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 5 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #58

Apr 282023

CR-V

  • miles

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

At highway speeds with the lane assist off the steering will fight you to return to center after steering on a corner. It feels like the steering could stay locked causing an accident not having full control of the steering. The car starting having issues around 55,000 miles.

- High Point, NC, USA

problem #57

Feb 152023

CR-V

  • miles
While driving the suv I notice a pulling sensation in the steering wheel. It feels as though it's going to lockup. Most times while I'm turning I can feel some resistance as though it's trying to avoid the turn. It's definitely not 'normal'! I've read many complaints and they're all similar, having same issues as I.

- Saint Augustine, FL, USA

problem #56

Jun 022023

CR-V

  • miles
Steering at any speed is erratic.It has a dead spot and pulls left or right as if a magnet was pulling it causing me to constantly be correcting This happens whether LKAS is turned on or off I have a dealer appointment June 15th

- Belgrade, ME, USA

problem #55

Nov 112021

CR-V

  • miles

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

The electric power steering motor needs to be replaced - Honda has been the only one to diagnosed this. The steering sticks and makes it difficult to turn in curves. Two hands on steering is necessary and still unable to make a smooth turn. Feels like the steering is going to go out in the middle of a turn. Steering makes clicking sounds when moving. No warning lamps. no leak in power steering yet. Problem has existed for at least a year where it's been difficult to drive.

- Greenville, TX, USA

problem #54

Apr 062021

CR-V

  • miles
Steering feels stuck and requires extra force to move while driving. This issue started little more than a year ago, but initially, it seemed like a very minor thing; but now its getting worse. Initially, I called the dealer and showed him the recall notice no. C2N, P2O (enclosed). Dealer said my VIN no. cars were not affected by the recall notice. I would beg to disagree.

- Monroe, CT, USA

problem #53

Apr 102023

CR-V

  • miles
The steering of my car felt as though there was a resistance when driving it. It felt as though there was a force pushing my wheel. It resembled what it felt like if I had lane keep assist on and was trying to maintain the lane, but I did not have that feature on. It did not happen all the time, either. I could drive it one day and not experience anything but the next day, I would. I had it diagnosed by the dealership and they stated the rack and pinion is intermittently seizing and deemed my vehicle unsafe to drive. There is an active recall on my exact year, make, model car but they stated that my vin does not match the active recall list. I was not injured but had it gone out, it could have potentially caused injury. No lights appeared on my dash and I honestly wasn't sure if something was really wrong with my car until I noticed the recall and decided to take it and have it looked at. I knew something didn't feel right but I had no idea my entire rack and pinion was bad and my car was unsafe to drive. I probably would not have taken it in had I not noticed the active recall.

- Byron, GA, USA

problem #52

Jun 152019

CR-V

  • 10,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving and making a sharp left turn, the steering wheel would vibrate and would make abnormal grinding sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM), the steering gear, the driver's side spring, the driver's side strut and other unknown parts were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer's technical support assisted the dealer in diagnosing that the electric steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system would make abnormally loud beeping sounds, and the infotainment screen pad was engaging functions independently. The contact stated that the infotainment system failed to turn off upon turning off the vehicle. The dealer replaced the infotainment system; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the windshield had cracked without impact and was replaced. The contact also stated that upon opening the vehicle, the driver's seat would independently move significantly closer to the steering wheel. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

- Azusa, CA, USA

problem #51

Apr 242023

CR-V 4-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the steering wheel became stiff without any warning, causing the contact to strike the vehicle parked next to the contact, causing damages to the front end of the contact-??s vehicle and damages to the rear end of the other vehicle. The contact shut down the vehicle and then restarted the vehicle and the steering wheel started operating normally. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 25,000.

- Sun City West, AZ, USA

problem #50

Jul 132022

CR-V

  • miles
A gap or space of no steering for 1 to 2 seconds. Happen after 30 min on highway seems dangerous, I told my dealer and they said I had too much air in one tire. That was at 25000 miles.now at 32000 miles it starts to happen after 15 min driving.

- Lantana, FL, USA

problem #49

Mar 302023

CR-V

  • miles
Over a period of time the electronic steering and rack & pinion became stiff and resistant to turns and lane changes. I called the Honda dealer and they confirmed that Honda has a partial recall for this issue but my car vin number was not part of the recall. I requested a call from their service department several times for a quote to repair it but they never returned my call. I had an independent mechanic check it and order the parts from Honda. He successfully repaired it. I also had to get the car alignment done after the repair. Everything has been working as it should after the repair. I spent $2407.50 for the steering repair and $105 for the alignment for a total of $2512.50.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #48

Mar 152023

CR-V

  • miles

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

Steering gets stuck and hard to steer

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

problem #47

Jun 012022

CR-V 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the steering wheel was making an abnormal creaking sound while driving at various speeds. Over time, the steering wheel started to seize while turning. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with steering rack failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering) and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and she was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Clermont, FL, USA

problem #46

Dec 032022

CR-V

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel was firm while turning to the right. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be inspected to determine the cause of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

- Flomaton, AL, USA

problem #45

Oct 052022

CR-V

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle veered into the right lane. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed of an unknown recall for the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a steering recall. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

- Gravois Mills, MO, USA

problem #44

Mar 152022

CR-V

  • miles
Responses to bullet questions above: - steering wheel started sticking, especially noticeable at low speeds, kept getting worse - we were afraid that the steering would eventually lock up while we were driving - many people complaining about the same problem online, but no dealer recall (yet) - dealer had to replace the electronic rack & pinion assembly ($3300) - there were no warning lamps or indicators of a problem

- Leland, NC, USA

problem #43

Aug 182022

CR-V

  • miles
When driving down the highway or street, making a turn large or small the steering catches and seems to stick at any speed from15 to 75. Then it will act normal. I was doing 25 mph on a left turn corner and the steering wheel stuck turning left. I was able to turn back to right and get it to unstick but it was scary. At least I was not going real fast when it totally stuck. I called Superstion Honda in Mesa and have made an appointment to have them check it out. I did look up about what may cause this and found a recall on the steering but my VIN says no recalls on it. I definetly have a problem and hope to find out what it is. It was suggested to me to file a report on this as it could be a serious safety problem. We went on a road trip this summer July 2022 and really noticed it when we were on the freeways. And last week it actually stuck on the left turn. So we decided this is more than our imagination.

- Mesa , AZ, USA

problem #42

Aug 052022

CR-V

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel began to turn left and right independently. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that the failure was more frequent. The contact stated that to keep the vehicle in the correct lane, continuous corrections had to be made to the steering wheel. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering gear box and rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #41

Jul 012019

CR-V

  • miles
Steering wheel feels like it almost locks up and driver must give a slight jerk to turn wheels! Makes a clicking or rattling noise when car is stopped when starting to turn the steering wheel. Very scary and dangerous when driver has to jerk the steering wheel traveling on the highway to keep vehicle in the safe lane. A wreck will happen which is what I told our local Honda Dealership!

- Columbus, NE, USA

problem #40

Jul 112022

CR-V

  • miles
When turning right, heard popping noise from wheel and right front wheel stuttering action. Upon inspection found right front CV axle joint to BE blown apart and boots torn. This could result in loss of steering power and result in a crash. Mechanic said had 3 other 2018 Honda CR-V's with approximately all the same mileage with the same exact problem. Clearly this is a mechanical defect. What are the odds of the same mechanic having multiple incidents of the same problem in the same model car within the same week" How many other exact incidents across the country is this occurring"

- Monroe, CT, USA

problem #39

May 162022

CR-V

  • miles
* Electric steering rack malfunctioned; the replaced part is not available. * I felt unsafe driving the vehicle at highway speed. The steering was very stiff, requiring extra effort to allow lane correction. After enough pressure was applied the vehicle would abruptly move in the direction input by approximately one to two feet. * The problem was diagnosed and confirmed by my local Honda dealership as a failed electric steering rack. The dealership replaced the rack outside of manufacturer warranty. I paid for a new Honda rack and labor to install. * Because there was not an accident, the vehicle was not inspected by the police or insurance. I am not aware if the manufacturer inspected the part that was left at the Honda dealership. * There were no warning lights or messages. Symptoms appeared gradually in March 2022. Driving locally at lower speeds was noticeable but not unsafe. A trip at interstate highway speeds was unsafe and required correction.

- Clermont, FL, USA

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