BestCarRank
Honda

2011 Honda CR-V

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

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.

3 fire reports 35 crash reports 17 injuries

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
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

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.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
85
30-60K
71
60-100K
65
100-150K
36
150-200K
12
200K+
5

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 36K mi · 18 reports
0-30K
8
30-60K
7
60-100K
3
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 24K mi · 15 reports
0-30K
9
30-60K
2
60-100K
3
100-150K
0
150-200K
1
200K+
0

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 11 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TIRES

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 11 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
4
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
2
60-100K
0
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 42K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
0
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
1

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)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE27/09/2018

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 prices
Per year
$2,001
Per month
$167
Per mile
16.7¢
MPG
24
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,286/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,715/yr

Based 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 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Honda CR-V

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,464
Full coverage / month
$122
Liability only / year
$626
vs US avg
-13%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.98x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1464

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

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

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

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

  • 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)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

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