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
403 reports, newest first.
Engine, Sep 10, 2016
LOUD NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED.
Power train, Sep 8, 2016
MY WIFE PULLED HER 2012 HONDA CR-V INTO A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, LEAVING THE ENGINE RUNNING. SHE EXITED THE CAR BRIEFLY THEN RETURNED, OPENING THE DOOR TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR BUT INSIDE THE OPEN DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, SHE REACHED IN AND SWITCHED OFF THE IGNITION. THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARD, KNOCKING HER TO THE GROUND, AND DRAGGING HER ABOUT 30 FEET DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND ACROSS THE STREET. CAR CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT HIT THE CURB ACROSS THE STREET. A FIREMAN WHO ARRIVED FIRST ON THE SCENE VERIFIED THE CAR WAS STILL IN PARK. WIFE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE AND SUFFERED A BROKEN SHOULDER, SEVERE ROAD RASH INJURIES TO HER TORSO, AND OTHER BRUISES. THE CR-V DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAS DAMAGE, NOT BEING ABLE TO CLOSE PROPERLY, AND HAS A PIECE OF BLACK PLASTIC MOLDING TORN AWAY FROM THE LOWER SECTION OF THE FRAME.
Electrical system, Sep 8, 2016
COLD START -MAKE METAL TO METAL GRINDING SOUND. REPLACED STARTER WITH NO REMEDY.
Engine, Sep 4, 2016
GRINDING NOISE AT COLD START.
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!
Visibility/wiper, Aug 27, 2016
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SPEED ARE VERY INADEQUATE. WHEN SET TO THE FASTEST SPEED THE WIPERS DON'T WORK WELL. THE WIPERS TEND TO MOVE FASTER THE FASTER YOU ARE DRIVING. SITTING STILL WIPERS DON'T MOVE. WHEN IT IS RAINING HARD AND FAST THE WIPERS DO SUCH A POOR JOB IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE.
Air bags, Aug 16, 2016
I HAVE A 2012 HONDA CRV - VIN: [XXX], WITH JUST A FEW MILES OVER 40,000 MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS. TODAY, I TOOK IT TO HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC RAN ON IT. THE FOLLOWING ERROR CODES CAME UP: 71-21: "SHORT IN THE PASSENGERS FRONT AIRBAG OFF SWITCH" 43-22: "NO SIGNAL FROM THE LEFT SIDE IMPACT SENSOR (FIRST)" B2-11: "NO SIGNAL FROM THE REAR SAFING SENSOR" ALTHOUGH, THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ANY RECALLS, IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF MY HONDA CRV, THERE OBVIOUSLY ARE ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. WHAT STEPS DO I NEED TO TAKE TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER? I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY KIND OF RECALLS, NOR HAVE I BEEN ABLE TO FIND RESULTS, WHEN SEARCHING FOR RECALLS. PLEASE ADVISE AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Aug 15, 2016
MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. UNSURE WHAT IT MEANS, BUT AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT APPEARS I MAY HAVE A MALFUNCTION? I DO NOT SEE ANY RECALLS FOR THE 2012 HONDA CRV THOUGH. SHOULD I REPORT THIS TO MY DEALER AND/OR ARE THERE ANY RECALLS, THAT I AM NOT AWARE OF?
Power train, Aug 13, 2016
THE GEAR SHIFT ALLOWS THE CAR TO BE SHIFTED FROM DRIVE MODE TO NEUTRAL OR "2" WITHOUT PRESSING THE GEAR RELEASE BUTTON. THIS CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING AND REMOVING A BOTTLED BEVERAGE AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS "BUMPED" WHILE DRIVING PUSHING THE HANDLE UP TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT HIGH SPEEDS.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY ACTUATOR (VSA) FAILED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
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.
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.
Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2016
SUN ROOF GLASS BLOWING OUT ON ROUTE 24 (MASSACHUSETTS) @ 65 MPH
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 9, 2016
IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED BY HONDA THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH HEATER CORES ON THESE CARS. HEATER WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME PLUGGED AND NOT WORK. HEAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY COOLER ON DRIVERS SIDE VENTS THAN PASSENGER SIDE. MY COMPLAINT IS WITHOUT HEAT TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD IN WINTER CONDITIONS IT WILL BECOME A VISIBILITY ISSUE DUE TO NOT HAVING THE ABILITY TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. HONDA IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, YET IS CHARGING CUSTOMERS THAT ARE OUT OF WARRANTY TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. I HAVE 46K MILES ON MY CAR AND AM HAVING HEATER CORE ISSUES? I NOTICED THE ISSUE EARLY ON AND IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. HAD I OF KNOWN WHAT IT WAS I WOULD HAVE HAD IT FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. HONDA TSB NUMBER IS 14-063. TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL FROM PASSENGER SIDE TO DRIVER SIDE IN MY CAR IS 40+ DEGREES.
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.
Power train, Mar 30, 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 & DOES NOT OCCUR ON AN EVERYDAY BASIS. MY MECHANIC IDENTIFIED IT AS THE VTC ACTUATOR (CAM} & SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE IT SHUTS DOWN THE ENGINE & THEN IT BECOMES AN EXPENSIVE ENGINE OVERHAUL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE HONDA SERVICE DEPT.(2 PLACES) & TOLD IT MUST BE VERIFIED TO BE REPLACED. THE TROUBLE IS WHEN I LEAVE THE CAR IT DOESN'T HAPPEN, AS I SAID IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY. HONDA KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM (BULLETIN:09-010) BUT REFUSES TO REPLACE THE PART WITHOUT VERIFICATION. I BELIEVE IT'S UNREASONABLE TO LEAVE MY VEHICLE FOR A LONG LENGTH OF TIME & GO WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. I EVEN RECORDED THE SOUND & HONDA WON'T ACCEPT THAT. MY WARRANTY IS RUNNING OUT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR & I'M AFRAID THIS WILL NOT BE ADDRESSED. MY VEHICLE HAS 33340 MILES ON IT, WELL BELOW THE 60000 MILE OF ENDING THE WARRANTY BUT THE 5 YEAR MARK IS APPROACHING. I HAVE READ ON THE HONDA CRV OWNERS CLUB (WWW.CRVOWNERSCLUB.COM) SITE THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN MANY VEHICLES WITH THE 2.4L ENGINE. THERE IS ALSO A BULLETIN WITH AN IMPROVED PART TO CORRECT THIS BUT VERIFICATION OF EACH VEHICLE IS NECESSARY. PLEASE HELP, I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY CONDITION AS THE CAR CAN SHUT DOWN EVEN WHILE DRIVING AND THE DRIVER THEN HAS NO CONTROL WHATSOEVER OF THE VEHICLE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=KR20BAOXBO8
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??
Air bags, Mar 23, 2016
ON FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016, I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM HONDA AUTOMOBILE DIVISION, AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. REGARDING A DEFECT PERTAINING TO MY 2011 HONDA CR-V. ON MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016, I INITIALLY CONTACTED MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER (HONDA OF NANUET) WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE MANAGER, DOMINICK INFORMED ME THAT THE PART TO CORRECT THE DEFECT WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT UNTIL LATE SUMMER 2016. HE OFFERED ME THE OPTION OF EITHER BRINGING MY CAR TO BE STORED AT THE DEALERSHIP OR STORING IT AT MY HOME UNTIL THE PART BECOMES AVAILABLE. HE FURTHER INFORMED ME THAT HONDA OF NANUET WOULD ACCOMMODATE ME WITH A RENTAL FROM AVIS IN NANUET, NEW YORK. I WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO CHOSE FROM THE AVAILABLE COMPACT VEHICLES ON THE LOT AT THE TIME THEY ARRANGE FOR THE RENTAL. I ADVISED DOMINICK THAT I HAVE A TEMPORARY HANDICAPPED PARKING PERMIT DUE TO KNEE PROBLEMS I HAVE. I INQUIRED ABOUT RENTING A VEHICLE SIMILAR TO THE CR-V HOWEVER DOMINICK INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $15 PER DAY. I THEN CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY WHO ADVISED ME THAT MY POLICY WILL NOT COVER THIS LONG TERM RENTAL, THAT IT IS THE DEALERSHIPS RESPONSIBILITY. I THEN CONTACTED DOMINICK TO DISCUSS THE INSURANCE ISSUE AND HE ADVISED ME THAT HONDA WOULD NOT BE COVERING THE COST OF INSURANCE AND FURTHERMORE, I SHOULD LEAVE MY CAR AT HOME AS OPPOSED TO BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER TO STORE. I AM UNCLEAR WHY A RECALL ISSUED BY HONDA WOULD COST ME MONEY AND INCONVENIENCE. I WOULD LIKE KNOW MY RIGHTS WITH REGARD TO SUCH A RECALL.
Service brakes, Mar 22, 2016
MY WIFE TOOK VEHICLE (2012 CRV EX 2 WD) TO APOSTLAKIS HONDA IN HERMITAGE PA FOR ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION. SERVICE PERSONNEL STATED THAT VEHICLE REQUIRED NEW REAR ROTORS/ BRAKE PADS. SERVICE REP STATED THAT DUE TO INSUFFICIENT BRAKE FLUID REACHING THE LEFT REAR BRAKES, THE PADS HAD NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE NEEDED NEW ROTORS/PADS ON REAR OF VEHICLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION AT A COST OF NEARLY $400. FROM THE EXPLANATION OF THE SERVICE REP, IT APPEARS THAT A POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PREMATURE DISINTEGRATION OF THE LEFT REAR BRAKE COMPONENTS. CONSIDERING THE SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVED WITH DEFECTIVE AND COMPROMISED BRAKING SYSTEM, I BELIEVE THIS CONCERN NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I BELIEVE HONDA MOTORS NEEDS TO COMPENSATE INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS MYSELF WHO HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO ADDRESS AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2016
WHEN I USE THE HANDS FREE BLUETOOTH ON MY VEHICLE, THE PERSON ON THE OTHER END STATE THEY HEAR A LOUD BUZZING NOISE AND CAN'T HEAR ME SPEAK. I TRIED SWITCHING TO MY WORK'S IPHONE AND THE BUZZING NOISE IS STILL THERE. IT'S SOUNDS CLEAR ON MY END BUT NOT ON THE OTHER END. AT THIS POINT, I CAN'T USE MY HANDS FREE DEVICE ON MY VEHICLE WHICH IS NOW A LAW IN MY STATE THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE OUR PHONES WHEN DRIVING UNLESS IT'S CONNECTED TO HANDS FREE.
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.
Service brakes, Feb 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BUT THERE WERE NO BRAKE FAILURES. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
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.