CarComplaints.com Notes: It's rare when a newer vehicle has defect trends. Judging from the identical 2017 model year, the 2018 Honda CR-V is likely to have at least two — overfilled oil levels with a gas smell, & heat not working.

Both problems affecting the Honda CR-V's 1.5L "Earth Dreams" engine appear to be related to cold-climate regions.

CR-V owners report overfilled oil levels due to fuel in the oil, & sometimes a gas smell in the cabin. That problem appears to be related to fuel injection which Honda hopes to fix via a software update. Honda so far has only conducted a recall in China & a "product update" in Canada.

CR-V owners also report no heat even after warming up their CR-Vs for 30 minutes — not even enough to defrost the windshield. So far, there has been no fix from Honda for this issue.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,299 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Honda CR-V engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Honda CR-V Owner Comments (Page 22 of 23)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #23

Aug 162018

CR-V

  • 810 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At about 810 miles on odometer, I checked the engine oil and it smelled like gasoline. I brought the car to dealer 2 times and left car there for 3 days the second time. Service manager said that this gas smell is normal in the engine oil. I also noticed oil is turning black and the level is rising (due to gasoline entering the crankcase. Dealer drove it about 200 miles and when I got car home, the smell of gasoline in oil was worse and the oil level was above the full mark (due to gasoline entering into engine oil. This poses a very dangerous threat of an accident because the engine could seize or the gasoline in oil could start a fire. I called Honda and they said that this is normal.

- Lebanon, PA, USA

problem #22

Jun 162018

CR-V

  • 4,400 miles
For the second time, I have experienced a strong gas smell in the cabin. I was driving about 45 mph on a city street.

- St. Clair Shores, MI, USA

problem #21

May 092018

CR-V

  • 4,000 miles
After driving a short distance on a city street, I noticed a gas smell in the cabin. Upon additional research, I learned that other CR-V owners have experienced the same situation with oil dilution (gas getting mixed in with oil). When I checked the oil, the level was over what is should be and the dipstick smelled of gas.

- St. Clair Shores, MI, USA

problem #20

Jun 182018

CR-V

  • 5,901 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rising oil level due to contamination of oil with fuel and water, 2018 Honda CRV ex. On June 18, 2018, while my wife was traveling at 70 mph on cruise control, every computer assisted warning unexpectedly evented on the dash (hill assist, acc, collision mitigation, brake system, cel, TPMS, road departure, traction, power steering, vsa), the CRV immediately and harshly self-braked (out of the control of the driver). The Honda dealership service personnel determined that this occurred due to the oil level in the direct-injected earth dreams 1.5L reaching a level of 21mm above the current limit (the resolution given by Honda tech-line was to change the oil and filter every 500 miles). Had my wife been followed by another vehicle she certainly would have been rear-ended, injured and possibly killed. This is a well known issue with the direct-injected 1.5L earth dreams turbo engine. Honda has no fix for it, and can only recommend that we change the oil every 500 miles. To date, since the initial occurrence on 6/18/2018, we've had the CRV back to the same dealership to change the oil and filter an average of every 2 weeks (7/5/2018, 7/19/2018, and 8/3/2018). We'll be returning to the dealership by 8/17/2018 for yet another oil and filter change, this vehicle is unsafe to drive, when under cruise control, due to the oil contamination, the rising oil level, causing the unexpected firing of computer assisted features.

- Spring Hill, TN, USA

problem #19

Aug 012018

CR-V

  • 1,600 miles
2018 Honda CRV-ex - strong gasoline smell in oil - total mileage 1600. Took CRV to dealer today to check gas smell in oil. Tech confirmed strong gas smell in oil and very black and runny (thin watery like). The tech indicated that this was not his first like experience with the new CRV - he said he'd experienced other ones. They changed the oil and filter with full synthetic oil. I requested and received a sample of my old oil along with documentation. The service manager indicated that he hadn't heard anything about this problem. Anyway, we will change our oil very often until this issue is hopefully, safely resolved. We're very concerned about the "fuel in oil" issue.

- West Chester, PA, USA

problem #18

Jul 192018

CR-V

  • 3,800 miles
Purchased car new in January 2018. Noticed heat didn't get very warm, and would cool off at a traffic light, or on a downhill. Winter in Delaware was not severe in January. Around 2200 miles, I checked my oil, found it about a half quart high, and smelled strongly of gasoline. Oil is also very dark, nearly black. 1/2 quart extra gasoline in oil sump of 3.7 quarts, means about 12% of the oil was gasoline. This presents 2 major dangers: Fire hazard from excess gasoline in oil, and engine failure, due to lack of proper lubrication. I've brought my car in to Honda twice, and 2400 & 4000 miles, both times, they contacted Honda techline, and provided an oil and filter change free of charge. I am minimizing my use of this vehicle, hoping Honda will port "the china solution" to the us soon. As Honda doesn't seem to be acknowledging the problem in the us or Canada, it will likely be up to the regulators or lawyers to force them to take the problem seriously. NHTSA - please step up, require a solution, before we start finding burning Honda on the roadside.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #17

Jul 032018

CR-V 4-cyl

  • 12,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. when the vehicle was started, an abnormal vibration was coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, the brake, TPMS, park, adaptive cruise control, and several other warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. An appointment was made with mills Honda (8465 mn hwy 210, baxter, mn 56425, (218) 825-7525) to have the vehicle diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000. The VIN was not available.

- Browerville, MN, USA

problem #16

Jul 102018

CR-V

  • 1,958 miles
Overfilled oil level with gas.

- South Dartmouth, MA, USA

problem #15

Jul 212018

CR-V

  • 10,000 miles
New 2018 CR-V was purchased in February. With some reported issues with oil dilution reported on 2017 CR-V models I kept a close watch on the oil level. No issue before or after the 1st oil change from the dealership. (6000miles) this week after a random check on the oil level I discovered it was way above the normal level oil level with definite gasoline smell. I took it to a Honda dealer and they checked the vehicle over (10000 miles) after comprehensive testing including each individual cylinder they could find no issues. (Honda tech line was involved)the dealer service rep commented that they had no fix for the issue and that there was no recall. I was given a free oil/filter change and sent on my way. I took the car to work after the dealership and then home (40 miles total approx.) after sitting overnight I checked the dipstick today and the level is right where the orange plastic indicator piece meets the metal dipstick. Already above normal again. Oil was very soupy dripping from dipstick (normal 0-20W oil does not do this) so just overnight the problem has returned, not in a cold climate. No excessive idling since yesterday after the oil change. I think the reason more people have not reported this is many have not checked their dipstick/ oil level. And why would you if you are driving a new car. Oil is breaking down the lubrication of the oil. This is a very serious problem especially for a car with a turbo which depends on that oil. Ticking time bomb for Honda and sadly for me as well.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #14

May 252018

CR-V

  • 5,827 miles
Engine oil contamination when the oil dip stick was pulled, there was a strong smell of gasoline coming out of the dip stick hole, and it showed the oil was overfilled with factory oil in the engine. It was overfilled by at least 1/4 inch. When the engine oil was drained during the first oil change at 5827 miles, the oil had a very strong smell of gasoline. The oil seemed like there was almost no viscosity left, and drained like water out of the crankcase. The engine oil was diluted with gasoline.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #13

Jun 072018

CR-V

  • 6,820 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Honda 1.5 turbo engine is getting abnormal amounts of gasoline and water in the oil. My last oil change with mobil 1 was jet black after 4,300 miles of use. The dealership service manager told me that I should change the oil every 5,000 miles, the owner's manual says 10,000 miles. The mobil 1 engine oil has broken down before 5,000 miles.

- Augusta, ME, USA

problem #12

May 312018

CR-V 4-cyl

  • 75 miles
When I stop on level road and take foot off brake the engine accelerates from 700 RPM to 1000-1100 RPM up tp 7mph.thats without touching gas pedal. I brought car to dealer and they test drove car.report says "vehicle will accelerate till reaches7ph then drop to idle speed.this is vehicle normal operation condition.no repair needed."they said all systems are at factory settings.I've owned cars for 55 yrs. And never had one do this.they might roll slightly but never accelerate.I feel it is a possible design safety defect that should be addressed.if you take foot off brake you can rear end something or kill or injure someone.this happens on all road conditions even up hill and every time take foot off brake.if this is factory setting something is not rite.

- Punta Gorda, FL, USA

problem #11

May 262018

CR-V

  • 500 miles
This vehicle has "push to start". if the button is not pressed before leaving the vehicle, the engine continues to run. I forgot to shut off the engine after pulling into the garage, and I had to go back into the car and shut it off. The automaker needs to add an option to turn off the engine when the fob moves at least 5 feet from the vehicle. They already offer a feature to lock the car when the fob moves at least 5 feet away, so much of the infrastructure has been completed and tested.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #10

Dec 012017

CR-V

  • 3,000 miles
The engine is making oil as we drive it. There is a gas smell inside the car. We dont drive short distances with it like the dealer said would make it happen

- Luxemburg, WI, USA

problem #9

May 202018

CR-V

  • 1,500 miles
Parked car on level ground after driving, waited 1 hour then checked oil via the dipstick with 1500 miles on the odometer. Oil level is above the full mark and strong smell of gasoline on the dipstick.

- Mountlake Terrace, WA, USA

problem #8

May 162018

CR-V

  • 35 miles
Bought a brand new 2018 fully loaded touring CR-V 3 days ago on Monday. Filing this report on Wednesday. The car has only 35 miles on it as I write this. We drove roughly 25 miles total since leaving the dealership. After hearing about oil dilution problems encountered by other drivers, I decided to check the oil to see if it smelled like gasoline just in case. Fyi, it was parked in our enclosed garage. I was shocked that it actually did smell, but it didn't just smell a little. It smelled like when you get gasoline on your hands. I immediately took it back to the dealership with the paper towel in hand. Every salesperson and technician I handed the paper towel to confirmed the oil from the dipstick that was wiped on the towel smelled like gasoline. They are reviewing the problem, and have decided to spend more time looking at it due to my concerns. Sounds more serious, but I don't want to assume. I am concerned this problem which is known in china and Japan will grow to be like the other complaints registered with the nhsta. China has halted sales of the CR-V until they can determine a reasonable fix. Apparently a recall to adjust software timings was not enough. Also should mention Honda Canada is monitoring this and sent a bulletin to their dealers.

- Leawood, KS, USA

problem #7

May 012018

CR-V

  • miles
Oil dilution in the engine! gas fumes smell in the cabin due to it!

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

problem #6

Apr 302018

CR-V

  • 3,000 miles
Oil on dipstick smells like gas. The car cabin smells like gas and it basically stinky unless the car windows are open. Garage also smells like gas when car is parked.

- Newtown Square, PA, USA

problem #5

Apr 252018

CR-V

  • 200 miles
We had a horrible situation last night when we were driving on the highway. Our Honda CRV 2018 exl which is not even 2 weeks old, brand new, started shaking and wobbling and stopped in the mid road.all the safety systems failed and there were warnings on the dashboard, brake system problem, all wheel drive system problem, tire pressure monitor problem, electric parking brake problem, road departure mitigation system problem, collision mitigation system problem, lane keeping assist problem, adaptive cruise control problem, hill start assist problem, vehicle stability assist problem, anti lock brake system problem, power steering system problem, you name it.everything went wrong.we had a baby in the car seat behind and could have ended up in an accident.all the safety features failed.Honda doesnt have an answer for it. Very unsafe to drive this car in the highway if it suddenly stops and what if we get hit by car or truck behind us.Honda has no solution.

- South Windsor, CT, USA

problem #4

Apr 222018

CR-V

  • 1,123 miles
I checked my oil level the oil day and noticed that it was well above the "full" mark on the dipstick. I also noticed that it was not as viscous as it should be and that it smelled like gasoline. The car only has 1123 miles on it.

- Louisville, KY, USA

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