2011 Honda CR-Z Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 6 CR-Z years
The 2011 Honda CR-Z ranks worst of 6 model years, with 38 complaints, a Complaint Index of 100, and 3 recalls. Airbags dominate the complaints (16 of 38, 42% share), with 5 crashes and 5 injuries reported overall.
- Complaints
- 38
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 3 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 35
- 32.5 city / 37.5 hwy
Top 2011 Honda CR-Z problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags16 (42%)
- Other6 (16%)
- Electrical System5 (13%)
- Structure & Body5 (13%)
- Steering4 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (11%)
- Brakes3 (8%)
- Engine3 (8%)
- Seat Belts3 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (8%)
What owners report
- Owners report Takata airbag inflators that did not deploy during frontal or side collisions, sometimes with related crash damage to the vehicle.
- Seat belts reportedly failed to pretension properly during a frontal collision, holding occupants only midway instead of snug against the seat.
- Some owners describe brakes that did not slow the car enough in traffic, resulting in a low-speed frontal crash at a median mileage of 1,500 miles for brake complaints.
- Low-beam headlights were described as producing very poor visibility on hilly or curvy roads despite being factory HID units.
- Several owners waited months for Takata airbag inflator replacement parts, being placed in rental cars during the delay.
- One owner reported a windshield that shattered with no impact while the vehicle was parked with the trunk open, at 155,000 miles.
2011 Honda CR-Z recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 16V061000Feb 3, 2016Airbags2,232,187 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
- NHTSA 11V458000Sep 7, 2011Transmission & Powertrain5,626 vehicles
Power train
Honda is recalling certain model year 2011 cr-z passenger cars with manual transmissions, manufactured from january 8, 2010, through june 27, 2011. Should the engine stall while the brake pedal is not pressed, there is a possibility that the engine control unit (ecu) software may cause the electric motor of the hybrid system to move the vehicle unexpectedly in the opposite direction of the selected gear.
Risk: Unexpected vehicle movement could increase the risk of a crash or personal injury to the persons in the path of the moving vehicle.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the ecu software, free of charge. The safety recall began on september 26, 2011. Owners may contact honda automobile customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
2011 Honda CR-Z fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 32.5 MPG
- Highway
- 37.5 MPG
- Combined
- 35 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,850
- 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-Z years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Honda CR-Z reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2011 CR-Z has the worst complaint record among CR-Z model years, ranked 1 of 6 with a Complaint Index of 100 and 38 complaints. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other CR-Z years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Honda CR-Z?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 16 of 38 complaints (42% share) and 3 of the year's 5 reported crashes, at a median mileage of 34,500.
- Does the 2011 Honda CR-Z have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls, including two Takata airbag inflator recalls (campaigns 19V500000 and 16V061000) and one for a manual-transmission stall/software issue (campaign 11V458000). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2011 CR-Z compare to other years?
- The 2011 CR-Z has the highest Complaint Index (100) of the six years with data. By contrast, 2012 scores 40, 2014 scores 20, and 2016 scores 0, all with fewer complaints and recalls.