2008 Honda CR-V Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
70/100
#7 most-complained of 21 CR-V years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Honda CR-V has 961 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 70 out of 100 — #7 highest of 21 CR-V model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is airbags (325 complaints, 34% of the total). Complaints report 44 crashes, 3 fires, and 43 injuries.
- Complaints
- 961
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 44 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 43 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 26.5 hwy
Top 2008 Honda CR-V problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags325 (34%)
- Structure & Body274 (29%)
- Electrical System221 (23%)
- Other78 (8%)
- Steering70 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires57 (6%)
- Engine53 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain37 (4%)
- Brakes28 (3%)
- Seat Belts14 (1%)
2008 Honda CR-V recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V228000Mar 30, 2023Structure & Body616,128 vehicles
Structure:frame and members
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2007-2011 CR-V vehicles that were sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. An accumulation of road salt may cause the frame to corrode and possibly detach the rear trailing arm.
Risk: A detached rear trailing arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and install a support brace or repair the rear frame, as necessary, free of charge. Depending on the extent of any corrosion damage, Honda may offer to repurchase the vehicle. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UE3.
- NHTSA 19V502000Jun 27, 2019Airbags9,555 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
- NHTSA 19V500000Jun 27, 2019Airbags1,558 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
2008 Honda CR-V fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Honda CR-V a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Honda CR-V ranks #7 of 21 among CR-V model years (Complaint Index 70/100, verdict: Caution). It has 961 complaints and 11 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda CR-V?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (325 complaints), structure & body (274 complaints), and electrical system (221 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 74,978 miles.
- Does the 2008 Honda CR-V have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2008 Honda CR-V, most recently reported 2023, covering structure & body, airbags, and transmission & powertrain.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Honda CR-V?
- EPA rates the 2008 Honda CR-V at 22.5 MPG combined (20 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,875. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.