Avoid: 2011 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2012
3 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 3 model years, the Honda CR-Z has 56 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and structure. 2011 drew the most complaints (38), 2012 the fewest (7).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Honda CR-Z vehicles (US, public record). Typical used asking price $8,739–$13,342.
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
Highest: 2011 (38 complaints). Lowest: 2012 (7).
Sentiment is mixed and highly dependent on owner expectations. A dedicated, niche group of long-term owners express deep affection for the vehicle, praising its unique character as a fun, efficient, and engaging hybrid coupe.
Described as "kind of slow" and lacking power, especially for highway merging or when compared to modern hybrids.
Concern about the original NiMH battery nearing the end of its usable life in older, high-mileage examples (e.g., 15 years, 170k miles).
Beyond the hybrid system, owners report impending needs for water pump, A/C compressor, wheel bearings, and worn rear torsion beam bushings which are difficult to replace. The main bearing of the manual transmission is also mentioned as a known failure point around 170,000 miles.
Specific worry about long-term reliability, with one owner expressing anxiety and scheduling a fluid change at 80,000 miles.
One owner reports achieving only 27 mpg combined versus EPA ratings of 35 city/38 highway, indicating potential degradation or driving style impact.
Owner insights cover all generations of the CR-Z. Individual model years are broken down above.
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