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
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 3, 2017
REF: NHTSA ID #10084343 SURGE,VIBRATION OR JUDDER MAY BE FELT WHILE DRIVING UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. (HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 15-086 AND A15086) .HONDA CLAIMS MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON RECALL LIST.VEHICLE STILL UNDER DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY. DEALER WILL EVALUATE CONDITION ON JAN 9 2017 TO SEE IF WARRANTY WILL COVER SB 15.086. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Oct 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, IT EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. ALSO, THE DOORS WOULD RANDOMLY LOCK AND UNLOCK AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES DISPLAYED FALSE READINGS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS COMPROMISED BY A CYBER-STALKER/HACKER FOR OVER 2 YEARS. THE RADIO STATION RANDOMLY CHANGES, THE COMPASS DISPLAY WAS INCORRECT, THE CLIMATE CONTROLS WOULD NOT OPERATE, AND THE CLOCK SWITCHED TO MILITARY TIME. *JS
Electrical system, Sep 8, 2016
COLD START -MAKE METAL TO METAL GRINDING SOUND. REPLACED STARTER WITH NO REMEDY.
Electrical system, Aug 28, 2016
VEHICLE FAILED TO START ONCE IN FIRST YEAR GRADUALLY INCREASED TO 1 WEEKLY. DEALER CHECK COULD FIND 0 TWICE-CAN'T FIND,CAN'T FIX. NOW W/60400 MI MUST JUMP FOR ANY START SINCE DEALER TESTED IT THIS WEEK. DLR WANTS TO DO FULL DIAGNOSTIC 2ND TIME AT MY EXPENSE. WASTE OF TIME GOING NOWHERE. HONDA INC SAYS WORK W/ DEALER WHICH SAYS CAN'T FIND PROBLEM AND IT'S YOUR PROBLEM. I CAN'T TRADE IT LIKE IT IS. HAVE HAD 9 NEW ACCORDS SINCE 1978 W/ NO MAJOR PROBLEMS. ESTABLISHED LOYALTY TO HONDA NOT CONSIDERED.IN MY CASE. DISAPPOINTED!
Electrical system, Apr 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE ENGINE FAILED TO START NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THAT LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE ALTERNATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,400.
Electrical system, Mar 24, 2016
I HAVE A 2012 HONDA CRV. I RECENTLY HAD MY BATTERY CHANGED WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED WHILE PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOME. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE THE BATTERY JUST TURNED 4 YEARS OLD. THE MECHANIC ALSO TESTED THE CHARGING SYSTEM JUST TO BE SURE EVERYTHING WAS ALRIGHT. THE MECHANIC FOUND LOW READINGS FOR BOTH THE STARTER AND ALTERNATOR. THE CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS CONCERNED WHEN FIRST TOLD ABOUT THIS. HOWEVER, NOW I AM READING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WHY ISN'T HONDA FORCED TO DO SOMETHING SUCH AS A MANDATORY RECALL??
Electrical system, Mar 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER ACTUATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Electrical system, Dec 16, 2015
MY 7 MONTHS PREGNANT WIFE GOT STRANDED 200 MILES FROM HOME WHEN HER ALTERNATOR DECIDED TO DIE ON HER RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY. WE ONLY HAVE 50,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND AN ALTERNATOR SHOULDN'T DIE ON A VEHICLE THIS YOUNG IN ITS LIFE SPAN. LUCKILY A GOOD SEMINARIAN DECIDED TO GIVE HER CAR A JUMP START WHICH GOT HER TO HER DESTINATION SAFELY. SO SINCE WE ARE OUT OF WARRANTY AND NEEDED TO HAVE THIS FIXED QUICKLY, WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TRUSTED SHOP IN THE AREA AND THE ALTERNATOR HAD A FAULTY PART WHICH ENDED UP COSTING US OVER $600 DOLLARS TO GET FIXED. WE ALSO HAVE HAD A LOUD ENGINE RATTLE NOISE THAT OCCURS ON COLD STARTUPS FOR THE PAST YEAR AND HONDA HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE SINCE 2008 AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND HAS NOT COME UP WITH A PERMANENT FIX. I BELIEVE THE QUALITY OF HONDA CARS HAS BEEN DRASTICALLY DECLINING OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND I HAVE LOST FAITH IN THE HONDA BRAND AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA AGAIN.
Electrical system, Dec 8, 2015
2012 HONDA CRV. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR A DEFECTIVE BATTERY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON DECEMBER 14, 2014, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED DUE TO THE BATTERY NOT CHARGING. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY FROM AUTOZONE. ON DECEMBER 18, 2014, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER CONCERNING THE BATTERY CHARGING DEFECT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND PRESENT THE RECEIPT OF PAYMENT FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE DEALER DENIED THE CONSUMER'S REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT, DUE TO THE FACT THE CONSUMER DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHEN HE EXPERIENCED THE BATTERY ISSUE. *JB
Electrical system, Nov 24, 2015
BATTERY KEEPS DYING. LOSES CHARGE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE EVEN AFTER CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR HOURS.
Electrical system, Nov 21, 2015
I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND MY BATTERY DIES FOR NO REASON. I TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE 2 POSITION AND A FEW MINUTES THE CAR BATTERY WAS DRAINED.
Electrical system, Oct 21, 2015
STARTING PROBLEMS. MANY TIMES THE CAR WOULD NOT START WITHOUT JUMPING THE BATTERY. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, IKE HONDA, MARION, IL 62959 MANY TIMES. FIRST TIME, NO TROUBLE FOUND, SECOND TIME NO TROUBLE FOUND, BUT WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP AT THE DEALER CR-V WOULD NOT START. DEALER KEPT CAR OVER NIGHT FOR TESTING AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. SAID IT MAY HAVE BEEN A FLOATING CELL. TROUBLE CONTINUED. NEXT TIME DEALER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. STILL NOT FIXED. AFTER JUMPING CAR SEVERAL MORE TIMES, TOOK CAR BACK TO IKE HONDA AND THEY DID A PRODUCT UPDATE 14-071, 12-17-14. NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM HONDA. STILL NOT FIXED. HAD TROUBLE A COUPLE MORE TIMES, JUMPED CAR OK. LAST TIME I TOOK CAR IN,10-10-15 NO TROUBLE FOUND AGAIN. BATTERY CHECKED OUT GOOD, NO DRAWS ON ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SOFTWARE UP TO DATE. IN ALL CASES CAR WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN OUR GARAGE WHEN IT WOULD NOT START. NO LIGHTS, OR ANYTHING ELSE LEFT ON. ONCE BATTERY IS JUMPED, CAR STARTS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS FOR QUITE SOMETIME BEFORE HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN. DRIVING HABITS, MILEAGE SAME AS PREVIOUS TWO SUV'S. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH EITHER OF THEM STARTING. I BELIEVE THAT THE IKE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE SINCERE ATTEMPTS AT RESOLVING THIS ISSUE AND PROVIDING ME WITH DETAILED INFORMATION ON WHAT THEY HAVE TRIED TO DO, WHAT THEY FOUND/DIDN'T FIND. HOWEVER, THE STARTING PROBLEM CONTINUES.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 6, 2015
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE BRAND-NEW THE CAR WOULD NOT START. NO LIGHTS HAD BEEN ON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A "FIX." NOW THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN- BATTERY COMPLETELY DEAD WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING ME AND MY YOUNG CHILDREN STRANDED FOR HOURS. I JUST HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE END OF MAY (ABOUT 5 WEEKS AGO) AND EVERYTHING PASSED INSPECTION THEN. ALSO LIKE OTHER REPORTS I SEE, MY ENGINE SOMETIMES MAKES A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WHEN STARTING. MY DEALERSHIP SAID THAT "THIS JUST SOMETIMES HAPPENS." I'M NOT CONVINCED- I'VE DRIVEN SOME VERY OLD CARS THAT DON'T EVEN DO THIS! THIS WAS MY FIRST BRAND NEW CAR AND I'M NOT PLEASED.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 3, 2015
LOUD METALLIC RATTLE NOISE ON COLD START-UP. HONDA DEALER FOUND HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 09-010 ISSUED, BUT NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ISSUED TO DATE.
Electrical system, Mar 19, 2015
THIS CR-V SOMETIMES HESITATES TO CRANK. IT WILL CRANK AFTER THE 2ND TRY. IT ALSO HAS A VERY HIGH PITCH SOUND AT 55 MPH THAT IS VERY ANNOYING. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER JUMPSTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL RELATED TO THE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,666.
Electrical system, Feb 19, 2015
WINDOW SWITCH ON DRIVERS SIDE FOR FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY TO DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK AND THE WINDOW IS HARDLY USED. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2015
BATTERY FAILURE. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 20, 2015
SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR BATTERY. HEATER/DEFROSTER BLOWER MOTOR (SUBASSEMBLY MOTOR). DEAD BATTERY. SOFTWARE WAS SUPPOSED TO READ BATTERY VOLTAGE AND WASN'T WORKING CORRECTLY SO HONDA REQUIRED SOFTWARE UPDATE. HAD THAT DONE AT DEALER ON 01/01/15. AT THAT TIME ASKED ABOUT THE HEATER/DEFROSTER NOISE AND THE FACT THAT IT DIDN'T ALWAYS WORK. WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THE SUBASSEMBLY MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPAIR ESTIMATE IS $1200.00. ON WEDNESDAY 01/07/15 WENT OUT TO START CAR AND BATTERY WAS DEAD. HAD TO REPLACE WITH NEW BATTERY. CAR WAS PURCHASED APRIL 2012, LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD. OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE. SOFTWARE UPDATE DIDN'T WORK IN SENSING VOLTAGE SINCE I CAME OUT TO A DEAD BATTERY 1 WEEK AFTER "UPDATE". SUBASSEMBLY MOTOR PART NOT SOMETHING THAT IS A MILEAGE WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE. CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF DEFROSTER NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY SUBSEQUENTLY LEADING TO POOR VISIBILITY THROUGH WINDSHIELD. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2015
THE HEATER IN THIS CAR BLOWS COLD AIR AND IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO WARM UP DURING LONG COMMUTES EVEN WHEN THE FAN AND HEAT ADJUSTMENTS ARE ON HIGH. IT HAS NOT IMPROVED DURING THE PAST THREE MONTHS OF COLD WEATHER AND IT DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD TO PURCHASE AN AWD VEHICLE WHEN THE HEAT DOESN'T EVEN WORK.
Electrical system, Dec 3, 2014
ENGINE CRANKED BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO SERVICE STATION. ANALYZED AND FIXED BY SHORTING BATTERY CABLES. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT NO REPAIR WAS POSSIBLE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. CALLED A "GLITCH" IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THIS ENGINE FAILURE HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC, A REAR END COLLISION COULD HAVE HAPPENED. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT OTHER SYSTEMS ON THE CAR LIKE AIRBAGS ETC. WERE INOPERATIVE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *JS
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2014
WITH THE COOLER WEATHER UPON US, WE BEGAN USING THE HEAT RECENTLY. AS A COUPLE OTHERS HAVE ALSO NOTED, THE DRIVER SIDE "HEAT" IS BLOWING COOL/COLD AIR. THE ENGINE IS WARMING UP AND THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAT IS WORKING AS EXPECTED. *JS
Electrical system, Visibility, Nov 9, 2014
DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT BLOW HOT AIR, THE CAR BLOWS HOT AIR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT COLD AIR ON THE DRIVER SIDE, ITS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE CAR IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS DUE TO THIS ISSUE, AS LEGS AND HANDS BECOME NUMB DUE TO COLD AIR BLOW ON DRIVERS SIDE, WHICH WILL POTENTIALLY LEAD TO PULL OVER MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING OR MAY LEAD T CRASH IN THE FUTURE, MANY 2012 CRV MODELS HAVE THIS ISSUE. A RECALL SHOULD BE CALLED AND THE ISSUE FIXED IMMEDIATELY, THANKS *TR
Electrical system, Oct 9, 2014
CAR WOULDN'T START REQUIRED JUMP. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 11, 2014
WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS WITH MY 2012 HONDA CRV. IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON, AND THE ONLY THING I COULD REALLY DO IS STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. WHEN I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, THE STEERING WORKED FINE AGAIN. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT ONE WEEK LATER. I TOOK IT TO MY HONDA DEALER IN INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN, TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY COULD SEE FROM THE TWO CODES THAT SOMETHING HAPPENED BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY CONTACTED HONDA, WHO INDICATED IT COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE BATTERY CONNECTION SO THEY CHECKED/REPLACED THE GROUNDING WIRE TO THE BATTERY AND ALSO CHECKED ALL OF THE CONNECTIONS. I PREVIOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER GETTING THE NEW VEHICLE. I HAD TROUBLE WITH THE VEHICLE STARTING EVEN IN THE GARAGE. I HAD IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT TIMES WHEN THEY DETERMINED I HAD A BAD BATTERY. AFTER THEY REPLACE THE BATTERY, I DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT STARTING AGAIN. IT MAKES ME WONDER IF THE PREVIOUS BATTERY ISSUE AND THE STEERING ISSUE COULD BE RELATED I HAVE ONLY BEEN DRIVING IT A FEW DAYS, BUT IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN AS YET. IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, I WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO MY HONDA DEALER AND UPDATE THIS COMPLAINT. HAVING STEERING FAILURE IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT. *TR