Recall 11V458 affects 5,626 2011 Honda Cr-Z cars for ECU software that can move the vehicle unexpectedly. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
Honda is recalling 5,626 2011 Cr-Z passenger cars with manual transmissions because ECU software can make the hybrid motor move the vehicle opposite the selected gear after an engine stall. That unexpected movement raises the risk of a crash or personal injury, and the Honda dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2011 Honda Cr-Z uses an engine control unit, or ECU, to manage engine operation and the hybrid system. In a manual-transmission car, the selected gear tells the drivetrain which direction the vehicle is supposed to move, while the hybrid electric motor adds or removes power under ECU control. The software has to keep those commands aligned.
On affected Cr-Z cars, the ECU software can respond incorrectly after the engine stalls while the brake pedal is not pressed. In that condition, the hybrid system's electric motor can move the car opposite the selected gear. A driver who selected a forward gear can get reverse movement, or a driver who selected reverse can get forward movement.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue depends on the stall condition and the ECU's software response, so the owner does not get a separate warning before the unexpected movement.
Who's affected?
| 2011 Honda Cr-Z | powertrain |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 5,626 |
Not every 2011 Honda Cr-Z is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injure people in the vehicle's path. Keep people clear of the vehicle's path when moving it, and schedule the ECU software update soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Honda dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Honda Cr-Z is included in this recall.
- Check for Honda's owner notice mailed on September 26, 2011, then contact a franchised Honda dealer.
- Ask the dealer for the free ECU software update that corrects the unexpected vehicle movement after an engine stall.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 11V458 when you call.
- Keep the manual transmission in neutral and apply the brake before restarting after a stall until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Honda technician updates the engine control unit software that manages the hybrid system. The update corrects the ECU programming tied to unexpected vehicle movement after an engine stall in a manual transmission Cr-Z. The dealer performs the software update free of charge under recall 11V458. Honda's source text does not provide a separate reimbursement program, so ask the service desk to confirm any prior repair question before work begins.
Timeline
| September 7, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 26, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V458?
Recall 11V458 covers 5,626 2011 Honda Cr-Z passenger cars with manual transmissions. The ECU software can make the hybrid electric motor move the vehicle opposite the selected gear after an engine stall when the brake pedal is not pressed. Honda dealers update the ECU software for free.
What should I do if my 2011 Honda Cr-Z is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Honda Cr-Z is included in recall 11V458. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the ECU software update. Reference recall number 11V458 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to owners. Honda dealers will update the ECU software free of charge at any franchised Honda dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 11V458?
The safety risk is unexpected vehicle movement. If the engine stalls while the brake pedal is not pressed, the hybrid system can move the car opposite the selected gear. NHTSA campaign 11V458 lists increased crash or personal injury risk for people in the vehicle's path.
What if I bought my Honda Cr-Z used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2011 Honda Cr-Z is included, then contact a franchised Honda dealer and reference recall number 11V458.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V458000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-800-999-1009 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V458 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V458000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →