American Honda Motor Co. has just issued a recall of almost 564,000 CR-V crossovers. The CR-Vs in this recall are mainly from states where de-icing occurs on streets. This de-icing is causing frame corrosion. Accumulation of the de-icing agents and dirt and debris attacks CR-V frames, resulting in rear trailing arms falling off cars. 

What years of CR-V production are involved?

Reports of frame corrosion are not outside of salt-belt states. The CR-Vs involved come mainly from Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. “In salt-belt states where de-icing agents are used to maintain the roadway, the de-icing agents, along with mud and water, could enter the rear frame through drainage/positioning holes when the vehicle is driven through flooded areas or puddles at high speeds,” according to a report sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall covers five years of CR-V production from 2007 to 2011. Honda has over 60 reports of corrosion issues between September 2018 and this past March. It also says there are no reported injuries or deaths related to the corrosion issue.

How will Honda dealers fix the CR-V rust problem?

Because this is a rust issue, there are several ways dealers will handle it. After inspection, the determining factor is if the trailing arm bolt is removable. If it is, then dealers will add a support brace, according to Automotive News. 

From there, the dealer may decide to make further repairs. If too much corrosion exists, the bolt can’t be removed, or the support brace still doesn’t help to secure the trailing arm, then the dealer is authorized to repurchase the CR-V. 

Between 2007 and 2011, Honda sold over one million CR-Vs in the U.S. So the recall issued today involves about half of all CR-Vs produced in those years. By 2012, CR-V sales really kicked into high gear, with yearly sales of well over 300,000 sold.

Do CR-Vs have a lot of recalls?

Since 2020, Honda has filed eight recalls over issues with the CR-V crossover. These mostly affected 2017 to 2023 CR-Vs. But several go back as far as 1997. 

The recalls ranged from the front seat belt and reclining issues, to in-tank fuel pump failures. Two of the recalls involved airbag issues. For the 2007 to 2011 CR-V, most of its recalls were airbag issues, and of those most were for inflator defects. 

Back to the current recall, owners will be notified beginning in early May. If you have questions or concerns about your own 2007 to 2011 CR-V, you can contact Honda’s recall center or the NHTSA. Have your VIN number handy.