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.
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
Power train, May 13, 2020
ENGINE RATTLES AT COLD START SINCE 2016. CAR WAS STATIONARY. FINALLY DIAGNOSED IN 2020, THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING CONTROL (VTC) ACTUATOR IS DEFECTIVE. *TR
Service brakes, May 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES WERE REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED LIGHT INDICATOR DID NOT LIGHT UP TO SHOW THERE WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM.*JB
Steering, Feb 29, 2020
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING BECAME VERY TIGHT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. AN INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARED BRIEFLY ON THE DASH AND THEN WENT OUT AGAIN AND THE STEERING BECAME NORMAL. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROX 25 MILES PER HOUR IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY AGAIN. MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE HAVE BEEN FOUND ONLINE. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BECAUSE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU HAVE NO ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT SEEMS AS IF HONDA HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THEIR FIT MODEL AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THIS MUST BE DEALT WITH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST IN AN ACCIDENT.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2020
GO TO USE KEY TO MANUALLY UNLOCK DOOR. KEY TURNS FREELY BUT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING. FROM WHAT I AM READING THIS HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR MY YEAR MODEL CRV.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 7, 2020
I WENT THROUGH TWO WINDSHIELDS MADE BY HONDA FOR THIS CAR. I GET A CHIP OR CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD ALMOST MONTHLY. I'VE ALSO OWNED A HONDA ELEMENT AND HONDA CIVIC. EVERY SINGLE WINDSHIELD MADE BY HONDA IS EXACTLY THE SAME. THE CHIPS ARE A DANGER TO VISIBILITY AND TO THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE WINDSHIELD DURING AN ACCIDENT. FOR THE LATEST WINDSHIELD, I WENT TO HENDERSON GLASS AND THEY INSTALLED AN AFTERMARKET WINDSHIELD NOT MADE BY HONDA. I'VE HAD THE NEW WINDSHIELD FOR 6 MONTHS NOW AND NOT ONE SINGLE CHIP FOR CRACK. I'M FINDING BLOGS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH HUNDREDS OF HONDA OWNERS ALL IN THE SAME BOAT. SOMEBODY PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT HONDA WINDSHIELDS. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST HONDA WHEN I OWNED THE HONDA ELEMENT. I HAD SENT IN RECEIPTS FOR 3 WINDSHIELDS AND MULTIPLE CHIP REPAIRS ON ALL OF THEM AND WAS AWARDED OVER $1000 FROM THAT. BUT, HONDA NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELDS. I BOUGHT A NEW ONE AFTER THAT THE CHIPS PERSISTED EVERY SINGLE MONTH. THE CHIPS HAPPEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY, ON REGULAR ROADS, DIRT ROADS AND AND ANYWHERE AND ANY TIME THE CAR IS IN MOTION. I'M BEGGING SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING, PLEASE!!!!!!
Engine, Dec 17, 2019
VTC ACTUATOR GRINDING ON COLD START. REPORTED TO HONDA. PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACED OUT OF POCKET AT A COST OF $1443.83 ON 9/24/18 AT 111,863 MILES. AT 122,000 MILES STARTED HAVING HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. AFTER SEVERAL MISDIAGNOSIS BY HARE HONDA, DETERMINED SAME ISSUE AS 2011 TSB A12-089 PROBLEM WITH STICKING PISTON RINGS. REQUIRES FULL ENGINE REBUILD QUOTED AT $2000. IF NOT FIXED CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE.
Steering, Nov 18, 2019
I DROVE MY CAR AS USUAL ON NOV, 15, 2019, WENT HOME, AND PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY OF MY HOUSE. BUT ON NOV, 16, 2019 AROUND NOON, I STARTED MY CAR, AND THE EPS INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON FROM MY DASH BOARD, THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY TIGHT, VERY HEAVY, CAN BARELY TURN. I CAN EASILY CAUSE INCIDENT FROM IT.
Engine, Oct 23, 2019
2012 HONDA CR-V. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, AN ABNORMAL LOUD RATTLING NOISE IS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE ARE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HONDA CITY DEALER LOCATED IN LEVITOWN NY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VTC ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $750 TO THE OWNER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE NOISE APPEARED WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE BUT SAID THERE WAS NO PERMANENT FIX YET AND TO CALL BACK WHEN THE NOISE GOT LOUDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000 WHICH WAS LESS THAN THE WARRANTY MILAGE OF 60,000. HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART THAT CAN CAUSE FURTHER ENGINE DAMAGE OR FAILURE BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. POOR RESPONSE BY HONDA.
Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2019
DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT HEAT NOR DEFROST DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DUE TO HEATER CORE PROBLEM. IT'S GETTING WORSE EACH WINTER. I NOW NEED TO DRIVE WITH A BLANKET! ALSO, EXTREMELY LOUD GRINDING NOISE UPON COLD START. STARTED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO AND IS REALLY CONCERNING.
Engine, Sep 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GWINNETT PLACE HONDA (3325 SATELLITE BLVD, DULUTH, GA 30096, (678) 274-6206) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VTC ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000.
Air bags, Structure, Aug 27, 2019, crash
SOMEONE NEEDS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AT THE SALVAGE YARD. THE PHONE IS 925.370.3900 THE STOCK NUMBER IS 4363519
Air bags, Aug 12, 2019, crash
TAKATA RECALL: ON 7/20/19 1420 HRS, I WAS DRIVING NORTH/EAST ON CA HWY 121 AT APROX 40 MPH THROUGH A YIELD TURN. A CHP OFFICER CALLED TO CHASE A SPEEDING VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT HIM SQUARE ON HIS DRIVERS SIDE. MY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG ONLY PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. ALL OTHERS DEPLOYED. MY RIGHT SHOULDER SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, MY RIGHT HAND SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT LACERATIONS. HONDA IS NON-RESPONSIVE TO MY REQUEST TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. MY CASE NUMBER 09740188. *TT 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Engine, Aug 8, 2019
THERE'S A GRINDING NOISE THAT FOLLOWS THE START OF THE ENGINE. THIS ISSUE BEGAN 2 YEARS AGO DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. TOOK IT TO HONDA TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO RECREATE THE SOUND AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. IT'S NOW DOING IT ALL OF THE TIME. I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO HONDA AGAIN, BUT I WILL WHEN I HAVE THE TIME AND MONEY TO FIX IT. INITIAL VIEWING OF THIS SITE SHOWS A LOT OF THE SAME ISSUE. HAVEN'T DONE ANY FURTHER RESEARCH TO SEE IF THE ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED OR HANDLED BY HOND. I WILL ONCE I FINISH THIS POST. HOPEFULLY, HONDA IS DOING OR WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND HESITATED TO MOVE. WHEN FUEL WAS ADDED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AND DRIVE NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HONDA KINGSPORT (LOCATED AT 2217 E STONE DR, KINGSPORT, TN 37660, (423) 358-2519) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CHANGED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND PERFORMED AN UPDATE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO HONDA KINGSPORT AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,500.
Other or unspecified, May 9, 2019
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. WE HAD TROUBLE LOCKING THE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB REMOTE. WE MANUALLY LOCKED THE CAR DOORS. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE CAR WE WERE UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE CAR DOORS OR TRUNK USING THE KEY FOB REMOTE. WE TRIED THE PHYSICAL KEY IN THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THAT ALSO DID NOT OPEN. A AAA LOCKSMITH WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE CAR DOOR.
Engine, Apr 14, 2019
GRINDING NOISE WHEN COLD STARTING AND IT HAS BEGUN TO STALL THE ENGINE.
Service brakes, Apr 13, 2019
WHILE PARKING MY CAR AS I WAS TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN IT OUT ON REVERSE THE BREAK PEDAL SUNK TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY STEPPED ON EMERGENCY BRAKE PUT IT IN PARK, NOTICED FLUID PUDDLE ON RIGHT FRONT SIDE. WALKED TO AUTO MECH A BLOCK AWAY . THEY PICKED UP CAR NEXT DAY SINCE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ,.FRONT BRAKE HOSE WAS TORN FROM WEAR OUT . ASKED MECHANIC WHAT CAUSED IT , CLAIMED THE HOSE IS NOT LONG ENOUGH AND WHEN TURNING CREATES TENSION SHOULD TALK TO HONDA AND IN HIS 20 YRS. EXP.DIDN'T SEE THIS AND THAT I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T ON HIGHWAY ,WHEN ASKED IF HE USED A LONGER HOSE HE SAID THERE'S ONLY 1 TYPE FOR THIS VEHICLE TOOK.. USUALLY USE HIGHWAYS DUE TO MY JOB BUT THANKFULLY I WAS OFF THAT DAY.
Power train, Mar 26, 2019
EXPERING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OF HONDA TSB NUMBER A09-010. CAR ONLY HAS 79K ON IT.AM GETTING NO WHERE WITH LOCAL DEALERS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO HONDA! CAN I GET A GOODWILL REPAIR, AS THIS IS MY SIXTH HONDA I HAVE BOUGHT AND I CERTAINLY DO NOT EXPECT THIS FROM HONDA.
Other or unspecified, Mar 18, 2019
TRANSMISSION IS NOT GOOD TOO BAD
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2019
REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOLLOWING USE OF ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 30 DEGREES F, ACTIVE FREEZING DRIZZLE. STARTED THE ENGINE AND WITHOUT DELAY BEGAN DRIVING AND THEN TURNED ON REAR WINDOW ELECTRIC HEAT SWITCH TO IMPROVE REAR VISIBILITY, WHICH WORKED. I LEFT THE SWITCH ON UNTIL WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION ABOUT 8 TO 10 MINUTES LATER, PARKED THE CAR INSIDE A GARAGE, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, EXITED, ALL VEHICLE WINDOWS SEEMED INTACT WHEN WE DEPARTED THE CAR. WE DID NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY OBJECT OR EXPERIENCE ANY IMPACT. WE WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE, THEN BY REMOTE CONTROL CLOSED THE GARAGE DOOR. NEXT MORNING I WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND DISCOVERED A LARGE HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW, BROKEN GLASS THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR REAR OF THE CRV, ON THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE AROUND THE REAR OF THE CAR, AND WHEN I OPENED THE OVERHEAD GARAGE DOOR, DISCOVERED BROKEN GLASS ALL OVER THE GROUND AS MUCH AS SIX FEET OUTSIDE THE GARAGE DOOR, AS THOUGH THE FORCEFUL WINDOW BREAKAGE HAD OCCURRED IN THE FEW MINUTES AFTER WE LEFT THE CAR AND BEFORE THE GARAGE DOOR HAD CLOSED. HONDA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THEY DO NOT WORK ON WINDOW GLASS. THE COMMERCIAL WINDOW GLASS TECHNICIAN WHO REPLACED THE WINDOW STATED THAT THIS WINDOW HAD BEEN REPLACED BEFORE.
Service brakes, Mar 13, 2019
CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AFTER APPLYING BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT - FELT LIKE CAR KINDA JOLTED AND BRAKE FELT HARDENED, AFTER RETRYING IT WAS ALL FINE. HAPPENED THIS AGAIN TO MY WIFE TWICE WHILE SHE WAS PULLING THE CAR OUT OF PARKING LOT AND HAD TO PULL BACK IN, CAR ACCELERATED, ON NEXT TRY IT WAS FINE. TAKING IT TO HONDA SERVICE TOMORROW.
Engine, Mar 5, 2019
FAULTY VTC ACTUATOR, GRINDING NOISE ON STARTING THE CAR EVERYDAY IN THE MORNINGS. DEALER HAVE A $600.00 ESTIMATE TO HAVE IT FIXED AND NOT COVERED UNDER STANDARD WARRANTY. HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED.