Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Honda CR-V, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine89
- Electrical system68
- Unknown or other52
- Power train48
- Steering35
- Air bags30
- Structure29
- Suspension26
- Visibility/wiper23
- Service brakes23
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 24 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 103 2012 CR-V vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 48 people died inside them, and 12 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2012 Honda CR-V failed the safety check 2.01% of the time — 20% less often than the average 2012 passenger car (2.52%). Median odometer at inspection: 114,760 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2012
34,450 new Honda CR-V cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2012; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (13,614), Germany (6,912), Spain (2,012).
- Average mass
- 1,695 kg
- Average power
- 111 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 56% · Petrol 44%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2012 Honda CR-V cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp) and 2.0 petrol (114 kW, 153 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 173 |
| 2.0 petrol | 114 kW 153 hp | 72 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
265 first registered in 2012 are on Dutch roads; 46% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €43,847.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde192
- Band onvoldoende profiel94
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt54
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan51
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld44
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm41
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht33
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af32
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
12,127 cars built in 2012 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 399 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 12,644 of these cars first registered in 2012 took their annual MOT test. 77% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2012 the figure was 66%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10.2% | 14.3% |
| Suspension | 6.2% | 12.2% |
| Tyres | 4.9% | 7.0% |
| Brakes | 4.2% | 7.7% |
| Visibility | 3.2% | 5.0% |
| Steering | 1.6% | 2.3% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
1,174 of these cars first registered in 2012 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 228,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1,743 2012 cars are on the New Zealand register; 66% arrived as used imports, 33% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 2 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Honda CR-V SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | 17.4 % |
| 2012 Honda CR-V SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 17.4 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 9.1–9.3 L/100 km (about 25–26 mpg US), CO₂ 209–214 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| CR-V · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 10.3 | 7.6 | 9.1 |
| CR-V AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 10.5 | 7.9 | 9.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2012 Honda CR-V.
| 2013114 10 Apr 2013 | Other On certain vehicles, the brake-shift interlock may not function properly at low temperatures. This could allow the transmission gear shift lever to be moved ou… |
| 2012220 19 Jul 2012 | Other On certain vehicles, if the manual or power door lock is activated while an interior front door handle is being opened, the cable connecting the interior door h… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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."
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Honda told its dealers about the 2012 Honda CR-V: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10211585 | Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle; refer to the address card for the affected VIN. The vehicle's battery sensor monitors the battery condition and determines the charging mode. In some cases, because of the battery condition and your driving habits, the PCM may not select the correct charge mode resulting in a battery with a low state of charge. If the battery has a low state of charge, the engine may not start. |
| 10211537 | Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle; refer to the address card for the affected VIN. The vehicle's battery sensor monitors the battery condition and determines the charging mode. In some cases, because of the battery condition and your driving habits, the PCM may not select the correct charge mode resulting in a battery with a low state of charge. If the battery has a low state of charge, the engine may not start. |
| 10204288 | Service Bulletin - 2012 CR-V Driver's Airbag Inflator Collection - American Honda is conducting a study of driver's airbag inflators. This collection involves a small number of driver's airbag inflators from specific locations. Once customes are located, an appointment will be set up lat a local dealership to collect the parts. |
| 10204264 | Engine Rattles at Cold Start-Up Supersedes 09-010, dated March 3, 2015 to revise the information highlighted in yellow. |
| 10204263 | Engine Rattles at Cold Start-Up Supersedes 09-010, dated March 3, 2015 to revise the information highlighted in yellow. |
| 10193017 | Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle; refer to the address card for the affected VIN. The vehicle's battery sensor monitors the battery condition and determines the charging mode. in some cases, because of the battery condition and your driving habits, the PCM may not select the correct charge mode resulting in a battery with a low state of charge. If the battery has a low state of charge, the engine may not start. |
| 10191895 | Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle to the address card for the affected VIN. The vehicle's battery sensor monitors the battery condition and determines and the charging mode. In some cases, because of the battery condition and your driving habits, the PCM may not select the correct charge mode resulting in a battery with a low state of charge. If the battery has a low state of charge, the engine may not start. |
| 10160545 | 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 complete. |
| 10154178 | 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. |
| 10143688 | Service bulletin - 2012 CR-V Driver?s Airbag Inflator Collection. This bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is now complete. |
| 10142440 | 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. |
| 10141155 | Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2012-2013 2WD CR-Vs with a complaint of front brake judder. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind. |
| 10134376 | 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. |
| 10129552 | Service bulletin - The MIL comes on and DTC P0455 (EVAP system large leak) and/or DTC P0456 (EVAP system very small leak detected) is set. The fuel fill cap (gas cap) may also be loose or have a stick-slip feeling when tightened. The fuel fill cap gasket creates too much friction, preventing the cap from sealing properly. |
| 10129549 | Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2012 CR-Vs with a complaint of poor heater performance on the driver?s side related to the Tech Line Summary Article ATS 131201: Poor Heater Performance on the Driver?s Side. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind. |
| 10129492 | Service bulletin - The customer states the vehicle did not start due to a low state of battery charge. The vehicle?s battery sensor monitors battery condition and the PCM determines charging mode. Based on the sulfation of the battery and customer driving habits, the PCM may not select the correct charge mode. |
| 10129433 | Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) would like to collect 250ml of engine coolant from certain healthy 2012-2013 CR-Vs, which fit the criteria listed below. |
| 10129413 | 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. |
| 10129311 | Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) would like to collect 250ml of engine coolant from certain healthy 2012-2013 CR-Vs, which fit a certain criteria. |
| 10129306 | Engineering request for investigation - American Honda (AHM) would like to collect 250ml of engine coolant from certain healthy 2012-2013 CR-Vs, which fit the criteria listed below. |
| 10129279 | Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) would like to collect 250ml of engine coolant from certain healthy 2012-2013 CR-Vs, which fit a certain criteria. |
| 10128858 | Dealer message - American Honda (AHM)would like to collect 250ml of engine coolant from certain healthy 2012-2013CR-Vs, which fit the criteria listed below. |
| 10128561 | Service bulletin - The customer states the vehicle did not start due to a low state battery charge. The vehicle?s battery sensor monitors battery condition and the PCM determines charging mode. Based on the sulfation of the battery and customer driving habits, the PCM may not select the correct charge mode. |
| 10128549 | Dealer message - American Honda (AHM)would like to collect 250ml of engine coolant from certain healthy 2012-2013 CR-Vs, which fit the criteria listed below. |
| 10127650 | Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) would like to collect 250ml of engine coolant from certain healthy 2012-2013 CR-Vs, which fit the criteria listed below. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Electrical overstress
Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation