Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2009 Honda CR-VRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 386 owner complaints for the 2009 Honda CR-V. Most complaints involve air bags (176) and electrical system (44). The EPA rates it 22–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
12campaigns
Latest Mar 2023
Owner complaints
386
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

12 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: frame and members

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2007-2011 CR-V vehicles that were sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. An accumulation of road salt may cause the frame to corrode and possibly detach the rear trailing arm.

StructureReported Mar 30, 2023NHTSA 23V228000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V500000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger 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.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V502000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

386 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2009 – May 2026
  1. Air bags176
  2. Electrical system44
  3. Structure38
  4. Latches/locks/linkages17
  5. Steering15
  6. Suspension15
  7. Tires14
  8. Vehicle speed control12
  9. Power train11

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
29
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
16
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

176 reports18 crashes1 fire
“My front passenger seat weight sensor is faulty and shows as "OFF" when a large passenger is in the seat. An independent service center has scanned and confirmed the faulty sensor. I see CRV recalls for both the sensors and airbags, but my VIN does not return a result.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2025Electrical system, Air bags, SeatsODI 11704236

Electrical system

44 reports1 fire
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 HONDA CR-V. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 133,000 and at the time of running the VIN on carfax, it was discovered that the mileage was 314,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2026Electrical systemODI 11737343

Structure

38 reports2 crashes1 fire
“Car was assessed for recall related to service bulletin 23-032. Recall was performed, but the mechanic who performed the recall says the car is not repaired because the rear frame corrosion, as described in bulletin 23-032, is so severe that a large piece is missing from the rear frame. The mechanic says the repair as described in the bulletin is not enough to fix the car. The service bulletin remedy was only performed because the rear trailing arm bolts were able to be removed, but the car is still unsafe due to rear frame corrosion that Honda has admitted to as per the recall. The car is considered unsafe due to the frame damage and likely cannot pass state inspection. After calling Honda, Honda says the repair is complete even though the mechanic who performed the recall says the repair is not complete and the car is unsafe due to issues with rear frame corrosion that led to the recall in the first place. Honda is refusing to discuss the issue any further. A screenshot of the damaged part of the rear frame has been attached. This is part of a video taken by the mechanic who performed the recall. In this video the mechanic also states that “this is not a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2026Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11713590
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 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 Nov 9, 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 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,700386
CR-V 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202622$2,850404
  • CR-V 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • CR-V 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 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 2009 Honda CR-V as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 5103
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

2009 CR-V questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Honda CR-V have?

12 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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 2009 Honda CR-V problems?

Owners filed 386 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (176), electrical system (44), structure (38). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Honda CR-V get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Honda CR-V at 22–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026