2011 Honda CR-V

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Honda CR-V has 645 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 8.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (46% of all complaints), specifically: yes i had a car wreck swerved to miss a deer and hit an electric pole i was doing about 35 mph when i hit the pole it took the pole completely down and my are bags in my honda crv did not come out and i was just trying to find out why. *tr *js. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 35 crash reports 17 injuries

645

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

8.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

294 complaints

46%

• YES I HAD A CAR WRECK SWERVED TO MISS A DEER AND HIT AN ELECTRIC POLE I WAS DOING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN I HIT THE POLE IT TOOK THE POLE COMPLETELY DOWN AND MY ARE BAGS IN MY HONDA CRV DID NOT COME OUT AND I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY. *TR *JS
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO A POLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BACK INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 11 crashes

“YES I HAD A CAR WRECK SWERVED TO MISS A DEER AND HIT AN ELECTRIC POLE I WAS DOING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN I HIT THE POLE IT TOOK THE POLE COMPLETELY DOWN AND MY ARE BAGS IN MY HONDA CRV DID NOT COME OUT AND I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY. *TR *JS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

57 complaints

• WHEN CRUISING ALONG AT A CONSTANT SPEED AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A CAR, THE CR-V DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT TO AN APPROPRIATE LOWER GEAR. THE CAR ACTUALLY SLOWS DOWN AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS FURTHER DEPRESSED. THE MOTOR BOGS DOWN. IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED DOWN ABNORMALLY FAR, THE CA
• THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE BRAKES SLOWED THE CAR ON THE FIRST ACCELERATION, BUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE AGAIN REVVED-- TO A SHRILL, LOUD SOUND LIKE THAT OF A JET ENGINE. RESULT : CAR RAMMED INTO A SUPPORT PILLAR IN THE GARAGE; AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND I WAS WEARING MY
• DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED: KEY FOB WOULD ONLY LOCK/UNLOCK DRIVERS DOOR. MANUAL KEY LOCK/UNLOCK ON OUTSIDE DRIVERS DOOR WOULD ONLY LOCK/UNLOCK DRIVERS DOOR. ATTEMPTED TO LOCK/UNLOCK ALL DOORS USING BUTTON ON INSIDE DRIVERS DOOR: COULD ONLY LOCK/UNLOCK DRIVERS DOOR--NO AFFECT ON OTHER DOORS. TODAY

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“WHEN CRUISING ALONG AT A CONSTANT SPEED AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A CAR, THE CR-V DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT TO AN APPROPRIATE LOWER GEAR. THE CAR ACTUALLY SLOWS DOWN AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS FURTHER DEPRESSED. THE MOTOR BOGS DOWN. IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED DOWN ABNORMALLY FAR, THE CA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

55 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA CRV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRICAL LINE FOR THE HEATED SEATS HAD ILLEGAL ALLY BEEN SLICED INTO THE
• STATIC ELECTRICAL SHOCKING WHEN EXISTING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE SECOND DAY OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. STATIC ELECTRICITY SHOCK IS MORE PAINFUL THEN ORDINARY STATIC SHOCK. VISITED THE DEALER, STATED THAT HAPPENS WITH THE CLOTH SEATS AND NO REAL REMEDY FOR THE STATIC ELECTRICITY PROBLEMS. SUGGESTED I BU
• THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR COMES EVERY MONTH OR TWO SINE NOVEMBER 2011. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN JANUARY 2011. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE HONDA DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIMES AND GET DIFFERENT REASONS SUCH AS TIRE PRESSURE IS LOW, TIRE WAS REPAIRED DUE TO A NAIL , WE COULDN'T FIND NOTHING WRONG AND WE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA CRV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRICAL LINE FOR THE HEATED SEATS HAD ILLEGAL ALLY BEEN SLICED INTO THE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

44 complaints

• I BOUGHT A NEW 2011 HONDA CR V AND HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE ENGINE MAINTAINED ITS SPEED OR ACCELERATED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND TRIED TO STOP. THE WORST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I TRIED TO COME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT WITH CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I APPLIED BRAKE AN
• SAFETY ISSUE WITH 2011 HONDA CRV ENGINE PERIODICALLY MAINTAINING REVS OR SPEEDING UP WHEN TRYING TO STOP. MUST HOLD BRAKE DOWN HARD, GO TO NEUTRAL, TURN CAR OFF, AND RESTART CAR TO FIX PROBLEM. HONDA SAYS NO FAULT CODES ARE REPORTED AND SO DOES NOTHING. *TR
• TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS HE HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE ENGINE BOLT HAD DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“I BOUGHT A NEW 2011 HONDA CR V AND HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE ENGINE MAINTAINED ITS SPEED OR ACCELERATED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND TRIED TO STOP. THE WORST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I TRIED TO COME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT WITH CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I APPLIED BRAKE AN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

42 complaints

• SEPARATION OF INTERNAL HEADLINER FROM RUBBER LINING AT REAR IN A NEW VEHICLE. POSSIBLE SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD IF NOT REPAIRED OR CORRECTED. DEALER IS UNWILLING TO TAKE CARE OF MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN A TIMELY & REASONABLE MANNER. DEALER CLAIMS MANUFACTURER HAS INVENTORY & SHIPPING PROBLEMS.
• MY CAR WAS 10 DAYS OLD AND THE BUMPER STARTED PEELING. TOOK ME A LOT OF JUMPING HOOPS, PHONE CALLS, LETTERS, AND DAYS OFF WORK TO GET IT REPAIRED. IT WAS REALLY A NIGHTMARE. 6 MONTHS LATER 6/22/2012 THE REAR BUMPER STARTED PEELING. THEY FIXED IT WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS . LESS THAN ANOTHER MONTH
• I WAS PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPOT IN REVERSE IN A CROWDED MOVIE THEATER PARKING LOT WHEN MY 2011 HONDA CR-V ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED INTO THE CEMENT POLE BEHIND ME. CONFUSED, I PUT THE CAR IN 'DRIVE' TO PULL MYSELF AWAY FROM THE POLE, WHEN THE CAR ONCE AGAIN ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED FORWARD TOWA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“SEPARATION OF INTERNAL HEADLINER FROM RUBBER LINING AT REAR IN A NEW VEHICLE. POSSIBLE SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD IF NOT REPAIRED OR CORRECTED. DEALER IS UNWILLING TO TAKE CARE OF MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN A TIMELY & REASONABLE MANNER. DEALER CLAIMS MANUFACTURER HAS INVENTORY & SHIPPING PROBLEMS.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 645 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: YES I HAD A CAR WRECK SWERVED TO MISS A DEER AND HIT AN ELECTRIC POLE I WAS DOING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN I HIT THE POLE IT TOOK THE POLE COMPLETELY DOWN AND MY ARE BAGS IN MY HONDA CRV DID NOT COME OUT AND I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY. *TR *JS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WHEN CRUISING ALONG AT A CONSTANT SPEED AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A CAR, THE CR-V DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT TO AN APPROPRIATE LOWER GEAR. THE CAR ACTUALLY SLOWS DOWN AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS FURTHER DEPRESSED. THE MOTOR BOGS DOWN. IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED DOWN ABNORMALLY FAR, THE CA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA CRV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRICAL LINE FOR THE HEATED SEATS HAD ILLEGAL ALLY BEEN SLICED INTO THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I BOUGHT A NEW 2011 HONDA CR V AND HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE ENGINE MAINTAINED ITS SPEED OR ACCELERATED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND TRIED TO STOP. THE WORST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I TRIED TO COME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT WITH CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I APPLIED BRAKE AN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)