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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2001 Honda CR-VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 152 owner complaints for the 2001 Honda CR-V. Most complaints involve air bags (56) and engine and engine cooling (26). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
152
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 17, 2020NHTSA 20V027000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 26, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

152 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2001 – Jun 2026
  1. Air bags56
  2. Engine and engine cooling26
  3. Engine9
  4. Power train9
  5. Visibility9
  6. Electrical system8
  7. Tires8
  8. Equipment7
  9. Seat belts6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each CR-V model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997108
1998143
1999137
2000139
2001152
2002527
2003494
2004501
2005479
2006398
2007887
2008962
2009386
2010481
2011555
2012403
2013382
2014588
2015673
2016395
20171,779
20182,163
20191,107
2020358
2021338
2022269
2023517
2024393
2025262
2026176
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 26, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

56 reports8 crashes
“The SRS light has come on in our 2001 Honda CR-V. Diagnostics at the dealership revealed that the control module is defective, and Honda does not cover its replacement. This is a safety issue, as the airbags will not deploy with the SRS light on. Honda should be responsible for this. Please issue a recall. It appears this issue has been occurring for several years.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2022Air bagsODI 11448398

Engine and engine cooling

26 reports1 crash
“HONDA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN (03-038) FOR A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CYLINDER HEAD. IN SEARCHING ONLINE, MANY HONDA CUSTOMERS WITH CR-V'S MANUFACTURED IN 2001 HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. THE REMEDY (AS DEFINED BY HONDA) IS TO ADJUST THE VALVES TO SPECIFIC CLEARANCES DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, BUT THIS INFORMATION WAS NOT PASSED DOWN TO CUSTOMERS & MANY ARE FINDING THEMSELVES IN MY SAME SITUATION WITH THE ENTIRE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. A COSTLY REPAIR FOR A FAULTY PART. HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS & IS UNWILLING TO COVER THE REPAIR. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10434792

Engine

9 reports1 fire
“I bought this car from a private seller and he claimed the vehicle was in good condition. A day later the car has been dying on me while driving. Nothing shows on the check engine that something is wrong with it. The car will start and able to drive but then will die on me again. How do I find if it's covered under a recall?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2026EngineODI 11744545
All 2001 CR-V problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 26, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 26, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CR-V 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202321$3,050423
CR-V 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192321$3,050423
CR-V 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192321$3,050423
  • CR-V 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 26, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Honda CR-V as of Oct 26, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 26, 2026Vehicle 4261
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 CR-V questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Honda CR-V have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 26, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

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

Owners filed 152 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (56), engine and engine cooling (26), engine (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Honda CR-V get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Honda CR-V at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 26, 2026