The Lemon Index2009 Honda CR-V.
The 2009 Honda CR-V is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 51 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 33, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, it has 12 recalls, and it gets 22 to 23 mpg combined. The best Honda CR-V year is 2001.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 386 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda CR-V year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 31K to 100K miles on the car (182 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 49K–103K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 47K–95K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 70K–162K miles
Recalls 12
- body structure 2023
A detached rear trailing arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high a…
- airbags 2019
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high …
Show all 12 recalls
- airbags 2019
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
- airbags 2017
The air bag inflator repair kit may have been assembled by the supplier with an incorrect wire harness.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- transmission & drivetrain 2011
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 ACCORD, 2007-2010 CR-V, AND 2005-2008 ELEMENT PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2004, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3, 2010.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 89 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine has a loud rattling noise at a cold start up
- On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing
- A warranty extension, on some vehicles, due to a/c compressor clutch was wearing out with…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
My Honda CR-V is 2 years old-less than 30,000 miles was told I needed to replace my continental tires that came with the vehicle. Tires are continental 4x4 contacts-size225/65r17.
2009 Honda CR-V owner · NHTSA complaint 10419748
More owner reports
I hit a car infront of me that was stopping while traveling at full speed, approximately 40 mph. The damage to the front end is extensive, to the point that the driver side door can not be opened, yet the airbag(s) did not deploy.
NHTSA complaint 10437336
Had to replace all 4 tires at less than 25k miles. The car was aligned on a regular basis. The Honda crv tires were continental 225-6557 4 x 4 contact these tires should be permitted to used with a new purchase vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10422942
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Honda CR-V reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 33; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda CR-V year by this measure since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2009 Honda CR-V problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (20%), airbags (12%) and steering (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Honda CR-V have?
12 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Honda CR-V get?
22 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Honda CR-V problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 31,800 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 65,000 miles, from 182 complaints.
Does the 2009 Honda CR-V have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Honda CR-V cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Honda CR-V have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Honda CR-V year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2010 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works