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2012 Honda Crosstour Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2012 Honda Crosstour carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering inflator module. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Front axle vibration and shudder during acceleration.” Honda vehicles use the Maintenance Minder system — your dashboard displays a Code A (oil change) or Code B (oil change plus inspections) along with sub-codes 1-6 for additional services. Intervals adjust based on how you drive. The schedule below reflects Honda's underlying targets.

4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #18V661000 · Sep 27, 2018

Issue: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #19V502000 · Jun 27, 2019

Issue: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #19V378000 · May 16, 2019

Issue: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Campaign #12V030000 · Jan 2, 2012

Issue: HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ACCORD AND CROSSTOUR VEHICLES. THE DRIVER-SIDE OR PASSENGER-SIDE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG INFLATOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Fix: HONDA WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG AS NEEDED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2012 Honda Crosstour.

Reported to NHTSA

Front axle vibration and shudder during acceleration

POWER TRAIN

11 NHTSA complaints · 2016-03 → 2021-04

“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11412971
“MY 2012 CROSSTOUR IS NOW SUFFERING FROM WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE VERY COMMON SHAKING/SHUDDERING ISSUE. THE PROBLEM PRESENTS BETWEEN 20-45MPH AND AGAIN AROUND 60MPH, WHILE UNDER ACCELERATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11090066
“PASSENGER SIDE HARSH VIBRATIONS - MOSTLY ON ANY ROAD GOING ABOVE 30MPH UNDER ACCELERATION THE AND HARSH VIBRATION IS FELT THROUGH OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10894890

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof glass shattering while driving

VISIBILITY/WIPER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2014-02 → 2021-02

“SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED WHILE IN A RETRACTED POSITION. VEHICLE WAS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME AND GLASS RAINED INTO THE CABIN CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11398171
“I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON HIGHWAY 680 IN WALNUT CREEK CA AROUND 2;00 PM. TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AFTER A LOUD BANG!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10575456
“I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THERE WAS A BOOM ABOVE OUR CAR AND THEN WHAT SOUNDED LIKE ICE FALLING DOWN THE BACK OF THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10565656

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake caliper and rotor wear

SERVICE BRAKES

2 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2020-11

“SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS REPLACED EVERY 6 MONTHS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11373744
“THE CONSUMER STATED ON MAY 25,2014, THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER SUDDENLY DETACHED, RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE REAR BRAKES WERE SERVICED ON APRIL 10, 2014. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE CALIPER SLIDE PIN BOLT WAS MISSING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10604245

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat and head restraint discomfort

SEATS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2012-12 → 2013-01

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD REST WOULD PUSH HIS HEAD FORWARD, CAUSING HIM PAIN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEFECT CAUSED HIS ARM TO BECOME NUMB AS WELL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10494634
“THE SEATS IN THE 2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR I JUST LEASED ARE HORRIFIC. THEY ARE EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE AND THE POSITIONING ENCOURAGES POOR POSTURAL HABITS AND CANNOT BE TOLERATED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10487653

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Timing belt and internal engine failure

ENGINE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-09 → 2024-10

“Car was due for timing belt maintenance at 100k miles. Timing belt and related parts were changed August 2023. I was told belt will last 100k miles. October 2024, 13.5 months later, the belt fails and causes catastrophic damage to the engine”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11622188
“WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR THIRTY MINUTES WHERE IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11281044
“VEHICLE FOULING SPARK PLUGS ABOUT EVERY 3-6 MONTH DUE TO OIL GETTING INTO THE CYLINDER(S) CAUSING SHUTTERING, LOSS OF POWER AND STALLING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11258536

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2012-10 → 2021-12

“Car was total air bag didn't didn't work!!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11445240
“MY VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THEN PUSHED HEAD ON INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE VEHICLE'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10479121

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Code A)

Every 7,500 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter. The Maintenance Minder triggers Code A between 7,500 and 10,000 miles depending on driving conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires front-to-back to even out wear. Honda triggers Sub-code 1 alongside every other oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection (Code B)

Every 15,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake. Code B includes a multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and fluids.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid (Sub-code 5)

Every 45,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture absorption and corrosion of ABS components.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission / CVT Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF or CVT fluid. Honda CVT models (Civic, HR-V, Accord LX) use Honda HCF-2 — do not substitute. The Maintenance Minder triggers earlier under heavy stop-and-go.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid (AWD models, Sub-code 5)

Every 30,000 mi

AWD CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline: replace rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles, sooner if towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 4)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Honda uses a long-life cellulose element on most port-injected engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Honda uses iridium-tipped plugs rated for 100,000+ miles. Replace at 105,000 miles or whenever Sub-code 6 displays.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant (Sub-code 5)

Every 60,000 mi

Honda Long-Life Type 2 (blue) coolant: first change at 120,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles. Do not mix with other coolant types.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 3)

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter — accessible behind the glove box on most Hondas. Honda recommends 15,000 miles in dusty conditions, longer in clean climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Valve Clearance Adjustment (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Inspect and adjust valve clearances at 105,000 miles. Critical on K-series and L-series engines to prevent valve recession.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$495–$535

Shop

~$345–$375

DIY

Pro only

Mechanical-bucket valvetrains (many Honda 4-cyls, older Toyotas) need this. Hydraulic lifters don't. Shop work — feeler-gauge precision required.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Modern Honda engines (K-series, L-series, R-series, plus all Earth Dreams 1.5T and 2.0T) use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

8 crashes 2010–2024

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. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2012 Honda Crosstour reflects Honda's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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