Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle began to jerk and came to a stop. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic but was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated on 7/6/2022 while his daughter was driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle seized causing the vehicle behind her to rear-end the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to restart the vehicle but stated the center electric pad was black. A police report was filed. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. …
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. …
While driving approximately 70 mph on the highway, my 2018 Honda CR-V suddenly lost engine power and rapidly decelerated. At the same time the check engine light began flashing and multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, including the ABS warning light. I was unable to accelerate and the vehicle would not restart after the loss of power. I attempted to guide the vehicle toward the shoulder for safety, but the vehicle was rear-ended shortly after the power loss occurred. The vehicle has since been declared a total loss by my insurance company. Approximately two weeks prior to the incident I experienced intermittent engine sputtering while driving. No repairs had yet been performed at that time. After the accident I discovered that my vehicle VIN is associated with an open fuel pump motor safety recall (EXP2) that had not been remedied prior to the incident. …
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start. Triple A was contacted and replaced the battery. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system screen had turned off intermittently while driving. The contact stated upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the infotainment system became operable. The contact stated that upon inspecting the battery, Triple A informed the contact that the battery was significantly corroded, and the battery was replaced. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH to the dealer, the infotainment system screen turned off. The contact pulled into the dealer's parking lot. The contact stated upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift into gears and was undrivable. …
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he pulled over and removed the negative battery terminal. The contact stated that after he reconnected the battery the warning lights were no longer illuminated. The contact then stated that days later while driving at an unknown speed, the malfunction indicator lamp and the check emission system warning light illuminated. The vehicle then lost motive power. The contact stated the vehicle was able to restart but would not exceed 5 MPH while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact then pulled over and removed the negative battery terminal. The contact stated that he reconnected the battery and the vehicle was able to restart. …
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, DTC: P0172 and P0300 were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that while the codes were illuminated, the ADAS system became inoperable. The contact stated that the Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance, and other systems that were inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle recently was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the error codes illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the dealer where the recall repair was performed, and a diagnostic test was performed. However, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and the ignition coils, 12-Volt battery, and the sparks plugs were replaced. …
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the instrument cluster and the Lane and Collision Warning Systems failed, and the instrument cluster went dark. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure and happened at various speeds. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear taillights had failed, and the Forward Collision Avoidance system was also malfunctioning. The contact stated that the vehicle reset independently when the vehicle was parked and turned off and the instrument cluster and other electrical failures regained functionality. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced and would resolve the electrical failures. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while using the remote start feature to start the vehicle, he became aware of smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact attempted to unlock the vehicle with the key fob however, the vehicle failed to unlock. The contact also attempted to unlock the door using the sensor on the door handle however, the vehicle failed to unlock. The contact was able to manually unlock the door using the spare key to be able to turn the vehicle off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the started and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the warranty had expired and that he had to pay out-of-pocket for the repair. The failure mileage was 36,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A/C was emitting hot air. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the A/C shaft seal had failed. The contact was informed that the A/C shaft seal leaked into the suction hose and discharge hose. The contact was informed that the A/C shaft seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to another dealer for a diagnostic test, and the contact was informed that the incorrect coolant was used, causing the A/C shaft seat to fail. The contact suspected that during one of the vehicle maintenance sessions, the incorrect coolant was used. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,900.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while slightly depressing the brake pedal while driving at 50 MPH, several messages appeared on the instrument panel. The contact immediately exited the highway and parked the vehicle in a parking lot. The contact attempted to shut the vehicle off; however, the vehicle failed to turn off upon depression of the Start/Stop button. Since the vehicle would not shut off, the contact managed to drive the vehicle to his residence. A message to double tap the Start/Stop button on the instrument panel and the contact was able to turn off the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
Electrical complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2018 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 284 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Honda CR-V, 13% of the model year's 2,160 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Honda CR-V electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2018 Honda CR-V, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Honda CR-V electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 66% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.