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Research · Two Seaters

2011 Honda CR-ZRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 38 owner complaints for the 2011 Honda CR-Z. Most complaints involve air bags (16) and structure (5). The EPA rates it 34–36 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 3 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
34–36mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
3of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
38
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

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 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.

Air bagsReported Feb 3, 2016NHTSA 16V061000

Power train

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Sep 7, 2011NHTSA 11V458000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

38 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2011 – Jun 2026
  1. Air bags16
  2. Structure5
  3. Power train4
  4. Steering4
  5. Electrical system4
  6. Seat belts3
  7. Wheels2
  8. Service brakes2
  9. Suspension1

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-Z model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201138
20127
201311
20144
20156
20162
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

16 reports3 crashes
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2026Suspension, Air bagsODI 11743912

Structure

5 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2018StructureODI 11074520

Power train

4 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2023Power trainODI 11546850
All 2011 CR-Z problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S7) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-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 31, 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-Z
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
343836$1,800247
CR-Z
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
313734$1,900261
  • CR-Z
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    34 city · 38 hwy · $1,800/yr
    36
    mpg comb.
  • CR-Z
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    31 city · 37 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
3/ 5
3 of 5
Honda CR-Z 3 HB FWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
3 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 290
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

2011 CR-Z questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Honda CR-Z have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 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 2011 Honda CR-Z problems?

Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (16), structure (5), power train (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Honda CR-Z get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Honda CR-Z at 34–36 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2011 Honda CR-Z?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Honda CR-Z 3 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026