Honda CR-Z Problems by Year

We compared every Honda CR-Z model year from 2011–2015 using 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 3 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2011, which drew far more complaints than other CR-Z years at the same age. The best years are 2015 and 2012.

4model years
62complaints
3recalls
2011worst years
2015, 2012best years

Complaints by model year

2011201220132015387116
Owner complaints per model year, Honda CR-Z. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20156−40%2AirbagGood
2013111.3×2AirbagAverage
20127−20%2AirbagAverage
2011384.1×3AirbagAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median CR-Z year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Honda CR-Z problems

  • Air bagsworst: 2011
    3353%
  • Body & structureworst: 2011
    813%
  • Other / not specified
    711%
  • Electrical systemworst: 2011
    711%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 2011
    610%
  • Steeringworst: 2011
    46%
  • Seat beltsworst: 2011
    46%
  • Brakesworst: 2011
    35%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 2011
    35%
  • Wheels & tiresworst: 2011
    35%
  • Lightsworst: 2011
    12%
  • Equipment & accessoriesworst: 2011
    12%
  • Speed control & accelerationworst: 2011
    12%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroofworst: 2011
    12%
  • Suspensionworst: 2011
    12%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 2015
    12%
  • Stability & traction controlworst: 2015
    12%

Latest Honda CR-Z recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-500 · Jun 27, 2019 · 1,558 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-061 · Feb 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Power train

NHTSA recall 11V-458 · Sep 7, 2011 · 5,626 vehicles

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…

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 26, 2011. Owners May contact Honda automobile customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

All 3 Honda CR-Z recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Honda CR-Z should you avoid?

2011 — this year has the most complaints relative to other CR-Z years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2011.

What is the best year for the Honda CR-Z?

2015 has the fewest complaints compared with other CR-Z years at the same age, followed by 2012. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Honda CR-Z problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (33), body & structure (8) and electrical system (7). Airbag complaints peak in the 2011 model year.

How many recalls has the Honda CR-Z had?

3 recalls across 2011–2015. The model year with the most is 2011. See all Honda CR-Z recalls by year.

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.