Honda CR-Z Problems by Year
NHTSA has 68 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file for the Honda CR-Z, across 6 model years (2011–2016). The 2011 model year has the most complaints (38). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.

Honda CR-Z years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical CR-Z year: 2011. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2011 CR-Z: 38 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2013 CR-Z: 11 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2012 CR-Z: 7 complaints, 2 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2016 CR-Z: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2014 CR-Z: 4 complaints, 1 recall
- 2015 CR-Z: 6 complaints, 2 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Honda CR-Z problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 36 | 5 | 4 |
| Structure | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| Power Train | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Wheels | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Engine | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Honda CR-Z model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 CR-Z | 2 | 0 | 4★ | Structure | |
| 2015 CR-Z | 6 | 2 | 4★ | Air Bags | |
| 2014 CR-Z | 4 | 1 | 4★ | Air Bags | |
| 2013 CR-Z | 11 | 2 | 4★ | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
| 2012 CR-Z | 7 | 2 | 4★ | Air Bags | |
| 2011 CR-Z | 38 | 3 | 3★ | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Honda: all Honda models · Honda VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda CR-Z years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2011 (38) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical CR-Z year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Honda CR-Z?
Air Bags, with 36 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Honda CR-Z have?
3 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.