2012 Honda CR-V: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2012 / honda / cr-v
known issues	7 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-04)
complaints	403 on file (2012-01-25 → 2026-08-31)
recalls	3
investigations	3
fars	98 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Cold-start grinding or rattling noise from VTC actuatorENGINE35 complaints2017-05 → 2025-12cr-v-2012-cold-start-vtc-noise

11653733 Upon cold start, the engine makes a loud knocking or rattling noise for several seconds, most noticeable after the vehicle has been sitting overnight
11523566 VTC actuator causing car to make grinding sound upon startup.The problem started 2 months after I bought the car from Brandon Honda, in FL. I drove it to Minnesota with no problem but as soon as I was there it was sputtering at every start up
11289643 VTC ACTUATOR GRINDING ON COLD START. REPORTED TO HONDA. PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACED OUT OF POCKET AT A COST OF $1443.83 ON 9/24/18 AT 111,863 MILES

Vibration, shudder, or hesitation during accelerationPOWER TRAIN11 complaints2017-04 → 2025-08cr-v-2012-acceleration-vibration

11531315 I was at a corner waiting for traffic to clear so I could make a turn left. When I started to accelerate the vehicle started to hesitate and continued
11062169 PLEASE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE WITH 2012 HONDA CR-V'S AS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE AND I BELIEVE IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE: THE VEHICLE SHAKES, VIBRATES OR WOBBLES WHEN ACCELERATING IN LOW GEARS
11002527 WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE HESITATES BEFORE ACCELERATING. THIS CREATES A HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC

Repeated battery drain and premature battery replacementELECTRICAL SYSTEM11 complaints2017-10 → 2026-08cr-v-2012-battery-drain

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
11502245 2012 Honda CR-V has 70,000 miles on it. I am now on the 4th battery, which is dead, and I may have to buy a 5th battery. I am replacing batteries at an average of every 2.5 years
11156574 THERE IS A BATTERY DRAIN ISSUE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL NOT KEEP IT CHARGED. THE ALTERNATOR HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED EARLY

Frame or subframe rust causing suspension failureSUSPENSION, STRUCTURE18 complaints2023-01 → 2026-07cr-v-2012-frame-subframe-rust

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
11698252 Rear wheel subframe broke off, separated from the chassis
11500220 On November 2, 2022 the control arm mount for the rear driver side wheel of our 2012 Honda CR-V failed while the car was in use; as a result, the car was no longer drivable

Premature rear brake wear and ABS modulator replacementSERVICE BRAKES6 complaints2017-09 → 2024-06cr-v-2012-premature-rear-brake-wear

11593650 ABS modulator has been replaced 3 times and I am seeing online that this seems to be a common problem. Very dangerous
11423242 Premature wear of rear brakes - caliper locks up. First replaced pads at 3 years old, 39000 miles. 2 years later, at 59000 miles, replaced pads rotors and serviced calipers

Power steering loss or lock-up while turningSTEERING15 complaints2017-04 → 2023-12cr-v-2012-power-steering-failure

11558430 I attempted to make a right turn and the steering wheel locked, not allowing me to continue turning. The steering wheel returned to its original position and I again attempted to make the turn
11519964 Power steering system stopped working. Very difficult to steer at low speeds, easier at higher speeds. Had the control module reprogrammed and it worked for a few starts, but after restarting the car 3 times, the steering system stopped working
11005158 ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING---THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN AND THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I PULLED OUT OF MY SUBDIVISION ONTO THE MAIN STREET

Airbag non-deployment or airbag warning lightAIR BAGS5 complaints2018-04 → 2024-06cr-v-2012-airbag-non-deployment

11596000 The side air bags popped upon one car tire going on curb when I was driving in the dark and thought I saw a deer. My safety was put at risk because now I don't have airbags Insurance will inspect soon
11487630 My daughter got in a car accident going 70 miles an hour, and the airbag didn't deploy
11083169 INTERNAL FAILURE OF PASSENGER SIDE WEIGHT SENSOR CAUSING AIRBAG LIGHT TO BE ON IN HONDA CR-V. DEALER HAS STATED WITHOUT $1600 OF REPAIR TO WEIGHT SENSOR/SEAT FRAME, NONE OF THE CAR'S AIRBAGS WOULD BE OPERATIONAL IN THE EVENT I AM IN AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
403	2012-01-25	2026-08-31	27	4	ENGINE:89; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:68; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:52; POWER TRAIN:48; STEERING:35

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
12V501000	16/10/2012	EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS	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.	A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading. Improper loading could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.	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.
13V143000	15/04/2013	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	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."	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.	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.
12V338000	19/07/2012	LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH	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.	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.	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.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
EA21002	open	Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	2021-09-17	·	·	From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA19001	closed	Electrical overstress	AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE	2019-04-19	2024-09-19	20V024	The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount
EQ12002	closed	Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture	AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW	2012-02-14	2012-05-08	·	The summary for this investigation, labeled EQ12-002 Autoliv Closing Resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.This EQ is closed.

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	98	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2012 Honda CR-V vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/honda/cr-v

@misc{wrenchpro_2012_honda_cr_v_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2012 Honda CR-V},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/honda/cr-v}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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