Is the 2011 Honda CR-Z reliable?

The 2011 Honda CR-Z has 54 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Honda CR-Z?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (16 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (6 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (5 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Honda CR-Z?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, POWER TRAIN. Contact any Honda dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Honda CR-Z?

The 2011 Honda CR-Z gets 35 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1371. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Honda CR-Z?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Honda CR-Z is approximately $1,393/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Honda CR-Z

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Honda CR-Z has 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.9x the segment average of 14. The most common issue is air bags problems (30% of all complaints), specifically: ****revision to previous complaint**** i was recently involved in a frontal collision in this vehicle. i am fine, however, the seat belt did not hold me to the seat properly. as the impact happened the seat belt locked and held me midway, from the back of the seat to the steering wheel, and did . There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

9 crash reports 12 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

3/5

Safety Stars

3.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

16 complaints

30%

• ****REVISION TO PREVIOUS COMPLAINT**** I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN THIS VEHICLE. I AM FINE, HOWEVER, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD ME TO THE SEAT PROPERLY. AS THE IMPACT HAPPENED THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AND HELD ME MIDWAY, FROM THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO THE STEERING WHEEL, AND DID
• NOTE: THIS IS THE SECOND FRONTAL BASED CRASH LISTED ON THIS SITE FOR A HONDA 2011 CRZ PERHAPS THE DRIVER THAT WAS INVOLVED WITH THE PREVIOUS CRASH DID NOT REALIZE THE BRAKES FAILED. AT APPROXIMATELY 17:17 I NOTICED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC I TRIED TO APPLY MY BRAKES AND PUS
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA CR-Z. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR.

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

“****REVISION TO PREVIOUS COMPLAINT**** I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN THIS VEHICLE. I AM FINE, HOWEVER, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD ME TO THE SEAT PROPERLY. AS THE IMPACT HAPPENED THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AND HELD ME MIDWAY, FROM THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO THE STEERING WHEEL, AND DID ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Honda CR-Z

Based on 36 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 52K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (3)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE27/06/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. 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.

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 driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Honda CR-Z

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,372

Per month

$114

Per mile

11.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,549/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,263/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

Show:

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-Z

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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,393

Full coverage / month

$116

Liability only / year

$623

vs US avg

-17%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.02x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1393

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda CR-Z 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-Z, 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

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 54 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: ****REVISION TO PREVIOUS COMPLAINT**** I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN THIS VEHICLE. I AM FINE, HOWEVER, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD ME TO THE SEAT PROPERLY. AS THE IMPACT HAPPENED THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AND HELD ME MIDWAY, FROM THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO THE STEERING WHEEL, AND DID
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE AUTOMATIC AIR DOES NOT ALWAYS TURN ON WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. ALSO, THE REAR HATCH IS ALWAYS FROZEN SHUT IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 32 DEGRESS....
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 32 DEGREES, THE REAR HATCH LOCK FAILS TO OPEN AND FREEZES SHUT. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA CR-Z. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL CLUNKING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AND WAS A CONSTANT OCCURRENCE. THE V
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)