2012 Honda CR-V Problems, Recalls & Reliability
512 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2012 Honda CR-V, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 23/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 38,000 miles.
Typical
Where 2012 sits among all CR-V years
What owners report
“2012 honda cr-v vtc actuator recall.....whenever i start my car i hear a grinding noise which i have been told is the vtc actuator. The noise is very annoying it makes loud loud noise every time the car is started.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 CR-V
“Battery charging system recall. Battery dead left light on 3 minutes, ignition off. Nothing else on.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 CR-V
“Tsb 14-063 failure or plugging of the heater core. Not allowing the driver side vents to defrost my windshield. It is 5 degrees outside and there is little/no heat coming from the drivers side vents, but the passenger side is warm. Continually happening.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 CR-V
“Grinding noise upon cold start. This issue started at least two years ago. Did not happen on every start. Asked dealership what it might be and i was told it was nothing. Over the past year, noise happens religiously every time there is a cold start. Dealership now says it's the vtc actuator and i…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 CR-V
“Heater/defroster on driver's side not putting out warm air. Windows not being defrosted - safety issue. Honda has long recognized this problem and issued a service bulletin 14-063 but refused to correct with charging several hundred dollars. This should be fixed no-charge as it is a safety issue.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 CR-V
“Steering wheel locked several times while driving at lower speeds. I had to turn car off and restart for it to work again. I was unable to turn the wheel at all when it locked”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 CR-V
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 336 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 39,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 17,800 and 70,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 20V024.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2012 Honda CR-V reliable?
The 2012 Honda CR-V drew 512 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 23/100, scored against the model's worst year (2018).
What are the most common 2012 Honda CR-V problems?
The top reported problems for the 2012 Honda CR-V are engine (91 complaints), electrical (81), and other (57).
At what mileage do 2012 Honda CR-V problems show up?
Owners most often report 2012 Honda CR-V problems around 39,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 17,800 and 70,000 miles.
Does the 2012 Honda CR-V have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2012 Honda CR-V. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.