2011 Honda CR-Z: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 38 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (37% of complaints); the 2013 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I started hearing a knocking noise at the rear of my car. I took it to a repair shop and they said that the tie rod or end and the suspension shock or strut need to be replace. Can you check this out for me so I will be safe driving it. Thank you”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2026
“The contact owns a 2011 Honda CR-Z. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trunk was opened and the windshield unexpectedly shattered. There was no impact to the windshield to cause the failure. The vehicle was not taken to be inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2026
“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 not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“As I was pulling away from a stop sign, the right-hand CV shaft snapped in the middle. Fortunately, I had just enough speed to coast into a parking lot, so I was not a traffic obstacle. On closer inspection, the failure occurred underneath the rubber/metal dynamic damper clamped to the center of the CV shaft. It looks like the dynamic damper was not adequately sealed and trapped salt and water until enough corrosion happened, causing the failure of the CV shaft.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2021
“Driver door will no longer open from outside. Problem started when vehicle was parked in direct sunlight, then got worse so that the door will no longer open from the outside no matter what. Using passenger door now to get in, and it is now failing in direct sunlight, and I expect I will soon need to enter through the rear hatch. Online search indicates this is a common failure on 2011 honda crz's.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2018
“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 lock actuators.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2017
“There is apparently a defective part in the door handle operation that does not stand up under heat. Our driver side door is not opening and the passenger is going quickly. Should we be involved in an accident and unable to open the doors ourselves. Rescue/emergency personell would not be able to get to us. Very unsafe. This is an ongoing issue for many honda owners according to our online research.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2017
“Takita recall I took my 2011 honda to walser honda in burnsville mn. For the recall I was told that the car was on a salvage title and the air bag had deployed so that they would make no repair to my car they took some pictures and showed me the door”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2017
“Takata recall taking way too long ! I do highway driving 100 miles a day & need it fixed now or arrange a loner free of charge asap! I hear a squeeking noise coning from the front of the vehicle at the speed limit of 65 - 70 mph ! *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2016
“Takata recall, I have called in march to moses honda in huntington wv and told no parts available. Called again in may no parts available. Talked with tucker. Now its september and being given run around. Can you help frank”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2011 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact CR-Z by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Honda CR-Z reliable?
NHTSA has 38 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Honda CR-Z. The most complained-about area is air bags (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Honda CR-Z problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 56,885 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Honda CR-Z have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.