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:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,538 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2018 Honda CR-V Owner Comments (Page 4 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #78

Aug 012023

CR-V

  • miles

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

Steering gearbox failing, confirmed by Honda dealer. There was a recall on this model but this vehicle was not included.

- Louisa, VA, USA

problem #77

Aug 162023

CR-V

  • miles
My steering wheel has been sticking when driving. I took it to Honda to have it check out and it-??s faulty electronic steering rack. Well when looking it up online I found Honda already had a recall for this exact issue but my vin is not included. I-??ve seen post of others complaining of the same issue. How is mine not a part of the recall when it-??s apparently having the same issue.

- Hartselle, AL, USA

problem #76

Aug 152021

CR-V

  • miles
As I am steering it seems to catch. Sometimes I think it is not gonna turn The dealer said my warranty is out and it will cost me almost $2500 dollars This has been going on for at least three years. This is bad for a 2018 CRV with less than 70,000 miles?

- East Point, KY, USA

problem #75

Jul 242023

CR-V

  • miles

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

I own a 2018 CRV, which only has 36,000 miles on it. This last week I had a "diagnostic" done on it at my Honda dealership (Howdy Honda in Austin TX) due to serious steering issues I was having. ( My steering makes a clicking/creaking noise when backing out of my driveway etc, and when driving, whichever direction I turn, the steering wheel sticks in that direction so I am forced to very firmly turn the steering wheel back to where it needs to be in order to control the car.) The dealership said I needed my "power steering gear box" replaced for $3,157 plus tax! But I was told today that the parts are on back order nationwide so it could be several weeks before they get them to repair my car! I'm a single lady with no other car to drive & my dealership does not provide "loaner cars" so I'll be picking up my car & driving it home tomorrow in it's current state. There has been no recall for my VIN number concerning this issue but it appears many 2018 CRV owners are having this same issue, some causing serious accidents! There were no warning messages or lamps when the problem began. It came on gradually & the more it's driven, the worse it gets.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #74

Aug 052023

CR-V

  • miles
Steering binds. You feel resistance to turning the wheel in either direction before it steers when added force is put on the steering wheel.

- Camden, NC, USA

problem #73

Jun 012023

CR-V

  • miles
The steering gearbox on our 2018 Honda CR-V has been malfunctioning for the last two months, causing the steering wheel to creak and pull toward the center whenever making left turns, especially sharp turns. After releasing the steering wheel from a left turn, the steering wheel jerks back to the center position suddenly, affecting the vehicle's direction. Through online research, we discovered that Honda issued a recall bulletin numbered 18-103 to address this issue, but our VIN was not included in that recall. We also found through our research many other 2018 Honda CR-V owners that have experienced the same problem, but their VINs were also not included in the recall. Upon inspection by a service technician at our local dealership, they confirmed that the steering gearbox was faulty and needed replacing, but after submitting a "goodwill request" to have the service provided, we were denied due to the mileage and age of our vehicle. We believe this to be an unfair and unsafe situation that Honda should remedy for the safety of our family.

- Springdale, AR, USA

problem #72

May 012023

CR-V

  • miles

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

The steering moves left or right unexpectedly. A jerking motion is felt and a clunk noise is heard. The symptoms and offered solution are identical to Honda Service Bulletin 18-103. Supposedly our vehicle (VIN) is not included in the known recall for this safety hazard. We believe they have not identified all 2018 CRV's with this faulty steering box. Neither the Honda dealership nor Honda America have been responsive to this safety issue.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

problem #71

Jun 012023

CR-V

  • miles
A clicking noise and jerking of steering wheel when making turns. Feel uncomfortable and unsure of safety with this happening. This occurs at low speeds like when parking or pulling into or out off the garage, as well as at highway speed. My long time mehanic/service hears and feels it but unsure of the cause and thought maybe there was a Honda recall. No warning lights displayed.

- Nesquehoning, PA, USA

problem #70

Jul 282023

CR-V

  • miles
When driving the steering feels like it's resisting. I purchased the car used and noticed it at 36k miles but never owning a vehicle with auto assist features, I just thought it had to do with that. When turning the steering wheel feels like it's sticking and I have to over correct to go straight again. I brought to dealership and they said I need to replace the steering rack. I've seen where many people are having the same issue. I love my car but not now that I don't feel safe driving it.

- West Columbia, SC, USA

problem #69

Jun 262023

CR-V

  • 25,300 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the steering column became stiff with a clicking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with power steering rack and electric steering gear failure. The contact was informed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,300.

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

problem #68

Jun 262023

CR-V

  • miles

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

The steering has about an inch of slack before it engages, both right and left. It seems many other owners are having the same problem but the VIN isn't included in the steering recall.

- St. John's, FL, USA

problem #67

Jul 032023

CR-V

  • miles
While driving the steering gets heavy and seams like it-??s trying to jump back to a drop dead centering position. I had the car at a dealership with approximately 32000 miles on it and they said they reset a zero positioning sensor. I guess they have to say something. The steering clicks and will actually pull another way. My wife refused to drive it and seeing how we have another one these vehicles we can sure as hell tell the difference. An older person or even my parents would be scared to death when this happened. I can-??t believe HONDA isn-??t taking the initiative to address this issue with reading so many comparable complaints. The dealerships try to deflect from the issue by coming up some automotive jargon solution like your tires are low on air, ( HAVE NEW) your sensor was reset etc, only to reach a point of a $2500. 00 repair. I had or have lots of Honda products through the years and maybe their not the quality I remember but nevertheless when you have other Honda-??s steering fine when you drive them in the family, I think something-??s wrong. Especially when it actually scares people to drive something with something so critical as -??STEERING-??. The vehicle only has 33000 miles.

- Johnstown , PA, USA

problem #66

Jul 132023

CR-V

  • miles
While driving steering wheel gets stiff making it very difficult to stay in your lane and operate safely vehicle starts to pull to either side compromising everyone safety.

- Providence , RI, USA

problem #65

Jun 082023

CR-V

  • miles
Steering sticks left and right like a magnet is holding it to the left while I constantly over correct. There seems to be a dead spot after I bring the vehicle back to straight. It's dangerous, however after bringing it to a Honda dealer they informed me that they don't see a problem....There is a problem and I disagree, I would not recomend buying a Honda to anyone.

- Belgrade, ME, USA

problem #64

Jul 012023

CR-V

  • miles
The steering on the vehicle became erratic, the steering wheel could be turned several inches without resistance or the car reacting. This happened at speeds from very slow to moderate. We did not operate the vehicle at interstate speeds given this condition. This problem is intermittent and therefore unpredictable. What is not intermittent is a clicking when turning the steering wheel. We understand from an independent servicer that Honda has a service bulletin recall on this vehicle for this problem, but our Honda dealer said it doesn't apply to our specific VIN number. We are confused and a bit surprised that Honda is not more reactive to this safety issue.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #63

Jun 232023

CR-V

  • miles
An issue with my 2018 Honda CRV was diagnosed as requiring the Steering Gearbox to be replaced. Although my CRV has less than 36,000 miles I have owned it for over 3 years so this issue is no longer covered under warranty. After the diagnosis I discovered that this part was included in a safety recall (Honda Service Bulletin 18-103, recall #'s C2N, P2O). Unfortunately, my VIN was not included in this recall even though the model is the same as those involved in the recall and a Honda dealer diagnosed this as the problem with my car. I am asking that my VIN be added to the recall so that I don't have to pay the $3,000 quoted by the dealer to make the replacement that other vehicles are having done at no charge.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #62

Jan 112023

CR-V

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became uncontrollable. The contact stated that while attempting to steer to the left, the vehicle failed to respond as needed and instead turned in the opposite direction. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

- Waxhaw, NC, USA

problem #61

Jun 012023

CR-V

  • miles
The steering wheel jerks while driving. Bring it to get repaired as soon as possibly. Do not have a receipt yet.

- Abbeville, LA, USA

problem #60

Jan 162022

CR-V 4-cyl

  • 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist. Additionally, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the rack and pinion and the electric steering gear box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

- Paris, KY, USA

problem #59

Jun 072023

CR-V

  • miles
The rack and pinion steering box was beginning to fail. Vehicle would steering would lock into steering toward the left or right requiring a slight pull back to right the direction. With this pull there was a noticeable clicking sound. This issue was progressively getting worse necessitating a complete replacement of the rack and pinion steering box. The vehicle in question has 43, 700 miles.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

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