2012 Honda CR-V Reliability
The 2012 Honda CR-V has 403 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Compared with other CR-V model years, it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the CR-V's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
403
NHTSA owner complaints
3
Recall campaigns
27
Complaints citing a crash
4
Complaints citing a fire
2012 Honda CR-V complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 model year, filed between 2012 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 89 | 22% |
| Electrical system | 68 | 17% |
| Unknown or other | 52 | 13% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 48 | 12% |
| Visibility / wipers | 36 | 9% |
| Steering | 35 | 9% |
| Air bags | 30 | 7% |
| Body structure | 29 | 7% |
2012 Honda CR-V recalls
3 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2012 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V338000 | Jul 19, 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… |
| 12V501000 | Oct 16, 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… |
| 13V143000 | Apr 15, 2013 | Powertrain / transmission — 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… |
How the 2012 compares with nearby CR-V years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year CR-V analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 482 | 15 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2011 | 555 | 13 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2012 (this page) | 403 | 3 | Engine | Solid |
| 2013 | 382 | 2 | Engine | Solid |
| 2014 | 588 | 1 | Engine | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2012 Honda CR-V
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Visibility: test the wipers at every speed, washers, defrosters and the climate system (fogging is a common complaint).
- Recalls: confirm each of the 3 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2012 Honda CR-V can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2012 Honda CR-V reliability FAQ
Is the 2012 Honda CR-V reliable?
The 2012 Honda CR-V has 403 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Compared with other CR-V model years, it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the CR-V's typical year.
What are the most common 2012 Honda CR-V problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Honda CR-V are engine (89), electrical system (68), unknown or other (52), powertrain / transmission (48). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2012 Honda CR-V have recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Honda CR-V, including 12V338000 (latches, locks & linkages — doors / latch) and 12V501000 (equipment — other / labels). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2012 Honda CR-V compare with the 2011 and 2013 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2011 has 555 complaints and 13 recalls (solid); the 2013 has 382 complaints and 2 recalls (solid). The 2012 has 403 complaints and 3 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2012 Honda CR-V?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Honda CR-V research
Other Honda CR-V model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2012 CR-V, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.