NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and create an electrical short, potentially causing airbags to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
This page covers 5 recalls, 2020 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Honda CR-V.
27–30 mpg combined
7.8–8.7 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2018 Honda CR-V draws a high volume of owner complaints, with the largest named clusters centered on the forward collision avoidance system and the engine. On the driver assistance side, owners frequently report the automatic emergency braking activating unexpectedly, phantom braking with no obstacle present, often at highway speeds, which can startle drivers and invite rear-end situations. Engine complaints are nearly as numerous, with many owners describing sudden, unpredictable power loss at both highway and low speeds, sometimes accompanied by concerns about oil dilution with fuel. The fuel and propulsion system category adds to that picture, with owners reporting related drivability issues. A recurring steering complaint also stands out: owners describe the electric power steering stiffening mid-turn, then releasing abruptly, producing a snap or lurch that requires quick counter-steering, most often during highway lane changes and gradual curves above 35 mph.
2,020
Total Complaints
44
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
39
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Honda CR-V has 5 recalls, the most serious being an electric power steering defect where a loose magnet inside the torque sensor can break free and cause steering assist to push the wheel in the opposite direction of the turn.
The front passenger airbag sensor is also a concern: the occupant classification sensor can misread who is sitting in the seat, causing the airbag to deploy unintentionally in a crash rather than in a controlled, calibrated way, which raises injury risk for that occupant. On the restraint side, a manufacturing issue with the front seatbelt buckle can cause the channel inside the buckle to block the release button, preventing the belt from latching at all and leaving the occupant without proper crash protection. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank can fail on certain model years of this vehicle, including 2018 and 2019 CR-Vs, causing the engine to stall without warning while driving. There is also a label recall: the certification label on the driver's door lists incorrect weight ratings and tire size, which can lead owners to mount the wrong tire and risk premature wear or a blowout.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and create an electrical short, potentially causing airbags to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The certification label on the driver's door lists incorrect weight ratings and tire size information, which violates federal safety standards for tire selection.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the label with a corrected version at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt buckle channel may interfere with the release button, preventing the buckle from latching properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or buckle assemblies as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially stopping fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The magnet that controls the power steering assist signal may become loose and shift during a full lock turn, causing steering assist to apply in the opposite direction.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering gearbox assembly at no cost to restore proper steering operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.