Why did Honda stop making Crosstour?
Honda discontinued the Crosstour, a crossover vehicle that blended elements of a sedan and an SUV, due to declining sales and a shift in consumer preferences towards more traditional SUV and truck models. The Crosstour was introduced in 2010 as a replacement for the Honda Accord Wagon, but it failed to gain traction with buyers over its 8-year production run.
The Rise and Fall of the Honda Crosstour
When the Crosstour was first launched, Honda positioned it as a more stylish and fuel-efficient alternative to traditional SUVs. The vehicle featured a unique hatchback design and offered more cargo space than a typical sedan. However, the Crosstour's unconventional appearance and positioning between sedan and SUV segments ultimately worked against it.
Key Reasons for the Crosstour's Discontinuation:
- Declining Sales: The Crosstour struggled to find a consistent customer base, with sales declining year-over-year. In its final year of production in 2015, the Crosstour sold just over 8,000 units, a far cry from its peak of nearly 30,000 units in 2011.
- Shift in Consumer Preferences: As consumer demand shifted towards more traditional SUVs and crossovers, the Crosstour's niche positioning became less appealing. Buyers were drawn to the increased cargo space, ride height, and rugged styling of dedicated SUV models.
- Overlap with Other Honda Models: The Crosstour's positioning between the Accord sedan and the CR-V crossover meant it competed with its own stablemates, potentially cannibalizing sales of other Honda vehicles.
- Lack of Distinct Identity: The Crosstour's design was seen by some as an awkward compromise, failing to fully commit to either the sedan or SUV form factor. This made it difficult for the vehicle to establish a clear identity in the market.
Ultimately, the combination of declining sales, shifting consumer preferences, and a lack of a distinct market niche led Honda to discontinue the Crosstour after the 2015 model year. The company's focus shifted towards developing more traditional SUV and crossover models to better meet the demands of the modern automotive market.
What is the problem with the Honda Crosstour?
Common Honda Crosstour problems include transmission issues, excessive oil consumption in V6 models, and brake problems like rotor pulsation. Other potential issues are power steering failure, electrical system glitches, and excessive tire wear or vibrations, especially in AWD models. Regular maintenance, particularly timing belt replacement for V6 engines, is crucial to prevent costly damage.
This video discusses common Honda Crosstour problems including transmission issues and oil consumption: 59sNexologyYouTube · Sep 18, 2025
Engine and drivetrain
- Oil consumption: V6 engines are prone to excessive oil consumption, which can be caused by worn piston rings and may lead to engine damage if not addressed.
- Timing belt: V6 engines use a timing belt that requires replacement every 100,000 miles. Failure to do so in this interference engine can cause severe and expensive damage.
- Transmission: Some models have experienced transmission problems, including slipping, which can be caused by worn clutch plates or low fluid.
- Vibrations: AWD models, in particular, can suffer from vibrations caused by worn CV joints, driveshafts, or other driveline issues.
- VTC Actuator: A class-action lawsuit has been filed concerning a defective variable timing control (VTC) actuator in certain 2012-2015 Honda Crosstours.
This video explains how to diagnose and fix a common issue where the 2011 Honda Crosstour stalls after starting: 1mParts shooterYouTube · May 29, 2020
Brakes and steering
- Brake pulsation: Premature wear or pulsation during braking is a common complaint, often linked to warped brake rotors.
- Power steering: Issues with the power steering pump or fluid can lead to stiff or jerky steering.
Electrical and other issues
- Electrical glitches: Owners have reported problems with the navigation screen freezing or becoming unresponsive, likely due to software or head unit issues.
- Starting problems: Some owners experience persistent or intermittent starting issues, sometimes linked to a faulty starter or ignition system.
- Paint and trim: Fading, peeling, or cracking paint and loose exterior or interior trim have also been reported.
Why was the Honda Accord Crosstour discontinued?
It is based on the North American eighth-generation Accord. Sales began in November 2009 for the 2010 model year, and the vehicle was discontinued after the 2015 model year due to slow sales.
Is Honda making a 2025 Crosstour?
And finally wireless across both Apple CarPlay. And Android Auto ambient lighting and a panoramic roof seal the deal it's upscale without screaming luxury.
What took the place of the Honda Crosstour?
The Crosstour was not the sales success Honda hoped for. The maker eventually replaced it with the Passport, a far more conventional sport utility.
