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:
9,435 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 5 of 23)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #365

Jan 242021

CR-V

  • 20,000 miles

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

While driving a short distance, driving slow as I was in my subdivision my vehicle started jerking, it felt like it was going to stall, the engine light came on and started flashing repeatedly. I noticed a bad odor. I was only a minute or so from home and driving slowly, maybe 10 or 15 mph. The sputtering, jerking and flashing engine light continued the rest of the way home. I got half way up my driveway and it felt like it was stalling so I stopped and shut vehicle off. A strong burning smell continued and I noticed smoke coming out of the passenger side exhaust pipe.

- Blasdell, NY, USA

problem #364

Dec 242020

CR-V

  • 63,000 miles
I have a 2018 Honda CRV ex. The check engine light came on with the emissions system problem warning at times, and at other times, all warning lights came on simultaneously. At times it drives fine while one or all these lights are on, but twice when I was driving 30-40 mph, I have lost power, having to pull off to the side of the road.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #363

Jun 112020

CR-V

  • 40,000 miles
Driving car on slight uphill grade a a misfire occurred causing a flashing check engine light. Throttle control was defeated by design and the car came to a stop in a lane with no shoulder and semi trucks behind me. Was able to cycle key a few times and throttle control was restored until car misfired again and same thing happened again. Talked to local Honda service department and was told that what happened is by design, to protect the catalytic converter in the event of a misfire..this is a dangerous design flaw. There are other ways to protect the catalytic converter and still leave the car running with at least partial power. Many manufacturers simply cut fuel delivery to the cylinder that is misfiring, leaving you less power but still safe to drive.. this problem is a simple fix for Honda with a reflash. This dangerous situation was created by a simple spark plug issue on one cylinder.

- Medford, OR, USA

problem #362

Nov 192020

CR-V

  • 25,800 miles

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

Entered the vehicle and began to drive. The problem lights all appeared as driving: Steering, tire pressure, emergency brake, engine. The car stalled as driving and steering was made difficult, did the der der der noises. I felt endangered with my children and puppy in the vehicle.

- Elmwood Park, NJ, USA

problem #361

Jan 152019

CR-V

  • 1,000 miles
Recently after purchased 1/2019 noticed oil level was 3/8" over high mark. Reported to local Honda dealer and they said its normal to have gas in the oil. Also car emits smell of raw gasoline both in cabin when stopped. Also smell raw gas in garage and sometimes in our house while car is parked. After more investigation found that others were having problems tool

- Oconomowoc, WI, USA

problem #360

Oct 212020

CR-V

  • 114,533 miles
About a month ago, I was parking my CRV and all of my dashboard warning lights came on. My cruise. Lane keep assist other features are completely disabled when this happens. My dealership states I need fuel injectors. I have done research on this problem, and Honda is very aware of this fuel injector problem. They actually put an extended warranty in place on the powertrain to remedy this. Unfortunately the powertrain warranty does not cover fuel injectors.on one occasion. Nov. 3 2020, my car stalled while going 70 miles per hour on the highway. Afterwards I smelled a strong fuel smell in my car. I have smelled this odor several times, however Honda says this is not a safety issue. I bought the car Jan. 2020. It had 89K miles on it. I did not think this new car would need an extended warranty. So Honda wants over $1100 to put fuel injectors in. I have read online about the many issues with the 2017 and 2018 crvs. The dream motor is a problem and Honda knows it. I guess it will take someone dying before anyone will pay me any attention. Honda says this is not a safety problem therefore I am assuming it is safe to drive, as I have to have my car. I am a nurse and travel on my job. I have no cruise, lane keep assist, lane stability or any of those features. I dont know how this car will pass inspection like this. Please help me. Google problems with 2018 CRV......Honda knows all about it. I have already filed a complaint with them. Please advise if seeking legal counsel will be beneficial to me. Thank you.

- Kings Mountain, NC, USA

problem #359

Mar 192020

CR-V 4-cyl

  • miles

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

2018 Honda CR-V. consumer writes in regards to engine shutting off, defective heater, gas in the oil.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #358

Sep 282020

CR-V

  • 40,000 miles
I keep smelling gasoline and having to get oil changes well before 5,000 miles. I believe that gas is getting into the oil. I have complained to the dealership service department and have been told that there is no fix available. I fear that the engine is going to give out soon.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #357

Sep 092020

CR-V

  • 20,000 miles
On two occasions the engine lost power and there was a strong smell of gasoline inside the car. The vehicle was in forward motion on a busy highway. This occurred on two occasions within the past two weeks. Symptoms are indicative of an abnormal oil dilution problem with this vehicle.

- Edwardsburg, MI, USA

problem #356

Jan 252020

CR-V

  • 56,752 miles
Vehicle dashboard gave multiple warnings while in motion on the highway; the Honda sensing system no longer functioned at this time. Took to nearby independent mechanic who narrowed malfunction to ECM. Took car to dealer who replaced vsa modulator. After approximately 30 days, vehicle would not start; engine starts but shuts back off immediately. Vehicle was towed to dealer; body control module was replaced.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #355

Aug 072020

CR-V

  • 40,000 miles

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

This the third incident, where I was driving the vehicle and the car lost power, stalled, shut down, and all the sensors on the vehicle went off. The vacaville Honda dealership on the second time refuse to document my issue or look at the battery without me paying for a service. I brought the car in for service. I feel really unsafe in this vehicle and vacaville Honda has a history of not documenting my concerns. The vehicle was in motion and I came to a stop sign where I turned right and noticed the car was not moving when I pressed the gas. The car turned off and then turned on and all the sensors came on. I was able to get the car rolling by going down hill going about 2 mph, even though the speedometer said 16 mph. There was not way I was going at that speed. I had to have the car towed locally to another Honda where I lived and they were unable to tell me why all the sensors went off.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

problem #354

Jul 282020

CR-V 4-cyl

  • 11,760 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. the contact stated that while driving at 58 mph, the vehicle independently made an abrupt stop while switching lanes on the highway. The contact also stated that the brake system failure, road departure mitigation system failure and the adaptive cruise control failure was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle resumed normal operation without driver input. The contact stated that while in line at a drive thru, the vehicle started buzzing and the display screen blacked out and started buffering. After leaving the drive thru, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly with the accelerator pedal depressed. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there were defects related to the messages displayed on the instrument panel. The mechanic took the vehicle to jim coleman Honda (12441 auto dr, clarksville, md 21029) to have the vehicle serviced under warranty however, the dealer refused to service the vehicle without explanation. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 11,760. Consumer says that on 08/22/2020 vehicle braked on its on while exiting an interstate highway at 45 mph. After the car braked on its own, the car started to wobble as though the wheels are about to unbuckle, and the brake light started to flash. Consumer experienced whiplash from the sudden braking. Consumer says that there were no other vehicles around at the time of the incident. On 08/25/2020 consumer took vehicle to jim coleman Honda to be diagnosed and repaired.

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #353

Jan 012018

CR-V

  • 7,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to accelerate to higher speeds. The contact stated that there was a leak coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to umansky Honda (960 hilton heights rd, charlottesville, va 22901, (888) 686-9143) where the transmission was replaced, the oil pan was replaced and resealed, and the bell housing was repaired. The contact stated that after the repairs were performed, there was an abnormal rattling sound underneath the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted nor was the manufacturer made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,000.

- Keswick, VA, USA

problem #352

Nov 122019

CR-V

  • 3,130 miles
Occasionally, there is a strong gasoline smell in the cabin when driving. Also, when engine oil is changed, it emits a strong gas smell. I took it to criswell Honda in germantown, md, and I was told that it is normal.

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #351

Apr 012018

CR-V 4-cyl

  • 16 miles
I purchased the vehicle with 16 miles on it; I bought it brand new. It leaked oil and transmission fluid all over my garage and while driving the car. I had a significant oil and transmission leak. Had to tow the car to be repaired. The same issue happened again where it dumped all the oil out of the engine, and they had to fix it for a second time. They informed me there wasn't any oil left in my engine and this was right after an oil change.they said this never happens, but it did twice. My 36,000-mile warranty is almost up, and I have a feeling this is an ongoing issue. Last time it leaked, it took them three months to fix it. I paid a lot of money when I bought my first new car ever. It's a shame I bought a lemon, and I'm paying monthly for it. This issue needs to be addressed because my car start light always blinks on and off also, and they can't figure it out. Also, my touchscreen has frozen and let the radio on full blast while I was driving and wouldn't shut off on more than one occasion.

- Shawnee, OK, USA

problem #350

Jun 022020

CR-V 4-cyl

  • 35,750 miles
At approximately 5:45 pm on June 2, 2020 while traveling on route 30 westbound near coatesville, pa after the route 82 exit the Honda CR-V lost power. The CR-V slowed to under 15 miles per hour while rush hour traffic passed. I estimate that some passing vehicles were traveling in excess of 70 mph. The CR-V finally made it to the airport road exit - a distance of nearly three miles. Note: In two places rt. 30's narrow shoulder was not usable and I was briefly forced back onto the roadway continuing in the slow lane. Once on airport road I found a safe place to pull over, turned off the CR-V and inspected the engine. I restarted the engine and drove to reedman toll Honda. The CR-V has 35,762 miles and has been serviced at all recommended service intervals. My wife was the sole passenger. I was the driver. The unsafe condition presented by the Honda CR-V ended with frayed nerves, but no other injury. However, this is unsafe condition could have easily had a tragic ending.

- Downingtown, PA, USA

problem #349

Feb 012019

CR-V

  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. the contact stated that that gasoline leaked into the engine oil and caused engine oil dilution. The contact stated that there was evidence of gasoline on the dipstick. The vehicle was taken to Honda motor work (1475 South barrington road, barrington, il 60010, (847)-381-8900), where the contact was informed to monitor the oil level and to have the vehicle inspected every 1,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #348

Mar 142020

CR-V

  • 34,822 miles
The engine or something that controls the fuel to the engine causes fuel dilution of the engine oil. This was easily identified when I checked the oil level. The car was at home on a level concrete floor and the oil level was above the normal full level and the oil strongly smelled of gasoline. This results in decreased oil viscosity causing premature wear of engine parts and engine failure leading to increased maintenance costs.

- Springvale, ME, USA

problem #347

Mar 172020

CR-V

  • 16,381 miles
There is a very strong gasoline smell in the engine oil. The oil level is much higher on the dipstick than at the last oil change, indicating gasoline is somehow making its way into the oil. There is a gasoline smell in the cabin on every trip. Car is owned and operated in atlanta, ga.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #346

Feb 082020

CR-V

  • 2,200 miles
Approximately 2,200 miles. Driving normally at about 35mph. Car started severely misfiring. And quickly started losing power. Car would not accelerate over 9 mph..warning lights came on. Pulled over immediately. Visually checked motor including oil dipstick. Strong smell of gas and oil level was above normal. Gas in the oil. Had to be towed to dealership. I was informed by the Honda service tech there was gas in the oil and plugs were fouled. Oil dillution problem.

- Manitowoc, WI, USA

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