2001 Honda CR-V Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026
Ranks 2nd of 25 CR-V years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 142
- 45 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 8.3
- 117,398 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 0.26×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 35
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 1
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
- no overall rating before 2011
Should You Buy the 2001 Honda CR-V?
Yes. Our reliability score for the 2001 Honda CR-V is 87 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 2nd of the 25 CR-V years we score.
The most reported problem is the valve train, mostly damage (12 of 142 complaints). Owners also complain about tires and the A/C compressor. 35 of the 142 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 1 recall. For comparison, the 2000 scores 87.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- Excellent reliability score of 87
- About a third of the problems of the average car its age
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
Cons
- Valve train: damage12 complaints
- Tires: parts breaking or coming apart10 complaints
- A/C compressor: parts breaking or coming apart9 complaints
How the 2001 CR-V Earned Its Score
Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems | 0.26× | −6 |
| Everyday problems | 0.27× | −3 |
| Recalls | 0.59× | −4 |
| Score | 87 |
What Owners Report
We read all 142 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Honda CR-V, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.
Valve train: damage
12 complaints (8%)
Damage, rough running or misfires and a failure that needed a new part. 5 of these 12 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 98,000 miles.
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
10 complaints (7%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, a leak and a failure. 5 of these 10 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 104,000 miles.
A/C compressor: parts breaking or coming apart
9 complaints (6%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, a failure that needed a new part and unusual noises. 1 of these 9 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 92,000 miles.
Cylinder head failure
5 complaints (4%)
A failure and stalling. All 5 describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 110,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
4 complaints (3%)
No deployment in a crash and a failure. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem.
Engine: stalling
4 complaints (3%)
Stalling and parts breaking or coming apart. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Power windows or regulator: stopped working
4 complaints (3%)
A feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 158,000 miles.
Seat belts: stopped working
4 complaints (3%)
A feature that stopped working, not closing or latching and locking up.
Stall (cause not stated)
4 complaints (3%)
Stalling. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 103,000 miles.
Sunroof: parts breaking or coming apart
4 complaints (3%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and a feature that stopped working. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 166,000 miles.
Cylinder head gasket: overheating
3 complaints (2%)
Overheating and a failure that needed a new part. All 3 describe a serious outcome.
Door latches: not opening or unlocking
3 complaints (2%)
Not opening or unlocking and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 62,000 miles.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
3 complaints (2%)
No deployment in a crash. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 89,000 miles.
Headlights failure
3 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part, damage and the system acting on its own.
A/C: unusual noises
2 complaints (1%)
Unusual noises.
Show 6 more problems
Airbag warning light
2 complaints (1%)
Warning lights.
Brakes: loss of braking
2 complaints (1%)
Loss of braking. Both describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking.
Rear window glass failure
2 complaints (1%)
A failure and shattering or cracking.
Piston rings: rough running or misfires
2 complaints (1%)
Rough running or misfires. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Seats: rust or corrosion
2 complaints (1%)
Rust or corrosion and parts breaking or coming apart.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (1%)
Sudden acceleration. Both describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Reported Once (28)
Show the 28 problems reported once
- Ball joints and control arms: parts breaking or coming apart
- Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
- Check engine light (cause not stated)
- Cooling system: shattering or cracking
- Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
- Exterior lights: parts breaking or coming apart
- Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
- Frame or structure: damage
- Fuel leak
- Manual transmission or clutch: locking up
- A/C evaporator: damage
- Cruise control: sudden acceleration
- Oil dipstick tube: parts breaking or coming apart
- Side window glass: shattering or cracking
- Supplied jack: parts breaking or coming apart
- Tire jack: parts breaking or coming apart
- Weatherstripping: parts breaking or coming apart
- Paint and rust: damage
- Door lock actuators: stopped working
- Car not starting (cause not stated)
- Steering: unusual noises
- Timing belt: parts breaking or coming apart
- Timing chain or camshaft: parts breaking or coming apart
- Transmission failure
- Shifter or park: sticking or stiffness
- Vibration (cause not stated)
- Windshield: damage
- Wiring, fuses or body control module: works on and off
How the 2001 Honda CR-V Compares With Other Years
The other CR-V years of the 1st generation, 2000 to 2001, and the years just before and after it. When two scores are less than 3.5 points apart, treat them as about the same.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Caution | 68 | 0.90× | 32.3 | 15 | A/C compressor: parts breaking or coming apart |
| 2001 This year | Excellent | 87 | 0.26× | 8.3 | 1 | Valve train: damage |
| 2000 | Excellent | 87 | 0.25× | 8.5 | 2 | Tires: parts breaking or coming apart |
2001 Honda CR-V Recalls
A recall can cover some or all cars of this model year. Look up a specific car by its VIN at NHTSA to see which recalls are still open on it.
Air bags: inflator module
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant.
NHTSA 20V027000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 17, 2020. By the third quarter of 2022, 8% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA gave the 2001 CR-V no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2001 CR-V ratings on NHTSA.gov.
4-door
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2001 CR-V, from its recalls, Honda's programs and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 20V027000
On the Test Drive
- Look for uneven tire wear and listen for clunks or humming that changes with speed.
- Run the air conditioning on max for 10 minutes. The air should stay cold.
- Confirm every airbag recall on this VIN has been repaired before you buy.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Valve train
- Tires
- A/C compressor
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next