2009 Honda CR-V MPG
Across its 2 EPA-rated versions, the 2009 Honda CR-V returns 20 mpg city, 26–27 highway and 22–23 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 23 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive and is rated 22 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2008 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR-V 2WD | 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular · 386 g CO₂/mi |
| CR-V 4WD | 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | Regular · 404 g CO₂/mi |
2009 Honda CR-V fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2009 Honda CR-V costs about $2,840 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (23 mpg combined), or roughly 19 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (22 mpg combined) comes to about $2,970 a year, $130 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2009 Honda CR-V specs
The EPA lists one engine for the 2009 Honda CR-V: a 2.4 L 4-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive versions. The EPA classes it as a sport utility vehicle.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L | 4 | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2009 Honda CR-V problems
Owners have filed 386 complaints about the 2009 Honda CR-V with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Air bags are the most-reported area (39% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (10%) and structure (9%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 21 complaints a year: fewer than the 2008 (50 a year) and the 2010 (28 a year).
It has the fewest complaints per year on sale of any Honda CR-V model year from 2008 to 2024.
Of the 386, 29 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 14 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 176 | 39% |
| Electrical system | 44 | 10% |
| Structure | 38 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 30 | 7% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 17 | 4% |
| Steering | 15 | 3% |
| Suspension | 15 | 3% |
| Tires | 14 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 3% |
| Power train | 11 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 2% |
| Engine | 8 | 2% |
| Visibility | 8 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 2% |
| Wheels | 7 | 2% |
| Seats | 5 | 1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 4 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 3 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 3 | <1% |
| Child seat | 1 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Other fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | <1% |
| Other/i am not sure | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
My front passenger seat weight sensor is faulty and shows as "OFF" when a large passenger is in the seat. An independent service center has scanned and confirmed the faulty sensor. …
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 HONDA CR-V. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. …
The contact owns a 2009 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the rear passenger’s side wheel started to feel abnormal on the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. …
2009 Honda CR-V recalls
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2009 Honda CR-V.
The most recent, campaign 23V228000 from March 2023, concerns structure.
Air bags account for 10 of the 12 campaigns, more than any other area.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | CR-V years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V228000 | March 30, 2023 | Structure | 2008–2011 |
| 19V500000 | June 27, 2019 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 19V502000 | June 27, 2019 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 19V378000 | May 16, 2019 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 18V268000 | April 26, 2018 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 18V042000 | January 9, 2018 | Air bags | 2009–2011 |
| 17V545000 | August 31, 2017 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 17V417000 | June 29, 2017 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 17V030000 | January 10, 2017 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 16V346000 | May 24, 2016 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 16V061000 | February 3, 2016 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 11V395000 | August 4, 2011 | Power train | 2008–2010 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2009 Honda CR-V, without an overall score.
These ratings use NHTSA's pre-2011 test method, so they can't be compared with stars for 2011 and later models.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Honda CR-Vs can be compared fairly. Among other 2009 models in the EPA's sport utility vehicle class, the 2009 Ford Escape (24 mpg), 2009 Nissan Rogue (24 mpg) and 2009 Subaru Forester (22 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 23 | 962 | 50 | 11 |
| 2009 | 23 | 386 | 21 | 12 |
| 2010 | 24 | 481 | 28 | 15 |
| 2011 | 24 | 554 | 34 | 13 |
| 2012 | 26 | 403 | 27 | 3 |
Every Honda CR-V model year compared →
Similar 2009 models
FAQ
Is the 2009 CR-V a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2009 Honda CR-V has 21 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (the fewest of its 17 model years), 12 recall campaigns and up to 23 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2009 CR-V problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (176), electrical system (44) and structure (38). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2009 CR-V have?
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 CR-V get?
The EPA rates the versions at 22–23 mpg combined (20 city, 26–27 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 CR-V per year?
About $2,840 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,970 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).