2011 Honda CR-V Suspension Problems

Which parts fail

• Rear
  2

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  563%
• 25k–50k
  00%
• 50k–75k
  00%
• 75k–100k
  00%
• 100k–150k
  113%
• 150k+
  225%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2011 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently veered to the opposite lane of the road, causing the front driver's side to crash into an embarkment. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that he hit his left knee and sustained severe pain that lasted a long time. The contact received medical assistance. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the frame was fractured. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure), which he related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The dealer was then contacted and notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,432.

The contact owns a 2011 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the rear driver's side wheel, the lower control arm, and the axle detached, causing the contact to almost lose control of the vehicle. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure) and contacted the manufacturer for the recall repair. The manufacturer advised the contact to tow the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where a regional field inspector from Honda determined that the vehicle was beyond repair due to severe frame corrosion. The manufacturer opened a case. …

The contact owns a 2011 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while pulling forward at approximately 3 MPH, into his driveway, after the rotors, calipers and brake pads were replaced; there was an abnormally loud bang heard. The contact stated that the rear driver's side control arm had sheared off. The contact stated that the drivers' side wheel was almost detached from the axle. The contact became aware of extensive rust on the rear frame and suspension. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000. The VIN was not available.

I was on the highway driving straight and steady. The driver side rear wheel/ lower control arm went to a 30 degree angle and pulled the axle from the rear differential. The wheel locked up and the vehicle was very difficult to control. I skidded to the shoulder leaving a 400 foot skid mark. Thankfully there was no one near me as traffic was very light. If road or traffic conditions were any worse there would almost certainly been a serious accident. I have extensive mechanical experience and have never seen a 11 year old vehicle fail from corrosion in this manor. There is a recall in Canada for this exact issue and Honda is/has helped repair/replace many there vehicles with this issue. It has been inspected by NYS inspectors annually and never raised any flags. I was never notified by honda to check to check for this issue and the dealership it was bought from is refusing to help. …

The "rear frame deterioration" recall was performed by the Dealer, Honda of Keene, NH, within the requirements set out by Honda. However, the service manager at the dealer tells me the same corrosion that initiated the recall is severe and still does not allow the vehicle to pass safety inspection in my state. Therefore, I cannot use the car and is has no resale value. Per the intent of state safety inspection the car remains unsafe. He has indicated this same concern to Honda USA directly with no response to him. He has photographs of the corrosion that he offered to Honda also with no response. I have had a conversation with "Arla" at Honda USA Customer service regarding this problem on June 2nd or 3rd. They are not willing to offer me any alternative, such as a full frame repair or to repurchase if the vehicle from me. …

Rust hole found in unibody at passenger's side rear where trailing arm bolts to vehicle in front of passenger's side rear wheel. Because this is so close to the bolt for the trailing arm, this is an immediate safety issue. Hole originally there but rust caused it to enlarge significantly. The trialing arm could break at any point and cause a severe crash. I was about to go on a long road trip and very likely this could have broken. Consumer stated the safety issue is caused by a design flaw in the 2007-2011 Honda CR-V models and in fact a recall for this issue has happened in Canada. The issue was discovered by my local mechanic during a routine oil change and tire rotation. There were no warnings, messages, or symptoms. After researching I found that this exact issue is being recalled in Canada but not in the United States. …

1) left rear trailing arm broke while driving, causing high risk of injury. ( a known problem with this model. A recall issued in other salt belt states, but not North Carolina. Living in western NC, We have extreme amounts of salt due to (3) ski slopes in our area. Yes. 2) unknowing of the recall my husband and I were traveling home from out of town. We made it to our town when the wheel arm broke, causing the vehicle to stop unexpectedly. Had this happened while driving on the interstate like we were, we would not have survived it, and who knows how may others would have been killed or injured. 3) yes, when seeking repairs for the vehicle, we were told that no one would do repairs for the vehicle. It was then we found out about the recall for the other states. 4)No, manufacturer has been contacted. …

On March 15, 2023, I was driving on clear, dry pavement at approx. 50 mph when I heard a loud bang from the rear of my Honda CR-V and almost lost control of my steering. I maintained enough control to stay on the roadway and brought the car to a stop after about 200 yards. I had the car towed to my regular mechanic who told me that the suspension had fallen away from the frame of the car and it wasn't fixable. I contacted Honda at an 800 number and was told that I needed to have a Honda dealership confirm the problem, which I did. After further research online, I found out that Honda of Canada had issued a recall for certain year models of my car for a corrosion issue that would cause a failure in the part that connects the suspension to the frame. …

There are known issues with Honda crv's frames rusting in many states. There was a recall which we had inspection and straps added to strengthen frame. Now, frame has failed and even after filing a case with Honda care in April 2026, they continue to close the case, reopen it when we call back, call us with ring less voice mails so we are never able to talk to any case manager, and leave recorded voicemail for us to call back - and there is NO "Alexis" case manager. Dealership Dahl Honda in Rhinelander has been no help and upon initial inspection in April, would not say if safe to drive or not - only would say they forwarded pics and info to Honda Care.

I bought my car in 2021, and starting immediately I had issues with my tires going flat, my suspension jolting any time a bump was hit, my gear shift does not fully shift into park which makes it nearly impossible to get my key out of the ignition, I was given a spare key to someone else's car and was never issued a new one, and dealership (CarMax) has not made an attempt to help with repair on current safety recall.

Suspension complaints in other CR-V years