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.
Steering, Apr 22, 2017
POWER STEERING FAILED TWICE WITHIN 1 MILE (~3 MINUTES APART) OF STARTING CAR AND DRIVING 25MPH DOWN RESIDENTIAL STREET. IN BOTH INSTANCES CAR WAS GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD. INDICATOR LIGHT RESET AFTER FIRST FAILURE AND RESTART THEN ~3 MINUTES LATER INDICATOR LIT AND POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. VSA MODULATOR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BY THE DEALER (~4000 MILES AGO) TO REMEDY THIS RECURRENT ISSUE.
Power train, Apr 15, 2017
I AM HAVING ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ED TO 3RD. WHAT I FEEL IS A SHUTTER AND IT SEEMS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN THE FLUID IS COLD. IT'S PRETTY INFREQUENT BUT IT'S THERE. AT 61K THE DEALER SAID "NO CODES, SO NO PROBLEM" AND SUGGESTED THAT A FLUID CHANGE IS NECESSARY. HE KIND OF MADE ME FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN NEGLIGENT, BUT I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE CODE AND I KNOW IT USUALLY POPS UP ABOUT 60K. I USUALLY CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERY 30K-35K MILES. I HAVE READ ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES SO ITS VERY COMMON. HONDA SAY THEY KNOW ABOUT IT BUT THEY REFUSE TO MAKE A REPAIR (TORQUE CONVERTER) ON WARRANTY BECAUSE I LOST IT AT 60K AND I HAVE 63K
Engine, Apr 11, 2017
2012 HONDA CR-V VTC ACTUATOR RECALL.....WHENEVER I START MY CAR I HEAR A GRINDING NOISE WHICH I HAVE BEEN TOLD IS THE VTC ACTUATOR. THE NOISE IS VERY ANNOYING IT MAKES LOUD LOUD NOISE EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED.
Power train, Engine, Mar 24, 2017
I HAVE A 2012 HONDA CRV EXL + NAVI 2WD AND LAST 3-4 YEARS I VISITED HONDA DEALERSHIPS MORE THAN 7 TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS CURRENTLY APPROXIMATELY 30K MILES AND HONDA PART # 44500-T0A-A00 WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY 3 TIMES. THERE IS STILL OIL LEAK FROM PASSENGER SITE INTERMEDIATE DRIVE HALF SHAFT BEARING. LAST TIME VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ABOUT 14 MONTHS AGO AT HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THE LEAK CAME BACK AGAIN. HONDA REGIONAL MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND COULDN'T IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. (NO HELP THERE...) THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY (AND ITS RUNNING OUT...) I CALLED LAST HONDA DEALER AGAIN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD PROBABLY REPLACE THE SAME PART AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL LEAK STOPS. AND FOR HOW LONG REPEAT THE SAME REPAIR? I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND KEEP REPAIRING WRONG THING. I WAS WONDERING IF IS THERE WAS SOMEONE AT "HELPFUL HONDA" THAT IS FAMILIAR WITH IT'S PRODUCTS DESIGN AND CAN DIAGNOSE WHERE THE OIL LEAK IS COMING FROM. THERE IS ALWAYS WET OIL RESIDUE UNDER MY SPLASH GUARD WHICH COULD BE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD...I HAVE ALL 6-7 TIMES DEALER REPAIR WORK INVOICES AS A PROOF.
Other or unspecified, Mar 17, 2017
HEATER CORE IS CLOGGED. COOL AIR FLOWS OUT ONTO DRIVER'S SIDE OF CABIN (LEGS AND AIR VENTS) WHILE HOT AIR FLOWS OUT ONTO PASSENGER SIDE OF CABIN. DEALER SAYS THE FIX IS TO EITHER REPLACE HEATER CORE AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1,000.00 TO ME OR TO HAVE IT FLUSHED AT A COST OF $500.00 TO ME. THE FLUSH IS NOT GUARANTEED TO WORK. READING ONLINE VEHICLE WEBSITES IT APPEARS THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM FOR 2012 HONDA CR-V'S ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. THERE MUST BE A RECALL SO HONDA CAN FIX THIS ISSUE!
Engine, Feb 21, 2017
THE CAM ACTUATOR GEAR ASSEMBLY" PART #14310R44A01, ACT. ASSY., 46T VTC THIS PART RATTLES FOR A FEW SECONDS ON STARTUP. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING (ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER) SINCE THE CAR WAS ONE YEAR OLD (IT IS NOW 3 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS OLD).
Engine, Feb 18, 2017
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
Electrical system, Feb 13, 2017
STARTER IS MAKING A LOUD NOISE WHEN IT STARTS COLD FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2017
THE BLUETOOTH COMPONENT HAS A HORRIBLE BACKGROUND NOISE. THE PERSON YOU'RE SPEAKING WITH IS UNABLE TO HEAR YOU. THIS TOTALLY DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF HANDS FREE DRIVING. THIS COMPLAINT HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND CAN BE FOUND WITH A BASIC GOOGLE SEARCH. THE DEALERSHIP HAS EVEN CONFIRMED TO ME DIRECTLY THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING COMPLAINT AND PROBLEM, WHICH THEY DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION TO. THEY STATED IT IS JUST PART THE TECHNOLOGY PROBLEMS WITH BLUETOOTH. I HAVE HAD BLUETOOTH EARBUDS IN THE PAST AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM SO I FIND THAT REASONING UNACCEPTABLE.
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Feb 6, 2017
PROBLEM WITH COOLING SYSTEM. THE 2012-2016 CR-V MODELS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE HEATER CORE BECOMING CLOGGED, AND NOT GENERATING ENOUGH HEAT FOR PROPER DEFROSTING, DEFOGGING AND CABIN HEATING. HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS WIDE-SPREAD ENOUGH FOR THEM TO ISSUE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #14-063 (SEE ATTACHED) FOR FLUSHING OF COOLING SYSTEM, AT A COST TO THE CAR OWNER OF APPROXIMATELY $470.00. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY FACTORY-INSTALLED COOLANT (THIS IS NOT SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED UNTIL 105K MILES). SINCE OUR CR-V STILL HAD THE FACTORY COOLANT AND ALL RELATED COMPONENTS, AND COULD BE SAFETY-RELATED DUE TO INEFFECTIVE DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING, SHOULD THESE BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL AT HONDA'S EXPENSE, AND THOSE OWNERS WHO PAID FOR THIS TO BE CORRECTED BE REIMBURSED?
Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2017
DRIVER SIDE HEATING AND AIR IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE ON ALL TEMPERATURE SETTINGS.
Power train, Jan 20, 2017
CAR VIBRATES OR SHIMMIES AT LOW AND HIGH MPH HONDA SAYS THERE IS A SOFTWARE UPDATE BUT THIS IS NOT A RECALL. IF THE TRANSMISSION FAILS IT WOULD NOT BE VERY SAFE ON THE ROAD. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2015
Power train, Jan 20, 2017
VERY LOUD RATTLE/GRINDING AT STARTUP. IT HAPPENS ALWAYS WHEN THE ENGIN COLD AND MORE FREQUENTLY JUST SITTING FOR AN HOUR. HONDA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IT IS CAUSED BY THE VTC ACTUATOR. THEY HAVE A TSB BUT NO RECALL. EVENTUALLY A SERIOUS INJURY WILL HAPPEN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2013 AFTER IT WAS TAKEN TO HONDA. THEY DID NOT REPAIR IT, AFTER THAT THE WARRANTY RAN OUT.
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
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 5, 2017
TSB 14-063 FAILURE OR PLUGGING OF THE HEATER CORE. NOT ALLOWING THE DRIVER SIDE VENTS TO DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD. IT IS 5 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND THERE IS LITTLE/NO HEAT COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE VENTS, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE IS WARM. CONTINUALLY HAPPENING.
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
Other or unspecified, Dec 28, 2016
WHEN USING THE HEAT; THE DRIVER SIDE AIR VENTS HAVE COOL OR COLD AIR WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS HOT AIR COMING FROM THE VENTS. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING THE BELOW ZERO TEMPS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE HEATER CORE IS PLUGGED WHICH I FOUND THROUGH RESEARCH IS A COMPLAINT AMONG THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE 2012-2014 MODELS. I FEEL THAT HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THIS ISSUE THROUGH A RECALL.
Power train, Dec 16, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO PARK. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE CONTACT WAS ALTERED BY THE CHILD OCCUPANT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED BACK. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE, BUT THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK TOO QUICKLY. THE CHILD OCCUPANT JUMPED OUT THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE ACROSS THE STREET FROM THEIR RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WERE THREE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM A HAIRLINE FRACTURE ON THE ARM. THE CONTACT ALSO WENT INTO EARLY LABOR DUE TO THE INCIDENT AND HAD AN EMERGENCY C-SECTION TO A CHILD BORN NINE WEEKS EARLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NEWBORN CHILD SUFFERED FROM DISABILITIES. THE CHILD OCCUPANT SUFFERED FROM A FOOT INJURY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V143000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE REASON FOR THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.
Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2016
VEHICLE HAS 20,000 MILES ON IT. WITH HEATER CONTROL SET TO FULL HEAT AND ENGINE HOT DRIVER SIDE HEATER VENTS BLOW COLD AIR EVEN WHEN PASSENGER VENTS BLOW HOT AIR. RESULTS ARE POOR HEATING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS INEFFECTIVE DEFROSTING OF DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. HONDA RECOGNIZES HEATER CORE FLAW AND RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT AS THE SOLUTION. NOT AN ISOLATED OCCURRENCE AS MANY OWNERS REPORT IDENTICAL PROBLEM ON RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLES.
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.
Other or unspecified, Dec 13, 2016
HONDA CRV HEAT STOPPED WORKING ON DRIVER SIDE AT 20000 MILES. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED HEATER CORE. THE CAR NOW HAS 60000 MILES AND THE SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN. HEATER CORE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. DID ONLINE RESEARCH AND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN CRV HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM. I LIVE IN MINNESOTA AND THE WEATHER TODAY WAS -5 DEGREES. I WAS UNABLE TO HEAT CAR WHICH CAUSES SAFETY CONCERNS.
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
Other or unspecified, Oct 11, 2016, crash
I WAS STOPPED AT A REDLIGHT WITH 4 CARS IN FRONT OF ME.MY CAR ACCELERATED WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE & PUSHED ALL 4 CARS INTO EACH OTHER.LUCKY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED .THIS HAS COST ME A LOT OF MONEY AND COULDN'T BE HELPED.HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS?
Steering, Oct 1, 2016
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE IN MOTION ~25MPH ON A CITY STREET. INDICATOR LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLASHED 2-3 TIMES AFTER POWER STEERING WAS LOST. COLLISION WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED.