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Recall for 3G Rear Subframe Corrosion

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143K views 444 replies 101 participants last post by  chidog  
#1 ·
Carfax send me an email about a recall today for the 2007-2011 CR-V (we still have two of these, unfortunately). When I tried looking it up on the NHTSA site, there is no recall listed yet. But, look at the wording on the Carfax page for both of our CR-Vs:

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Honda's site is not processing recall lookups this afternoon, so I can't verify it there either. But it seems that there's a chance we might finally get a remedy for rear subframes rusting out and causing crashes.

There are complaints filed with NHTSA, fortunately. Here are a few:

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This one is from 2020, so it shows the issue has been brewing with NHTSA for a while. Remember, Honda in Canada has already recalled these.

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Complaints are here, and keep in mind they are only for the 2009 model year.


Looking up the other four years may lead to similar results. Regardless, Honda needs to do the right thing and get these off of the road. One of our CR-Vs in much better condition rust-wise than the other. I'm actually hoping our second '09 is rusted out enough to get recalled (and repurchased) as I'm sick of dealing with its issues...
 
#2 · (Edited)
I posted about this months ago. No one pays attention I guess.

This was mainly in Canada that the recalls where done. It is not illegal to repair a unibody sub frame, body shops have been doing it for years. Honda just wants the easy way out of a manufacturing defect, the defect is not doing the proper treatment for preventing rust, similar to toyota's pick up frames.
Check out Honda pilots having this sort of problem, even Eric the car guy did a fix on his. And honda did or does have a fix for crv's that aren't rusted to the point of failure, it is a bolt in reinforcement system. Use of salt on roads needs to stop. Not only does it rot out steel in cars it will do the same to reinforced concrete and bridges. Then the salt run off goes into fresh water streams and lakes messing up things for the wild life. Honda bought back cars in Canada that didn't pass the test. Problem is we could not afford a CRV this age unless the by back was high enough and I could keep all the parts off the buy back car I wanted to keep. Who knows what condition a replacement would be in. If you could even find one. Not all of us are Microsoft millionaires.
Just imagine what the salt will do to an EV.
 
#344 ·
Quite right. This recall campaign was done in Canada, nearly 5 years ago.

See here: Microsoft Word - REV1 - HN70_Customer Letter-final-rev2_approved_DET.docx (honda.ca)

No need to take my word for it. Just like the Toyota corrosion issue, any vehicle with significant subframe attachment corrosion, is a death trap. Scrap it or take Honda's purchase offer, because it's all you are going to get.
Fixing the issue is just a temporary measure - like covering up a rust spot with paint. The only person you are fooling is yourself.
 
#3 ·
I have had since new a 2011 CR-V AWD. It has been totally dependable and flawless for over 240,000Km--about 150,000 miles. Bushings--the front suspension--left ball joint and stabilizer bar--is the first repair the vehicle has needed---and this is driving in the winter salt for months every year. And it's fun. I'll never forget crossing the border from north of Detroit to Sarnia, Ontario in a near blizzard. The snow on the road was up to the front bumper not including higher drifts. The CR-V was steady and totally controllable until I reached the plowed and salted Highway 401 to Toronto.Yes, the vehicle was equipped with 4 winter tires.
 
#4 ·
I have the exact same issue. I received notice from Carfax but the NHTSA and Honda Recall sites don't yet have it. I immediately scheduled maintenance for tomorrow morning at the dealership nearby and from the drop down menu I selected "tell us more" and pasted the recall code and my VIN. If this is anything like the Takata recall They will drag their feet for months. My car is an 07 and has never been garaged in NYC with loads of cosmetic damage all over. A buy back would be great for someone like me. Time for a new car anyways. This could double my trade in value. Hopefully they will agree to look at it tomorrow, they probably would prefer to make a recall wait months but I don't want to die.
 
#5 ·
Could this be a strange Carfax issue? I received the same notice from Carfax, but also was not able to find anything on the Honda recall site.

Anyone try to search by VIN? (I question the data on the Honda site, as it does not show a Honda extended warranty I received via mail on another vehicle.)
 
#8 ·
I contacted my local Honda dealer, and they said they would not do a free inspection until they had the repair parts in stock? Then I called Honda USA and they just told me to contact my dealer. I told them I already contacted my dealer and that if my 2009 Honda CRV crashes because of SUB FRAME CORROSION, I'm holding the Honda Dealer and Honda USA responsible. Honda USA told me that RECALL NOTICES would be going out to the effected car owners!
 
#9 ·
For those with problems already, was wondering if you had your cars undercoated or had an anticorrosion protectant applied when your car was new? My 2011 has been out in the Chicago area 'elements' 24/7 year round since we bought it new, and never been garaged. We had a 'Protector' package for corrosion applied top to bottom when it was new, and, although the body is still rust free, we do see areas of rust formation on most anything metal underneath, but no rust-through or rot seen...at least it was as such last summer when we had struts and springs replaced (x4) on it. Am certainly not plugging any product, just wondering if this problem happened even after some type of rust-retardant was applied.
 
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#10 ·
Well everyone, here's our confirmation!
 
#12 ·
Today is holiday in Canada and just found out this because when I drove the 2007 crv above 80KM/hr yesterday, the front wheel seems to have some problem, the crv shake a bit and the wheel will shake and will turn right if I don't control the wheel but after a minutes it is gone. I checked Honda online and got this (wondering if this is related to the recall):

"An outstanding recall or product update campaign has been identified for your vehicle. However, the description document for this campaign is not yet available. It will be posted shortly. For immediate assistance, please contact your Honda dealer or Honda Canada Customer Relations at 888-9HONDA9 for more information."
 
#13 ·
The question I have if deemed not fixable is what is the buy back value if anyone in Canada or other had that? My Daughters '08 has almost 220k on it. It's lived in NY it's whole life, never garaged. Mostly dealer maintained as it was my brother-in-laws daily driver. It saw lots of snow and ice in NY and to CT where he worked.

CR-V runs and drives great. Biggest major issue was the steering rack I had to replace. She loves the vehicle.

Brings back memories to wife Sequoia as the whole underside was rotting out. Toyota also had recall on that for frame rot through. Frame was OK but everything else including wheel arches inside rear door rotted through from bad seams. I should have done the fluid film. Traded it for a '19 Pilot. Still miss the Sequoia. Pilot I had sprayed with Fluid Film when I first got it and 2x since then. Hoping to head off those same scenarios in that.
 
#14 · (Edited)
The question I have if deemed not fixable is what is the buy back value if anyone in Canada or other had that? My Daughters '08 has almost 220k on it. It's lived in NY it's whole life, never garaged. Mostly dealer maintained as it was my brother-in-laws daily driver. It saw lots of snow and ice in NY and to CT where he worked.
From other internet car owners sites, some say that if you accept a buy back, Honda also makes you sign a confidentiality agreement to not disclose the final buyback price.

still, Im somewhat surprised they are offering buy backs on rusted out cars.
 
#15 ·
If they say its not fixable, then do like Toyota did with the NEW replacement truck frames. Looks like they will need to tool up and build us some NEW rust proof body's for our vehicles.
Personally I don't want a newer car, unless this engine and transmission go in it, as well as the brake system, steering etc.
Just look at all the Gen 4 problems with the VTC etc.
 
#19 ·
I'm in Texas and my 09 CRV is flagged for the recall. The car was bought new by me in Texas and has never been registered anywhere else. NHTSA and Honda Owner's website both indicate an unresolved recall on my VIN. Texas does use a salt/dirt mixture as well as a brine solution on the roads - but it's nothing like the NE and we're not in the "salt-belt".
 
#285 · (Edited by Moderator)
I’m in California. Just bought my CRV June 23 from used car dealer near me. When I test drove it, I felt vibration on highway starting at 60 mph. Dealer put new tires on it as agreement for me purchasing it. When I signed into the website & put in my Vin, there was the recall notice. Even with new tires, vibration has continued and got way worse. Had a check engine light and high usage of oil going on so hadn’t taken care of the recall yet. Then just over a week ago, vibration from rear end got really bad and loud when I rolled back windows down. Vibration only startedAround 60 mph and above.

I checked for symptoms of the rear tailgate arm on the recall and what my car is doing were the exact symptoms. Called local Honda dealer but couldn’t get it in until this coming Weds the 13th. Now even at 40 mph I’m feeling a lot of vibration so I’ve parked it and been house bound as I don’t want to take any chances since I have an outstanding loan on it! I don’t think I like the remedy of fixing the arm with a bolt to reinforce the frame. I’d like a buy back if I can get one since I still owe a lot on my loan. I should have gotten a loaner til my local dealer can get me in to fix it. I’m thankful Honda is taking care of this since the car is 13 years old.

I inherited my parents 2003 Buick Rendezvous and it had a few recalls on it—one was a leak at inlet check valve on the gas tank with hazard of fire with the build up of gas. I would get gas fune odor inside the cabin after filling up. Neither buick nor GMC would acknowledge the recall and said since it was over 10 years old, it was expired! There have been a few instances of them catching fire suddenly. Anyway, someone punctured my fuel tank trying to steal my gas, so I replaced the tank at less than half the cost of a new one with a used one from eBay. Still cost $1,000, but any chance of getting GMC or Buick to handle recall was gone.


Navigation on my 2010 CRV had a Virginia address for Home. So it was sold in the salt belt.

Yeah, I’ve only had my car 3 months, although it’s used and I purchased it “as is,” I still owe $9900 plus I put down another $4000. So I would be in the hole even if my loan were paid off. Oh well, I need to wait until my appt at Honda dealer this week. This being home bound is so depressing!! But at least I don’t live out in the boonies and can walk to some places near me.
 
#27 ·
Carfax send me an email about a recall today for the 2007-2011 CR-V (we still have two of these, unfortunately). When I tried looking it up on the NHTSA site, there is no recall listed yet. But, look at the wording on the Carfax page for both of our CR-Vs:

View attachment 161660

Honda's site is not processing recall lookups this afternoon, so I can't verify it there either. But it seems that there's a chance we might finally get a remedy for rear subframes rusting out and causing crashes.

There are complaints filed with NHTSA, fortunately. Here are a few:

View attachment 161661

View attachment 161662

This one is from 2020, so it shows the issue has been brewing with NHTSA for a while. Remember, Honda in Canada has already recalled these.

View attachment 161663

Complaints are here, and keep in mind they are only for the 2009 model year.


Looking up the other four years may lead to similar results. Regardless, Honda needs to do the right thing and get these off of the road. One of our CR-Vs in much better condition rust-wise than the other. I'm actually hoping our second '09 is rusted out enough to get recalled (and repurchased) as I'm sick of dealing with its issues...

When I checked the Honda Canada site and typed in the VIN, it did come up as a new out standing recall and asked me to take it to Honda dealership for inspection.