Honda Recalled Older CR-Vs for Salt Corrosion Issues

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

Recalls on much older vehicles aren’t the most common, but they happen. Honda recently issued one for the 2007-2011 CR-V, but only for owners living in salt-belt states. The nasty cold-weather road elixir can accumulate, causing the frame to corrode and potentially the rear trailing arm to detach. Automakers often issue long warranties against rust-through and other types of corrosion, but few stretch to this length and potential mileage.


Honda’s recall covers 2007-2011 CR-V models that were “sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin.” 


The de-icing mixtures used in those states can get into the frame through drainage holes and cause corrosion on the inner structure. And according to the report, “the rear trailing arm can fall off.” We’re talking about 12-year-old vehicles that could have hundreds of thousands of miles at this point, but Honda will replace the support braces for free if they’re corroded. The automaker said it would even buy back the SUV if the damage is bad enough. That’s a great deal, especially in places where much newer vehicles end up chewed through with salt.


[Image: Honda]


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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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  • Kwik_Shift Kwik_Shift on Apr 06, 2023

    Imagine these corroded vehicles in an accident. Even more reason to put it on a hoist if thinking of buying one.

    • See 2 previous
    • Sgeffe Sgeffe on Apr 06, 2023

      Preferably a two-post! And if you see the lifting points through the windows, run away! Fast!! 😂😂


  • Kosmo Kosmo on Apr 07, 2023

    So would this apply to an Element, which is basically a boxy, shorter WB CR-V?


    And I find it surprising that MT is not on the list. We're pretty liberal with deicer application for ~4 months of the year.

  • IBx1 IBx1 on Apr 07, 2023

    There's a recall campaign for the Element, which uses the same chassis and has the same issue, but only in Canada. It's criminal not to expand it into the US and have some kind of bracing solution out there.

  • 95_SC 95_SC on Apr 07, 2023

    Rust belt cars pushing 20 are rusty? Who Knew?

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