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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-HONDA-CR-Z NHTSA data synced 1 hour ago
2011 · Honda

Honda CR-Z problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 38 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

0 5 10
Reliability score
8.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 CR-Z?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2011 Honda CR-Z? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 33,753 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2011 Honda CR-Z

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
15 reports · fails ~33,753 mi · avg $1,100
severe
body
4 reports · fails ~127,260 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
steering
4 reports · fails ~74,958 mi · avg $700
severe
electrical
3 reports · fails ~95,173 mi · avg $850
moderate
powertrain
3 reports · fails ~95,500 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2011 CR-Z's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2011 CR-Z?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 CR-Z · airbags
Takata recall. The letter from Honda came early in the year. It said contact the dealer. Dealers say there is nothing they can do. Need a replacement car until they can fix my car. Call dealers many times.
12/24/2016 · at 20,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10937326.0 · see airbags pattern →
2011 CR-Z · airbags
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
12/09/2016 · at 55,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10934233.0 · see airbags pattern →
2011 CR-Z · electrical
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…
12/07/2017 · at 168,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11053379.0 · see electrical pattern →
2011 CR-Z · steering
Vehicle has periodically started exhibiting strange and dangerous issues with the electronic power steering (while stopped and at various speeds) and, of greater concern, when the computer is detecting issues it is not shutting down the eps system as it should but, instead,…
12/05/2017 · at 115,960 mi · NHTSA ODI #11052655.0 · see steering pattern →
View all 38 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2011 Honda CR-Z? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 11V458000 September 7, 2011

Honda is recalling certain model year 2011 cr-z passenger cars with manual transmissions, manufactured from january 8, 2010, through june 27, 2011

Unexpected vehicle movement could increase the risk of a crash or personal injury to the persons in the path of the moving vehicle.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2011 Honda CR-Z reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Honda CR-Z is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2011 Honda CR-Z?

On the NHTSA data, the 2011 Honda CR-Z does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2011 Honda CR-Z?

Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 15 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 33,753 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2011 Honda CR-Z a good used car to buy?

It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 38 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 33,753 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 Honda CR-Z?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 15 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 33,753 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 33,753 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Honda CR-Z has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Honda CR-Z?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 38 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 hour ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Honda/CR-Z. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Honda. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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