
2011 Honda CR-V
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Honda CR-V has 645 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 588. 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. There are 13 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.
645
Total Complaints
13
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
AIR BAGS
294 complaints- • 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
“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
When Problems Appear on the 2011 Honda CR-V
Based on 274 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 50K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
SPEED CONTROL
BRAKES
SEATS/RESTRAINTS
TIRES
TRANSMISSION
STEERING
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (13)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles 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. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles 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 air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher 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.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Honda CR-V
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Honda CR-V
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Honda CR-V Service Intervals
Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2011 CR-V, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
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
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 13 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Honda CR-V — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 645
- Recalls
- 13
- Fire reports
- 3
- Crash reports
- 35
- Injury reports
- 17
- Segment avg
- 588
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Honda CR-V