2012 Honda Cr-V problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (63) · Electrical System (42) · Power Train (36)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Honda Cr-V model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
279 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2013-04-15 · campaign 13V143000 · 204,169 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:labels 2012-10-16 · campaign 12V501000 · 264 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch 2012-07-19 · campaign 12V338000 · 172,837 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (105)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Steering 2019-05-16 · A19050B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
servicenews article - when removing and installing a cable reel, you need to keep both the cable reel and the steering angle sensor in position. if you don't , the vsa indicator may come on along with one or more vsa dtcs. and when you run the neutral memorization procedure in the i-hds, it won't co
Air Bags 2019-02-26 · A18-138 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - this bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is now complete. if you did the collection in this service bulletin on or before february 26, 2019 (ro date), use the warranty claim information provided below.
Air Bags 2018-07-24 · A17-028 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - 2012 cr-v driver?s airbag inflator collection. this bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is now complete.
Air Bags 2018-06-15 · A18-057 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - this bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. american honda is offering a customer support program (warranty extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.
Latches/Locks/Linkages:tailgate:latch 2018-04-11 · A16-063 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - the tailgate won?t open from the outside handle in temperatures near freezing or colder, but will open in warmer temperatures. there is an internal failure of the tailgate outer handle switch.
Vehicle Speed Control 2018-01-25 · A16-063 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - the tailgate won?t open from the outside handle in temperatures near freezing or colder, but will open in warmer temperatures. there is an internal failure of the tailgate outer handle switch.
Showing the 6 most recent of 105 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-31 · Suspension · 218,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 honda cr-v. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle pulled to the left. the driver pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to the residence. upon inspection, the contact discovered that the rear driver's side wheel suspension assembly had detached and the control arm mounting point had separ…”
2026-08-31 · Unknown Or Other“driving on the interstate, my moonroof exploded. sunny day april 30, 2025. nothing hit the roof. thankfully i had the shade closed. i purchased a replacement roof from a local salvage yard and no issues with the replacement. …”
2026-08-28 · Electrical System“2012 honda cr-v - i've had to replace my battery multiple times. i would go out the car and it would be dead. i even tried replacing the alternator. i am replacing batteries at an average of every 2.5 years. honda tells me i can do a diagnostic test for $189. i see there are repeated complaints about the honda cr-v needing a software update. they w…”
2026-07-28 · Suspension“left and right suspension front and back. yes car will be available for inspection when called. no one’s safety was at risk. it has been confirmed by an independent service center. no other place has inspected the car/component except for the independent service center. no there were no warning lamps, i was able to tell something was wrong because …”
2026-07-08 · Suspension“the frame rust issue was recalled through 2011, my 2012 was manufactured in the same plant same time as the 2011 model, and has the same rust issue, but was not included in the recall. i have significant damage to my vehicle from rust frame, causing it to be borderline unsafe without modification. i would like to have this included in the recall.…”
2026-07-06 · Suspension · 210,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 honda cr-v. the contact stated that while making a left turn, several warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel, and the steering wheel became significantly unsteady, causing a partial loss of vehicle control. because the incident occurred within walking distance of the residence, the contact used a toy hauler to to…”
2026-06-26 · Suspension“i was driving and the rear tire and suspension broke looked it's completely rotted out…”
2026-06-17 · Structure:body“the drivers side (left front door latch) is inoperative. this was a recall from aug 2012. the latch was replaced in 2012. yes it is available for inspection. the door opens while driving and had to be tied shut to drive home and honda dealership. was told by honda corporate to drive to the nearest dealership and repairs would be made under safety…”
2026-05-05 · Suspension · 200,500 mi“the contact owns a 2012 honda cr-v. the contact stated that while driving at 30 mph approaching a red light, the rear trailing arm detached from the tire. no warning lights were illuminated. the driver was able to dive to a parking lot. the vehicle was transported on a trailer by her father. the front door latch had become inoperable. the contact h…”
2026-05-04 · Unknown Or Other“vtc actuator for timing tensioner is faulty. has a horrible grind on start up. no warning lights, no dash lights. this can cause damage to the engine. was class action involving same part.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.