Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 CR-V.
The 2008 Honda CR-V is an SUV equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission and an engine requiring 4.4 quarts of 5W-20 API oil to deliver an EPA-rated 20 city, 27 highway, and 23 combined mpg. Despite its straightforward mechanical package, this model year carries a substantial reliability burden with 959 total owner complaints, 11 recalls, and airbags ranking as the top complaint area. Placed within the CR-V's broader 1997-2026 complaint history—spanning from a low of 99 complaints in 2026 to a peak of 2,085 in 2018—the 2008 model sits firmly in the upper echelon of problem reports, meaning researchers should approach this specific iteration with caution regarding its long-term dependability.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Overall length | 178 in |
| Overall width | 71.7 in |
| Overall height | 66.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.1 in |
| Curb weight | 3536 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61.4 / 61.4 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 57/43 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 20 / 27 / 23 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the CR-V of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | EX 2.4L I-4 | 9.10 sec | 17.10 sec | 166 hp | AWD |
| 2008 | EX 2.4L I-4 | 9.20 sec | 17.00 sec | 166 hp | FWD |
| 2008 | EX-L 2.4L I-4 | 9.30 sec | 17.20 sec | 166 hp | AWD |
| 2008 | EX-L w/Nav 2.4L I-4 | 9.50 sec | 17.20 sec | 166 hp | AWD |
| 2007 | EX-L 2.4L I-4 | 9.90 sec | 17.50 sec | 166 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | EX 2.2 i-CDTi Diesel (Euro-Spec) 2.2L Turbo Diesel I-4 | 9.40 sec | 17.00 sec | 138 hp | AWD |
| 2010 | EX-L 2.4L I-4 | 8.70 sec | 16.70 sec | 180 hp | AWD |
| 2010 | EX-L 2.4L I-4 | 9.20 sec | 16.90 sec | 180 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, USE HONDA PART NO. 08200-9002 OR EQUIVALENT in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.8 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.7 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | USE HONDA PART NO. 08200-9002 OR EQUIVALENT |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.5 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 6MM Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, 8MM Bolts: 20 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 76 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 33 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 8mm Bolts: 20 ft-lbs , 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 650 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | 700 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load) | 50 rpm |
| Ignition Timing | 8, Not adjutstable degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Reference RPM | Idle rpm |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | .97-1.08 lbs |
| Oil Type | PAG 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 2.66-3.00 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 51R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 410 cca |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 48.0 |
| Engine Compression | 135 Minimum PSI. 28 Maximum variation PSI |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 10 psi @ idle, 44 psi @ 3000 rpm psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | 0.008-0.010 in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | 0.011-0.013 in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 37 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 101 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in |
| Minimum Shoe Thickness | 0.039 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.094 in / 0.35 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.106 in / 0.358 in |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 36 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 | 36 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2008 Honda CR-V sits at the peak of complaint volume within its third-generation run (2007–2011), with 959 complaints—the highest of that generation and notably above the 884 complaints in 2007 and the 386 in 2009. While its 11 recalls are in line with the 12 seen in 2007 and 2009, the 2008 model has zero investigations, a positive sign compared to the multiple investigations that plagued the 2002–2006 second generation. However, the top complaint area—Air Bags with 298 reports—dominates the 2008 record, and the 44 crash-related complaints further underscore a safety concern that the data does not explain. The overall trend across the CR-V lineage shows complaint spikes in early model years of each generation, and 2008 falls at that problematic early point. Given the high complaint count, particularly around air bags, and the lack of a clear resolution in the federal record, the 2008 CR-V is not a recommended buy compared to later, lower-complaint years like 2009 or 2010.
All 959 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… Remedy: 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…
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… 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…
Showing 5 of 97 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A18-066 | 2026-06-30 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's… |
| A18-048 | 2026-02-28 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag… |
| A21120B | 2023-06-13 | Electrical System | Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS… |
| A21120B | 2022-01-29 | Electrical System | ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited… |
| APaS03102021910 | 2021-03-10 | Structure | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for any and all… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.4 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.