2012 Honda CR-V Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
13/100
#14 most-complained of 16 CR-V years
The 2012 Honda CR-V ranks 14th out of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 13, earning a "Best" verdict among CR-V years. NHTSA lists 403 complaints, 3 recalls, and no deaths for this year, with Engine issues the top problem area at 27% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 403
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 27 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 24 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22.5 city / 29.5 hwy
Top 2012 Honda CR-V problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine107 (27%)
- Electrical System81 (20%)
- Other56 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain48 (12%)
- Structure & Body40 (10%)
- Steering35 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers32 (8%)
- Airbags30 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires30 (7%)
- Brakes25 (6%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in low-to-moderate speed crashes, including animal-strike collisions around highway speeds, sometimes with no reported injuries.
- Some drivers reported sudden, unexpected acceleration while pulling out of a parking space at low speed, leading to a crash.
- Owners described a front passenger seat heater overheating and igniting nearby items, raising concerns about seat wiring.
- Engine compartments emitted smoke and caught fire after a burning smell was noticed while driving.
- Steering reportedly locked up after a tire event, with drivers describing loss of control and ineffective braking on curving roads.
2012 Honda CR-V recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V143000Apr 15, 2013Transmission & Powertrain204,169 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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."
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 12V501000Oct 16, 2012Other264 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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.
Risk: A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading. Improper loading could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 12V338000Jul 19, 2012Structure & Body172,837 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
2012 Honda CR-V fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,550
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Honda CR-V reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 CR-V has a Complaint Index of 13, the lowest among the 16 model years tracked, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other CR-V years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda CR-V?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints lead at 27% of all reports, followed by Electrical System issues at 20% and Transmission & Powertrain concerns at 12%.
- Does the 2012 Honda CR-V have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 CR-V, covering transmission/powertrain brake-shift interlock issues, a certification labeling error, and a door latch cable problem, none marked do-not-drive.
- How many complaints has NHTSA received for the 2012 CR-V?
- NHTSA has recorded 403 complaints for the 2012 CR-V, including 27 crashes, 4 fires, and 24 injuries, with no reported deaths.
- How does the 2012 CR-V compare to other CR-V years?
- The 2012 CR-V's Complaint Index of 13 is far lower than the worst years, such as 2018 (100) and 2017 (87), both rated "Avoid," making 2012 one of the stronger CR-V years.