Which Years Of Used Honda Crosstours Are Most Reliable?
Honda Crosstour by Jatronic - CC-BY-SA-4.0
Previously known as the Accord Crosstour, the Honda Crosstour was a midsize crossover SUV introduced in 2009 as a 2010 model and was part of Honda’s Accord line. This curious vehicle was designed to combine the features of a sedan and an SUV, offering a solid mix of style, interior space, and comfort.
The Crosstour was positioned as a more upscale and adventurous alternative to the traditional Honda Accord sedan. It aimed at consumers looking for additional cargo space and off-road capabilities without moving to a full SUV. As such, the Crosstour faced competition from various midsize crossovers and wagon-like vehicles, including the Toyota Venza, Subaru Outback, and Nissan Murano.
However, despite its unique offering, the Crosstour struggled with finding a substantial customer base. The mixed reception to its design, strong competition, and shifting consumer preferences towards more traditional SUVs led to declining sales.
For today, we’ll walk you through all the Crosstour models to determine the most reliable Honda Crosstour year. Let’s take a look.
2012-2015 Honda Crosstour
Introduced as the Accord Crosstour in 2009, the name was shortened to Crosstour in 2012. This four-door hatchback offers a raised ride height and front or all-wheel drive. It combines the look of a wagon with the versatility of a hatchback without resembling an SUV. Inside, it has a roomier and wider cabin than the Accord but with less driver visibility.
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Avoid: 2012 Honda Crosstour
With the 2012 model year, Honda has dropped the “Accord” namesake from the Crosstour. While the 2012 Crosstour is a highly-rated vehicle on its own, it’s considered the worst in the lineup and certainly the least reliable. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2012 Crosstour has accumulated 60 complaints and four recalls.
CarComplaints says that the number one issue of this Crosstour is premature brake wear. Several owners reported premature wear on rear brake pads and rotors, requiring replacements much earlier than expected. Complaints included concerns about the quality of the brakes, with one owner suggesting that Honda installed cheap brakes. Ultimately, the premature brake wear issue contributed to overall dissatisfaction with the vehicle for some owners, with some claiming they’ll never buy a Honda again.
In addition, several owners have also complained about the car’s shaking/shuddering drivetrain issue. One owner reported that the vibration issue started suddenly, affecting the left side of the vehicle, and persisted despite tire replacement and alignment. The problem was resolved after replacing the axle. Another complaint involved vibration from a bad driveshaft/axle bushing/bearing at 56,000 miles. Despite replacement, minor vibration persisted, leading to concerns about potential transmission issues.
If you’re looking for the most reliable Honda Crosstour year, keep looking.
THE HONDA CROSSTOUR YEARS TO AVOID
We’re going to explore the specific Honda Crosstour years to avoid, focusing on the issues and recalls that have impacted certain models.
Avoid: 2013 Honda Crosstour
The 2013 Honda Crosstour got a facelift and a more fuel-efficient engine. Sounds good, right? While the Crosstour now has better mpg ratings, it had a lot of reliability concerns and was deemed less reliable than the 2012 version. CarComplaints says the 2013 Crosstour is the worst model year of the Accord variant, and it racked up 72 complaints and three recalls.
At the top of its list of pain points, the 2013 Crosstour struggled with a faulty steering system. Multiple owners reported that the steering got impossible to turn suddenly, with the steering trouble light coming on. There are also instances of the EPS light coming on and steering becoming very difficult without any previous warning were reported. Despite numerous similar complaints, owners were frustrated over Honda’s lack of a recall to address the issue.
Moreover, the 2013 Crosstour wasn’t spared from powertrain issues. Several owners reported a grinding noise, accompanied by a starter system failure indicator display when attempting to start the vehicle. The starter was replaced but failed again after nine months, leading to additional costs. Another owner described shuddering when accelerating from 0 to 45 mph, with violent shuddering events, squeaking from the engine compartment, faint smoke, and a burnt clutch smell.
Used car buyers will want to avoid the 2013 Crosstour and save themselves from potential headaches.
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Buy: 2014 Honda Crosstour
Thankfully, the Crosstour became more reliable the following year and had fewer complaints. The 2014 Honda Crosstour benefited from the more fuel-efficient engine and retained some of the Accord’s well-known perks like surefooted handling and accurate steering.
In terms of reliability, CarComplaints says that the 2014 Crosstour has received 44 complaints and three recalls. One of its major trouble spots is its electrical system. Multiple owners reported a grinding and buzzing noise when pushing the start button, and the vehicle failed to start immediately. It turned out to be a defective starter that needed replacement, but the issue continued to occur even after replacement. It’s a good thing many electrical complaints are generally minor and far from widespread.
The 2014 Crosstour is a highly reliable vehicle that offers sedan-like driving dynamics with the versatility of a hatchback. Unfortunately, it competes with some of the best models in the segment, such as the Nissan Murano, Subaru Outback, and Toyota Venza.
Buy: 2015 Honda Crosstour
Although the Crosstour was discontinued, it indeed went out with a bang with the 2015 model year. Reliability-wise, it’s easily the most reliable Crosstour model, with very few complaints and known issues. CarComplaints has documented only 28 complaints and three recalls for the 2015 Crosstour.
Like the previous model year, the 2015 Crosstour received numerous complaints regarding its electrical system. Multiple owners reported that the car sometimes fails to start, accompanied by grinding noises. This issue is known under Honda Service Bulletin 16-002, and even after replacing the starter, the problem persisted. Some owners also experienced issues with the push-to-start feature, with a typical starter-related grinding noise. Honda service centers questioned why the issue was happening.
Regardless of its issues, the 2015 model is a solid pick for a used midsize crossover. Overall, it’s a viable option for buyers looking for a practical and versatile vehicle, but some design choices may not appeal to all.
What Reddit Says About the Best Year of the Honda Crosstour:
The Crosstour was a solid crossover that happened to compete in a very competitive segment. What do people think of its reliability? A few Reddit owners have weighed in:
A solid advice for someone considering a high mileage Crosstour:
Comment
byu/Additional-Ear-3863 from discussion
inHonda
On which Crosstour years are likely to be more reliable:
Posts from the whatcarshouldibuy
community on Reddit
A warning about buying older Crosstour model years:
Comment
byu/stevirod from discussion
inHonda
On the potential of the SUV for high mileage:
Comment
byu/stevirod from discussion
inHonda
Overall, Reddit users have advised to be wary of buying older Crosstour model years. However, in general, the Crosstour seems to serve its owner rather well in reliability.
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