2018 Honda CR-V engine problems
543 of the 2,148 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Honda CR-V name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 63 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database5 of the 543 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 4 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 172 · 2019: 164 · 2020: 28 · 2021: 25 · 2022: 19 · 2023: 21 · 2024: 31 · 2025: 32 · 2026: 51
Half of the 358 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 3,000 and 15,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
2,148 complaints in all about the 2018 Honda CR-V, 51 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Honda CR-V engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
When I stop on level road and take foot off brake the engine accelerates from 700 RPM to 1000-1100 RPM up tp 7mph. Thats without touching gas pedal. I brought car to dealer and they test drove car. Report says "vehicle will accelerate till reaches7ph then drop to idle speed. This is vehicle normal operation condition.
This vehicle has "push to start". If the button is not pressed before leaving the vehicle, the engine continues to run. I forgot to shut off the engine after pulling into the garage, and I had to go back into the car and shut it off.
The engine is making oil as we drive it. There is a gas smell inside the car. We dont drive short distances with it like the dealer said would make it happen
Parked car on level ground after driving, waited 1 hour then checked oil via the dipstick with 1500 miles on the odometer. Oil level is above the full mark and strong smell of gasoline on the dipstick
Bought a brand new 2018 fully loaded touring Cr-V 3 days ago on monday. Filing this report on wednesday. The car has only 35 miles on it as I write this. We drove roughly 25 miles total since leaving the dealership.
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications63 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- A26-016 Service bulletinSep 25, 2026
- Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire. In some cases, DTCs P0300 through P0304 may also be stored (DTCs are not required for repair).
- AEBM08262026901 OtherAug 26, 2026
- Dealer Message - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire, and/or DTCs P0300 through P0304 stored.
- A26-016 Service bulletinAug 26, 2026
- Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire and/or DTCs P0300 thru P0304 stored.
- A25-077 Service bulletinJul 29, 2025
- Service Bulletin - Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover.
The 4 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0172 P0300 P0303 P0301 P0302 P0304 P0441 P04F1
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 Honda CR-V names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Honda CR-V
Source: the same files- fuel system problems 603 complaints
- automatic emergency braking problems 474 complaints
- steering problems 329 complaints
- electrical problems 286 complaints
- brake problems 196 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2018 Honda CR-V?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 543 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (25% of everything owners filed about it), and 63 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the engine on the 2018 Honda CR-V?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 5 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the 2018 Honda CR-V?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 6,000 miles; half of them between 3,000 and 15,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.