RoadVitals

2018 Honda CR-V Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Sep 23, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
<1%
of 2,112 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2018 Honda CR-V submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Sep 23, 2025

My case has only 40k miles on it and the Body Control Module failed costing me $1k+

NHTSA ID
11689268
Incident
Sep 20, 2025
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 7, 2025

I am writing to express my concern and disappointment regarding persistent electrical issues with my 2018 Honda CR-V (VIN: [XXX] ). My vehicle has recently experienced multiple warning lights turning on simultaneously, including brake, VSA, and TPMS. After inspection, I was informed that the issue may be related to the battery or sensor systems, even though the vehicle has not experienced any incidents or misuse. I would like to emphasize that this is a well-known issue reported by many 2018 CR-V owners, as evidenced in online forums, service bulletins, and consumer complaints. It is extremely frustrating to be responsible for repair costs for what appears to be a design or manufacturing flaw. Additionally, I visited a local Honda dealership for diagnosis, but I was given no explanation regarding the cause of the problem and was simply asked to pay for service. I found this experience to be highly unprofessional and upsetting, especially considering the seriousness of the issue and my loyalty to the brand. Given the potential safety risks and the common nature of this problem, I respectfully request that Honda consider my case for goodwill repair coverage or reimbursement. I am also aware of an open fuel pump recall (Campaign: 24-007:6FE00) on this vehicle, and would like to confirm that any and all necessary service campaigns are addressed. Please let me know how to proceed, or if you require additional documentation. Thank you for your time and understanding. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11665484
Incident
Jun 28, 2023
Fuel systemExterior lighting
Filed May 6, 2025

All lights on dash board on and would not cut off. We were told it was the battery that was bad. The battery in the vehicle was not a year old. We purchased the new battery and within a couple weeks it happened again with all of the lights on. This is a safety matter because this can cause problem with the heads to the motors or can just stop running. We took the car back to the dealer and then they said it maybe the fuel injectors. Now, we are paying for another maybe. This car is sending off different codes. No, one has inspected this car except the dealer. I was informed that if not inspected by Honda that it would not count. No, other symptoms before all lights on dash board just coming on. When the lights on dash board came on it was all light for all operations of the vehicle. We are not paying for fuel injectors to be replaced based on recommendation from Honda. We have several people we know that are currently having this problem with their CRV. Please look into this expensive repair. My car is a 2018 with only 40,000 miles on it. This is not a car driven on a daily basis to work or anything. This is a safety matter as well due to it may just shut off while driving.

NHTSA ID
11659226
Incident
Jan 20, 2025
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 15, 2024

As soon as I turn the vehicle on, all the warning lights turn on. I cannot use any safety features of the vehicle as the lights remain on. It started a year ago however used to go away itself. But this time it is consistent for over 10 days and not going away

NHTSA ID
11608847
Incident
Aug 1, 2024
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Feb 17, 2024

Initially we had check engine light on and we felt that the car had difficulty to start after stopped at traffic light. We had to restarted the engine to solve the stall problem. We took the car to a mechanic and he changed oxygen sensor and spark plugs but the problem came back. Then we received the recall letter realized it was exactly the same problem we had. The mechanic re-examined the car and confirmed that fuel pump was the problem. The recall letter told us to wait for replacement. Since we did not have another car we had to use it. On February 16, the situation became worse. We almost ran into crash on high way 95. The check engine light kept flashing and the car seemed to lose power in the middle of high way. We managed to pull over. It was very scary and it was lucky to avoid any harm in this incident.. Talking to Honda service was not helpful. They insisted on us to pay diagnosis fee of $195 to do the evaluation and tried to deny the third-party mechanic's opinion. We lost trust of their objectivity to do a fair check.

NHTSA ID
11572490
Incident
Feb 16, 2024
EngineFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Feb 12, 2024

On my way home, the car began to tremble and make a very strange noise. I couldn't stop because I was on the highway, the next day all the lights car on the dashboard were on, I dropped my car on the dealer and still is there,.

NHTSA ID
11571517
Incident
Jan 5, 2024
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 11, 2024

The Body Control Module malfunctioned in my CRV. The alarm was going off at random and the car would start into accessory mode by itself after being shut off (after use). This is a safety concern as it draws attention to me, the driver, when parking my car in a public space. For females, this can be scary and is especially dangerous as after this the car will typically not start, nor will the doors lock, for several minutes. If it occurs in a garage, I worry about any emissions coming from the car (carbon dioxide) if the car were to start on its own, which is what was happening in my 2 car garage. I took the car to the dealer, who is replacing the body control module. I also read online that Honda is recalling certain 2018-2020 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles due to this issue, though 2018 CRVs were not included. The problem first appeared 1/6/2024, there were no warnings prior to it appearing. I had to get the battery jumped as it ended up dying and the same situation happened - I then took the car to the dealership.

NHTSA ID
11564871
Incident
Jan 6, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 27, 2023

Danger light came on tell me to pull over

NHTSA ID
11557080
Incident
Aug 22, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 6, 2022

Both driver and passenger day time running lights have burned out. The Honda CR V has 19000 miles on it. Honda did a recall on the Accords for the same issue, why not the CR V and civic that have the same problem.

NHTSA ID
11488178
Incident
Oct 6, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed May 6, 2022

Shortly after 3 yrs of ownership, problem lights on the dashboard for the entire system turned on (Road Departure Mitigation System Problem, Brake Hold System Problem, Vehicle Stability Assist Problem, Hill Start Assist Problem, Adaptive Cruise Control Problem, Brake System Problem, Emergency Brakes, Emission System Problem, Tire Pressure Monitor Problem, Lane Assist, etc). That was in August 2021. We were told a new battery was needed, so we changed it. The lights went off. Eventually it happened again. The battery was readjusted, so it reset everything. It has happened several other times. It happened again recently (April 2022) while driving. The safety issue took place during this incident when the vehicle started to decelerate (from 45 MPH) on a busy road. We barely made it to the shoulder, turned off the car, and restarted it. This keeps happening with no repair solution yet.

NHTSA ID
11463659
Incident
Apr 28, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 6, 2019

THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS OF THIS VEHICLE ARE NOT WEATHER-TIGHT AND ACCUMULATE MOISTURE FROM WASHING THE CAR OR FROM RAIN. AT NIGHT WHEN USING THE HEADLIGHTS, THE INTERIOR OF THE HEADLIGHT LENS FOGS UP FROM THE COLLECTED MOISTURE AND REDUCES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LIGHTS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND THERE WAS ALREADY A LAYER OF DUST ON THE INTERIOR OF THE HEADLIGHT LENSES WHEN I TOOK POSSESSION OF IT. AS THE VEHICLE AGES, THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF THE HEADLIGHTS WILL JUST CONTINUE TO DIMINISH AS MORE AND MORE DUST COLLECTS. OBVIOUSLY, THE MANUFACTURER CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE A DECENT HEADLIGHT. THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM STARTING FROM DAY OF PURCHASE. I HAVE PUT THE DATE OF PURCHASE AS A DATE OF OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA ID
11218297
Incident
Dec 31, 2018
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Jan 10, 2019

WHEN EVER I DRIVE MY CAR IN CITY AND HIGHWAY I SMELL GAS OR BURN SMELL STRONG IN CABIN .I RECENTLY NOTICE THAT MY FRONT HEADLIGHT CHANGE INTO BRIGHT AND HIT THE ORDER CAR DRIVER FACE DIRECTLY IN TWO WAY STREETS AND NEARLY HAD ACCIDENTS ONE TIMES

NHTSA ID
11166332
Incident
Dec 9, 2018
Mileage
9,900 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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