Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2018 Honda CR-V
The 2018 Honda CR-V shows a mix of reliability and concerns, with 5 recalls and over 2,000 owner complaints. The main issues revolve around the engine, steering, and fuel systems. Limited evidence on some complaints suggests a focus on general checks during inspection. However, safety-related recalls like airbags and seat belts should not be overlooked.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2018 Honda CR-V has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,163 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V332000 Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V858000 Fuel Pump May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V158000 Seat Belt Buckle May Not Latch NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V215000 Fuel Pump May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V663000 Magnet Becomes Dislodged Reducing Steering Ability NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 530 complaints
- Forward Collision Avoidance 395 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 376 complaints
- Steering 334 complaints
- Electrical System 285 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 232 complaints
Of the 2,163 complaints on file, 46 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 2,163 complaints, owners report 47 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Oil dilution
How to check: Check for strong gasoline smell in oil.
Electric power steering failure
How to check: Ensure smooth steering during full lock turns.
Front passenger airbag sensor
How to check: Verify airbag warning light functions properly.
Front seat belt buckle failure
How to check: Test both front seat belts latching securely.
Fuel pump failure
How to check: Listen for unusual fuel pump noise on start-up.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Check for abnormal engine noises.
Red flag: Loud knocking sounds
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Observe for steady idling and dashboard warnings.
Red flag: Check engine light stays on
- 03
Low-speed driving
What to check: Check steering for smooth, responsive turns.
Red flag: Steering feels loose or jerky
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Ensure smooth increase in speed and power.
Red flag: Hesitation or sputtering
- 05
Braking
What to check: Test brakes for quick and full stop.
Red flag: Brakes feel soft or unresponsive
- 06
Cruising
What to check: Listen for unusual noises or vibrations.
Red flag: Persistent vibrations in the cabin
- 07
Parking
What to check: Try parking in tight spots for steering response.
Red flag: Difficulty maneuvering in tight spaces
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the airbag sensor issue been fixed?
- Any occurrences of oil dilution problems?
- Has the seat belt recall been addressed?
- Any steering issues previously noted?
- How often has the fuel pump been replaced?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair records
- Service history logs
- Previous owner details
- Accident history report
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2018 Honda CR-V at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
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