VehicleVerdict

2011 Honda CR-Z problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 54 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.4 times the median CR-Z year — the 2011 model ranks #1 of 6 CR-Z years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 16 reports (30% of the total). Its NCAP crash-test rating is 3 of 5 stars overall.

54

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

3

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other CR-Z years?

CR-Z NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted54 complaints2011: 54 complaints2012: 8 complaints2013: 14 complaints2014: 4 complaints2015: 9 complaints2016: 2 complaints
CR-Z NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CR-Z years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Honda CR-Z problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1630%
Other611%
Body & Structure59%
Transmission47%
Electrical System47%
Steering47%
Seat Belts36%
Brakes36%
Tires & Wheels36%
Engine24%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Lighting12%
Speed Control12%
Suspension12%

Does the 2011 Honda CR-Z have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V500000AirbagsJune 27, 2019 · 1,558 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

16V061000AirbagsFebruary 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

11V458000TransmissionSeptember 7, 2011 · 5,626 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“[REDACTED]REVISION TO PREVIOUS COMPLAINT[REDACTED] I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN THIS VEHICLE. I AM FINE, HOWEVER, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD ME TO THE SEAT PROPERLY. AS THE IMPACT HAPPENED THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AND HELD ME MIDWAY, FROM THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO THE STEERING WHEEL,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 29, 2011 · crash

“TAKATA RECALL, I WAS INVOLVED IN TWO DRIVER SIDE COLLISIONS, THE FIRST HAPPENED JULY THE SECOND SEPTEMBER 13TH THIS YEAR. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN EITHER INSTANCES BOTH DIRECT IMPACT WITH DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FIRST INCIDENT MY CAR HAD A POWER SURGE FORWARD OVER A CURB INTO MY PROPERTY DEMAGE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 13, 2017 · crash

“DOOR LOCKS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WHILE USING INTERIOR DOOR LOCK BUTTON OR KEY FOB. PARKING LIGHTS WILL FLASH WHEN KEY FOB BUTTON IS PRESSED. PROBLEM STARTED WITH PASSENGER DOOR FIRST THEN 2 WEEKS LATER DRIVER DOOR STOPPED. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS FAILED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 18, 2017

“DOOR LOCKS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WHILE USING INTERIOR DOOR LOCK BUTTON OR KEY FOB. PARKING LIGHTS WILL FLASH WHEN KEY FOB BUTTON IS PRESSED. PROBLEM STARTED WITH PASSENGER DOOR FIRST THEN 2 WEEKS LATER DRIVER DOOR STOPPED. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS FAILED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 18, 2017

“The contact owns a 2011 Honda CR-Z. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who repaired the front axle. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V256000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 27, 2023

2011 Honda CR-Z — common questions

Is the 2011 Honda CR-Z reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 54 complaints put the 2011 model at #1 of 6 CR-Z years. It is one of the CR-Z years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 CR-Z problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (16 complaints), other (6 complaints), body & structure (5 complaints).

Does the 2011 Honda CR-Z have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Honda CR-Z. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Honda CR-Z under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Honda CR-Z years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CR-Z years to avoid are 2011. The cleanest record among CR-Z years belongs to 2016.

How safe is the 2011 Honda CR-Z?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Honda CR-Z earned an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars.

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.