2012 Honda CR-V Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 48 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Honda CR-V, 12% of its 403 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 55,500 miles. A related recall (13V143000) addresses a brake-shift interlock issue in sub-freezing temperatures.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 48
- 12% of 403
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Median mileage
- 55,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Vehicle unexpectedly shifted into or out of gear on its own, including rolling backward after appearing to be in park and slipping from drive to neutral while at highway speed.
- Owners describe a judder or shudder felt during acceleration, especially when the transmission shifts between 1st and 2nd gear, which stops when easing off the throttle.
- Some owners report vibration or shimmying at both low and high speeds, which Honda addressed with a software update but not through a formal recall.
- A separate but frequently mentioned issue involves a loud rattling or grinding noise from the engine on cold starts, linked by owners to the VTC actuator and timing chain.
- One owner reported a temporary total loss of power while driving around 45 mph, with the engine still running but no response from the accelerator for several seconds.
When 2012 Honda CR-V transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Oct 6, 2012, latest Aug 13, 2025.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Honda CR-V
- 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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by CR-V model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does the 2012 Honda CR-V have?
- NHTSA lists 48 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 CR-V, which is 12% of the 403 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2012 Honda CR-V?
- Yes. Recall 13V143000, reported April 15, 2013, covers a brake-shift interlock mechanism that can become slow to release in sub-freezing temperatures, affecting gear selection.
- At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2012 CR-V?
- The median mileage at failure among reported Transmission & Powertrain complaints is 55,500 miles.
- Did the transmission issues cause any crashes or injuries?
- Among the complaints in this area, NHTSA records show 1 crash, 1 fire, and 6 injuries reported.