Legally reviewed by: Jessica Anvar Stotz, JD, MBA
Common problems: The 2018 Honda CR-V has faced several common problems reported by owners. These include issues with the electrical system, braking system, engine defects, steering errors, and transmission problems.
Honda has issued recalls for some of these issues, which have been known to lead to serious engine issues such as stalling or complete engine failure.
Specifically, the 2018 Honda CR-V has been the subject of four recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), including two related to fuel pump defects, one related to the seatbelts, and the other related to the steering system. These manufacturing flaws affect vital systems, impacting both vehicle performance and safety.
Continue reading for more details on the safety issues affecting 2018 Honda CR-V drivers.
Common 2018 Honda CR-V Problems
- Engine/Fuel System: Fuel pump failure, stalling, loss of power, check engine light, engine shutoff, engine failure, oil overfilled during manufacturing
- Braking System: Forward Collision Avoidance system errors
- Electrical System: Defective A/C system, blank instrument panel, warning lights, difficulty locking doors automatically
- Steering: Sticky steering wheel, delayed steering
2018 Honda CR-V Engine/Fuel System Problems
The 2018 Honda CR-V is prone to major engine and fuel system-related issues. In December 2023, American Honda Motor Company initiated a recall affecting approximately 2.6 million vehicles from model years 2017 to 2020 due to potential fuel pump failures.
The recall, identified by NHTSA’s campaign number 23V-858 addresses an issue with the fuel pump impeller, which may deform over time and disrupt the fuel pump’s operation.
If the fuel pump fails, it could lead to starting problems, engine stalling, and in serious cases, complete engine failure. This recall expands upon previous NHTSA recalls identified by numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
2018 Honda CR-V Braking System Problems
Several complaints have been documented across several model years regarding the forward collision warning system in Honda CR-V crossovers.
Some drivers have reported instances where the system misidentifies vehicles, pedestrians, shadows, and weather as obstacles while failing to detect actual nearby obstacles. Additional concerns with the braking system include sudden deceleration, jerking, and shuddering.
In February 2022, federal safety regulators initiated an investigation into 278 consumer complaints about the system unexpectedly engaging during vehicle operation.
Allegations suggested the system could activate even when no obstacles were present, potentially increasing the risk of crashes. As of April 2024, authorities have recorded 47 crash reports and 112 injury reports associated with this issue.
A class-action lawsuit has been filed concerning the CMB system issues in certain CR-V models equipped with the “Honda Sensing” system.
2018 Honda CR-V Electrical System Problems
Owners of the Honda CR-V have reported various issues with the vehicle’s electrical system, particularly concerning the air conditioning (A/C) system.
Common complaints include instances where the A/C compressor fails, resulting in the inability to produce cold air, or difficulties cooling the interior during warm weather. These issues can significantly impact comfort and may require professional inspection and repair.
Symptoms of electrical system problems in the 2018 Honda CR-V may also manifest as warning lights appearing on the dashboard unexpectedly, malfunctioning of electronic components such as the instrument panel or infotainment system, or difficulties with automatic features like door locking mechanisms.
2018 Honda CR-V Steering Problems
In 2018, Honda recalled some CR-V vehicles due to a potential issue with the electronic power steering system’s torque sensor magnet. The magnet may become dislodged from its normal position inside the steering gearbox, which could cause the steering to move left or right unexpectedly during a full lock turn. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Owners of affected vehicles should have received a notification by this point in time, however, you can also check if your vehicle is included using NHTSA’s vin recall check website. NHTSA’s campaign number for this recall is 18V-663.
2018 Honda CR-V Owner Complaints
“I’ve put 200 miles on this vehicle and hate it. It beeps at me all the time and usually I have no idea why. Sensing system goes into error. Dash tells me to BRAKE and more BEEPING when there is nobody near me on the freeway. Fancy iPad mounted to the dash blows. The vehicle is always locked when I think it’s unlocked and unlocked when I think it’s locked. The locks are downright infuriating. The fab weighs about 10 pounds in your pocket. Engine is loud and s l o w. Cab is horribly loud in the rain. Thought I needed to bond with her and spent the last two days dolling her up. It made me hate the vehicle even more. It’s a detailing nightmare with so many water retaining nooks and crannies. Water gets inside the tail lights.”
“Vehicle is flashing all kinds of repair needed signals. It is stalling and shutting off. It’s not safe for me to drive. I’m elderly (disabled) and need to drive to get medicine and doctors appointments. The fuel pump is on recall and I can not wait until the fall to get the pump replaced. No Honda dealers have the pumps in stick yet. I need help ASAP.”
“As I was driving back from the aquarium with my family going home, the Automatic Emergency Braking System activated and the car suddenly came to a total stop abruptly – this is the third time the car does that since I have it (2020) there was nothing on the way that could have justified the car to stop in such a violent manner. Thankfully there was nobody behind me and we did not get hurt, but we were scared and my little daughter was crying thinking we did crash, of course now I don’t feel safe driving my car because if this happens again in traffic someone will hit me in the back for sure.”
Legal Options for Your 2018 CR-V Lemon
The Lemon Law provides consumers with legal remedies when their purchased or leased vehicle repeatedly fails to meet quality and performance standards during the warranty period. In California, this law stipulates that a vehicle must undergo a reasonable number of repair attempts to qualify as a lemon.
Under California’s lemon law, potential remedies include a refund or a replacement vehicle. A refund typically covers the reimbursement of all expenses related to the vehicle, such as down payments, monthly installments, taxes, and occasionally additional costs like registration renewal fees or rental car charges.
A replacement vehicle is usually of the same make and model, often the current-year equivalent. In both scenarios, the manufacturer deducts a usage fee to account for the period the vehicle was used without issues. Consumers opting for a replacement vehicle may need to cover any price difference.
Consult with the Lemon Law Experts Now!
If you have purchased or leased a defective Honda CR-V in California, the Lemon Law Experts offer unparalleled expertise in lemon law representation.
Since 2009, our team has successfully secured substantial settlements totaling millions of dollars for thousands of clients statewide dealing with lemon vehicles. Our focused practice on lemon law and warranty breaches ensures personalized legal support tailored to your unique circumstances.
Time is of the absolute essence in lemon law claims- so if you believe that you may have purchased or leased a Honda lemon, the Lemon Law Experts are committed to promptly resolving your vehicle issues and ensuring your safety on the road.
Contact our team at (877) 885-5366 or via our online form on our website for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
