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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Honda CR-VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 963 owner complaints for the 2008 Honda CR-V. Most complaints involve air bags (325) and electrical system (218). The EPA rates it 22–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
11campaigns
Latest Mar 2023
Owner complaints
963
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

11 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: frame and members

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2007-2011 CR-V vehicles that were sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. An accumulation of road salt may cause the frame to corrode and possibly detach the rear trailing arm.

StructureReported Mar 30, 2023NHTSA 23V228000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. 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 absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V502000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. 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 absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V500000
See all 11 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

963 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2008 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags325
  2. Electrical system218
  3. Latches/locks/linkages200
  4. Structure95
  5. Steering70
  6. Suspension38
  7. Power train37
  8. Engine23
  9. Engine and engine cooling19

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each CR-V model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997108
1998143
1999137
2000139
2001152
2002527
2003494
2004501
2005479
2006398
2007887
2008963
2009386
2010481
2011555
2012403
2013382
2014588
2015673
2016395
20171,779
20182,163
20191,107
2020358
2021338
2022269
2023517
2024393
2025262
2026176
Crashes reported
44
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
43
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

325 reports29 crashes
“*(#1)2024 COMPLETELY TURND OFF DEAD STOPEF IN THE MIDDLE FREEWAY HIGHWAY PATROL HAD TO TOW IT AWAY LASY YEAR COST ME $900+ **** AGAIN NOW ALMOST PASSED OUT NO AIR BAG TO SAFE ME***** (#2) 3/6/2025 CAR COMPLETLY CRASHED ,INJURED ,I WAS TAKEN BY 911 TO HOSPITAL. ** BAD AIR BAG DID NOT CAME OUT OR NEVER WORKED TO PROTECTED ME***, I GOT HIT MY CHEST SO BAD , THOGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE THST MOMENT. CURRENTLY I RENTED A CAR TO PAY IT DAYLY $$$$ GO TO DOCTOR FROM MY OWN POCKET.[I CAN AFFORD] SINCE I LOST DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG WILL TAKE TO BE REPLACED MY 2008 HONA CRV ,WITH SAFER VEHICLE. I NEED TO HAVE TRANSPORTATION I SHOLDN'T CHARGED FOR RENTING A CAR AND GET HELP WITH FREE RENT TRANSPORTATION SOONER UNTILL SOMEONE RESOLVE THIS DADLY ISSUE. THANK GODI'M ALIVE”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 9, 2025Electrical system, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11647276

Electrical system

218 reports4 crashes
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Honda CR-V. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 137,000. It was later discovered upon registering the vehicle with the DMV that the mileage was 255,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2026Electrical systemODI 11725488

Latches/locks/linkages

200 reports
“The contact owns a 2008 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's door failed to latch as intended. In addition, the front passenger's door had independently unlatched. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed door lock actuator. The contact was informed that the front passenger's side door actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, and a case was filed. The contact referenced an unknown Technical Service Bulletin with a similar failure; however, the contact was informed that the TSB had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2025Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11694750
All 2008 CR-V problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CR-V 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,700386
CR-V 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202622$2,850404
  • CR-V 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Honda CR-V as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 2408
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 CR-V questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Honda CR-V have?

11 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Honda CR-V problems?

Owners filed 963 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (325), electrical system (218), latches/locks/linkages (200). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Honda CR-V get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Honda CR-V at 22–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026