Good SUV, check the oil before you buy
A safe, roomy SUV with one known weak spot: the 1.5L turbo can get fuel in its oil in cold climates. Buy one with the engine software update and all recalls done, or look at a 2020 or 2021, which drew far fewer complaints per car sold.
Updated November 2026 · based on 2,165 owner complaints and 5 recalls
571 2.5x the CR-V average
5 free to fix at a dealer
Every CR-V year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2018 CR-V
Top problems and what they cost
Fuel getting into the engine oil
The most common complaint. On short trips in the cold, fuel builds up in the oil, the level rises and the oil smells of gas. Some owners report misfires and a flashing check engine light.
Fix: Software update at a Honda dealer (often free or low cost); extra oil changes about $60 to $90 each. Engine damage is rare but can run $4,000 or more.
Engine
Emergency braking with nothing ahead
Owners describe the collision system braking hard for shadows, bridges or parked cars, often with a brake system warning on the dash.
Fix: Radar cleaning, recalibration or software at a dealer: about $150 to $400 out of warranty.
Collision avoidance
Steering that feels sticky or pulls on its own
Some owners feel a notchy or sticky wheel on the highway. A recall (18V663) fixed a separate power steering fault that could add steering input by itself.
Fix: Recall work is free. A steering gearbox outside any coverage costs about $1,200 to $2,000.
Steering
Recalls
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The unintended steering input reduces vehicle maneuverability and increases the risk of a crash.
An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2018 Honda CR-V
- Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm all 5 recalls show as repaired, especially both fuel pump recalls.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2018 CR-V has 5 recalls on record, listed below.
- Pull the oil dipstick. A level above the top mark or a smell of gas means fuel in the oil.Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, especially when cold, can mean worn bearings, lifters or a stretched timing chain. These are engine-out repairs costing thousands.Owners filed 201 complaints about oil dilution (fuel in the oil) on the 2018 CR-V, one of the worst years for it.
- Ask for records showing the engine software update and oil changes at least every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.Some engines burn or thin their oil. A low or high level, a gas smell on the dipstick or blue smoke are warning signs, and regular oil changes show the engine was looked after.Owners filed 201 complaints about oil dilution (fuel in the oil) on the 2018 CR-V, one of the worst years for it.
- Drive past parked cars and under an overpass and watch for false brake warnings.Warning lights should come on briefly at start and then go out. One that stays on means the car has stored a fault, and a parts store can read the code for free.285 of the 2,165 owner complaints about the 2018 CR-V involve the electrical system (13%).
- On the highway, make small steering corrections. The wheel should feel smooth, not sticky.Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, especially when cold, can mean worn bearings, lifters or a stretched timing chain. These are engine-out repairs costing thousands.Owners filed 201 complaints about oil dilution (fuel in the oil) on the 2018 CR-V, one of the worst years for it.
Questions
Is the 2018 Honda CR-V reliable?
Good SUV, check the oil before you buy. A safe, roomy SUV with one known weak spot: the 1.5L turbo can get fuel in its oil in cold climates. Buy one with the engine software update and all recalls done, or look at a 2020 or 2021, which drew far fewer complaints per car sold.
How many recalls does the 2018 Honda CR-V have?
5 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Honda dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2018 Honda CR-V problems?
Fuel getting into the engine oil; Emergency braking with nothing ahead; Steering that feels sticky or pulls on its own.
Crash rating shown for the 2018 Honda CR-V SUV AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.