2008 Honda CR-V Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Honda CR-V has a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst out of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. Airbags account for 34% of complaints (325 total) at a median 91,649 miles, plus 11 recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 CR-V years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 961
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 44
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 43
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 43 / 0
Top 2008 Honda CR-V problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle suddenly lunged or surged forward at low speeds, such as while parking or turning, sometimes crashing into walls or other vehicles.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low- to moderate-speed crashes, including head-on and side-impact collisions.
- Some owners describe brakes not slowing the vehicle even under hard pedal pressure, with the car continuing to move for a distance before impact.
- One owner reported an unusual metal-to-metal noise under the hood accompanied by an RPM spike between 1,500 and 2,500 while driving.
- A separate report describes a fire incident after the engine made a loud noise at low speed.
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 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2008 CR-V has a complaint index of 70 and ranks 7th worst among 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area, making up 34% of the 961 complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda CR-V?
- The top problem areas are Airbags (325 complaints, 34% share), Structure & Body (274 complaints, 29% share), and Electrical System (221 complaints, 23% share).
- Does the 2008 Honda CR-V have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for this year, and 7 of them involve airbags, mostly related to passenger and driver frontal air bag inflator or module replacements.
- At what mileage do 2008 CR-V problems typically show up?
- Airbag-related complaints show a median mileage of 91,649 miles, while Structure & Body complaints show a median of 78,160.5 miles and overall failures show a median of 74,978 miles.
- How does the 2008 CR-V compare to other CR-V years?
- Its complaint index of 70 is higher than years like 2012 (index 5) and 2013 (index 5), which carry a Best verdict, but lower than 2018 (index 100), the worst-ranked CR-V year.