2018 Honda CR-V Recalls, Safety Notices, & Complaints
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The Honda CR-V is one of the most popular models in the compact SUV segment. If you want class-leading fuel economy, spacious interior, and plenty of tech offerings, it’s hard to go wrong with the Honda CR-V. In such a cutthroat segment, the CR-V remains a top-tier option for consumers, and it’s likely to stay that way in the foreseeable future.
As far as Honda CR-Vs go, the 2018 model year is perhaps one of the most well-sought used vehicles. It offers fuel-efficient powertrains, an upmarket interior, modern infotainment, and advanced safety tech features. If you’re interested in this model, you’re likely wondering about the 2018 Honda CR-V recalls, safety notices, and general consumer complaints.
At a high level, due to its popularity, the 2018 CR-V has received tons of complaints. In our previous write-up, the 2018 model is also one of our picks for the Honda CR-V years to avoid. With that said, let’s take a look at the recalls, safety notices, and complaints of the 2018 Honda CR-V.
2018 Honda CR-V Recalls & Safety Notices
As of this writing, there are currently four 2018 Honda CR-V recalls and safety notices, which is certainly pretty good for a vehicle of this age.
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1. Fuel Pump Failure (Dec 18, 2023)
The largest recall affects over 2.5 million vehicles due to a fuel pump failure that could lead to engine stalls. This recall affects a considerable number of vehicles and aims to address a defect in the fuel pump that could potentially cause the engine to stall while the car is in motion. Such an occurrence increases the risk of a collision due to the sudden loss of engine power.
How It Affects You
This issue was considered a huge safety hazard. During a long drive on the highway, your engine suddenly stalls due to the fuel pump failure. You lose power steering and brakes, making it hard to maneuver to safety, causing panic and risking collision.
2. Unlatched Seat Belt (Mar 9, 2023)
This recall involved over 448,000 vehicles where an unlatched seat belt might not properly restrain the seat occupant, which can be fatal in a vehicular crash.
How It Affects You
Seatbelts are supposedly reliable safety devices, so one that doesn’t latch properly warrants a recall. Imagine a situation where you are driving your children to school, and you suddenly apply brakes, but you realize that the seatbelt of the passenger seat, which you thought was attached correctly, is not latched. This can be a nightmare scenario because, in the event of a real crash, it can lead to severe injuries due to inadequate restraint.
3. Another Fuel Pump Failure (Mar 25, 2021)
Affecting over 624,000 vehicles, this recall also centers on the fuel pump failure. This issue is similar to the December 2023 recall but affects a different batch of vehicles. This recall was also announced due to a risk of the fuel pump failing.
How It Affects You
This is one of the more prevalent 2018 Honda CR-V recalls and deserves quick attention. Let’s say the fuel pump fails as you accelerate to merge onto a freeway. The engine cuts out without warning, leaving you stranded in a lane where other vehicles are traveling at high speeds, creating a perilous situation with a high risk of being rear-ended.
4. Dislodged Magnet in Steering System (Sep 27, 2018)
This fairly small recall focused on a specific component within the steering system—a magnet—that could become dislodged, leading to unexpected steering input or loss of steering control, thus increasing the risk of a crash.
How It Affects You
While driving through a busy intersection, your steering wheel becomes erratic due to a dislodged magnet in the steering system. This makes it difficult to control the car, increasing the chances of veering off the intended path and getting into an accident.
For a detailed exploration of each recall, including specific repair instructions and how to determine if your vehicle is affected, please visit the NHTSA website.
ARE HONDA CR-Vs RELIABLE?
If you’re thinking about buying a Honda CR-V for yourself, you need to know a little more than just their reputation. Here’s what you need to know about Honda CR-V reliability.
2018 Honda CR-V Complaints
On top of the 2018 Honda CR-V recalls, this model year was also the subject of thousands of consumer complaints. CarComplaints has documented 2000+ complaints and received the “Clunker” award from the website. Below are some of the most common 2018 Honda CR-V problems according to consumer complaints:
Fuel in oil with overfilled oil level
This is one of the prevalent complaints for the 2018 CR-V based on the information on CarComplaints.com. Many owners have found that gasoline is mixing with the engine oil, causing the oil level to rise too high and creating a strong smell of gas inside the car. This problem can impact how well the car runs and may even pose safety risks, contributing greatly to the many 2018 Honda CR-V engine problems.
Several complaints also mentioned that the CR-V struggled to warm up during idling in cold weather, taking significantly longer to heat the cabin and defrost windows – a huge issue during colder months.
Infotainment glitches
If you love using the infotainment system in your car, you might want to be wary of the 2018 CR-V – no thanks to its potentially glitchy infotainment unit. According to the reports, owners have reported experiencing various problems with their vehicles’ infotainment systems. These issues include the screen going black, unresponsive touch controls, erratic changes in volume and brightness, and the system randomly switching between functions or freezing.
These problems are not limited to early use, as they have been reported at an average failure mileage of around 20,450 miles, suggesting they can also occur later in the vehicle’s life.
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Spontaneous braking
2018 CR-V owners have also reported unexpected braking incidents. Owners have reported that their CR-Vs have braked spontaneously on clear roads, with no obstructions in sight, sometimes even at high speeds. Some owners have pinpointed the issue to the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), a safety feature intended to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision. However, this system has activated without cause, leading to unnecessary and dangerous braking.
Overall, the 2018 Honda CR-V only has several recalls and safety notices – not exactly a dealbreaker. However, remember that this model year has also received many complaints from owners.
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