MYRModel Year Report

2012 Honda CR-V

● Typical for this model
2012 Honda CR-V
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
402
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 128 complaints 1999: 127 complaints 2000: 129 complaints 2001: 142 complaints 2001 2002: 515 complaints 2003: 468 complaints 2004: 501 complaints 2005: 479 complaints 2005 2006: 398 complaints 2007: 887 complaints 2008: 962 complaints 2009: 386 complaints 2010: 480 complaints 2011: 554 complaints 2012: 402 complaints 2012 402 2013: 382 complaints 2014: 587 complaints 2015: 672 complaints 2016: 393 complaints 2017: 1,770 complaints 2017 2018: 2,151 complaints 2019: 1,103 complaints 2020: 362 complaints 2021: 334 complaints 2021 2022: 264 complaints 2023: 522 complaints 2024: 391 complaints 2025: 256 complaints 2025 2026: 148 complaints
1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 128 complaints 1999: 127 complaints 1999 2000: 129 complaints 2001: 142 complaints 2001 2002: 515 complaints 2003: 468 complaints 2003 2004: 501 complaints 2005: 479 complaints 2005 2006: 398 complaints 2007: 887 complaints 2007 2008: 962 complaints 2009: 386 complaints 2009 2010: 480 complaints 2011: 554 complaints 2012: 402 complaints 2012 402 2013: 382 complaints 2014: 587 complaints 2015: 672 complaints 2015 2016: 393 complaints 2017: 1,770 complaints 2017 2018: 2,151 complaints 2019: 1,103 complaints 2019 2020: 362 complaints 2021: 334 complaints 2021 2022: 264 complaints 2023: 522 complaints 2023 2024: 391 complaints 2025: 256 complaints 2025 2026: 148 complaints
1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 128 complaints 1999: 127 complaints 1999 2000: 129 complaints 2001: 142 complaints 2001 2002: 515 complaints 2003: 468 complaints 2003 2004: 501 complaints 2005: 479 complaints 2005 2006: 398 complaints 2007: 887 complaints 2007 2008: 962 complaints 2009: 386 complaints 2009 2010: 480 complaints 2011: 554 complaints 2012: 402 complaints 2012 402 2013: 382 complaints 2014: 587 complaints 2015: 672 complaints 2015 2016: 393 complaints 2017: 1,770 complaints 2017 2018: 2,151 complaints 2019: 1,103 complaints 2019 2020: 362 complaints 2021: 334 complaints 2021 2022: 264 complaints 2023: 522 complaints 2023 2024: 391 complaints 2025: 256 complaints 2025 2026: 148 complaints

2012: 402 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1997108
1998128
1999127
2000129
2001142
2002515
2003468
2004501
2005479
2006398
2007887
2008962
2009386
2010480
2011554
2012402
2013382
2014587
2015672
2016393
20171,770
20182,151
20191,103
2020362
2021334
2022264
2023522
2024391
2025256
2026148

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

22% · 89 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that an abnormal grinding was coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-22

Also filed under Power train

Electrical system

17% · 68 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and starter assembly.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-28

Power train

12% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing differential unit.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Steering

9% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system.

CRASHINJURY

Air bags

7% · 30 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

In the accident, side curtain airbags malfunctioned. They started to deploy but did not finish deploying. Pictures and incident report are available. The car was a total loss and was not returned to…

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-15

We had a direct deer hit on I81 north in grantville pa. The direct hit was taken on the driver's side of the vehicle at 65 MPH in highway driving. The airbag only deployed on the passenger side not on the driver's side.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-19

My husband and I had automobile accident on nov 7 on a busy city street. I was the passenger. My husband hit a telephone pole at about thirty MPH or less.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-08

Also filed under Seat belts

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2012-02-14EQClosed 2012-05-08 Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture
  2. R
    2012-08-16Latches/locks/linkages12V338000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2012-11-14Equipment12V501000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2013-05-13Power train13V143000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2019-04-19Engineering analysisClosed 2024-09-19 Electrical overstress
  6. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Honda CR-V — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 89 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 68 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 49 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V338000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 12V501000 · Equipment
  • Recall 13V143000 · Power train
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Honda CR-V reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Honda CR-V is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda CR-V?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Honda CR-V have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.