2011 Honda CR-V Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Honda CR-V carries a Caution verdict, capped by 13 recall campaigns despite a complaint index of 25. Airbags are the top problem area with 295 complaints (53% share) and a median failure mileage of 61,000. It ranks 16th worst of 21 model years tracked.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 CR-V years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 553
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 13
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 29
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23.5
- 21 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2011 Honda CR-V problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags295 (53%)
- Structure & Body60 (11%)
- Engine59 (11%)
- Electrical System58 (10%)
- Other56 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires38 (7%)
- Brakes22 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (3%)
- Steering10 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers9 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the vehicle suddenly surging or accelerating on its own while parking at low speed, sometimes crashing into poles, walls, or pillars.
- Several incidents happened while shifting between reverse and drive, with the car continuing to accelerate despite brake application.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-speed crashes into poles, in some cases leading to injuries.
- One owner reported the engine revving loudly and uncontrollably before the vehicle rammed into a support pillar in a parking garage.
- A vehicle became engulfed in flames while parked, with fire reported coming from the front driver's side wheel area and under the hood.
- One owner reported the brakes behaving unpredictably while trying to park, occurring on two separate occasions.
2011 Honda CR-V recalls
13 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.
2011 Honda CR-V fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 23.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,750
- 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.
2011 compared with other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Honda CR-V reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 CR-V a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 25 and 553 complaints logged. The verdict is capped to Caution because of 13 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, even though the raw complaint index is moderate.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Honda CR-V?
- Airbags are the top problem area, with 295 complaints making up 53% of all reports, plus 12 crashes tied to airbag issues at a median mileage of 61,000.
- Does the 2011 Honda CR-V have airbag recalls?
- Yes. Several of the 13 recall campaigns cover airbag inflators, including campaigns 19V502000, 19V500000, 19V378000, 19V182000, 18V661000, 18V268000, and 18V042000.
- How does the 2011 CR-V compare to other CR-V years?
- The 2011 CR-V ranks 16th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 25. Years like 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024, and 2025 carry an Avoid verdict with higher complaint indexes of 75-100, while 2012 and 2013 earn a Best verdict.