Honda CR Z Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Honda CR Z options? We analyzed 6 model years (2011–2016) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Honda CR Z has 67 owner complaints and 10 safety recalls across model years 2011–2016. The most reported issue area is AIR BAGS. 2011 drew the most complaints; 2014 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Honda
- Model
- CR Z
- Model years analyzed
- 2011–2016 (6 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 67
- Safety recall campaigns
- 10
- Crash-related complaints
- 7
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2011 (38 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2014 (4 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- AIR BAGS
- Reliability signal
- Average
By model year
Honda CR Z: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
AverageThe HONDA CR Z has 67 NHTSA complaints and 10 recalls on record. 7 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 67 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 10 federal recall campaigns
- 7 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
10 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
POWER TRAIN
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2011–2016. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 67 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
67 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The outside door handles are defective, and Honda is aware of the issue. In warm or hot weather, the door opening mechanism binds up, and eventually the stress is too great and it causes the door handle to break. The problem has been reported by nearly every CR-Z owner. For more incidents, please visit [XXX] This defect creates a significant safety issue as if both door handles are inoperable, the alternative is to crawl in through the rear hatch, climb up to the cabin, and open the door by operating the inside door handle. In my situation, I couldn't fit between the seats, so I had to operate the inside door handle with a wire coat hanger. Please contact Honda and order them to fix this very dangerous problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My driver’s side door handle has broken. I have the broken handle if you need it. It’s a safety issue because it delays entering the car from the driver’s side, which could endanger an owner or a passenger who needs to get inside the vehicle. Apparently, this is a known problem in CR-Zs and is often blamed on the car being in a hot climate (spoiler alert: It’s getting hotter these days). My car had less than 75,000 miles on it at the time the handle broke. I have been driving since 1978, and I’ve never dealt with a broken handle before. I have had a local body shop install a new door handle; that one broke after a week of light use (driving once daily). These are expensive repairs, especially for a retired owner on a fixed income such as myself (the local Honda dealer quoted me $1,000 to replace the handle). There seemed to be no signs of a pending failure that I noticed; I just couldn’t open the driver’s door one day. PLEASE get Honda to recall and replace these faulty handles. I cannot afford $1,000 repair bill every week. (My previous vehicle was a 2008 Acura MDX that had no problems with the handles even after 15 years and 200,000 miles.)
Same issue as the 2012 CRV recalls of the passenger aide lock actuators. The passenger door lock works sometimes but the car will constantly try to lock that door if it is unlocked, because it won’t always lock. The dealership isn’t sure, I wonder if it’s a fuse because I hear the entire mechanism when it works. Also, it works with the drivers side child safety control which turns off the controls on the passengers side and also keeps it locked so someone cant jump in your cat when you unlock the drivers door. This is the exact problem the Accords and CRV has in the same year and I want to get mine repaired also. Its in perfect condition and taken care of.
PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEACTIVATES WHEN MOISTURE IS PRESENT IN THE AIR. ESPECIALLY PREVALENT WHILE RAINING.
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DETECTIVES AND REACTIVATES ON IT'S OWN SOMETIMES. WARNING POPS UP RANDOMLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-Z. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Read 14 more owner reports
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-Z. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING MY VEHICLE BEING RECALLED FOR AN AIRBAG PART THAT WON'T BE ABLE TO BE REPAIRED UNTIL MID SUMMER OF 2016. I WAS TOLD I CAN GET A RENTAL VEHICLE BUT I'M ONLY 18 AND THE VEHICLE IS IN MY NAME ONLY SO I'M NOT CURIOUS AS TO HOW I CAN RENT A VEHICLE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR ANY IMPACT OF A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT SOMETHING UNDER THE VEHICLE MADE THE AIR BAG DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Front driver side axle rusted and snapped in half - in line with safety recalls #20V769 & #20V770. Currently, it is available for inspection. I am hoping to begin repairs within the next 3 days. I will save the defective parts and take photos for inspection, upon request. This occurred from a complete stop, turning onto an extremely busy highway. I was able roll into the middle lane to avoid collision. My vehicle was disabled in the middle lane for roughly an hour. I exited my vehicle and stood on the side of the road while I waited for a tow truck to arrive. Due to the high traffic, it was unsafe (for other motorists) for my vehicle to remain in the center lane for more than a moment and I was unsafe inside the vehicle. The only indication leading up to the incident was a dull thud followed by immediate loss of accelleration, while legally crossing lanes. There was a near collision from oncoming traffic; fortunately my vehicle was visible and oncoming traffic came to a stop, allowing me to slowly coast into the middle lane. No warning lamps, lights, or messages. The vehicle was inspected by a Honda dealer, the rusted and snapped axle was confirmed by a tehnician. This exact incident is covered under two different Honda recalls but the model of my vehicle is not covered. The Honda CR-Z is a lesser known model no longer in production, no doubt the reason it is not included. My vehicle falls under all other guidelines exactly; i.e., model year, registered state, nature of the failure.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda CR-Z. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the air bag warning light inadvertently illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the SRS unit. The contact was informed that the SRS unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that SRS units degrade over time. The contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was 100,400. The dealership stated that the contact would be liable to pay for the repairs.
Check airbag light came on. Went to Honda dealership for diagnostic. Was informed that entire SRS unit is defective and needs replaced. This unit controls the entire airbag system. I was given a repair invoice and was told I was liable to pay. Honda manufacturer will NOT pay for this. This is a safety defect and I need to report this.
IN THE ACCIDENT AIRBAG FRACTURED MY FOREHEAD IN 3 PLACES BROKE MY NOSE,L WAS HOSPITALIZED 2 DAYS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-Z. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
2013 CRV DOES NOT START AFTER BEING PARKED O ERNIGHT, FOR AN HOUR, FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS, AND JUST TODAY FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY 2-3 WEEKS STARTING NOVEMBER 2016. EACH TIME REQUIRES JUMPSTART AND ON TWO OCCASIONS TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE TO CHECK BATTERY LIFE AND EACH TIME HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY. 2013 CRV WITH 25,700 MILES. ASIDE FROM DRIVING AROUND WITH JUMPER CABLES WHAT CAN I DO NOW THAT MY 3 YEAR WARRANTY IS DONE?
TAKATA RECALL THE FIRST SAFETY RECALL LETTER WAS DISTRIBUTED IN MARCH. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED IN JUNE, AS PARTS WERE TO BE AVAILABLE IN SUMMER OF 2016. THE DEALER STATED THAT I WOULD BE CALLED WHEN THE PARTS HAD ARRIVED. I CALLED AGAIN IN AUGUST TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF THE PARTS, ONLY TO DISCOVER THEY HAD NOT EVEN BEEN ORDERED. I ORDERED THE PARTS AGAIN AND NOW MUST WAIT 'TWO WEEKS TO THREE MONTHS' FOR THE PARTS TO ARRIVE. I FEEL THAT THE DEALER HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THIS LIFE-THREATENING DEFECT IN MY VEHICLE, WITHOUT CHARGE, WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME PERIOD (60 DAYS FROM FIRST CONTACT WITH THE DEALER FOR A REPAIR APPOINTMENT). CONSIDERING THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THIS SAFETY RECALL, ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO EXPEDITE THIS PROCESS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
I HAVE BEEN WAITING AND WAITING FOR A RECALL STATUS UPDATE, HAS BEEN INCOMPLETE SINCE ABOUT APRIL 2016.
TAKATA RECALL. I CONTACTED THE DEALER THE DAY AFTER I RECEIVED THE RECALL IN THE MAIL. MARCH 25 OF 2016. I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG FOR MY VEHICLE.
TAKATA RECALL , HONDA STATES THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE YET TO COMPLY WITH THE RECALL. I HAVE REQUESTED A LOANER VEHICLE FROM THE PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED 888-234-2138. THEY PREVIOUSLY TOOK MY INFORMATION AND SAID SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT ME. NO ONE HAS.
TAKATA RECALL LAST WEEK WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT OUR CAR HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL. UP UNTIL THAT TIME OUR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED AS HAVING BEEN AFFECTED. AS OF THE END OF MARCH 2016, WE ARE TOLD IT NOW IS. WE ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE OUR VEHICLE AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN A LOANER CAR, FOR THE 'NEXT FEW MONTHS' WHILE OUR HONDA DEALER, HERE IN FLORIDA, GETS THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG. WE ARE BEING TOLD THEY 'HOPE TO BE ABLE TO REPLACE THIS BY THE END OF THE SUMMER.' WE ASKED, WHEN BEING TOLD WE MUST SIGN A LIABILITY WAIVER (IN ORDER TO GET THE LOANER CAR) ABOUT JUST TRADING IN THE CAR. THE DEALER TOLD US, NO ' BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SELL IT, REPAIR IT, AND DID NOT HAVE ROOM TO STORE IT ON THEIR LOT ' SO, IT IS NOW STORED IN OUR DRIVEWAY ' USELESS TO US, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE PAYING MONTHLY. I HAVE SOME CONCERNS TOO OVER OUR 'FREE' RENTAL CAR REPLACEMENT. OUR HONDA CRZ IS A HYBRID VEHICLE AND WITH OUR DRIVING WE AVERAGE 42.2 MILES PER GALLON. HONDA IS USING ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL FOR THE LOANER CARS. ENTERPRISE DOES NOT CARRY HYBRID VEHICLES IN THIS MARKET (TAMPA BAY.) THE 'COMPARABLE' REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WE WERE GIVEN IS A NISSAN SENTRA AND WE ARE GETTING ABOUT 28 MILES PER GALLON. SO, WE GET 14.2 MILES LESS, PER GALLON, IN OUR DRIVING. OUR 'FREE' CAR REPLACEMENT IS COSTING US ABOUT $100 A MONTH. I MIGHT ADD TOO, THAT WE RECENTLY PLACED NEW TIRES ON OUR CRZ, FOR JUST UNDER $1,000. NOW THOSE TIRES SIT, UNMOVED IN THE FLORIDA SUN FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, PUTTING THEM AT A HIGH RISK OF DEVELOPING FLAT SPOTS AND US AT HAVING TO SPEND ANOTHER POTENTIAL $1,000! IF THE CAR IS FIXED WHEN THEY THINK IT 'MIGHT' BE FIXED, WE WOULD HAVE SPENT OVER $400 IN ADDITIONAL FUEL COSTS ALONE, NOT TO MENTION OUR ADDED TIME ON ADDITIONAL TRIPS TO THE GAS STATION AND THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF THE FOUR NEW TIRES!
Showing 20 of 67 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Honda CR Z
These pages show model-year patterns across 6 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Honda CR Z, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Honda CR Z has 67 complaints on record across 6 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Honda CR Z has 10 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 7 of the Honda CR Z's 67 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Honda CR Z vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Honda CR Z vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Honda CR Z has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Honda CR Z by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Honda CR Z.
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Honda CR Z reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Honda CR Z reliable?
Average. The Honda CR Z has 67 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is AIR BAGS. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Honda CR Z years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2011 (38 complaints), 2013 (11 complaints), 2012 (7 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Honda CR Z problems?
Top reported issues: AIR BAGS (36 complaints); STRUCTURE (8 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8 complaints).
Does the Honda CR Z have recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Honda CR Z. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.