,XXX reports, 84 injury incidents and 40 crashes involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect. PE22003 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA24002) to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations.  Further the scope has been expanded to include assessment of model year 2020-2022 Honda CR-V and Accord vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 19,000 miles

TRAVERSING THRU AN INTERSECTION, MY HONDA CRV WAS T-BONED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE SIDE AIR BAGS INFLATED PROTECTING MYSELF AND MY WIFE. THE MOMENTUM OF THE COLLISION PUSHED ME INTO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE SUCH THAT THE FRONT END OF THE CRV WAS ALSO CRUSHED. NEITHER OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS INFLATED.

NHTSA complaint 11203502. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

2 injured · crash · towed · 16,000 miles

COMPUTER BREAK SYSTEM AND APPLIED BRAKES FAILED TO STOP OUR HONDA CRV 2018 AS WE WERE EXITING THE SANTA FE OPERA IN A SLOW MOVING LINE OF CARS DOWN AN INCLINE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. AT THIS TIME WE MADE THE DECISION TO "SELECT A PINE TREE" AS A WAY TO STOP THE CRV. THIS WAS DONE TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE CHAIN REACTION OF REAR END COLLISIONS TO A DOZEN OR MORE CARS AND POSSIBLE INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

NHTSA complaint 11242397. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 16,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO COMPLETELY OPEN AFTER THE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS MORE DAMAGED THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED CHEST BONE, A HEMATOMA IN THE CHEST, AND WAS IN ICU FOR TWO DAYS. THE PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL AND THEN TRANSPORTED TO ANOTHER HOSPITAL THAT COULD TREAT MAJOR CHEST INJURIES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST BRUISES AND WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.

NHTSA complaint 11287480, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

2 injured · crash · towed · 25,000 miles

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE WITH NO VEHICLES OR OBSTACLES STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY BRAKED HARD. IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE INTERSTATE WHICH RESULTED IN ME GETTING REAR ENDED. I TOOK IT TO HONDA TO TRY TO GET THE INFORMATION FROM THE BLACK BOX BUT THEY REFUSED TO TRY TO PULL ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint 11306345. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Unknown. Please read! I believe my vehicle may have a fuel-pump failure. I purchased/financed my 2018 Honda CR-V Touring in April 2026 at approximately 169,000 miles. On July 9, 2026, in Garland, Texas, my vehicle began experiencing serious starting and driving issues. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, and the vehicle had difficulty starting. The engine would crank for an extended period before eventually starting. Once started, the vehicle would not accelerate normally. The accelerator pedal felt unusually resistant, and the vehicle would have difficulty gaining speed. I had to pull over to the side of the road and restart the vehicle multiple times in order to continue

NHTSA complaint 11767947, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I am filing this complaint regarding a dispute with Honda concerning reimbursement for a repair that I believe was related to a Honda safety recall involving my vehicle. I own a 2018 Honda CRV-EXL. My vehicle experienced a problem involving the recalled component. I brought the vehicle to Honda, but the issue was not resolved through Honda, and I ultimately had to have the vehicle repaired at another repair facility. I paid approximately $4,700 out of pocket for the repair. I then contacted Honda and requested reimbursement because I believed the repair was related to the recall. Honda eventually sent me a reimbursement of only $250. I have repeatedly attempted to understand why Honda would

NHTSA complaint 11767990, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

77,098 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under Technical Service Bulletin: 26-091 (Product Update: 2018–20 Accord/2017–19 CR-V CMBS Software Update); however, the failure occurred after the TSB repair. The contact stated that while driving 55–60 MPH, the ABS and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle took longer than normal to stop. The steering wheel was shaking while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was a cylinder misfire and that the fuel injector needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: 21-010

NHTSA complaint 11767685, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
The steering has been “sticking” for the last six-nine months. I finally took it into Firestone for a check up and they indicated the rack and pinion steering had gone bad and would need to be replaced, but because it was an electronic component could only be replaced by Honda. I have read numerous online reports about 2018 Honda CRV owners that have had problems with the rack and pinion steering and although there has been a recall for 2018 CRV‘s for steering issues, my VIN/vehicle does not appear to be included. My car has 46000 miles.

NHTSA complaint 11767522. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
When going around a curving road at 50 mph the steering wheel becomes sticky and the response is notchy and jumpy.

NHTSA complaint 11767548. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Component: Fuel/Propulsion System / Engine Description of Defect: I am reporting a premature, recurring safety defect on my Honda CR-V (currently at 101,000 miles). The original factory fuel injectors failed and were replaced under warranty at 36,000 miles. The replacement genuine OEM Honda injectors have failed a second time. The dealership diagnosed the issue and confirmed the fuel injectors are mechanically STUCK OPEN, meaning they are continuously dumping unmetered, raw gasoline directly into the engine cylinders. This creates a severe fire hazard as raw fuel floods the hot exhaust system and catalytic converter, while also threatening to wash down the cylinder walls and dilute the

NHTSA complaint 11766951, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Honda CR-V

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 143 0 —
2025 253 1 —
2024 392 2 —
2023 515 3 —
2022 261 3 —
2021 331 4 —
2020 353 7 —
2019 1,101 8 1
2017 1,771 7 —
2016 393 3 —
2015 670 3 —
2014 587 1 3
2013 382 2 —
2012 403 3 —
2011 554 13 —
2010 481 15 1

Other 2018 Honda models

Accord 1,883 Odyssey 992 Civic 742 Pilot 440 Ridgeline 161 HR-V 157 Clarity Plug-IN Hybrid 135 FIT 117

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Honda on this site — 192 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst