2008 Honda CR-V

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

67/100

Be careful

AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 961 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Honda CR-V, and it carries 11 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Air bags	298	31%
Electrical system	91	9%
Electrical system	83	9%
Latches/locks/linkages	80	8%
Steering	53	6%
Unknown or other	49	5%
Structure	44	5%
Structure	21	2%
Power train	17	2%
Suspension	16	2%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

We took our 2008 honda crv to the Coggin Honda dealership in December 2025 to do a safety inspection, as we noted severe frame rust. In January 2026, the dealership indicated that we had to release the car to them, as i
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other

My car failed the annual Massachusetts State safety inspection done on XXX. The areas of failure were FRAME, FRONT END, and MUFFLER/EXHAUST. I was advised to not drive the car due to risk of frame failure due to extensiv
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

The contact owns a 2008 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle felt as if it was driving over a bump in the road, causing the steering wheel to be unstable. Upon inspecting
NHTSA complaint: Structure

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Honda CR-V. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 137,00
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

Hello, I have a recall for the corrosion on my Honda CRV 2008, American Honda already has everything on file from the dealer ship I took to get it inspected and is been a whole month and American Honda hasn’t reached out
NHTSA complaint: Structure

The contact owns a 2008 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's door failed to latch as intended. In addition, the front passenger's door had independently unlatched. The v
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages

My light start turn on and off in some times and this start happens 3 days ago
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

This is a complaint in reference to a current recall for the rear rust and corrosion issues on Honda CRvs, Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-228. I brought my vehicle to Matt Burne Honda on January 7 2025 for this recall
NHTSA complaint: Structure

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2008 Honda CR-V. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module 18V268000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b

Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module 19V502000

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, 2010-201

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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 1-888-234-21

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module 19V500000

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 wi

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module 19V378000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009

Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019.

The seven scores

Reliability	52	average
Longevity est.	69	good
Maintenance	89	excellent
Depreciation	83	excellent
Performance	59	average
Efficiency	41	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 7% of SUVs
Longevity: better than 22% of SUVs
Running costs: better than 99% of SUVs
Value retention: better than 94% of SUVs

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 52: from NHTSA recalls and complaints, divided by approximate units sold so it is comparable between models.
Longevity 69: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2008 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 89: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2008 Honda CR-V?

Owners have filed 961 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 298 of them (31%). There are 11 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 2008 Honda CR-V reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 52/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.

How long will a 2008 Honda CR-V last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2008 Honda CR-V?

AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.