MotorYearvehicle reliability by model year · NHTSA data

2012 Honda CR-V

2012 Honda CR-V
Photo: Mr.choppers (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Complaints
403
Per 100k sold
143
≈281k sold (est.)
Recall campaigns
3
Crash / fire reports
27 / 4

Complaints by component

A complaint can name multiple components.

engine
89 (22%)
electrical system
68 (17%)
unknown or other
52 (13%)
power train
48 (12%)
steering
35 (9%)
air bags
30 (7%)
structure
29 (7%)
suspension
26 (6%)
service brakes
23 (6%)
visibility/wiper
23 (6%)
vehicle speed control
21 (5%)
visibility
14 (3%)

Complaints by vehicle age

Years between the model year and the reported incident.

71
36
0
0 · 71 complaints · age 0 years
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
View as table
071
125
233
350
442
539
630
720
813
914
106
1122
1211

Complaints by odometer reading

Mileage at failure, where the complainant reported it. When this curve rises early, problems show up while the vehicle is still young.

68
34
0
0k · 68 complaints · 0,000–10,000 miles
0k
10k
20k
30k
40k
50k
60k
70k
80k
90k
100k
110k
120k
130k
140k
150k+
View as table
0k68
10k18
20k28
30k30
40k23
50k25
60k14
70k24
80k7
90k11
100k4
110k5
120k3
130k1
140k3
150k+14

Recalls (3)

power train · 2013-04-15 · 13V143000

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.

equipment · 2012-10-16 · 12V501000

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.

latches/locks/linkages · 2012-07-19 · 12V338000

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.

Crash-test ratings (NHTSA NCAP)

2012 Honda CR-V SUV 4WD
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
NCAP frontal crash test, 2012 Honda CR-V SUV 4WD
NCAP frontal test (NHTSA)
NCAP side crash test, 2012 Honda CR-V SUV 4WD
NCAP side test (NHTSA)
2012 Honda CR-V SUV FWD
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
NCAP frontal crash test, 2012 Honda CR-V SUV FWD
NCAP frontal test (NHTSA)
NCAP side crash test, 2012 Honda CR-V SUV FWD
NCAP side test (NHTSA)

Recent complaints

2026-08-31 · suspension · ODI 11760857

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 separated from the body due to corrosion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 218,000.

2026-08-31 · unknown or other · ODI 11760876

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 · ODI 11760454

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 will just keep selling new batteries and not do the fix. At one point, I even lost power steering. It is dangerous, and they should be made to correct it.

2026-07-28 · suspension · ODI 11753395

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 when I’d turn and still till this day, it immediately makes a sound. This has been happening for about 3-4 years.

2026-07-08 · suspension · ODI 11748985

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.