YearToAvoid

2012 Honda CR-Z Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

40/100

#4 most-complained of 6 CR-Z years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2012 Honda CR-Z ranks 4th out of 6 model years, with a complaint index of 40 and a "Good" verdict relative to other CR-Z years. It has 7 complaints, 2 recalls, and no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.

Complaints
7
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
35
32.5 city / 37.5 hwy

Top 2012 Honda CR-Z problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags6 (86%)
  2. Electrical System1 (14%)
  3. Other1 (14%)

What owners report

  • Passenger side airbag warning light activates on its own and shows a random warning message.
  • Passenger side airbag appears to deactivate when moisture or rain is present in the air.
  • Passenger door lock actuator engages intermittently, sometimes trying to lock a door that is already unlocked.
  • Owners reported delays getting airbag inflator recall parts, with wait times exceeding what they considered reasonable.
  • One owner reported confusion over rental car eligibility while waiting for an airbag recall repair.
2012 Honda CR-Z complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2016Mar 2016Jul 2016Nov 2016Apr 2019Sep 2019Jun 2022
8 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2016 to Jun 2022; peak Jun 2022 (2).

2012 Honda CR-Z recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V500000Jun 27, 2019Airbags1,558 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

  2. NHTSA 16V061000Feb 3, 2016Airbags2,232,187 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

2012 Honda CR-Z fuel economy and fuel cost

City
32.5 MPG
Highway
37.5 MPG
Combined
35 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,850
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-Z years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid10038335
2012Good407235
2013Avoid8011234.5
2014No verdict204134.5

All Honda CR-Z years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Honda CR-Z reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 CR-Z ranks 4th out of 6 model years with a complaint index of 40 and a "Good" verdict relative to other CR-Z years.
What problems does the 2012 Honda CR-Z have?
NHTSA lists 7 complaints for the 2012 CR-Z, with airbags making up 86% of them (6 complaints) at a median mileage of 87,000. Electrical system issues account for the remaining 14%.
Does the 2012 Honda CR-Z have an airbag recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists two airbag-related recalls for the 2012 CR-Z, campaign 19V500000 for driver frontal airbag inflator replacement and campaign 16V061000 for inflator replacement, neither marked do-not-drive.
How does the 2012 CR-Z compare to the 2011 CR-Z?
The 2011 CR-Z has a complaint index of 100 and an "Avoid" verdict with 38 complaints and 3 recalls, much worse than the 2012 CR-Z's index of 40 and "Good" verdict.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Honda CR-Z?
The 2012 CR-Z gets an EPA-rated 35 mpg combined (32.5 city/37.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,850.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.