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: steering
35 reports, newest first. Show all
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
Steering, Electrical system, May 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WOULD ALSO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE IN ORDER TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY FOUR TIMES AND THE ALTERNATOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,400.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 14, 2014
ON 4/9/14 I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR (STOP AND GO) TRAFFIC. SUDDENLY EPS INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, THE VEHICLES STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT EXTREME EFFORT, WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. UPON ARRIVAL HOME, I TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY, ISSUE DISAPPEARED, VEHICLE'S STEERING WAS NORMAL.. ON 4/12/14 VEHICLE TAKEN TO BURNS HONDA, MARLTON, NJ FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE STEERING ISSUE AS RECOMMENDED BY HONDA AMERICA. HONDA DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE FOR WHICH THEY INDICATED THAT DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE COMPUTER SHOWED EPS CODE CAME ON PREVIOUSLY,BUT ALL CODES ARE CLEAR AND NO FAULT PRESENT AT TIME. ON 4/14/14 WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE TO WORK IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING, EPS LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON AT 8:13 A.M., SAME SITUATION, HEAVY TRAFFIC, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. EPS (ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING) LIGHT INDICATOR RETURNED, I PULLED OVER (AS REFERENCED IN THE MANUAL) TURNED ENGINE OFF ENGINE, THEN RE-STARTED, SYSTEM SEEMED TO RESET ITSELF. A FEW MINUTES LATER EPS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE AS PREVIOUSLY STATED. I PULLED OVER, TURNED ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED. THE SAME PROBLEM/ISSUE CONTINUED TO PERSIST APPROX. EIGHT MORE TIMES; I WAS SLOWLY CAPABLE TO GUIDE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO THE SAME DEALER (BURNS HONDA). HONDA AMERICA HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT OF 4/9/14 AND MOST RECENT INCIDENT TODAY 4/14/14. AWAITING RESPONSE OF SERVICE PROCEDURE FROM DEALER AND HONDA AMERICA TO ADDRESS PROBLEM, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. EPS SYSTEM FAILURE. *JS
Steering, Service brakes, Oct 8, 2013
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR FROM MARYLAND TO NEW YORK IN EXTREMELY RAINY CONDITIONS ON THE I95, THE SUV STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AFTER A LOUD NOISE. I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE, BUT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. THE BRAKES PEDAL ALSO DID NOT MOVE. THE CAR BUCKLED AND ROCKED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. (NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON--WHY DIDN'T IT?) THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY IF OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME WERE NOT ALERT. I READ THROUGH THE COMMENTS AND REALIZE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. IS HONDA WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE. I TOLD MY FAMILY TO SUE THEM IF IT HAPPENS TO ME. I HAVE STARTED DRIVING WITH MY IPAD VIDEO CAMERA ON. THIS IS MY BLACK BOX TO PROVE THAT THE HONDA CRV 2012 IS FAULTY. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS VIBRATE WHEN DRIVING AFTER 2-3HRS. I TOOK THE CAR INTO HONDA, LONG ISLAND, NY. THEY CHECKED THE BRAKES AND SAID IT IS FINE. BUT, THE CAR DOES NOT DRIVE SMOOTH ON THE ROAD. YOU CAN FEEL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. HONDA NEEDS TO FIX THIS UNSAFE PROBLEM OF THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKING WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. *TR
Steering, Jul 11, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CRV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE STEERING WIRE WAS LOOSE AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED LATER AS THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Jul 7, 2013, crash
DRIVER REPORTED HEARING LOUD POP FROM RIGHT SIDE (ASSUMED TO BE FRONT TIRE BLOWOUT). SHE DESCRIBED STEERING LOCKED UP AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON A CURVING 2 LANE ROAD. SHE DESCRIBES BRAKING WAS INEFFECTIVE, AND HER VEHICLE RIGHT FRONT CORNER HIT A VEHICLE IN OPPOSITE LANE, BOTH VEHICLES SPUN 180 AND CRV ENDED UP UPRIGHT IN A DITCH OFF THE ROAD. RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND SUSPENSION WAS COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE. REAR RIGHT WHEEL BROKE FROM SUSPENSION. CAR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED PROPERLY, AND DRIVER WAS JUST BRUISED AND SCRAPED UP. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 2 ISSUES WITH TPMS (TIRE-PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM). VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER FOR SERVICE AFTER TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE WHEN TPMS INDICATOR CAME ON 10 MINUTES AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER PURCHASE (SERVICE DEPT WAS CLOSED THE NEXT DAY). SECOND TIME WAS 3 DAYS AFTER SERVICE, TECHNICIAN REPORTED THAT "PREVIOUS TECH DIDN'T ADJUST THE SPARE TIRE TPMS. THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE ERRORS". MONTHS LATER TIRES APPEARED TO BE LOW, BUT TPMS SYSTEM DIDN'T INDICATE ANYTHING, DRIVER WONDERED IF THE SERVICE TECHS DISABLED THE TPMS SYSTEM COMPLETELY? CAR WAS AT DEALER JAN 12, 2013 FOR DOOR LOCK RECALL. DESCRIBED TPMS ISSUES TO TECH, NOTHING REPORTED. CAR WAS DUE TO GO BACK TO SHOP A MONTH OR TWO AFTER THE ACCIDENT FOR 1 YEAR CHECK-UP. DRIVER STATES SHE WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER HONDA.. THIS ONE JUST HAD TOO MANY PROBLEMS FROM THE START. *TR
Steering, May 20, 2013
MY 2012 HONDA CR-V (AWD, EX TRIM) HAS, ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, LOCKED UP THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING IN NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS (<25 MPH) OR PARKING LOTS. I AM LUCKY THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY, BUT I FEAR IT MAY HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT. ON TODAY'S OCCASION (THE 5TH OUT OF 5, AT 6372 MILES), MY CAR WAS SITTING IN BRIGHT SUN ALL DAY, AND WHEN I DROVE IT A FEW MILES AND PARKED IN FRONT OF A STORE, I LOST POWER STEERING RIGHT AS I TURNED TO PARK. THE STEERING TENDED TO HARDEN UP AS I DROVE THROUGH THE PARKING LOT TO FIND MY SPOT. THE EPS INDICATOR ON THE DASH DID NOT ILLUMINATE AT ALL, EVEN THOUGH MY STEERING WAS LOST. I HAD TO WAIT 5 MINUTES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE INTO POSITION. ON PAGE 355 OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL, A NOTICE STATES THAT: "IF YOU REPEATEDLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT AN EXTREMELY LOW SPEED, OR HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE FULL LEFT OR RIGHT POSITION FOR A WHILE, THE SYSTEM HEATS UP. THE SYSTEM GOES INTO A PROTECTIVE MODE, AND LIMITS ITS PERFORMANCE. THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES HARDER AND HARDER TO OPERATE. ONCE THE SYSTEM COOLS DOWN, EPS IS RESTORED. REPEATED OPERATION UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN EVENTUALLY DAMAGE THE SYSTEM." WHAT KIND OF STEERING IS THIS? YOU TEND TO USE YOUR STEERING MOST WHEN IN PARKING LOTS OR TIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. IN CONCLUSION, NORMAL DRIVING HABITS WILL "EVENTUALLY DAMAGE THE SYSTEM." I DEMAND HONDA TO FULLY REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REMAINING NEGATIVE EQUITY OF THE VEHICLE LEASE, AND PROVIDE ME A SAFE, PAID-IN-FULL RENTAL VEHICLE (NON-HONDA PLEASE) TO DRIVE UNTIL MY NEW MINI COUNTRYMAN ARRIVES FROM EUROPE IN A FEW WEEKS. I FIND IT APPALLING THAT A COMPANY KNOWN FOR "RELIABILITY" AND "DURABILITY" WOULD SKIMP ON THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF DRIVING: THE STEERING. *TR
Steering, Nov 21, 2012
2012 HONDA CRV - POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT ON DASH ILLUMINATES. ONCE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AFTER AN OCCURRENCE THE POWER STEERING AGAIN WORKS FINE FOR DAYS OR WEEKS UNTIL THE NEXT OCCURRENCE. WHILE THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WHEN THIS OCCURS THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE THIRD TIME TO ATTEMPT REPAIR FOR THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. NOTE THIS IS THE FIRST MODEL YEAR TO USE HONDA'S NEW MOTION-ADAPTIVE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS). *TR
Steering, Oct 1, 2012
THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM (EPS) SHUTS DOWN MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, MANY TIMES WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEED (THE VERY PURPOSE OF POWER STEERING). ONE FAILURE OCCURRED IN A PARKING GARAGE AND NEARLY CAUSED A HEAD-ON COLLISION. THE FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT AND SOMETIMES INCLUDES ILLUMINATION OF THE EPS WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BUT NOT ALWAYS, AND THE LIGHT HAS NEVER SEALED-IN. THE SYMPTOMS ARE SIMILAR TO WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE HONDA FIT THAT LED TO SERVICE BULLETIN 09-043 THAT APPLIED TO BOTH THE FIT AND THE CIVIC HYBRID (SEE HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F1346C0/58). THE EPS SYSTEM IS NEWLY INSTALLED IN THE CR-V IN THE 2012 MODEL. BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECORD OF THIS PROBLEM FOR THE CR-V, HONDA DEALERS (WE HAVE CONTACTED MORE THAN ONE) ARE REQUIRING THAT THE FAILURE OCCUR WHILE THEY DRIVE THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEY WILL FIX ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT MOST RECENTLY THE WEEK OF 9/24 AND LEFT WITH THE DEALER OVERNIGHT. THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING LOGGED TO ENSURE THIS FAILURE IS ON RECORD. BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE FAILURE IS VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL TO THAT DESCRIBED FOR A SIMILAR COMPONENT IN EARLIER FIT AND CIVIC VEHICLES, IT ONLY SEEMS REASONABLE TO APPLY THE SAME FIX WITHOUT THE NEED FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPLICATION OF THE SYMPTOM. *TR
Steering, Jul 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND COULD NOT BE TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,795. UPDATED 8/24/12 *CN