2018 Honda CR-V: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Aug 15, 2026 · Steering · VA

I am writing to report a severe, premature safety defect in the steering system of my 2018 Honda CR-V.While attempting to turn the vehicle,I noticed an audible grinding sound accompanied by a distinct feeling of "stickiness" and resistance in the steering wheel. Despite being a low-mileage vehicle with approximately 54,412 miles,the vehicle's steering has experienced a significant mechanical failure.Two independent, certified mechanics have thoroughly inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the steering column assembly has failed internally and requires a complete replacement.Both mechanics stated that the mileage was too low for this kind of issue.There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure, nor have any began occurring.The vehicle was last inspected in April of 2026 by the Honda dealership and passed.The failed steering column causes unpredictable mechanical binding, grinding, and a sticky sensation while turning.This creates a severe safety hazard as the steering wheel catches and requires increased physical effort to steer safely, significantly increasing the imminent risk of a collision or loss of vehicle control.The failure occurred under normal driving conditions without any prior collision or external damage.I have official diagnostic reports from two separate repair facilities confirming this diagnosis.There is currently a very limited existing steering recall for this generation (the federal safety agency Campaign 18V663000),but my VIN is excluded despite exhibiting identical hazardous symptoms.I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this widespread steering column/gearbox failure trend in 2018 Honda CR-Vs to force an expanded safety recall before a catastrophic accident occurs.I contacted Honda's official recall department to report this defect.The representative documented the issue but stated there was nothing further they could do.When I asked if the case could be reviewed for a potential recall, I was told there is no formal process.

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Brakes · 99,565 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the brakes independently activated. In addition, the contact stated that the brake pedal was firm while depressed and the tires squealed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,565.

Filed Apr 1, 2025 · Driver assistance, Steering · SC

Steering sticks at highway speeds, particularly around curves. While driving on the highway I noticed around curves that instead of the steering wheel straightening out on it's own (or with very minimal effort) the steering would stick and I had to force it out of that stick. It was very alarming at first and frankly terrifying with how badly it was stuck. I did have the lane keep assist on so I thought maybe it was that, however I have since been driving this vehicle without the lane keep assist and although it doesn't stick as badly, it does indeed still stick. This issue occurs nearly each time I am going around a curve, sometimes when I am making slight turning maneuvers like lane switches, and rarely while going straight. The exception to that last one is when I have the lane keep assist on, then sometimes it will stick even when going straight. Now, before you start thinkin that this is somehow user error and I am unaware of how these systems are supposed to work. I was a service advisor for Honda for several years, I have driven many Hondas and many other vehicles with these types of systems; this is NOT supposed to happen and this is NOT normal. I have driven this car for just over a year and put over 20K miles on it and there is a distinct difference between normal operation and when the issue occurs. Additionally, there is a metal-on-metal clunk and what I think sounds like a very slight grind when turning the steering wheel fully to the left and right that comes from the steering box and you can feel that the steering wants to push you back in to the opposite direction. I believe that there is a connection between the steering and the lane keep assist for this issue and that it's related to Service Bulletin 18-103. However, I have not yet had this vehicle diagnosed at the dealership since I no longer work at Honda and I do not want to pay their diagnostic fee.

Filed Jul 6, 2024 · Steering · OK

Will driving at high speeds turning slightly to the left results in the steering wheel feeling sticky. In fact I can take my hands off the wheel and the wheel will remain stuck in the left of center position. When I put my hands back on the wheel, It takes a bit of force to recenter the wheel. When my car is warm, turning at low speeds results in a creeking/grinding noise. The noise is very pronounced when I turn to the left and slight when I turn to the right. The sharper the turn the worse the noise is. During parking, the noice is very pronounced. I took it to a trusted mechanic and was told that the rack and pinion needs to be replaced. The estimate was $3000. I have 66000 miles on the vehicle.

Filed May 24, 2024 · Acceleration, Brakes · 96,000 miles · VA

The contact leased a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. The contact stated that whenever the fuel level reached the halfway mark, the fuel then quickly became depleted. There were no warning lights illuminated. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle was slow to respond. The contact stated that the brakes were making an abnormal squealing noise. Additionally, there was a grinding noise while driving up and down a hill. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer stated that the vehicle was working as designed. The contact called another local dealer, First Team Honda (3444 Western Branch Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23321), and was informed that the failure might be due to the brake pads and rotors. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 96,000.

Filed Mar 26, 2024 · Brakes · 49,048 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a squeaking sound coming from the brake pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who determined that the sound was not coming from the pads or rotors. The mechanic informed the contact to see the dealer for further diagnostic tests. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic to be performed. The dealer stated that the hydraulic brake booster pump electronic booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,048.

Filed Apr 25, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · 10,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jun 8, 2022 · Engine · 61,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH and making a right turn, there was a squealing rattling sound coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The message check oil pressure was displayed. Upon inspection, the contact noticed an odor of fuel was present in the engine oil. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine and turbocharger were faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer later determined that only the high-pressure fuel pump and lifter pump were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 61,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · OH

Grinding noises were heard in the car twice, before the engine stalled. The car was stopped in the middle of the intersection. Could not restart the car at all, and check engine lights were lit on the dashboard. After 5 minutes passed and after multiple tries to restart the car, the engine started and I was able to get to safety. Upon dealer inspection, the cause was the air condition compressor locking up, possibly due to a leak in the refrigerant. This is confirmed by the car blowing hot air even in AC mode. The lock up caused the engine to stall and go into fail safe mode. This meant the car was stopped and unable to restart in the middle of a busy intersection. Because the car's engine was stopped, it was not possible to get the car moving again. It was incredibly dangerous for me and my passengers, as well as other cars on the road. Even when the lights changed, I was still stuck. There were cars driving around my car, causing more potential traffic incidents. The engine was not able to be immediately restarted, which put multiple cars in traffic in danger for longer than necessary. The car is being serviced by Roush Honda (100 W Schrock Rd, Westerville, OH 43081). Prior to the failure, there were no warning signs and no other issues. This was a sudden and completely unexpected engine stall due to the AC Compressor Failure. This issue is common among CRV (2017 to 2020). https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t72370_ds1082603. There is also another NTSHA notice on this car related to the AC Compressor Leak. Please recall this car. This issue puts everyone in an incredibly dangerous situation.

Filed Aug 4, 2019 · Acceleration · 18,000 miles · VA

On june 24, 2019, I was approaching an area on a chicago, il, residential city street where a crew had placed metal plates in the road to cover up a hole or something similar. It was a straight stretch of road on a slight downhill slope on a sunny early evening, with the sun behind the vehicle. I was probably traveling about 20 MPH. As I approached the metal plates, the vehicle's automatic breaking kicked in and brought the vehicle to an abrupt, immediate stop. The breaks squealed and you could smell rubber from the tires burning. Luckily, there was no car behind me. Once we came to a complete stop, I tapped the brake and the car started rolling forward. There were no further incidents since then. A similar incident had occurred a few months ago but in that case the vehicle did not come to a complete stop. The brakes activated but disengaged before the car came to a stop. That was on a slight uphill slope, however., going through an intersection. I didn't think much of it until this second incident happened.