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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,129 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2018 Honda CR-V Owner Comments (Page 9 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #122

Jan 292019

CR-V

  • 8,000 miles

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

Gasoline fumes are in the cabin while driving. Oil level when measured on the dipstick is overfilled and smells like gasoline. The cabin takes a very long time to heat up on a cold day.

- Woodmere, NY, USA

problem #121

Feb 112019

CR-V

  • 4,000 miles
This car was purchased new in July 2018. After about 2 months of ownership, it was observed that the oil level was significantly above the "full" mark on the dipstick. Checked on-line and learned that many other owners had made the same observation, noting a strong odor of gasoline in the oil on the dipstick. Dealer acknowledged that 1.5 liter turbo engines are having this problem with increasing frequency. Dealer changed oil and filter at no charge. Problem persisted, with 3 more oil changes at no cost over next 4 months due to gasoline dilution of oil and consequent overfill of crankcase as read on the dipstick. Honda dealership carried out a Honda product update on this vehicle referenced as "1245A2 product update campaign" that involved a software update in which the PCM and tcm were programmed and the A/C control unit was replaced. Oil levels seemed normal for about two months, but once again were well over the full mark and had a strong gasoline odor on February 11, 2019. Took car to dealership to have problem checked and was informed that Honda now states that this condition is "normal" for this vehicle and that oil changes for overfilled oil condition will no longer be done at no charge. I scheduled an oil change and will have this done in one week. Car has 12,000 miles on the odometer. This seems to be a widespread problem with 2017 and 2018 Honda CRV's with the 1.5 liter turbo engine. Honda needs to solve this problem or offer a refund on the vehicle. The potential for early engine wear and failure seems obvious due to gasoline diluted oil. Also, there is sometimes a gasoline odor in or near the vehicle.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #120

Jan 012019

CR-V

  • 450 miles
Purchased vehicle Nov 9, 2018. From 50-450 miles, had very poor avg mpg (avg 12-16 mpg combined). On Jan 1, with under 450 miles on car, and within the first 1.5 miles of driving (driving on a slight incline), computer mpg indicator became erratic/blinking for about 2-3 minutes (indicated from 2 - 80 mpg and occasionally appeared as -------) then returned to higher than usual number. Jan 2, started car, very strong smell of raw gas inside cabin (had to open windows) for about 3-4 minutes - reported to/made appt with dealer. Jan 3, brought to dealer for appt, told no odor currently detected by service manager in cabin, nothing they could do and did not take car or provide repair order number. At 594, (Feb 5) returned to dealer with strong smell of raw gas in oil (on dipstick and over engine with hood up). Oil on dipstick appeared runny. Dealer confirmed gas in oil, american Honda instructed dealer this is not a problem and not to change oil. Dealer changed oil as a courtesy to me. I am deeply concerned about the safety of this raw gas odor (if involved in minor accident, will vehicle explode) and deeply concerned about the ongoing damage to engine, powertrain etc. Raw gas in cabin (even if sporadic) and oil is not normal. American Honda has not yet returned my calls but has assigned a case number.

- Berkeley, CA, USA

problem #119

Feb 012019

CR-V

  • 13,501 miles

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

Smelled gasoline inside car on cold day; smelled gasoline on oil dipstick; oil level above normal; dealer changed oil; happened less than 400 miles later; noticed while driving (outside temp 20 degrees F)

- Falling Waters, WV, USA

problem #118

Jan 162019

CR-V

  • 3,400 miles
Vehicle was recalled for oil dilution issue and engine not warming up properly and gasoline smell inside vehicle. Honda repaired on 1/11/19. Recall repair did not work. Took it back on 1/16/19. Still does not work. I started vehicle in driveway and left it run for 35 minutes with heater on high and fan on high still blowing ice cold air temp gauge did not move at all. Still smell gas in vehicle engine oil is overfilled about 3/8 inch above full on dip stick. Another appointment on 2/12/19 to try and fix for third time. Saturday morning 2/9/19 at 7:10 in morning on way home from work 23 degrees out I had to put the windows down because gas smell inside vehicle was making me sick. Sunday morning at 7:10 on way home from work 17 degrees outside started vehicle up at 6:50 7:05 I got in vehicle still ice cold cleaned frost and ice off vehicle as best I could. Vehicle will not warm up unless it is driven!!! started driving home and windshield is solid ice no sense in stopping because will not heat up unless vehicle is moving. These vehicles are accidents waiting to happen. Honda is aware of all these issues but does nothing. I guess not enough people were killed by their faulty vehicles yet and not enough lawsuits. Everyone of these vehicles should be recalled and banned from the road until repaired. I asked jones Honda of lancaster pa where I bought this vehicle for a loaner car until it is repaired and they said no they do not give out loaner cars but will rent me one. I paid about $32,000 for this vehicle and this is how they treat their customers.

- Mount Joy, PA, USA

problem #117

Feb 092019

CR-V

  • 2,100 miles
Gas and oil smell in passenger compartment. Gas is leaking into the engine oil causing overfill level. Oil leak on floor of garage. Fear gas in oil will cause premature wear of engine. Just found this was a known problem by Honda in 2017 and 2018 models but still sold me the car. Taking car in. Bought new has 2100 miles now.

- Lee's Summit, MO, USA

problem #116

Sep 032018

CR-V

  • 5,000 miles

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

My 2018 Honda CRV has the oil dilution issue at my first oil change I asked the service adviser why my oil level was over the top of the dip stick by about 3/4 an inch and the oil smelled like gas and I also asked him why I smelled it in the cabin. He said anything was wrong it was normal. I checked the oil every 1000 miles and it would go up 1/8 inch every 1000 miles. I took the CRV back the dealer because the heater would not get warm at all at idle and the smell of gas was terrible my garage even had a strong smell of gas.the dealer told me I definitely had gas in the oil and the heater problem was part of the gas in the oil issue and at this time Honda had no fix for the issue. They did a oil change and told me they would contact me if Honda came up with a fix. It's now 4 days after the oil change and the oil is already over the dip stick. I opened a case with Honda customer service and after talking to three different people I finally talk to a case manager and he told me gas in the oil was normal and to take the CRV back to the dealer if the heater was not working. He is protecting Honda because they have a hugh issue. I did not get the extended warranty so this is a big deal for many people like me. Please help Honda does not care about the customers in the usa look at what they did in Canada and china for the exact same issue. Thank you!

- Abingdon, MD, USA

problem #115

Jan 232019

CR-V

  • 9,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. the contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to smart Honda des moines (11206 hickman rd, des moines, ia 50325, (515) 253-3040) where it was diagnosed that the software needed to be updated. The software was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 9,000.

- Johnston, IA, USA

problem #114

Jan 042019

CR-V

  • 9,000 miles
Driving in the highway engine light came on. After a few mintues all the warning lights came on and the engine started to slowing down. Got towed and the dealership told me I have a multiple misfire and the engine oil is over the recommended oil in the dipstick, and it smells mixed with fuel. They just change the oil and didnt fix the software

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #113

Jan 152019

CR-V

  • 1,475 miles
Sometimes would need repeated attempt to start. Vehicle stalled, most often while moving slowly, but once while driving between 30 & 40 mph. No codes showed according to clawsen Honda. Honda performed an software update for PCM & tcm (1/18/19). Vehicle stalled once since service 10 days later. 1st incident at 72mi odom

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #112

Feb 022019

CR-V

  • 2,768 miles

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

The car began stalling and would not drive over 10 mph. Smelled terribly and all warning lights went off. Only 2,768 miles.

- Northbrook, IL, USA

problem #111

Jan 142019

CR-V

  • 2,400 miles
The active safety and driver assist systems randomly switch themselves on and off while in motion and are unreliable. This has happened at both high and low speeds. It has happen in normal driving weather conditions and cold with snow flurries. This vehicle fails to warm to to "normal" operating tempers especial on mn cold days. It may not warm up period on days where the temperature fall to 15 degrees or lower. On days of 50 degrees or less it warms up when driving highway speeds but in low speed situations it may not warm up at all. There is the distinct smell of gasoline in the car at times. Additionally this vehicle appears to have an oil dilution problem as the oil level registers above the max oil level line on a regular basis. In my mind these are all safety issues. I wonder if the safety systems will actually work if and when I need them. I wonder if this car is going to burst into flames as I can small gasoline in the cabin. If I smelled gas in me house they recommend I leave the premises. I can't really do with I am driving down the road. I do have a few pictures of some of the electronic warning and temp gauge but cannot download from this location. I am listing here the first incidence but know there are a few incidences.

- Edina, MN, USA

problem #110

Jan 302019

CR-V

  • 3,500 miles
During cold weather operation on 01/30/2019 after ~10-15 minutes of driving (and after the engine temperature gauge indicated a warmed up engine) I experienced engine sputtering when accelerating from a stop sign in a residential area. The engine "skipped" once below 10mph which felt like a bad shift (but it has a cvt) and then once reaching ~17mph, the engine repeatedly sputtered preventing further acceleration; the check engine light began flashing while the sputtering was occurring. I was able to limp the vehicle an additional ~.1 miles to my driveway. After turning the car off, I was able to restart the engine with no engine light on, but had the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership for further evaluation.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #109

Oct 012018

CR-V

  • 16,000 miles
I'm having two issues with my CR-V 1) engine oil level is showing more than the higher limit because of engine oil dilution. 2) gasoline smell in the cabin. I contacted Honda on these issues but they said my vehicle doesn't have any recall notice and there is nothing they can do.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #108

Jan 152019

CR-V

  • 5,500 miles
Engine oil become dirty and gas smelling within 500 miles after first oil change at 5,000 mls. Suspect fuel dilution in my 1.5 turbo 3 cyl. Engine. Oil quantity not showing over full as yet.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #107

Jan 182019

CR-V

  • 250 miles
Contacted Honda regarding brand new 2018 Honda CRV Voyager regarding oil dilution. The company says that the gas smell on the vehicles oil dip stick is "normal." They also stated that if the oil level is too high an interior light or engine noise would indicate an issue. Meaning that the oil level is arbitrary.

- Klamath Falls, OR, USA

problem #106

Jul 102018

CR-V

  • miles
My 2018 Honda CRV touring with 1.5L turbo engine had had a problem with the smell of fuel fumes in the interior cabin since the time of purchase. When you turn the air on with the air coming from the outside vent, especially when first starting the car, the smell of gasoline fumes is apparent, which is also a serious health safety concern as inhalation of fumes is definitely bad for your health. Every time I check my oil level, the dipstick shows the oil is overfilled beyond what the dipstick measures and the oil smells heavily of gas. After researching this online, I found that there is a problem that many 5th generation CRV owners are experiencing with the 1.5L turbo engine with too much gas getting into the oil and the smell of fumes in the cabin. This is what is causing my oil level to rise to unsafe levels that will accelerate the deterioration of expensive internal engine components. I contacted Honda and they performed a technical service bulliten related to this issue on December 4th 2018, where a module related to the air conditioning was replaced along with the engine oil and some software upgrade was installed. This changed absolutely nothing. I still am experiencing the sickening smell of gasoline fumes in the cabin as well as the dipstick showing more oil than it can measure along with the smell of gas coming from the oil.

- Northbrook, IL, USA

problem #105

Jan 162019

CR-V

  • 3,000 miles
After receiving Honda tsb 18-124 from Honda, which supposedly fixed the oil dilution issue issue, my CR-V problems have gotten worse! now, not only does the vehicle get a terrible smell of gasoline inside the cabin, (especially on initial start-up and while idling), but the vehicle has developed new problems. Included among these are: - worse oil dilution (gas in the engine oil). It rose by 1 quart in 2 weeks since getting the update (about 500 miles of driving) - a strong smell of gasoline in the oil and even around the exterior of the vehicle - worse gas mileage. A decline by several mpgs - colder cabin -- takes much longer to generate heat this is just wrong on a new vehicle and needs a proactive recall and further investigation asap. Please do not believe Honda ' users are still experiencing these issues after their update.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

problem #104

Jan 022019

CR-V

  • 11,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. while operating the vehicle, a fuel odor entered the vehicle. In addition, while checking the oil level, the odor of fuel was also present. The vehicle was taken to coconut point Honda (22240 S. tamiami trl, estero, fl) and a product update was performed and the air conditioning control unit was replaced. The contact indicated that the oil continued to smell of fuel and the oil level was very high. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #103

Nov 282018

CR-V

  • 2,615 miles
Sone how gas is getting the oil. I left vehicle run at idle for 15 minutes in driveway temp gauge does not move. If I drive vehicle the temp gauge goes up but stop for a few minutes and temp gauge starts dropping again. Very strong oder of gasoline in side vehicle when stopped at red light or parked for a few minutes. You have to put windows down it smells so bad. Honda is aware of all these issues and does not want to own up to any of them! my vehicle is suppose to get fixed Friday morning. 1-11-19 but according to the internet the fix Honda is doing does absolutely nothing. Do people have to die before Honda is forced to do something? it is all Honda CRV vehicles and some other models from 2017 and 2018.

- Mount Joy, PA, USA

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