2012 Honda CR-V Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2012 Honda CR-V ranks 17th of 21 model years with a complaint index of 20 and earns a Best verdict relative to other CR-V years. It has 403 complaints, 3 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with Engine listed as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 CR-V years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 403
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 27
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 24
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22.5 city / 29.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 24 / 0
Top 2012 Honda CR-V problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in some crashes, including a deer strike at 55 mph and a low-speed collision, despite noticeable impact damage.
- Some owners reported sudden, unexplained acceleration while pulling out at low speed, leading to loss of control.
- A front passenger seat heater reportedly overheated and ignited items placed on the seat, with owners suspecting a mismatched seat installation.
- One owner described a tire blowout that led to steering lockup and loss of control on a curving road.
- An engine fire was reported after the driver noticed burning smells and smoke before pulling over, with the fire starting under the hood.
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?
- Compared with other CR-V model years, 2012 ranks well, with a complaint index of 20 and a Best verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What problems does the 2012 Honda CR-V have?
- NHTSA data shows Engine issues as the top complaint area (107 complaints, 27% share), followed by Electrical System (81 complaints) and Transmission & Powertrain (48 complaints).
- Does the 2012 Honda CR-V have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 CR-V, covering the brake-shift interlock, a certification label issue, and a door latch cable problem. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 CR-V compare to other years?
- The 2012 CR-V ranks 17th out of 21 model years by complaint index, well ahead of higher-complaint years like 2017 and 2018, which carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 95 and 100.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Honda CR-V?
- EPA rates the 2012 CR-V at 25.5 mpg combined (22.5 city / 29.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,550.