VehicleVerdict

2001 Honda CR-V problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2001 Honda CR-V is among the quieter years of the CR-V on NHTSA's books: 159 complaints (70% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 9 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 52 reports (33% of the total).

159

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

9

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other CR-V years?

CR-V NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted2,923 complaints1997: 129 complaints1998: 136 complaints1999: 158 complaints2000: 156 complaints2001: 159 complaints2002: 661 complaints2003: 580 complaints2004: 603 complaints2005: 601 complaints2006: 522 complaints2007: 1,158 complaints2008: 1,221 complaints2009: 447 complaints2010: 588 complaints2011: 646 complaints2012: 508 complaints2013: 498 complaints2014: 795 complaints2015: 975 complaints2016: 544 complaints2017: 2,596 complaints2018: 2,923 complaints2019: 1,502 complaints2020: 438 complaints2021: 438 complaints2022: 291 complaints2023: 644 complaints2024: 514 complaints2025: 339 complaints2026: 140 complaints
CR-V NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CR-V years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Honda CR-V problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags5233%
Engine3321%
Visibility & Wipers106%
Other106%
Tires & Wheels96%
Electrical System85%
Seat Belts64%
Transmission64%
Speed Control43%
Latches & Locks43%
Brakes32%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)32%
Body & Structure21%
Suspension21%
Lighting21%
Seats21%
Steering21%
Fuel System11%

Does the 2001 Honda CR-V have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V027000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 875,966 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN NOV. OF 2005 AND I WAS DRIVING A HONDA CRV 2001. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT OR AFTER. THE VEHICLE ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES AND THERE WAS OVER 100 FEET OF DEBRIS. WHY DIDN'T THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY? THE CRV WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 25, 2005 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED SMOKE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD. AS THE HOOD WS OPENED, THE ENGINE FELL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 8, 2012 · fire

“2001 HONDA CRV DOES NOT MEET THE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR PROPERLY INSTALLING MY BOOSTER CAR SEATS AS IT IS MISSING THE LATCH ANCHORING SYSTEM TO PROPERLY HOOK THE BOOSTER SEAT. AFTER TALKING TO THE HONDA DEALER WHICH TOLD ME THAT THE CAR SHOULD HAVE COME WITH IT, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO SHOW ME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 17, 2013

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE SUNROOF FLEW OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS CLOSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ONLY TO OBTAIN RECALL INFORMATION AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 13, 2011

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUTTER AND SHAKE. UPON STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THE TIRE TREAD PEELING FROM THE TIRE. THE TIRE DID NOT FLATTEN. THE TIRE WAS A BRIDGESTONE DUELER 684, SIZE 205/70R15. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 30, 2006

2001 Honda CR-V — common questions

Is the 2001 Honda CR-V reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 159 NHTSA complaints, below the typical CR-V year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2001 CR-V problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (52 complaints), engine (33 complaints), other (10 complaints).

Does the 2001 Honda CR-V have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2001 Honda CR-V. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Honda CR-V years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CR-V years to avoid are 2018, 2017, 2019, 2008, 2007, 2015, 2014, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2003, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2020, 2022. The cleanest record among CR-V years belongs to 1997.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.