2008 Honda CR-V Problems
What owners have reported about the 2008 Honda CR-V, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.
From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
Is the 2008 Honda CR-V a good year?
It's one of the worst years for the CR-V. Owners have filed 962 complaints with NHTSA, the 4th most of 19 CR-V model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, electrical system and door locks and latches.
962 complaints 11 recalls, 4 can stall 4th worst of 19 CR-V years
Top 2008 Honda CR-V problems
Airbag problems
325 complaints (34%) name the airbags, most often the frontal and side / window.
Electrical problems
218 complaints (23%) name the electrical system, most often the starter assembly and speedometer / odometer.
Door lock and latch problems
200 complaints (21%) name the door locks and latches, most often the latch and electronic lock / latch actuator.
Body problems
94 complaints (10%) name the body and structure, most often the body and door.
Which parts fail most
Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (522 of 962). The amber line is the middle value, about 75,000 miles.
When problems were reported
Complaints by the year the problem happened.
2008 Honda CR-V recalls
Frame and members
C., and Wisconsin. An accumulation of road salt may cause the frame to corrode and possibly detach the rear trailing arm. A detached rear trailing arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall 23V228000 · Mar 2023Inflator module
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. 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
Recall 19V500000 · Jun 2019Inflator module
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. 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
Recall 19V502000 · Jun 2019Inflator module
Can stallThe front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement. 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
Recall 19V378000 · May 2019Inflator module
Can stallThe front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement. 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
Recall 18V268000 · Apr 2018Inflator module
Can stallOne dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators. In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.
Recall 17V545000 · Aug 2017Air bag may not deploy as intended
Injury riskThe passenger air bag inflator may have been assembled with an incorrect wire harness. If it is installed, the air bag may not deploy as intended in a crash, raising the risk of injury.
Fix: The dealer will inspect the passenger frontal air bag inflator and replace it if needed, free of charge.
Recall 17V417000 · Jun 2017Inflator module
S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
Recall 17V030000 · Jan 2017Inflator module
S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless already included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic GX, and 2007-2008 CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.
Recall 16V346000 · May 2016Inflator module
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
Recall 16V061000 · Feb 2016Control module (TCM / PCM / TECM)
Can stallThe outer race of the secondary shaft bearing may be broken during certain driving styles. A broken outer race may cause abnormal noise, the malfunction indicator light to turn on, and allow contact between the transmission idle gear and an electronic sensor housing within the transmission. This could result in a short circuit causing the engine to stall. Additionally, broken pieces of the outer race or ball bearing from the secondary shaft may become lodged in the parking pawl resulting in the vehicle rolling after the driver has placed the gear selector in the park position. Engine stall and unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash or personal injury to persons within the path of a rolling vehicle.
Fix: Honda will notify owners and dealers will update the automatic transmission control module software free of charge.
Recall 11V395000 · Aug 2011Get an email when your 2008 Honda CR-V gets a new recall
We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2008 Honda CR-V, you'll hear about it the same week.
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CR-V years to avoid
Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.
2008 Honda CR-V problems by system
Common questions
Is the 2008 Honda CR-V a reliable year?
It's one of the worst years for the CR-V. Owners have filed 962 complaints with NHTSA, the 4th most of 19 CR-V model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, electrical system and door locks and latches.
What are the most common 2008 Honda CR-V problems?
Owners most often report problems with the airbags, electrical system, door locks and latches and body and structure. 325 complaints (34%) name the airbags, most often the frontal and side / window.
At what mileage do 2008 Honda CR-V airbags problems start?
Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 57,000–127,000 miles, with a middle value near 96,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda CR-V have?
11. Frame and members (23V228000); Inflator module (19V500000); Inflator module (19V502000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.
Should I buy a used 2008 Honda CR-V?
Ask for service records covering the airbags, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2026, 2025 and 2022 models, which have the fewest complaints.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.