Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that the fuel tank guard had separated. The contact stated upon inspecting the subframe, he noticed that the frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact stated upon picking up the vehicle from the dealer, he noticed that the dealer had only installed a support brace as per the manufacturer's instructions and to repair the subframe as needed. The contact stated that the dealer advised that the subframe was severely corroded, however, the dealer stated that they had completed the recall repair as per the manufacturer's instructions. …
The contact owns a 2009 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and vibrating. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had recently been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure). The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking and vibrating at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the yearly State vehicle inspection and the state inspectors refused to complete the inspection due to the extreme corrosion and holes in the rear sub frame. The vehicle was then taken to another State Inspection station and the contact was informed that the vehicle would not pass the State Inspection. The contact called the manufacturer and a manufacturer inspection had been scheduled. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 157,034.
The contact owns a 2009 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure) however, the repair was attempted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was declared undrivable by the dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had been contacted by the dealer and the manufacturer stated the vehicle was drivable. The dealer recommended that the contact not drive the vehicle and the vehicle was left at the dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 222,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2009 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the rear passenger's side wheel started to feel abnormal on the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and became aware that the rear passenger's side wheel was sunken into the mud flap cover of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to the local dealer the following day. The vehicle was diagnosed as unrepairable under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure). The contact was informed of a possible buy-back. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure) however, the dealer advised the contact that the extent of the rust on the vehicle prevented the recall repair from being performed. The contact stated that the manufacturer made an offer to buy back the vehicle however, the contact believed that the offer was unreasonable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,500. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2009 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, the trailing arm fractured, and the vehicle swerved off the roadway. The vehicle was previously inspected under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure). The vehicle was towed to the same dealer and inspected. The contact was informed that there was severe rust on the frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and attempting to change lanes, the rear wheel sub frame detached. The driver's side rear was damaged. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed with rear subframe corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,810.
The left rear subframe and suspension have corroded right off the body/frame completely. The right rear side of the frame is almost completely corroded off of the body as well. These are both illegal to repair by law due to safety, being that it's a unibody construction.
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. …
I took my 2009 Honda CRV in for a recall. In salt belt states where de-icing agents are used to maintain the roadway, the de-icing agents, along with mud and dirt, could enter the rear frame through the rear frame drainage points. This could cause the rear trailing arm to come off. The dealership ended up attaching a bracket that is supposed to keep me safe. My problem is that the bracket is attached to a highly corroded area of my vehicle (as shown in the attached pictures) When I brought this up they only stated that as long as the one bolt was able to be replaced then that is all they are required to do. I feel that the bracket should at least be attached to solid metal. …
Related recalls
Structure › Frame and members
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,…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and install a support brace or repair the rear frame, as necessary, free of charge. Depending on the extent of any corrosion damage, Honda may offer to repurchase the vehicle.
Body complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2009 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the body & structure of the 2009 Honda CR-V, 10% of the model year's 386 complaints. The component named most often is body (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Honda CR-V body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-228 (frame and members, Mar 30, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Honda CR-V body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 134,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.