2009 Honda CR-V Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Honda CR-V has a complaint index of 35 and ranks 14th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict capped by 12 recall campaigns. Airbags account for 46% of its 386 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 80,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 CR-V years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 386
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 29
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 16
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 0
Top 2009 Honda CR-V problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags176 (46%)
- Structure & Body59 (15%)
- Electrical System45 (12%)
- Other39 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires34 (9%)
- Engine24 (6%)
- Brakes15 (4%)
- Steering15 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal and side crashes, including a collision with a deer and a highway median impact.
- Owners describe unexpected acceleration or unintended movement while parking at low speeds, sometimes striking a wall or curb.
- One owner reported the vehicle rolled away and crashed into a pond after the shift lever was placed in park with the engine running.
- Some reported a grinding noise from the tires accompanied by a dashboard warning light before slowing became difficult.
- One driver said the brake pedal did not stop the car while attempting to park in reverse.
2009 Honda CR-V recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V228000Mar 30, 2023Structure & Body616,128 vehicles
Structure:frame and members
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2007-2011 CR-V vehicles that were sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. An accumulation of road salt may cause the frame to corrode and possibly detach the rear trailing arm.
Risk: A detached rear trailing arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and install a support brace or repair the rear frame, as necessary, free of charge. Depending on the extent of any corrosion damage, Honda may offer to repurchase the vehicle. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UE3.
- NHTSA 19V502000Jun 27, 2019Airbags9,555 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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 GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger 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.
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 service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
- NHTSA 19V500000Jun 27, 2019Airbags1,558 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
2009 Honda CR-V fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Honda CR-V reliable?
- NHTSA data gives it a complaint index of 35, ranking 14th worst among 21 CR-V model years, with a Caution verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Honda CR-V?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 46% of complaints (176 of 386), with a median failure mileage of 80,000.
- Does the 2009 Honda CR-V have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for this year, mostly involving Takata airbag inflators, plus a rear frame support brace recall.
- Why is the 2009 CR-V rated Caution instead of based on complaints alone?
- Its verdict is capped to Caution because of the 12 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, despite a moderate complaint index of 35.
- How does the 2009 CR-V compare to other CR-V years?
- Its complaint index of 35 is lower than 2017, 2018, and 2019, which are rated Avoid with indexes of 95, 100, and 85, but higher than Best-rated years like 2013 (index 5).