Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Honda CR-V airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Honda CR-V have filed 23 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 52,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 CR-V | 174 |
| 2010 CR-V | 214 |
| 2011 CR-V | 293 |
| 2012 CR-V | 28 |
| 2013 CR-V (this page) | 23 |
| 2014 CR-V | 30 |
| 2015 CR-V | 23 |
| 2016 CR-V | 30 |
| 2017 CR-V | 33 |
8crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 23 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Honda CR-V, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
"DEALER MESSAGE - HONDA HAS UPDATED THE DEALER Q&A TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION REGARDING STOP SALE/ SAFETY RECALL: HONDA 2007-2015 MULTI-MODEL DRIVERS AIRBAG INFLATOR (SERVICE BULLETIN 16-016). ALL CHANGES/UPDATES FROM THE PREVIOUS VERSION SENT TO DEALERS ON MARCH 18, 2016, HAVE BEEN MARKED IN RED FOR EASY REFERENCE."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"DEALER MESSAGE - STOP SALE/SAFETY RECALL: HONDA 2007-2015 MULTI-MODEL DRIVERS AIRBAG INFLATOR DEALER Q&A UPDATED 03.25.16"
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"DEALER MESSAGE - HONDA HAS UPDATED THE DEALER Q&A TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION REGARDING STOP SALE/ SAFETY RECALL: HONDA 2007-2015 MULTI-MODEL DRIVERS AIRBAG INFLATOR (SERVICE BULLETIN 16-016). ALL CHANGES/UPDATES FROM THE PREVIOUS VERSION SENT TO DEALERS ON MARCH 11, 2016, HAVE BEEN MARKED IN RED FOR EASY REFERENCE."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"DEALER MESSAGE ATTACHMENT - STOP SALE/SAFETY RECALL: HONDA 2007-2015 MULTI-MODEL DRIVERS AIRBAG INFLATOR DEALER Q&A UPDATED 03.18.16"
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2013 CR-Vs report multiple distinct airbag problems. Several owners describe crashes where the driver-side airbag did not deploy despite severe frontal damage—one at 40 mph into a truck, another at 55 mph after a deer strike. In these events, the passenger airbag deployed normally, leading owners to question whether a general defect exists. One owner's vehicle was totaled after a rear-end impact; the passenger airbag deployed but the driver airbag did not.
Warning light issues are common and persistent. Owners report the passenger airbag warning light coming on and off unpredictably while driving or parked, with one owner experiencing the problem for six years. Dealerships have replaced seat frames, weight sensors, and reset codes without fixing the issue. One dealership suggested the SRS unit itself needed replacement. One owner reports the passenger airbag off indicator stays illuminated even when someone is seated.
A Takata inflator recall (Campaign 16V346000) created a second problem: replacement parts were unavailable, and Honda took longer than owners considered reasonable to fulfill recalls. One owner reports receiving a class-action notice in December 2017.
One owner experienced an airbag that tore and deflated rapidly during deployment, causing cuts and burns to their arm and hand. Another reports three passenger-side airbags activating at slow speed during a school drop-off. Deployment delay (approximately one minute after impact) appears in one narrative describing a severe multi-vehicle crash.
Same Honda CR-V airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Driver airbag non-deployment in frontal crashes
Driver-side airbag failed to deploy during head-on or significant front-end collisions. In one narrative, passenger airbag deployed but driver airbag did not during a rear-end crash. In another, driver airbag did not deploy during a head-on collision with a truck at 40 mph, causing fume burns to occupant's hand. A third narrative reports passenger airbag deployed but driver airbag did not when struck by a deer at 55 mph.
When: Various mileages: 72,000 miles; approximately 105,000 miles; 55 mph highway impact
Symptoms owners cite: Driver airbag fails to deploy during frontal/head-on impact; Passenger airbag deploys while driver airbag does not in same event; Airbag fumes burn occupant's hand
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled in one case; vehicle destroyed in another; no repairs documented in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda representatives suggested to one owner that separate sensors exist and multiple reasons explain differential deployment; manufacturer did not inspect vehicle per owner request
Passenger airbag warning light—intermittent or persistent
Airbag warning light illuminates on passenger side intermittently or continuously without occupant in seat. Occurs at any speed or while parked. One owner reports issue ongoing for six years; dealership suggested SRS replacement after seat frame and weight sensor replacement failed to resolve it. Another reports light stays on constantly at only 25,000 miles despite empty passenger seat.
When: Intermittent throughout ownership; one case ongoing 6 years since 2013; 25,000 miles in another case; 91,000 miles in another; 39,000 miles in another
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag warning light comes on and off randomly; Light remains illuminated persistently; Light illuminates when no occupant in passenger seat; Light occurs at any speed or while parked
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced seat frame and seat weight sensor without resolution; another dealership diagnosed faulty sensor needing replacement but vehicle not repaired; Honda service resets codes on multiple occasions without lasting fix
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda representatives told one owner this is 'normal'; dealership in Japan suggested SRS replacement; one dealership reset codes three times; no permanent fix offered by manufacturer
Airbag deployment delay or absence in crashes
Airbags fail to deploy or deploy with significant delay during impact events. One narrative describes airbag deploying approximately one minute after crash (not immediately). Multiple narratives document no deployment during crashes with severe vehicle damage.
When: During crashes at various speeds: 30+ mph, 40 mph, slow-speed parking; one deployment delayed ~1 minute post-crash
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag fails to deploy immediately upon impact; Airbag deploys with approximately one-minute delay; No airbag deployment despite severe front-end damage; Vehicle destroyed or extensively damaged without airbag protection
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed; entire front end destroyed; vehicle totaled; no repairs completed
Airbag deployment with tearing, deflation, and occupant injury
When airbag deployed, it tore during deployment and deflated very quickly, causing lacerations and burn injuries to occupant. Side airbag did not deploy in the same event.
When: During impact event (mileage not stated)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag tears during deployment; Airbag deflates very rapidly after deployment; Cuts on occupant's left arm from torn airbag; Burns on occupant's right hand fingers; Side airbag fails to deploy in same event
Repairs/costs cited: Owner has pictures of torn airbag
Takata inflator recall parts unavailability
Owners received recall notification for NHTSA Campaign 16V346000 (airbags/Takata inflator) but replacement parts were not available from manufacturer. Honda exceeded reasonable timeframe for completing recall repair. One owner received class-action notice in December 2017 regarding Takata airbags but vehicle was not yet listed on recall list at time of inquiry.
When: Recall notification received; parts unavailable as of October 2016 per NHTSA update; class-action notice received December 2017
Symptoms owners cite: Recall parts unavailable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V346000 issued; VIN tool confirms parts not available; class-action notice issued December 2017; manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for parts availability
Passenger airbag 'off' indicator malfunction
Passenger airbag off indicator displays 'off' or 'left side airbag is off' warning on dash even when seat is occupied or when no one is in seat. Warning appears and disappears intermittently. One narrative reports three passenger-side airbags activated at very slow speed during school drop-off.
When: Intermittent; one case at very slow speed during drop-off; varies throughout driving
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag off indicator illuminates when seat is unoccupied; Indicator does not clear when person sits in passenger seat; Left side airbag 'off' warning comes on and goes away within minutes; Multiple passenger-side airbags activated at low speed without crash
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
On 11/30/15 our 2013 Honda crv was taken to fox Honda in grand rapids, mi to have the driver air bag and power lock recall repairs performed. On 12/15/15 my daughter was traveling at approximately 50 MPH when the truck in front of her slammed on it's breaks but the trailer lights were not working so the crv squarely impacted the rear of the trailer with significant force. The passenger airbag…
My airbag lights are on and I took it into Honda. They got the light to go off but it came back on again. They said I needed to replace the airbags??? I do not understand, I have owned hondas for a long time and have never had this problem? Why should I have to replace airbags when they have never been used?
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Honda CR-V?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 Honda CR-V?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 33,000 and 91,000 miles, with the median around 52,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 33,000; a quarter make it past 91,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Honda/CR-V.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.