2012 Honda CR-V
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 403 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 CR-V model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 27 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 24 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmissionApr 15, 2013
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.
Campaign 13V143000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsOct 16, 2012
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 CR-V, equipped with the LX trim level and manufactured from August 30, 2012, to August 31, 2012. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification." The incorrect values for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, Gross Axle Weight Rating front and rear, tire size, and rim size were specified on the safety certification label.
A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading. Improper loading could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will apply the corrective label free of charge. The safety recall began on November 14, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 12V501000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchJul 19, 2012
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Honda CR-V and model year 2013 Acura ILX vehicles. If the manual or power door lock is activated while an interior front door handle is being operated by an occupant, the cable connecting the interior door handle to the door latch mechanism may become loose and move out of position. There is a possibility that the cable can move far enough out of position to prevent the door from properly latching.
If the door is not fully latched, the door may open while driving or in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle occupants.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front door latch assemblies in the affected vehicles, free of charge. Additionally, the interior front door handles in certain Honda CR-Vs will also be replaced, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, August 16, 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 12V338000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
68 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Aug 28, 2026
2012 Honda CR-V - I've had to replace my battery multiple times. I would go out the car and it would be dead. I even tried replacing the alternator. I am replacing batteries at an average of every 2.5 years. Honda tells me I can do a diagnostic test for $189. I see there are repeated complaints about the Honda CR-V needing a software update. They will just keep selling new batteries and not do the fix. At one point, I even lost power steering. It is dangerous, and they should be made to correct it.
Electrical system, May 2, 2024
WINDSHIELD DEFROST ON DRIVERS SIDE PRODUCES NO AIR OR HEAT. WINDSHIELD BECAME FROSTY AND HAD TO PULL CAR OVER BECAUSE OF LACK OF VISIBILITY. ALSO HEAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT WORK, WHICH IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT MAY BE RELATED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. THEY FLUSHED THE HEATCORE. WHICH DID NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM .
Electrical system, Oct 1, 2023
In July of this year, I took a 20 minute drive with my kids and then went to a bagel shop. I tried to turn on the car and it acted like the battery had been drained. I got a jump, had my battery tested, and it was fine. A week later, it started happening nearly any time I took a short trip, and I needed to purchase a portable jump starter. I then had my alternator and battery tested again, and both were in working condition and passed. On September 12th, 2023, as I was pulling into my driveway, my power steering locked up on and off and I could not turn my car once it was in my driveway. I turned it off and it would not restart again (like I had left my lights on all night). I jumped it and let it run for an hour. I rode it around the block and it seemed fine, but I took it to a shop that I trust. They informed me that my alternator was only charging my battery when my high beam lights were on and that there was a service bulletin by Honda regarding a software update to the PCM if this occurred. Honda charged me $189 to have the software updated, and I needed a new battery because the faulty charging circuit fried a battery that I got this year. This should be a mandatory recall because if my kids and I were driving and my power steering locked like that on a highway, we could have been killed. If you had an actual recall on this, you could actually possibly save many lives on this popular vehicle!!!
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Aug 11, 2023
While I was driving the car, an indicator with "Battery" symbol showed up on the monitor. All off a sudden I see all the lights went ON/OFF and I couldn't steer the wheel. The Power Steering stopped working and the car was running. Since I was near a 4-way stop sign, I managed to pull my car on the side without an accident. Then I got roadside assistance to tow my car to a mechanic shop. They said the "Alternator" need to be replaced. I did that and went for a "Battery" checkup based on the indicator. The battery was good. It would have been a life threatening incident if I were somewhere on a highway. I wanted to make sure this is taken care seriously by the manufacturer and find a fix. Because it just impacts all electrical things and we can't steer the car!
Electrical system, Jun 16, 2023, fire
The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that overnight a fire started in the garage where the vehicle was located, and the majority of the fire was centered around the vehicle. Most of the house was burned. No one was injured. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire department. The contact was awaiting for the fire department report. The contact believed that the vehicle was experiencing a similar failure to NHTSA campaign number: 12V486000 (Electrical System, Visibility). The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Electrical system, Mar 10, 2023
My Honda CRV 2012 rear and trunk doors will not lock. This is creating a safety hazard for me and my family as it leaves my car unsecured when I am away from my vehicle.
Electrical system, Jan 17, 2023
2012 Honda CR-V has 70,000 miles on it. I am now on the 4th battery, which is dead, and I may have to buy a 5th battery. I am replacing batteries at an average of every 2.5 years. Honda keeps telling me nothing is wrong with the electrical system, and that my battery keeps going bad for no reason. I am aware of a technical service bulletin for the problem (12-041), but Honda tells me to implement the fix, I have to buy a new battery. I am getting frustrated by getting stranded.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Jan 14, 2023
Details can be found in Service Bulletin 15-086. Shudder in vehicle steering wheel would make it harder to control. Metal shavings in ATF fluid from transmission grinding. Software update required to repair issue at the cost of owner.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2022
The car doors keep clicking locking and the light shows a door open. Can be turning or just driving highway and clicks. My mechanic says it’s an actuator and looked it up and seems that there was a safety recall, 2 service bulletins and a safety class action suit on this. I never received a thing on this. I called My Honda dealer and they show nothing. They just have an air bag recall which never received a letter on either.
Electrical system, Nov 25, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RHINELANDER HONDA (1737 N STEVENS ST, RHINELANDER, WI 54501) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE BATTERY FAILED DUE TO AN AFTERMARKET PART THAT WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY WAS TAKEN TO AN INSTALLER OF THE AFTERMARKET STARTER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES FOUND WITH THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT PREVIOUSLY THE BATTERY FAILURE CAUSED THE ALTERNATOR TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 1, 2020
FIRST OFF WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON THEN GOES OFF. THIS IS RANDOM IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME BUT I HAVE NOTICED IT MORE WHEN I TURN A CURVE IT SEEMS TO DO IT MORE. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE LEFT BLINKER GOES BACK AND FORTH FROM BLINKING FAST LIKE THERE IS A BAD BULB TO BLINKING NORMAL THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. I'VE CHECK THE BULBS AND EVEN REPLACED THEM THINKING MAYBE IM JUST NOT SEEING A BAD BULB AND IT STILL DOING IT. IM NOT TO CONCERNED WITH THE BLINKER PROBLEM BUT I AM WITH THE AIR BAGS LIGHT. THE TWO MAYBE RELATED IM NOT SURE. I DO KNOW BOTH COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR
Electrical system, May 23, 2020
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JANUARY 2015 REPLACED BATTERY BOUGHT NEW ON NOVEMBER 2015 AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY 4 TIMES SINCE. LAST TIME NEW BATTERY INSTALLED AUGUST OF 2019 BATTERY DEAD AGAIN IN APRIL 2020. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 22, 2020
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND LOST BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AT EXACTLY SAME MOMENT. CLEARLY A SAFETY RISK FOR NIGHT DRIVING. I SEE HONDA HAS RECALLED THIS SWITCH IN PAST MODELS. FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.
Electrical system, Dec 6, 2018
THERE IS A BATTERY DRAIN ISSUE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL NOT KEEP IT CHARGED. THE ALTERNATOR HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED EARLY. BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON BECAUSE IT JUST CAN'T KEEP CHARGED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY WIFE CALLED ME FROM A PARKING LOT MILES AWAY FROM MY LOCATION WITH A DEAD BATTERY. I DON'T LIKE HER DRIVING WITH A VEHICLE THAT HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. MULTIPLE BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS SUPPOSEDLY A "FIX" FROM THE DEALERSHIP, BUT SOME ONLINE REPORT THAT IT DOES NOT WORK. I REALIZE HONDA DOESN'T WANT TO DO A RECALL UNLESS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE; HOWEVER, IF MY WIFE IS STRANDED SOMEWHERE BY HERSELF IN THIS VEHICLE THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FOB FAILED TO ELECTRONICALLY OPEN THE DOOR. THE DEALER (LUNDGREN HONDA OF AUBURN, 163 WASHINGTON ST, AUBURN, MA 01501, (855) 230-0305) DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT MENTION IF THE KEY FOB AND A SECOND KEY NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. .*BF *JB
Electrical system, Sep 11, 2018
THIS CHRONIC ISSUE STARTED WITH A SLOW CRANK AND THEN A NO START AND AAA REPLACED THE BATTERY ON 3/6/16. TWO WEEKS AGO ON AUGUST 23RD THE CAR WOULD NOT START IN THE PARKING LOT AFTER SITTING FOR 10 MINUTES WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. I JUMPED THE BATTERY AND THEN HAD AAA TEST THE BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM. THEY DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS THE CHARGING SYSTEM, LIKELY THE ALTERNATOR AS IT WAS CHARGING THE BATTERY INTERMITTENTLY. THEY JUMPED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT BILL PAGE HONDA. THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR IN WARRANTY AND SAID THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. ON SEPTEMBER 6TH THE CAR HAD A SLOW CRANK AND THEN ON SEPTEMBER 7TH THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I JUMPED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT DIRECTLY TO HONDA AND THEY ARE PRESENTLY INSISTING THAT THE ISSUE IS A DEAD BATTERY. HOWEVER, IF THE BATTERY WAS FINE TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE ISSUE IS KNOWN TO BE WITH THE CHARGING SYSTEM, IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT THE CONCERN IS NOT THE BATTERY, BUT THE SYSTEM THAT REGULATES THE ALTERNATOR'S CHARGING OF THE BATTERY ITSELF. THE VEHICLE IS IN WARRANTY, HOWEVER, MY CONCERN IS THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER BE IN WARRANTY WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS AGAIN IF THE BATTERY IS JUST REPLACED (I AVERAGE ABOUT 2 YEARS ON A BATTERY). ADDITIONALLY, THIS IS A DIAGNOSIS OF EXCLUSION AND ALL OTHER THINGS MUST BE RULED OUT BEFORE YOU CAN DETERMINE THE ACTUAL CAUSE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2018
VTC ACTUATOR: LOUD RATTLING NOISE UPON COLD START-UP STARTED AT APPROX 75K MILES. CAR IS STATIONARY. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH EACH TIME. IN FACT DEALER TOLD ME IT MAY HAVE BEEN MY IMAGINATION BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SOUND IN SHOP. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES 2 MONTHS AGO. BECAUSE THE SOUND PERSISTED AND SEEMS LOUDER IN FACT, I LEFT MY CR-V AT DEALER'S OVERNIGHT, SOUND WAS HEARD AND DUPLICATED FIRST THING IN THE AM. THEN I GET A DIAGNOSIS OF THE VTC ACTUATOR FAILURE AT A REPLACEMENT COST OF $849. IN ADDITION, MY TIMING CHAIN COVER IS NOW MYSTERIOUSLY LEAKING OIL, COSTING $748 FOR REPAIR. I WONDER IF THE CONSTANT RATTLING OF THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING CONTROL ACTUATOR AIDED IN THIS ISSUE. ACCORDING TO PUBLISHED TSB AND ONLINE COMPLAINTS, HONDA HAS KNOWN OF VTC ACTUATOR PROBLEM/SAFETY ISSUE SINCE 2012 WHICH MEANS THE HONDA TECHNICIANS WERE AWARE PRIOR TO MY CONSTANT COMPLAINING ABOUT IT, MY WARRANTY EXPIRING, AND AN ENORMOUS COST FOR REPAIRS. ANYTHING LESS THAN AN OFFICIAL RECALL FORCING HONDA TO REPLACE PART FOR WORKING ONE AT NO COST TO VEHICLE OWNER IS A LACK OF INTEGRITY, DECEITFUL DEALINGS AND UNFAIR TO HONDA LOYAL CONSUMERS.*DT
Electrical system, May 6, 2018
BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM RECALL. BATTERY DEAD LEFT LIGHT ON 3 MINUTES, IGNITION OFF. NOTHING ELSE ON.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 10, 2018
ENGINE- PURCHASED CAR IN AUG 2013 IN WINTER THAT YEAR I HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AT MORNING STARTS WHEN IT WAS COLD. TOOK TO HONDA DEALER SERVICE WHO SAID IT WAS PROBABLY VTC ACTUATOR. HAD TO BRING IT BACK AND LEAVE OVER NGHT SO THEY COULD HEAR IT IN AM. OF COURSE THE NIGHT I TOOK IT WASNT COLD ENOUGH NEXT AM TO MAKE NOISE. TOOK IT 3 OTHER TIMES SINCE ALL TO HONDA DEALER PLUS REPORTED IT EACH TIME I TOOK IN FOR SERVICE. NEVER ABLE TO HEAR NOISE BECAUSE TOO WARM. STILL MAKING NOISE TODAY, 5 YEARS LATER. WARRANTY EXPIRED. VERY AGGRAVATING. ELECTRICAL- BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 5 YEARS, THIS YEAR IT WAS IN JANURARY. SOMETHING IS DRAINING IT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS EVEN TURNED OFF AND NOT RUNNING. LIGHTS HAVE NEVER BEEN LEFT ON TO RUN BATTERY DOWN. EACH TIME I HAVE TO GET A NEW BATTERY THE SALES PERSON SAYS THE BATTERY IS TOO NEW TO BE DRAINED ALREADY AND THERE MUST BE SOMETHING DRAINING IT. HONDA DEALER SAYS THEY WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE THERE WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT THE FIRST 2 TIMES I TOOK IT THERE THE THIRD TIME I DIDNT WASTE MY TIME GOING THERE.
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2018
3/31/12 CR-V PURCHASED 2/6//13 DEFECTIVE BATTER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTEE 1/12/14 RECALLED FOR SOFTWARE FOR BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 12/1/14 RECALLED FOR SOFTWARE FOR BATTERY LIFE 11/24/14 REPLACED BATTERY NOT UNDER WARRANTEE $139.84 5/5/17 REPLACED DEFECTIVE BATTERY UNDER BATTERY WARRANTEE 4 BATTERIES IN 5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP THIS CAR IS NOT DEPENDABLE! ONE NEVER KNOWS WHEN IT MIGHT NOT START.
Electrical system, Dec 12, 2017
BATTERY DOES NOT GET RECHARGED PROPERLY, IT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT ABOUT ONCE A YEAR OR EVERY 2 YEARS. ALSO IF CAR SITS FOR A FEW DAYS BATTERY HAS A HARDER TIME STARTING CAR. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE CAR WAS BOUGHT, AND IS THE SAME FOR MULTIPLE BATTERIES SO THE PROBLEM LIES IN THE CAR'S SYSTEM.
Electrical system, Dec 6, 2017
CONCERN ON HONDA LOCK ACTUATOR: ALL DOORS ON THIS 2012 CAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED 1X IN THE LAST 18 MOS., AND NOW WE ARE ON ROUND TWO OF REPLACING THE ACTUATORS. AS THE CAR BECAME ABOUT 3-YEARS OLD, OUR DOORS BEGAN TO FAIL TO LOCK, FAIL TO OPEN AND DOORS CYCLE BETWEEN UNLOCKED AND LOCKED. THE AUTO-LOCKS JUST KEEP CYCLING AND TRYING TO LOCK - MAKING IT A TERRIBLE, DISTRACTING SOUND WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO CONTROL WHEN THE DRIVER TRIES TO UNLOCK THE CAR, AND THERE IS JUST ONE KEY SLOT FOR THE CAR. (NOTHING EVEN FOR THE TRUNK). THIS HAS COST US OVER $1200. THIS IS UNSAFE.
Electrical system, Oct 23, 2017
VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AFTER SEVERAL BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. IN INTERVAL OF 4 YEARS OF PURCHASING THE CAR (BRAND NEW), WE HAVE INSULTED 4 BATTERIES. THE CONTINUES TO LEAVE MY WIFE AND KIDS STRANDED MANY TIMES. HAVE CONTACTED BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER , BUT HAVE HAD NO LUCK.
Electrical system, Feb 13, 2017
STARTER IS MAKING A LOUD NOISE WHEN IT STARTS COLD FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2017
THE BLUETOOTH COMPONENT HAS A HORRIBLE BACKGROUND NOISE. THE PERSON YOU'RE SPEAKING WITH IS UNABLE TO HEAR YOU. THIS TOTALLY DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF HANDS FREE DRIVING. THIS COMPLAINT HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND CAN BE FOUND WITH A BASIC GOOGLE SEARCH. THE DEALERSHIP HAS EVEN CONFIRMED TO ME DIRECTLY THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING COMPLAINT AND PROBLEM, WHICH THEY DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION TO. THEY STATED IT IS JUST PART THE TECHNOLOGY PROBLEMS WITH BLUETOOTH. I HAVE HAD BLUETOOTH EARBUDS IN THE PAST AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM SO I FIND THAT REASONING UNACCEPTABLE.