2011 Honda CR-Z Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026

Good

Ranks 5th of 5 CR-Z years we score.

Owner complaints: 38; 7 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 18.9; 16,385 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.55×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 12; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 3
NHTSA crash rating: 3★; overall, out of 5

2012 CR-Z →

Should You Buy the 2011 Honda CR-Z?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2011 Honda CR-Z is 78 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 5th of the 5 CR-Z years we score.

The most reported problem is the door latch or lock, mostly not opening or unlocking (6 of 38 complaints). Owners also complain about the steering and the brakes. 12 of the 38 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 3 recalls. NHTSA rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2012 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

Good reliability score of 78
About half the problems of the average car its age
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Door latches: not opening or unlocking6 complaints
Steering: works on and off3 complaints
Brakes: loss of braking2 complaints

How the 2011 CR-Z 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

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems12 complaints · average car: about 23	0.54×	−12
Everyday problems19 complaints · average car: about 34	0.57×	−5
Problems in the last two years1 complaint · average car: about 1.4	Not counted	–
Recalls3 recalls · average car: about 4.4	0.78×	−5
Score		78

The last two years are not counted for the 2011 CR-Z. Honda made 16,385 of them, and at this age an average car made in that number would get only about 2.4 complaints of any kind in two years. We need at least 5 to compare, so we leave this part out. Its 30% goes to serious and everyday problems instead, so they make up 80% of the score rather than 50%.

Each part shows two counts: this year's so far, and what an average car would have at the same age. For complaints, that average car was made in the same number as this one. “Vs average” compares the two counts, but in our scoring system we first add a little to both, so a few complaints cannot swing the result. That is why it is not simply one count divided by the other. The last two years count only complaints about five systems: the engine and fuel system, transmission, brakes, steering, and airbags and seat belts.

What Owners Report

We read all 38 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Honda CR-Z, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Door latches: not opening or unlocking
6 complaints (16%)
Not opening or unlocking. Median mileage when it started: about 92,000 miles.
Steering: works on and off
3 complaints (8%)
Problems that come and go, a feature that stopped working and a failure.
Brakes: loss of braking
2 complaints (5%)
Loss of braking. Both describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking.
CV axles: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (5%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and a failure. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Noise (cause not stated)
2 complaints (5%)
Unusual noises.
Seat belts: did not pretension / held midway
2 complaints (5%)
Did not pretension / held midway.

Reported Once (20)

Show the 20 problems reported once

12V battery failure
Airbag warning light: works on and off
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
Uneven tire wear: early wear
Battery drain: draining the battery
Climate controls: works on and off
Frontal airbags: delayed deployment
Fuel system: warning lights
Headlights: poor low-beam illumination
Instrument cluster: wrong readings
Manual transmission or clutch: warning lights
Vehicle jerks forward on acceleration (cause not stated)
Paint and rust: rust or corrosion
Door lock actuators: stopped working
Stall (cause not stated)
Struts or shocks: unusual noises
Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
Vibration (cause not stated)
Windshield: shattering or cracking

How the 2011 Honda CR-Z Compares With Other Years

Every CR-Z year is here: the CR-Z was made in one generation, 2011 to 2016.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2016	Not scored	–	–	11.4	0	Door latches: parts breaking or coming apart
2015	Excellent	81	0.46×	13.1	2	Door latches: parts breaking or coming apart
2014	Excellent	88	0.26×	2.9	1	–
2013	Good	79	0.55×	12.3	2	Airbag warning light failure
2012	Excellent	87	0.26×	5.3	2	–
2011 This year	Good	78	0.55×	18.9	3	Door latches: not opening or unlocking

See every CR-Z year

2011 Honda CR-Z Recalls

Three recalls cover the 2011 Honda CR-Z. The most recent was issued in June 2019: “Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V500000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 67% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V061000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 3, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 82% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Engine Stall Prevention Assist Software
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. Unexpected vehicle movement could increase the risk of a crash or personal injury to the persons in the path of the moving vehicle.
NHTSA 11V458000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 7, 2011.

2011 Honda CR-Z Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has two customer support programs for the 2011 Honda CR-Z, separate from its recalls. Both are for problems with the airbags. One has ended. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

Customer support programHonda 20-011
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Another program for the same problem, Honda 18-048, has ended.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

2011 Honda CR-Z NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened one investigation that covers the 2011 Honda CR-Z. It has closed.

Pedestrian alert sounds on hybrid and electric vehicles
Closed
A petition asked NHTSA to apply its pedestrian alert sound rule to all electric and hybrid vehicles. NHTSA opened a defect petition in January 2023. It lists Honda hybrids and electric cars, including the Insight, the CR-Z and the Accord, Civic and CR-V hybrids. The petitioner withdrew in June 2023. NHTSA closed the case in August 2023 without a finding.
NHTSA DP22005 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jan 27, 2023 to Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2011 CR-Z ratings on NHTSA.gov.

3-door hatchback FWD

Overall3/5

Frontal crash3/5

Side crash3/5

Rollover5/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2011 CR-Z, from its three recalls and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA 19V500000
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA 16V061000
Engine Stall Prevention Assist Software NHTSA 11V458000

On the Test Drive

Lock and unlock every door with the key fob, the switch and the key.
Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.
Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Door latch or lock
Steering
Brakes
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

All CR-Z Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.