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2018 Honda CR-V: won't start

20 of the 2,169 complaints about the 2018 Honda CR-V describe won't start.

owner complaints
20
of this car's complaints
1%
typical mileage
16,400
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 50 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 30, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · TX

Unknown. Please read! I believe my vehicle may have a fuel-pump failure. I purchased/financed my 2018 Honda CR-V Touring in April 2026 at approximately 169,000 miles. On July 9, 2026, in Garland, Texas, my vehicle began experiencing serious starting and driving issues. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, and the vehicle had difficulty starting. The engine would crank for an extended period before eventually starting. Once started, the vehicle would not accelerate normally. The accelerator pedal felt unusually resistant, and the vehicle would have difficulty gaining speed. I had to pull over to the side of the road and restart the vehicle multiple times in order to continue driving. This occurred while I was driving in traffic, including on Highway 635, creating a significant safety concern for me and other motorists because I was unable to reliably accelerate when needed. These problems continued intermittently through approximately mid-August 2026. I did not have the vehicle professionally inspected during that period because the warning lights and symptoms appeared to reset on their own, and the vehicle temporarily returned to normal operation. On September 30, 2026, the problem returned and is now significantly worse. The vehicle will not start at all. It cranks when I attempt to start it, but the engine does not start. The warning lights have also returned. I am currently only at 174,000 miles. I have checked the battery, fuses, and other components and have not identified an issue that would explain the no-start condition. I also previously noticed that I could not hear the normal fuel-pump priming sound when attempting to start the vehicle. I am concerned that the vehicle may have a fuel-pump or fuel-delivery defect. I am submitting this complaint.

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AL

My 2018 Honda CR-V began experiencing repeated battery drain and would not reliably start. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle also would not shut off after the ignition was turned off, continuing to run/stay powered on. The vehicle was taken to an authorized repair facility for diagnosis, where it was determined that the Body Control Module (BCM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The repair shop indicated that BCM failure is a common and recurring issue on this model and model year, which is consistent with numerous other owner complaints I have since found describing the same failure pattern (battery drain, warning lights, no-start condition, vehicle failing to shut off, and in some cases stalling while driving) on 2017-2019 Honda CR-V vehicles. I am filing this report to document the failure and make the federal safety agency aware of what appears to be a widespread defect trend affecting this component across multiple model years of this vehicle. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this issue as a potential safety defect, given that BCM failure can result in sudden loss of electrical function, the vehicle failing to power off, and in some reported cases, stalling while driving.

Filed Apr 6, 2026 · Fuel system · NY

My 2018 CRV was taken to Dick Ide Honda for a recall on my fuel pump. The next day I was driving my car and it just stopped running and I drifted off to the side of the road. It would not start up but had power in the car. No warning signs or lights. I had it towed back to dealer that just worked on it and they stated that they did nothing wrong and and now they need to do a system check / diagnosis at $185.00 an hour to see what is wrong with it. My car worked fine before the dealer had it and now it doesn't work. And they are going to charge me for diagnosing it. I don't feel comfortable or trust that they have checked my car for whatever mistakes or faulty parts they may have used and my safety is in jeopardy

Filed Jun 18, 2025 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · CT

Subject: Fuel Pump Recall Remedy Denied – Ongoing Safety Risk I purchased a used Honda vehicle in December 2024, and shortly after, I learned it was under recall for the fuel pump. In January 2025, I took it to Lia Honda for an oil change and to perform the recall. The dealership refused to do the recall, saying the fuel pump had already been replaced with an aftermarket part by a previous owner. However, the official Honda recall repair was never performed. On June 5, 2025, the car stalled on I-91 while I was accelerating, and all the dashboard lights and alarms came on. I was able to coast to safety. I took the car to AutoZone at 7:28 PM, where a scan confirmed a faulty fuel pump. The car would not start and had to be left at AutoZone temporarily. Later that night, I was able to start it and immediately brought it to Lia Honda, leaving it overnight. On June 6, Lia Honda returned the car to me and claimed the issue was unrelated to the fuel pump, giving me a vague diagnosis involving fuel system cleanliness. Despite the AutoZone scan, the known recall, and the dangerous highway stall, Lia Honda refused to perform the recall or acknowledge the fuel pump as the problem. On June 13, the same issue occurred again while accelerating on I-91, this time with my family in the vehicle. The car stalled dangerously in traffic, again putting all of us at risk. I later contacted Honda Customer Support, and two representatives told me I was eligible for the recall repair. But when Honda USA followed up, I was informed they would not honor the recall or cover the repair, because the part had been replaced with a non-Honda pump by a previous owner. This is unacceptable. The recall remedy was never performed, and the part clearly failed again. Lia Honda’s refusal to acknowledge the fuel pump failure on June 6 prevented me from protecting my family’s safety, leading to a second highway incident that could have resulted in a crash I have all diagnosis and receipts in paper()

Filed Aug 21, 2024 · Electrical · UT

While away from home on vacation, the car alarm randomly went off for several minutes. Upon returning the battery was dead and would not start. Over the next several days this happened multiple times with the battery dying, car not starting, and the dash would light up and doors would not lock or unlock properly. Replaced the battery and again the same issue with alarm going off in the middle of the night after battery drain. I saw on the forums that the BCM is a common issue with the Honda vehicles. the car recognizes that "the start switch has been pushed, when it has not." This poses a safety risk for the car and the individual. Remedy from the dealer is the body/keyless module replacement at nearly 800.00. This seems to be something that Honda is aware of, but has not yet addressed.

Filed May 2, 2024 · MI

My car was well maintained with less than 40k miles. One evening, when I was trying to get back home from my office, my car didn't start. I called a Honda dealer. They suspected battery issues and jump-start requirements. I called my AAA insurance for roadside assistance. They did jump-start the car and said my battery was completely DEAD. Charged me around 213$ for a battery replacement. I drove back home. The next day morning, my car didn't start again! I had to get the car towed to my dealership. The dealer was unable to figure out what went wrong. He kept the car under his observation for a night and it worked fine. When I went to collect the car after payment of about 120$ (diagnosis, cleaning, and testing charges by the dealership), the car turned on by itself with a blinking red light on the dashboard along with a battery and other lamp symbols turned on. The dealer said he found the root cause and said it could be a BCM Module issue. The BCM Module is supposed to coordinate and function many electronic safety components in the car. The car's electric components turn on by themselves and drain out the battery!! I was very shocked to see BCM's failure and it could have potential SAFETY HAZARDS for consumers!! Please look into this issue.

Filed Mar 15, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · TN

The car quit suddenly while picking up my child at school and would not start. Had to be towed to the honda dealership due it not running. No warning sign of it having any problems, nothing. This qas February 13th and has been sitting therr for over a month now. I have contacted the Honda service department twice and they can not give me an ETA on when my car will be fixed or when the fue pump will arrive and if that is the only thing wrong with my car. This is our main vehicle, I do have a courtesy car to drive but I am making car payments on a car that is not functioning.

Filed Sep 10, 2023 · Electrical · CA

My 2018 CRV will intermittently have malfunctioning in which all warning indicators will go on flashing. The car seems to drive ok when this happens. Once in a while when this occurs, the car will not start, then eventually it will start again. I have taken to the Honda dealer several times regarding this issue. It was recommended to first fix the Power unit, which I have done around March 2023. In July 2023, the car started up again with all warning lights, once again the car seemed to run ok. I took it in again to Honda and was told that despite the issue, the car can been driven per usual and if I start to have any mechanical issues to bring it in. On September 9th 2023 the warning lights when on again and the car was not starting up. a few more attempts to start vehicle and it started and was running fine. Then the same day after the car was parked for about a half hr, the car would not start. There are numerous issues reported by other owners of the Honda CRVs with this issue. I believe this is a safety concern and Honda needs to create a recall like they did for the Honda pilots. Another issue I have is the AC takes a long time to cool and is not very cold. I live in a climate where the temperatures reach upper 90s and low 100s for 4 months out of the year. Repairs had been made soon after i purchased the vehicle, but the AC never really worked well.

Filed Feb 25, 2022 · Brakes · KY

“Brake System Failure” shown on dashboard 2/25/22. Honda 2018 CRV would not start. AAA towed to Honda World dealership. I called Honda Corporate office and was given a case number; and dealership know of problem as they have vehicle at the Honda Service Dept. Honda World changed brake fluid and recalibrated the brakes on 9/24/21 per service requirements at 7823 miles. The vehicle currently has less than 10,000 miles.

Filed Feb 17, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · AL

Traveling on I-20 My wife reported the car just quit working with no warning between Atlanta and Birmingham about 90 miles from home. She was able to get to the side of the interstate and called me. She said all the lights on the display were showing as failed systems. Internet search lead me to believe it was the battery. On arrival i installed new battery but symptoms remained car would not start and just shuddered when attempting to start. I called the dealership we purchased from to talk to a tech. I was asked if she was low on gas below 1/2 tank. Yes the gauge shows 1/4 tank remains. I was told to get gas and it should be fine, some of the CRV's run out of gas but read that gas remains. I did get gas and car cranked we drove home. At 63 we don't need this kind of dangerous situation to happen. Think how easily this could have gone from bad to worse. She did call the state patrol and asked for the roadside assistance truck to come. This would at least have some flashing lights. They never made it. The dealership told me on the phone that this was not a recall or covered but they knew about it occurring. They would be glad to fix it at my expense. Money for maintenance is one thing but I might as well let my wife drive a junker if this is what I get when I buy a Honda. This occurred 02/16/22 so I have not been to the dealer for their evaluation, just to the gas station.

Filed Oct 1, 2021 · Driver assistance, Electrical · AZ

Our 2018 Honda CR-V SUV EX 2WD is a very good vehicle except we can't rely on it to start. Since buying it new in April, 2018 we have had to have it towed or jump-started six times because the battery has been drained. Many other owners seem to have similar problems; online it has become known as a "parasitic battery drain" problem. There are at least two class-action suits at present we know of concerning the same problem, one In Iowa, and another in Florida. Also on three different occasions we experienced the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems display flashing indicating some features are not working while driving -- for no apparent reason. However, the systems gradually return to normal after the vehicle has been stopped, re-started, and driven again for several miles. We don't know if the two issues are related (see the federal safety agency Complaint 11361514). Not being able to start in an out of cell-phone area or an unpopulated area is a serious safety concern. Additionally, I carry a portable, battery-powered oxygen concentrator that can't be recharged when the CR-V won't start and the battery is dead. We have records and documentation to support our CRV problems. We are on our third SUV battery - a top-of-the-line from AAA - and have been doing such obvious things as checking our garage nightly to make sure a dome light isn't on, etc. There are no preliminary cues that we have noted such as lights become dimmer, etc. prior to the non-starting times. Four of six times have been during daylight hours. On one occasion we were able to restart the vehicle using a portable lithium battery power pack; on another this booster failed to start the SUV and we had to call AAA. Our "home" Honda service center has sincerely tried but failed to diagnose the problem and neither was the major Honda garage in Albuquerque, NM able to this past summer. Two different complaints with Honda Motors of America remain unanswered as of today. Honda isn't supporting their dealerships.

Filed Sep 10, 2021 · Electrical · OR

On 9/7/2021 at 10am, my car (housed in a garage) would not start. It unlocked electronically, but when I put my foot on the brake pedal it felt soft and when I depressed the start button, nothing happened. Everything on the car was locked/frozen and would not respond. There were some alerts (related to brake failure) showing on the dashboard and the headlights and taillights were on. I was able to lock the car manually but the lights stayed on. I had it towed to the repair service, they found that the battery had only 8 volts. Nothing else looked unusual on the diagnostic. They had no explanation for the occurrence. The battery was original, Honda factory installed, 3 years old and the car has <7,000 miles on it. This happened very suddenly with no warning. Car had been functioning with no problems noted until then. Something had caused a sudden drain on the battery. (I had not left any lights on.) When I searched online for possible explanations, I found numerous reports of sporadic, sudden battery failures with recent Honda cars, as well as TSR from Honda asking to have removed batteries returned to them. This is a potential safety issue. What if it had occurred when parked on a street after dark when everything was closed? I believe Honda should acknowledge the problem and find a solution other than continually replacing the batteries.

Questions about the 2018 Honda CR-V won't start

Is won't start a common problem on the 2018 Honda CR-V?

20 of 2,169 owner complaints about the 2018 Honda CR-V (1%) mention won't start. The model year with the most reports is 2017.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Honda CR-V?

There are 0 recalls and 50 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2018 Honda CR-V

Fuel smell 218Stalling 146Warning lights 121Collision warning 119Adaptive cruise 104Fuel pump 98Check engine light 84Jerking 84Loss of power 69Lane assist 65Misfire 57Phantom braking 55Engine failure 41Hesitation 35Steering noise 25Sunroof shattered 24Fuel leak 21Battery drain 20Brake failure 19Door locks 17Overheating 17ABS 16Fire or smoke 16Power steering loss 16Screen failure 15Headlights 12Key fob 12Pulling 12Seat belt 11Won't shift 11Grinding brakes 10Oil consumption 10Windshield crack 10Harsh shifting 9Knocking 8Sudden acceleration 8No deployment 7Steering lock-up 6Wipers 6Backup camera 5Ball joint 5Premature wear 5

All model years of the Honda CR-V

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