YearToAvoid

2011 Honda CR-V Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

33/100

#11 most-complained of 16 CR-V years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2011 Honda CR-V has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 11th worst out of 16 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict. Airbags are the top problem area with 295 complaints (53% share), largely tied to Takata inflator recalls.

Complaints
553
Recalls
13
Crashes / fires
29 / 2
Injuries / deaths
12 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23.5
21 city / 27.5 hwy

Top 2011 Honda CR-V problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags295 (53%)
  2. Structure & Body60 (11%)
  3. Engine59 (11%)
  4. Electrical System58 (10%)
  5. Other56 (10%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires38 (7%)
  7. Brakes22 (4%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain14 (3%)
  9. Steering10 (2%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers9 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speeds, sometimes ending in a collision with a pole, curb, or building.
  • Several complaints describe the engine surging or revving loudly on its own before the vehicle accelerates unexpectedly.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-speed and highway crashes, including one where the vehicle collided with a steel pole in icy conditions.
  • Rear wheel hub assemblies have snapped while driving on the highway, causing tires to detach from the vehicle.
  • One owner reported the vehicle veering into the opposite lane at 30-40 mph and crashing into an embankment without airbag deployment.
2011 Honda CR-V complaints: complaints filed per quarter1642010 Q42012 Q42014 Q42016 Q42018 Q42020 Q42022 Q42025 Q1
635 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2016 Q3 (164).

2011 Honda CR-V recalls

13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 13 recalls for the 2011 Honda CR-V →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Best204801523.5
2011Good335531323.5
2012Best13403325.5
2013Best0382225.5

All Honda CR-V years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Honda CR-V a good year?
NHTSA data shows the 2011 CR-V has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 11th worst of 16 model years, giving it a 'Good' verdict relative to other CR-V years.
What are the biggest problems with the 2011 Honda CR-V?
Airbags account for 53% of complaints (295 of 553), followed by structure and body issues (11%) and engine problems (11%), per NHTSA data.
Does the 2011 Honda CR-V have a Takata airbag recall?
Yes. Several NHTSA recalls, including campaigns 19V502000, 19V500000, and 18V042000, cover Takata airbag inflator replacements for the 2011 CR-V.
How many recalls does the 2011 Honda CR-V have?
NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2011 Honda CR-V, most involving airbags, plus one covering the rear frame structure.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Honda CR-V?
The EPA rates the 2011 CR-V at 23.5 mpg combined (21 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.