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2001 Honda CR-V Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2001 Honda CR-V has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Burnt valves and low cylinder compression.” Honda vehicles use the Maintenance Minder system — your dashboard displays a Code A (oil change) or Code B (oil change plus inspections) along with sub-codes 1-6 for additional services. Intervals adjust based on how you drive. The schedule below reflects Honda's underlying targets.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2001 Honda CR-V.

Reported to NHTSA

Burnt valves and low cylinder compression

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

17 NHTSA complaints · 2004-03 → 2018-08

“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TO MY 2001 HONDA CR-V. IDENTIFIED AS A MISFIRE IN CYL #1, AND LOW COMPRESSION IN THAT CYLINDER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10251688
“CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AT 76,000 MILES. ACCORDING TO DEALER THE EXHAUST VALES BURNT INTO CYLINDER HEAD, #4 CYLINDER WAS AT 25 PSI”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10178659
“MY 2001 HONDA CRV HAD TO HAVE THE CYLINDER HEAD REPLACED AFTER A FLASHING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. A HONDA DEALER STATED THERE WAS LOW COMPRESSION IN THE #3 CYLINDER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10147624

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air conditioning compressor rupture

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

10 NHTSA complaints · 2008-07 → 2016-08

“AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONER. HE THEN HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND NOTICED FUMES RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10235360
“HONDA 2001 A/C COMPRESSOR BLOWN, METAL FILINGS IN SYSTEM CAUSING EVAPORATOR AND OTHER PARTS TO NEED REPLACING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10233669
“AC COMPRESSOR EXPLODED SENDING PIECES OF METAL RIGHT BY THE COOLING SYSTEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10896983

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt buckle and retractor malfunction

SEAT BELTS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2002-02 → 2014-11

“SEAT BELTS WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT BUCKLE PROPERLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10004754
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10659779
“CHILD'S FINGER STUCK IN SEAT BELT BUCKLE(SQUARE HOLE ON THE SHINY METAL BUCKLE)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #758714

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag inflator recall repair parts unavailable

AIR BAGS

44 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2023-04

“THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11365369
“I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FROM HONDA REGARDING THE TAKATA AIRBAG IN MARCH 2020. I CALLED HONDA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE ON BACK ORDER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11362701
“NOTIFIED AMERICAN HONDA ABOUT AN AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL ON MY 2001 HONDA CRV. PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY CAN'T GIVE ME AN ETA ON WHEN THESE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11319816

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags did not deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2003-12 → 2024-07

“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10652860
“I WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN NOV. OF 2005 AND I WAS DRIVING A HONDA CRV 2001. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT OR AFTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10169374
“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10052031

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine shutting off while driving

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2002-05 → 2026-06

“Engine shuts off while driving. Speeds can be low or high”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11736742
“WHILE DRVING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE JUST QUITS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10946259
“THE CAR STALLS ALL OF A SUDDEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11013568

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Code A)

Every 7,500 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter. The Maintenance Minder triggers Code A between 7,500 and 10,000 miles depending on driving conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires front-to-back to even out wear. Honda triggers Sub-code 1 alongside every other oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection (Code B)

Every 15,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake. Code B includes a multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and fluids.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid (Sub-code 5)

Every 45,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture absorption and corrosion of ABS components.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission / CVT Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF or CVT fluid. Honda CVT models (Civic, HR-V, Accord LX) use Honda HCF-2 — do not substitute. The Maintenance Minder triggers earlier under heavy stop-and-go.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid (AWD models, Sub-code 5)

Every 30,000 mi

AWD CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline: replace rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles, sooner if towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 4)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Honda uses a long-life cellulose element on most port-injected engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Honda uses iridium-tipped plugs rated for 100,000+ miles. Replace at 105,000 miles or whenever Sub-code 6 displays.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant (Sub-code 5)

Every 60,000 mi

Honda Long-Life Type 2 (blue) coolant: first change at 120,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles. Do not mix with other coolant types.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 3)

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter — accessible behind the glove box on most Hondas. Honda recommends 15,000 miles in dusty conditions, longer in clean climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Valve Clearance Adjustment (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Inspect and adjust valve clearances at 105,000 miles. Critical on K-series and L-series engines to prevent valve recession.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$495–$535

Shop

~$345–$375

DIY

Pro only

Mechanical-bucket valvetrains (many Honda 4-cyls, older Toyotas) need this. Hydraulic lifters don't. Shop work — feeler-gauge precision required.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Modern Honda engines (K-series, L-series, R-series, plus all Earth Dreams 1.5T and 2.0T) use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

197 crashes 1990–2024

How the 197 occupant deaths break down

157

driver deaths

38

passenger deaths

2

not recorded by seat

197

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2001 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

13

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2001 Honda CR-V reflects Honda's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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