NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Honda CR-V Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Honda CR-V has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 403 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Honda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Honda CR-V, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Honda CR-V owner complaints

Owners have filed 403 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Honda CR-V, describing incidents dated April 20, 2011 to August 19, 2026.

Most-cited components

Engine 91 complaints
Electrical System 68 complaints
Unknown or Other 52 complaints
Power Train 48 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 36 complaints
Steering 35 complaints

Of the 403 complaints on file, 27 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 403 complaints, owners report 24 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11760876 · Filed August 31, 2026
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.
ODI #11760857 · Filed August 31, 2026
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…
ODI #11760454 · Filed August 28, 2026
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…

Read all 403 complaints

Owner-reported

2012 Honda CR-V mileage at failure

276 of the 403 complaints on file for the 2012 Honda CR-V give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 35,000 miles	Middle half 20,000–60,000 miles	Based on 68 complaints
Electrical System	Median 30,000 miles	Middle half 16,000–45,000 miles	Based on 49 complaints
Power Train	Median 55,000 miles	Middle half 30,000–75,000 miles	Based on 35 complaints
Visibility/Wiper	Median 30,000 miles	Middle half 9,000–55,000 miles	Based on 30 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Honda CR-V in 3 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021
Engineering Analysis EA19-001: Electrical overstress
Closed September 19, 2024
- Recall 20V-024
Equipment Query EQ12-002: Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture
Closed May 8, 2012

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Brake Shift Interlock/FMVSS 114

NHTSA #13V143000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported April 15, 2013 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 204,169 vehicles

Honda campaign S96, S97, S98 · Owners notified May 13, 2013 · Vehicles built June 11, 2012 – September 28, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Incorrect Safety Certification Label/567

NHTSA #12V501000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported October 16, 2012 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 264 vehicles

Honda campaign S62 · Owners notified November 14, 2012 · Vehicles built August 30, 2012 – August 31, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading. Improper loading could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Honda's recall campaign number is S62.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FRONT DOOR LATCHES

NHTSA #12V338000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported July 19, 2012 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Potentially affected: 172,837 vehicles

Honda campaign S45/46/47 · Owners notified August 16, 2012

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Honda recall campaign numbers S45/S46/S47.Customers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov

2012 Honda CR-V SUV FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

17% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

3 investigations

2012 Honda CR-V SUV 4WD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

17% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

3 investigations

403 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Honda CR-V.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11760876

Incident: April 30, 2025 · Filed: August 31, 2026

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.

Suspension

ODI #11760857

Incident: August 19, 2026 · Filed: August 31, 2026

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.

Electrical System

ODI #11760454

Incident: September 17, 2025 · Filed: August 28, 2026

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.

Suspension

ODI #11753395

Incident: September 13, 2023 · Filed: July 28, 2026

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.

Suspension

ODI #11748985

Incident: July 8, 2026 · Filed: July 8, 2026

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.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11748453

Incident: April 8, 2026 · Filed: July 6, 2026

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 tow the vehicle to the residence. An inspection revealed that the rear passenger-side trailing arm had completely detached from the vehicle and punctured the subframe. Upon investigating the failure, the contact discovered that prior Honda models had experienced identical failures resulting from severe subframe corrosion. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied any assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 210,000.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11746790

Incident: June 26, 2026 · Filed: June 26, 2026

I was driving and the rear tire and suspension broke looked it's completely rotted out

Structure

ODI #11744847

Incident: June 16, 2026 · Filed: June 17, 2026

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 Recall Notice from 2012, once they diagnose it as broken. Gerald Honda of Mattson diagnosed the problem and ordered the part on 6/16/26. They made an appointment for 6/17/2026 at 9:00am for the repair. The door open warning light intermittently blinks off/on for the two front doors, and dings. There were no warning lights prior to 6/16/26.

Suspension; Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #11735871

Incident: April 22, 2026 · Filed: May 5, 2026

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 had to tie the door shut but was later repaired by her father. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 200,500.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11735707

Incident: May 15, 2023 · Filed: May 4, 2026

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.

Other Honda CR-V model years

Check your 2012 Honda CR-V VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Honda CR-V at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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