Only one engine is available in the 2011 Honda CR-V. The 2.4L naturally aspirated four-cylinder labeled the K24Z is efficient, but it has been plagued with oil consumption and speed control issues, making it not only a dull engine but a problematic one, too.
Key Points
- The K24Z 2.4L is the only engine offered in the 2011 Honda CR-V, and sadly, it’s not been very good to its owners.
- K24Z performance is sub-par at best with 180 hp and a 0-60 time of 10.1 seconds. It’s inexplicably slower than most previous years of the CR-V.
- Gas mileage is satisfactory at 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined in FWD configuration. Those numbers don’t drop off significantly in AWD models either.
- The 2011 CR-V engine suffers from vehicle speed control, oil consumption, hesitation, and power loss issues. Honda has taken steps to fix some but not all concerns, leaving frustrated owners.
2011 CR-V’s K24Z Engine Comes from a Legendary Family of Performance-based Engines
The K-series is one of the most famous engine families ever produced by Honda. The four-cylinder K-series engine family first debuted in 2001 with the Honda Civic Type-R in Japan. It quickly found its way into other Honda models across the globe. By 2011, the engine family had evolved to encompass several non-performance variants including the K24Z found in the 2011 CR-V.
The K24Z first appeared in the 2007 CR-V as a capable engine with decent gas mileage and can be found in other makes including the 2008-2012 Accord. The wide array of applications means repairs and replacements, should they be needed, are incredibly cheap. The 2.4L K24Z engine was last produced in 2015.
K24Z 2.4L Engine Performance Underwhelms with a 0–60 Time of 10.1 Seconds
The K24Z boasts a power output of 180 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 161 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm. While nobody expects a street racer out of the CR-V, its sluggish 0-60 time of 10.1 seconds is slow even for an SUV that’s 10+ years old. So don’t expect any stress-free interstate merging.
The compression ratio is set to 10.5:1, resulting in a highly efficient combustion process. In the 2011 CR-V, the K24Z engine is mated solely to a five-speed automatic transmission. Push the engine and you’ll find it tops out at 7,200 rpm.
Honda’s 2.4L K24Z Engine Offers Decent Fuel Economy for an Early-2010s Crossover
Fuel economy in the 2011 CR-V’s four-cylinder engine is fair for the job it’s tasked with. While not as good as the Accord the CR-V shares an engine with, this mileage is adequate. FWD configurations earn fuel economy ratings of 21 city / 28 hwy / 24 combined. The K24Z 2.4L motor produces marginally lower figures in AWD models at 21 city / 27 hwy / 23 combined.
The K24Z takes regular 87 octane gas and comes with a 15.3-gallon tank. As such, the K24Z should get you at least 320 miles for every full tank of gas.
2011 CR-V Engine’s i-VTEC Allows for On-demand Power and Fuel-Efficiency
The K24Z is constructed with a lightweight aluminum head and a two-piece die-cast aluminum block for weight savings. It uses cast-iron cylinder liners, aluminum alloy pistons, a forged steel crankshaft, as well as a forged steel internal balancer. Spark is delivered through a dependable and efficient coil-on-plug setup. Additionally, airflow is managed via a single-stage RTB intake manifold and electronic throttle body to provide a more precise air-fuel ratio.
And we won’t forget to mention the K24Z’s i-VTEC system. If you’re unfamiliar, Honda’s VTEC technology essentially combines the best of both power and fuel economy. By shifting between two sets of cam profiles, the engine can adjust airflow to the combustion chamber for power or efficiency.
Honda’s K24Z Engine has Numerous Problems, Including Unintended Acceleration and Oil Consumption
Unfortunately, the 2011 CR-V’s K24Z has proven to be a headache for many CR-V owners hoping for a reliable engine. While there are no recalls, the list of reported issues is long. Typical problems include:
- Difficult/noisy start-up
- Excessive oil consumption
- Premature wear
- Engine hesitation
Car Complaints even branded the 2011 CR-V with its infamous “Beware of the Clunker” badge thanks to engine issues. The most serious problem arises from the engine revving without user input.
One driver reported to the NHTSA that their vehicle accelerated to 20 mph while the brakes were applied. The incident resulted in a crash and many other complaints detail similar experiences. Currently, there appears to be no fix from Honda, not even a TSB.
Other drivers have complained of engine hesitation and loss of power. Honda issued a TSB to help absolve these issues, stating they are due to a software issue. Yet another TSB addresses the problem of oil leaks coming from the cylinder head.
Finally, a service bulletin addressed the issues with the K24Z’s piston rings and extends the warranty of affected parts. Defects in the piston rings have led to the increased oil consumption experienced by some customers. Left unchecked, this leads to premature wear and engine failure. In the bulletin, Honda even goes so far as to instruct service techs to “replace all of the engine pistons and piston rings if necessary.”
Mediocre Outing from the 2011 CR-V Stems From a Lone, Unreliable Engine
By now it should be clear what to make of the 2011 CR-V’s engine: it’s not the best offering in its class. Sure, it offers decent fuel economy, but that’s about it. The lack of power and reliability issues are simply too great to ignore. This is unfortunate as the 2011 CR-V would be a fantastic crossover were it not for the K24Z’s troubles.
Photos: Honda
