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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2018 Honda CR-VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 2,163 owner complaints for the 2018 Honda CR-V. Most complaints involve engine (530) and forward collision avoidance (395). The EPA rates it 27–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
27–30mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
2,163
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 22, 2026NHTSA 26V332000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 19, 2023NHTSA 23V858000

Seat belts: buckle assembly

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Mar 9, 2023NHTSA 23V158000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2,163 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2017 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine530
  2. Forward collision avoidance395
  3. Fuel/propulsion system376
  4. Steering334
  5. Electrical system285
  6. Fuel system, gasoline232
  7. Service brakes187
  8. Vehicle speed control65
  9. Power train64

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
2008962
2009386
2010481
2011555
2012403
2013382
2014588
2015673
2016395
20171,779
20182,163
20191,107
2020358
2021338
2022269
2023517
2024393
2025262
2026176
Crashes reported
46
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
47
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

530 reports4 crashes1 fire
“Had injectors replaced 2 times before it had 100k miles, HONDA KNEW what was happening. One of the men in the service dept told me while having them replaced the 2nd time. I took my car to the dealership at 123k miles and told them theres a problem with my oil getting gas in it but they blamed it on overdue oil change. I was forced to continue driving the car because I got a $7k quote and I couldnt afford to fix it I kept coolant in it and the car runs fine. David told me the head gasket had been blown so long that spark plug was rusted to the head. Now my car has 190k miles on it and they r refusing to fix it under the warranty extension because I didnt get it fixed at 123k. [XXX] at [XXX] told me if id fixed it I would be reimbursed but I was SOL because I couldnt afford to fix it and shouldnt have to pay for it to begin with. I think honda offering to extend the warranty was an easy out. I bought this car brand new, my 1st brand new car ever... and I always changed oil, maintance, never ran it hot... there is no reason a 2018 honda should be broken already. Please do a recall. This is a known problem and they should make it right.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11768662

Forward collision avoidance

395 reports4 crashes
“My car will stop when at red lights or stop signs. It’s like it dies. It also flashed 6 different problems at me: Emissions system problem, AWD system problem, adaptive cruise control problem, collision mitigation system problem, road departure mitigation system problem, auto high beam problem. This is so frustrating considering I just got this car, and there’s no recall, but I believe it’s the fuel pump. Please recall this. I can’t put so much money into this car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2026Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11770690

Fuel/propulsion system

376 reports5 crashes
“The warning lights on the dash all lit up, and upon inspection of the vehicle, gave error code P0172. We took it to the Honda dealership near up, who confirmed that the vehicle needed the fuel injectors replaced. If we did not fix it immediately, our catalytic converter was at risk of also being damaged, along with other parts of the vehicle. We had it fixed, but on our own research, have seen that this is a very common failure in the 2018 Honda CR-V line vehicles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11768532
All 2018 CR-V problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 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 3, 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 FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283430$2,150292
CR-V AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
273329$2,200303
CR-V FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263228$2,300312
CR-V AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
253127$2,400327
  • CR-V FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    28 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    27 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    26 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    25 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Honda CR-V SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.2%
Overall
5 / 5
Honda CR-V SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 12641Vehicle 12640
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

2018 CR-V questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Honda CR-V have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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 2018 Honda CR-V problems?

Owners filed 2,163 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (530), forward collision avoidance (395), fuel/propulsion system (376). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Honda CR-V get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Honda CR-V at 27–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Honda CR-V?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Honda CR-V 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026