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.

7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$130
Average Mileage:
18,300 miles
Total Complaints:
19 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (13 reports)
  2. new battery (5 reports)
  3. removed fuse (1 reports)
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2018 Honda CR-V electrical problems

electrical problem

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2018 Honda CR-V Owner Comments

problem #19

Aug 012021

CR-V LX

  • CVT transmission
  • 36,000 miles

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

Bought the car in December 2018. Never had an issue until around August 2021. I was pregnant at the time and took my kid to karate. Well the car started fine when I went to work in the morning, drove home, picked up my kid. However, once I went back to my car after karate my car wouldn't start. Of course, I called my husband he came and tried starting it and it wouldn't start. Then after a little but it finally kicked over. Well while he was trying to start the car I already called AAA to come. They tested my battery and told me it was a dead battery. I was not pleased at all as the car wasn't old enough to have a bad battery already.

I figured maybe it wasn't a good battery in the first place. Then around 2022 when I took the car to the dealership to have my oil changed, Honda said the battery wasn't good but they said it could be that it wasn't a Honda battery and what they use to check them works best with their batteries. I figured it was because it's a AAA battery. Then come 6/14/2023 the car started fine all day long. The car sat for a bit while I was at work too. As soon as my husband went to start it after picking up our kid from karate the car wouldn't start again! This is the 3rd battery that I have had to replace on the vehicle now which has cost me about $500 to do this. HONDA NEEDS TO FIX THIS KNOWN ISSUE!

- Rosemary L., Lexington, US

problem #18

Feb 202021

CR-V EX 1.5L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,658 miles

Had to replace the factory installed battery on a vehicle I bought new in Nov of 2018, the issue occurred in Feb of ‘21 with 44658 miles on it. Thought this was very odd at the time, I lived in MN all my life before moving to TN where I bought and drove this vehicle and had NEVER replaced a battery in a vehicle this soon. I’ve also had several weird electrical things go on with the vehicle including being able to lock the vehicle with the fob in it, I didn’t think that was possible. Turns out there are known battery parasitic draw issues in certain year and model Accords and CRVs including my 2018, also a class action law suit has apparently been filed over this issue. I’m now dealing with the dealer that looked at the problem back in 2/2021, to be continued …

- Allen B., Lebanon, US

problem #17

Jun 102018

CR-V EX 1.5L Turbo

  • CVT transmission
  • 330 miles

My 2018 CR-V was built in April of 2018 at the Indiana Manufacturing Plant. I would have thought any updates for the battery issues plaguing the 2017 models would have been applied by now.

Anyway, not even a month old yet, and with only 300 miles on it, this happened: The car had been sitting a few days, but it started up fine, I drove 30 miles to pick someone up, immediately drove another 30 miles to our destination where I parked the car in a sunny spot in a parking lot for 8 hours. Temps were in the 80s, so not blasted hot, and I had cracked the windows and the moon roof a little.

Imagine my surprise when it was time to leave and the car was completely dead. No signs of life at all. No light on any panels or LEDs. I called AAA. (I didn't realize I could have called Honda, but AAA was pretty quick.) The AAA guy told me the battery was bad and needed to be replaced, but I had him jump me, and I drove home mostly in silence since the whole electrical system gets very angry when it loses power. Eventually the radio would talk to me again, and finally I got cruise control back. (You should see all the complaints you get on the dash from EVERY subsystem in the car, all screaming at you! The tire sensors too? Yes, all components were pissed off!)

Anyway, the "Helpful Honda People" told me the car checked out good, but after some gentle persuasion (badgering) from me, they replaced the battery. I know that traditionally once a lead acid battery drains to zero it sustains damage, so if they can't find anything else, the least they could do is replace the battery.

I bought a Honda because they have a reputation for being very reliable cars. But, I guess in this age of sophisticated technology, Unfortunately I know enough about computers to know that if any component in the car refuses to go to sleep when it's parked, but leaves no evidence while at the dealer, you're screwed!

As far as parasitic power drain, I had already extricated the car alarm and I didn't ask for that was left behind after they disabled it. So, it's hardly a suspect if it was already hanging in my garage by the wires when the incident happened.

Update from Aug 8, 2018: Recently, when I left the car to do something, it made several beeps indicating something was not ready for me to walk away from the car. Nothing lit on the dash, and the ignition was off (push button). Since I was coming back to the car in a few minutes, after spending a few minutes trying to figure it out, I didn't worry about it, but I think that's what it did when the battery died. (At 300 miles, I thought multiple beeps was normal.) I think something was on, but it wasn't any lights, and nothing on the dash gave me a clue. However, if I tried to manually lock the car by touching the spot on the door handle, it would emit several beeps and the alarm wouldn't arm.

It did that only once after the car had accumulated a couple thousand miles. I would not want to leave it in that state for a few hours, because I'm sure something was not prepared to "go to sleep" and it was consuming power. Had I left it in a parking lot like that, I'm sure the battery would have been dead when I came back.

After I drove it, it didn't do it again, and the next time I locked it, it armed normally.

- Lurker S., Buena Park, CA, US

problem #16

Mar 152020

CR-V Touring 1.5L Turbo

  • CVT transmission
  • 19,000 miles

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

I replaced the battery 11 months after purchasing the vehicle. I've had the new battery for about 8 months now. I recently went on a business trip and had to leave my car at the airport. When I got back, the car would not start. A quick jump start and I was on my way. It's fine if I run the engine every couple of days, but if it sits for more than 4 days, I have to jump start it again.

- Paul E., Fallston, US

problem #15

Sep 092021

CR-V Touring

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,756 miles

My CRV has been running fine even though I had problems with my battery back in April 2021, until yesterday, September 9, 2021. I went to the grocery store on a 105 degree day and came out of the store, but groceries in the trunk got in the CRV and the battery wouldn’t turn over. The battery was purchased in April 2021 and had a similar problem. The CRV would not start and I had perishables in the back. I had to manually open the trunk.

I tried several times to start the car and it flashed lights on the dash and said there was a break issue and I could not shut the dash lights off. I called AAA and they said I would have to wait an hour. In the meantime I called a friend and asked if they could come and take my groceries and put them in the refrigerator and freezer. While I waited for AAA to show up. My friend came before AAA and he said let me try to start it. So he did try and it started for him he struggled but it did start. I called AAA and told them that I didn’t need them. I did not call Honda yet to tell them about the problem again, yet. This is the second time I’ve had this problem. I plan to on Monday.

They told me last time they couldn’t do anything unless they could duplicate the problem and they kept my car for four days last time and I do not wish to have them keep my car for four days again just to try to get it to do it again. But I do have a feeling I will not be able to start my car tomorrow morning. And the reason why I say that is because when I just checked the mileage, my car hesitated starting. So I have a feeling I am going to go through this all over again.

I am almost ready to trade in this car and get a different brand of car. I have owned five Hondas in my lifetime and I have always loved my Hondas. This one I do not love, and I will change brands if I need to.

- Georgette N., Casa Grande, US

problem #14

Mar 052022

CR-V EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles

This is the 3rd time my 2018 CRV will not start and won’t take a jump. I feel like I bought a LEMON 🍋 . The battery was replaced the very first day when it would not start after I came out of the gym. Then we replaced it again less than a year ago and now it won’t start. I should have kept my 2005 Chrysler 300. This is my first and will probably be my last Honda.

- Lisa M., Alexandria, VA, US

problem #13

Oct 022021

CR-V LX 1.5t Awd Ex-L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

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

I purchased this Honda. CRV 2018 for my husband. It was the only car that would facilitate his assembled walker. He has since died and now I find myself with an expensive large vehicle that is not reliable and is dangerous to drive. Currently the battery is dead. It has 25,000 miles on it. It was at the dealership on 8/25/21 and the battery was rated "good". Car has been at dealership for 2 days.

Problem 2. Driving on the interstate, speed control set at 70. I attempt to pass a semi and the car slows down it did it 3 times. Got down to 30mph. I pulled to the side, shut off the car and it started. I was able to get home. I just want the damn car to work!

Update from Feb 25, 2022: The dealer made me purchase a new battery. He said it was out of warranty because the battery warranty starts the day the dealer takes possession, not millage or when the customer purchases the car. 500.00 later, the battery continues to be drained. Especially if the car is not driven every day.

- Joan T., Indianapolis, IN, US

problem #12

Oct 252019

CR-V

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,333 miles

Car never stalled, there were no warning signs, and I go to get in car and my battery is dead. Purchased car brand new off the lot December 2018, here is it October 2019 and I am already having issues. Anyone else experience this problem?

- Chrystal C., Fayetteville, US

problem #11

Sep 292021

CR-V ES V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles

This is the 3rd battery I have had to get replaced. This car kills batteries. The dealers answer to the problem is to drive the car daily at least 30 miles. REALLY???

Honda did a recall on the 2017 and 2019 for this exact problem. Did they get smart in 2018 and then stupid again in 2019?

HONDA needs to do a recall and correct the software that continuously turns the computer on to do whatever the hell it's doing to check the car and kill the battery.

Why buy a luxury car if it's dead most of the time?

- Donna B., Webster, US

problem #10

Apr 102019

CR-V Touring 1.5L Turbo

  • CVT transmission
  • 4,000 miles

So unreliable. Never know when the issue will occur. Dealer cannot isolate because after charging/jumping after a dead battery event and then driving to dealer, everything resets to normal for an undetermined period!

Update from Aug 5, 2021: The factory warranty is set to expire at end of current month without issue being corrected. Concerned that future financial obligation will fall on my shoulders. Note: time/mileage of occurrence is an estimate. We drove the car infrequently at first because of family/health issues and also owned a 2nd car. Sold it when COVID started but because of lockdowns and being seniors, we still could not drive much. But certainly enough to keep battery charged.

- boatnut, University Place, WA, US

problem #9

May 012020

CR-V EX 1.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 4,956 miles

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

I bought the HONDA CRV because of it's reputation for dependability. I have now had to bring it back due to a recall due to gas mixing with the oil, which it is still doing even after bringing it back to be "fixed". Now the battery dies overnight.

Apparently this is a well known issue with the CRV. I wish I knew about it before I leased it! This is a 2018 CRV with less than 5,000 miles on it!

I now don't trust that the car is reliable. When my lease is up I planned on getting another Honda - I had 3 Honda Accords with no problems -but since I want an SUV I will seriously look into the competition. This has been a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT.

- Pjl112 ., Massapequa, NY, US

problem #8

Sep 262019

CR-V LX 1.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 7,500 miles

Parked car by country road during daylight to take grandkids for riding lessons. After 2 hours came out and car was electrically DEAD. Had to call for a ride home and then arranged next AM for a tow to dealer. They reported that the battery was defective and did a warranty replacement. Car ran for 6 months and then one AM, after driving the prior day, it was stone dead. It had to be towed in again, with a battery put in by Honda service six months before!! Looked up online and found repeated mention of Honda CRV having electrical problems resulting in dead batteries.

So I'm starting to document a lemon law complaint. We have gotten stranded 2x in 6 months by 'electrical failure'.

Same model that has gas leaking into the oil. Good job, Honda .... NOT!

- cincalif, San Jose, US

problem #7

Jul 292020

CR-V EX

  • CVT transmission
  • 12,886 miles

This is the third time and the second within a month or so that my battery is dead. I use the car every day. I never use air conditioning. I never use the electronic parking brake. hell, I never even play the radio!

After AAA jump starts my car, I bring it to the dealer, 802 Honda in Berlin, Vermont. This is a drive of approximately 40 miles for me, 15 of them on an interstate. Of course by the time I get to the dealership, they test the battery and tell me "It's fine". And I tell them, "No, it is not F*ing 'fine'!" Of course it is charged after that drive, but something is amiss, and they give me the verbal equivalent of the "bedbug letter" and hope that I will go away.

- pachelbels, Morrisville, US

problem #6

Aug 142021

CR-V EX 1.5L Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,551 miles

Drove the CR-V at 10:30 AM, parked, came out at 2:00 PM to go home, found battery dead.

- Kevin W., Lorain, US

problem #5

Feb 092021

CR-V Touring V4

  • CVT transmission
  • 21,000 miles

At 70 years young everything bugs me, okay? Don't get me started, in all my years on this planet I have always believed in good quality should equal good $$$. To be where we are now in our life my wife and I just shake our heads and go, NOW WHAT?

To put out products that wouldn't past muster back in the day, just irks me no end. To say I am unhappy is an understatement, disappointed is the word. We thought we had traded in a potential problem (Murano) for a better solution only to see now it has it's own problems (poor battery design). Haven't even had car 3 months until battery issue showed up, this is very disappointing.

- David P., Monroe, WA, US

problem #4

Jul 082020

CR-V EXL 190 Hp 1.5L-Liter

  • CVT transmission
  • 38,429 miles

Removed ign1 and ign2 fuse, gps installed with inline fuse, removed inline fuse, parasitic draw within specification.

- Pamela O., Wake Forest, US

problem #3

May 012019

CR-V EX 2WD 1.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

I cruise frequently and many cruises exceed 2 weeks. When I return home to my car I can pretty much expect a dead battery.

- Mc K., Port Charlotte, FL, US

problem #2

Jun 292020

CR-V LX 4 cyl Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

We were on vacation and ready to go home. Went to start car and total dead battery. Able to recharge but all the lights on dashboard came on. Reviewed reports from others with same problem and lights cleared after driving few miles. Battery again went dead overnight. Recharged and able to get to Honda dealer in Marquette, MI (thankfully) and they quickly took care of battery replacement. After reading reports on battery problems, this seems to be a consistent problem with Honda! Wish I had known before purchasing. Grateful we were a few miles from a Honda dealer!!

This car has had other electrical issues such as braking for no reason, all windows and sunroof opened without touching anything. Dropped phone connection.

Have these problems been fixed or do I need to keep a look out for re occurrence?

- Debra R., Ottawa Lake, MI, US

problem #1

Oct 012018

CR-V Touring V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles

Since we bought the car in 4/18, the battery has drained and we have had to replace it with a new one 6 times already. This is absolutely ridiculous, when the car has less than 5,000 miles on it and we have to replace the battery constantly.

This issue NEEDS to be fixed. I am sick and tired of going out to my car and having to change my plans because of a dead battery on a new car less than 2 years old.

The mechanics at my local Honda dealership say they know it is a problem; however, there is nothing they can do about it except keep replacing our battery.

That is RIDICULOUS.

- Stefanie D., Peoria, US

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