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: engine
91 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Jan 17, 2017
THE VEHICLE SHAKES, VIBRATES OR WOBBLES WHEN ACCELERATING IN LOW GEARS. IT STOPS WHEN EASING UP ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) BETWEEN THE 1ST AND 2ND GEARS. THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS BY REMOVING FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL OR ACCELERATING CAR QUICKLY TO HIGHER SPEED. THE ISSUE AFFECTS THE ABILITY TO SAFELY ACCELERATE TO PROPER SPEED. BEGINS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL CAR REACHES ABOUT 40-45 MILES PER HOUR. OCCURS ON ALL TYPES OF ROAD CONDITIONS BUT IS VERY PRONOUNCED WHEN DRIVING ON A FLAT SURFACE. *TR
Engine, Dec 14, 2016
VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN STARTING IN COLD WEATHER
Engine, Dec 14, 2016
HEATER IS BLOWING VERY COLD AIR (28 DEG) ON DRIVER SIDE, (130 DEG) ON PASSENGER SIDE. THIS CONDITION IS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONERY, IT BECOMES MUCH COLDER WHEN IN MOTION. THERE WAS A TSB CREATED NOVEMBER 2014, REGARDING THIS PROBLEM.
Engine, Sep 10, 2016
LOUD NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED.
Engine, Sep 4, 2016
GRINDING NOISE AT COLD START.
Engine, Jun 29, 2016
EACH TIME I START AN ENGINE WHEN IT STILL COLD IT HAS A RATTLE LOUDY NOISE. WHEN HONDA IS GOING TO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE?
Engine, Jun 21, 2016
A GRINDING NOISE OCCURS UPON STARTING WHICH LASTS FOR A FEW SECONDS. I HAD ASKED ABOUT IT ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WHEN BRINGING MY CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. A SERVICE MANAGER CAPTURED IT ON VIDEO AND SAID THERE WAS NOT ANY EFFECT TO THE VEHICLE. MY WARRANTY IS NOW EXPIRED AND I IMAGINE TRYING TO SELL THE VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE WILL BE A PROBLEM WHEN SOMEONE HEARS THAT NOISE.
Engine, Visibility/wiper, May 21, 2016
HEATER/DEFROSTER ON DRIVER'S SIDE NOT PUTTING OUT WARM AIR. WINDOWS NOT BEING DEFROSTED - SAFETY ISSUE. HONDA HAS LONG RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN 14-063 BUT REFUSED TO CORRECT WITH CHARGING SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. THIS SHOULD BE FIXED NO-CHARGE AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Engine, Apr 6, 2016
ON COLD STARTUPS THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH LASTS FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD USUALLY AFTER THE CAR IS LEFT IDLE OVERNIGHT BUT HAPPENS TO A LESSER EXTENT WHILE THE CAR IS BEING USED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEIR MECHANIC IDENTIFIED IT AS THE VTC ACTUATOR. THEY SAID THAT THIS IS COMMON AND THAT HONDA HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN AND WILL BE ISSUING A RECALL SOON. HONDA KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM (BULLETIN:09-010). THEY SAID THAT IT CAN WAIT FOR THE RECALL TO BE ISSUED. MY PROBLEM IS THAT MY WARRINTY MAY NOW EXPIRE AND A RECALL COULD NOT EVER BE ISSUED.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 4, 2016
WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH NOISE WHEN STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. THERE IS A HESITATION SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING LIKE NOT GETTING FUEL.
Engine, Jan 29, 2016
LOW HEAT FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE VENT. HAD TO HAVE THE HEATER CORE FLUSHED. ITS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND THERE IS AN OFFICIAL HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN (14-063) FOR THIS PROBLEM. HAD TO PAY $450 TO HAVE THIS FIXED.
Engine, Jan 25, 2016
GRINDING NOISE OCCURS ON 1ST START UP WHEN CAR IS COLD AND OCCASIONALLY DURING THE DAY. WE TOOK IT TO HONDA DEALERSHIP ON 11/5/2015 AND THEY SAY IT IS THE VTC ACTUATOR AND NO REPAIRS WILL BE DONE AT THIS TIME. WE TOOK IT TO PASADENA HONDA ON 1/25/16 AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY HONDA WOULD EMAIL US WHEN THEY HAD A FIX. I CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY SAID HONDA WAS WORKING ON A SECOND SOLUTION.THE NOISE CONTINUES TO WORSEN. THEY SAID IT WASN'T A SAFETY ISSUE OR WOULDN'T HURT THE ENGINE(?)
Engine, Dec 27, 2015
GRINDING/RATTLING ENGINE NOISE ON FIRST START-UP ONLY. APPEARS TO BE THE VTC ACTUATOR PROBLEM. HAPPENS ONLY IN COLD WEATHER. ALMOST BOUGHT A TOYOTA RAV4 INSTEAD. MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE TOYOTA?
Engine, Dec 16, 2015
THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO SB-09-010 THAT HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF CR-V OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING SPANNING FROM 2012-2014 MODEL YEARS (OTHER HONDA'S SUCH AS THE ACCORD ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE ALL THE BACK TO 2008). STARTING AROUND 40,000 MILES (AFTER OUR 3 YEAR/36K WARRANTY EXPIRED OF COURSE) OUR VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE ON COLD STARTUPS (AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 2 OR MORE HOURS). THE LONGER THE VEHICLE SITS THE LOUDER THE GRINDING NOISE IS FOR THE FIRST STARTUP. HONDA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS NOW (RESEARCH IT AND YOU'LL SEE FOR YOURSELF) AND HAS BEEN COMPLACENT IN COMING UP WITH A FIX. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO SELL A VEHICLE THAT SOUNDS LIKE THIS? NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD BUY A VEHICLE THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINE IS KNOCKING OR RATTLING. WHERE ARE THE FIXES FOR THIS HONDA? HONDA, YOU'RE RAPIDLY LOSING FAITH IN YOUR BRAND AND YOUR CUSTOMER BASE IS DIMINISHING. YOU'VE ALREADY LOST ME AS A CUSTOMER (MY WIFE IS STILL BEING LOYAL SINCE THIS CR-V IS HERS) AND I'VE JUMPED SHIP TO ANOTHER BRAND OF CAR THAT STARTS WITH AN "S" AND ENDS IN A "UBARU". . AT 50,000 MILES MY 7 MONTHS PREGNANT WIFE GOT STRANDED 200 MILES FROM HOME BECAUSE THE ALTERNATOR DECIDED TO CRAP OUT ON HER WHICH RESULTED IN THE BATTERY DYING. LUCKILY A GOOD SAMARITAN GAVE HER CAR A JUMP START AND SHE REACHED HER DESTINATION. GETTING THE ALTERNATOR FIXED WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED AS SOMETHING INTERNAL IN THE ALTERNATOR, COST US OVER $600 TO FIX ON A 3 YEAR OLD CAR. AN ALTERNATOR SHOULD NOT BE DYING ON A 50,000 MILE OR 3 YEAR OLD CAR. WE WILL BE FILING FORMAL COMPLAINTS WITH HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN REGARDS TO THE ALTERNATOR AND THE LOUD ENGINE RATTLE. HONDA'S QUALITY IN WORKMANSHIP HAS DRASTICALLY DECLINED. I AM THROUGH WITH BUYING ANY MORE HONDA'S. GOODBYE HONDA!
Engine, Nov 27, 2015
STARTING CAR SOUND IS A GRINDING SOUND. TENDS TO HAPPEN IN THE MORNING WHEN I FIRST START IT UP FOR THE DAY. I THINK HONDA SHOULD REPLACE THE CAM ACTUATOR GEAR ASSEMBLY. WHAT ELSE IS GETTING RUINED ON MY CAR WHEN NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN PLACE BY HONDA?
Service brakes, Engine, Nov 18, 2015
SUDDEN ACCELERATION: WHEN FOOT ON BRAKE, THE ENGINE SURGES
Steering, Engine, Oct 21, 2015
WHEN I "COLD" START MY CAR (MORNINGS, AFTER 6 HOURS OF NONUSE) THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING/SCREECHING NOISE THAT LASTS A FEW SECONDS (HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=V3Z00LN1DD8). THE SCHAUMBURG (IL) DEALERSHIP SAYS HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT PROVIDED A SOLUTION TO THEM YET. I CONTACTED THEM ON MARCH 13, 2015, REGARDING THIS. THEY PROVIDED THE SAME ANSWER TODAY...WHILE THE PROBLEM/NOISE PERSISTS. I AM HOPING THIS COMPLAINT WILL HELP FORCE HONDA DEVELOP A (VTC ACTUATOR?) SOLUTION AND PROVIDE IT TO HONDA DRIVERS.
Engine, Oct 13, 2015
HONDA CRV 2012 WHEN STARTING THE CARE IN THE MORNING, ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING NOISE AFTER IT STARTS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST YEAR OR SO, ON A DAILY BASIS. OF LATE, IT HAPPENS IN THE EVENING AS WELL. I.E) WHENEVER THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN RUNNING FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT THERE IS NO BULLETIN FROM AMERICAN HONDA COMPANY ON THIS, IN ORDER TO FIX THE ISSUE. AND THAT THIS IS NOT CAUSING ANY DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, I SEE A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED IN OCTOBER 2012 SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS, AND IT IS STORED ON THE NHTSA.DOT.GOV WEBSITE. SERVICE BULLETIN 2012 AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. ' ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ATB 41171-48259 (1210) 1 OF 6 OCTOBER 6, 2012 09-010 SPOKE TO AMERICAN HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY CLARIFIED THAT THEY HAD UPDATED THAT BULLETIN SINCE THEN. THEY ARE ADVISING THE DEALERS TO NOT APPLY THOSE STEPS AND HAVE REMOVED IT AS A RECOMMENDATION (SINCE 2013) TO FIX THE ENGINE RATTLE NOISE. THEY ARE DEEMING THIS AS A "NOISE IRRITANT". AND ASKED US TO CHECK BACK IN 4 MONTHS FROM NOW. HOWEVER, ON A PRODUCT SUCH AS THIS CAR, THE APPEARANCE IS IMPORTANT. RIGHT NOW, IT SOUNDS LIKE I AM DRIVING A CLUNKER! ALSO, THE CONCERNS ARE: A) DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE / ACTUATOR IS STILL HAPPENING? B) IS IT SAFE TO START THE ENGINE DESPITE RATTLING NOISE? C) ENGINE MIGHT EVENTUALLY NOT START AT ALL D) A LOOSE PART MIGHT DESTROY THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT! THANKS!
Engine, Oct 7, 2015
ENGINE MAKES RATTLING OR GRINDING NOISE ON STARTUP, USUALLY IN THE MORNING OR WHEN THE CAR HAS SET FOR AT LEAST 6 TO 8 HOURS.
Engine, Oct 5, 2015
ON COLD STARTS HERE A LOAD SCRAPPING SOUND THAT LASTS FOR 2-3 SECONDS. NEVER HEAR IT ON WARM STARTS.
Engine, Sep 23, 2015
PURCHASED A HONDA CRV 2012 FROM A DEALERSHIP BUT THEY BROUGHT THE CAR TO ME FOR A TEST DRIVE WHICH RESULTED IN MY NOT HEARING THE GRINDING NOISE ON STARTUP. THE ENGINE MAKES A GRINDING SOUND EVERY TIME YOU START IT (COLD STARTS...WHEN I START IT IN THE MORNING IT MAKES THE SOUND AND IF I START IT WITHIN 15-20 MINUTES AFTER THE INITIAL START IT IS MUCH MILDER OF A NOISE.) THE HONDA MECHANIC SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX IT (STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME) BECAUSE HONDA HAS NOT DONE A "SOFTWARE UPDATE." I NOW SEE, AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HONDA CRV'S THAT HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED.
Engine, Sep 15, 2015
LOUD NOISE ON START-UP ALL THE TIME (DOESN'T MATTER IF COLD OR HOT). TOOK TO DEALER, PEORIA, IL - 12/30/2014 SUSPECTED VTC ACTUATOR. DEALER SAID COULD NOT DUPLICATE, AFTER I EVEN RECORDED THE NOISE. BROUGHT BACK IN APRIL 2015, INSISTED THEY LISTEN WHILE I WAS THERE. DIAGNOSED VTC ACTUATOR. SAID HONDA HAD A TECH BULLETIN, SAID THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ALLOW DEALER TO FIX IT. TOLD TO CHECK BACK AGAIN SOON. I CHECKED BACK OVER SEVERAL MONTHS. SAME ANSWER. THERE IS NO FIX, HONDA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HOW CAN A MANUFACTURER KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND SAY THEY CAN'T FIX IT. I CAN'T RESALE THE VEHICLE WITH THIS NOISE. THE NOISE IS VERY LOUD AND EMBARRASSING ON EVERY START UP. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX OR PROVIDE ANY SOLUTION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH DIFFERENT HONDA VEHICLES, AND CONSUMERS CAN'T GET THE PROBLEM FIXED.
Engine, Aug 24, 2015
COLD START OF ENGINE CAUSES LOUD GRINDING NOISE ONLY 2 AND A HALF YEARS OF OWNERSHIP 50,000 MILES LOOKING ONLINE IT IS NOT A UNIQUE PROBLEM AND IS AN ENGINE DESIGN FLAW. HONDA ONLY SAYS IT'S WORKING ON THE PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T HAVE A FIX YET. THEY SAY THE OFFICIAL PROBLEM IS THAT THE VTEC ACTUATOR IS DEFECTIVE. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF POSTS ASKING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I WOULD ASSUME THE COMPANY WOULD WORK ON IT ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE.
Engine, Aug 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A LOUD GRINDING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IF IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR OVER FOUR HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VTC ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
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.