2012 Honda Cr-v
The Verdict
The 2012 Honda Cr-v has 399 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (154 complaints) and electrical (96 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 35/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Honda Cr-v, consider the 2000 model year which has 65% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2000 has 65% fewer complaints
View the 2000 Honda Cr-v dashboard →
Klunk Score: Check Engine
More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 4...
Risk
A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading. Improper loading could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 43 | 1 | 62 | 18 | 15 |
| 2001 | 43 | 2 | 63 | 37 | 7 |
| 2002 | 143 | 25 | 253 | 79 | 27 |
| 2003 | 143 | 20 | 204 | 102 | 24 |
| 2004 | 121 | 13 | 187 | 169 | 11 |
| 2005 | 118 | 14 | 285 | 38 | 22 |
| 2006 | 105 | 21 | 224 | 25 | 22 |
| 2007 | 290 | 14 | 500 | 33 | 32 |
| 2008 | 339 | 20 | 507 | 46 | 30 |
| 2009 | 130 | 13 | 207 | 17 | 10 |
| 2010 | 125 | 19 | 237 | 67 | 22 |
| 2011 | 133 | 15 | 328 | 46 | 9 |
| 2012 | 154 | 20 | 96 | 96 | 33 |
| 2013 | 100 | 21 | 83 | 108 | 69 |
| 2014 | 211 | 18 | 111 | 201 | 43 |
| 2015 | 193 | 28 | 82 | 280 | 83 |
| 2016 | 121 | 13 | 77 | 149 | 27 |
| 2017 | 485 | 147 | 287 | 709 | 96 |
| 2018 | 775 | 167 | 195 | 844 | 30 |
| 2019 | 460 | 92 | 186 | 283 | 10 |
| 2020 | 142 | 28 | 76 | 66 | 15 |
| 2021 | 202 | 24 | 28 | 46 | 7 |
| 2022 | 185 | 13 | 8 | 23 | 6 |
| 2023 | 402 | 27 | 25 | 40 | 10 |
| 2024 | 253 | 18 | 26 | 56 | 13 |
| 2025 | 145 | 23 | 12 | 44 | 3 |
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Worst Problems
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Complaints
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.
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.
I was driving and the rear tire and suspension broke looked it's completely rotted out
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.
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.
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.
I was driving Honda CRV on Route 60, MPH was about 30 when the vehicle went to side by side on the road. This is a 2 lane highway. If some was coming the other way I could not help from colliding into them. I pulled over as soon as I could. The Honda has a left rear frams is broken. I heard other people announcing that their frame on CRV Honda 2012 is broken at the same side. It is a good car except for the frame. Please help . Are there any recall for frame?
Lower left trailing arm body mounting bracket rusted away.
Due to excessive corrosion the spring/strut broke while driving. The tire is off at an angle and could have come completely off endangering the driver and other drivers. There was no warning light or any other indication that this was going to happen. The car was taken to a local garage and at the insistence of Honda, it was also towed to a Honda dealership. Both locations deemed the car irreparable and a total loss due to excessive rust and corrosion. Honda has been contacted multiple times and refuses to acknowledge any issues. Even though we were given a case number, there hasn't been any closure to the case.
Subject: Engine Stalls Upon Acceleration from Stop - Near Collision Description: I am experiencing intermittent engine stalling on my 2012 Honda CR-V. The issue occurs specifically when attempting to accelerate from a complete stop (e.g., at stop signs or intersections). When I press the gas pedal to proceed, the engine unexpectedly shuts off and loses all motive power. On several occasions, the vehicle has stalled multiple times in succession before it would stay running. In one severe incident, I was attempting a right turn onto a busy road from a stop sign. The vehicle stalled mid-turn, leaving me stranded in the path of traffic. A vehicle approaching from behind nearly rear-ended me because I could not clear the intersection. There are no warning lights prior to the stall. This loss of power at intersections poses an immediate safety risk of collision. I suspect this may be related to the known VTC actuator/timing chain defect affecting this model year.
During the installation of the rear frame bracket (recommended from the 2011 recall), it was determined the vehicle is unsafe. The frame brace recall not designed for the 2012 CRV would not fit the vehicle. Notified customer of the condition of the left control arm. Not safe for the road. Recommended not to drive this vehicle.
Rear wheel subframe broke off, separated from the chassis
The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that while performing an inspection of the vehicle, the contact became aware of severe corrosion on the forward mount of the rear trailing arm mounts on the driver’s and passenger’s sides. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the forward mount of the rear trailing arm mounts on the driver’s and passenger’s sides was severely corroded. In addition, the contact was informed that the corrosion was so severe that the vehicle was not repairable. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The contact was informed that the VIN was one month off from being included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 188,100.
The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear control arm detached. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 228,000.
TPMS warning light was on and then entire Dash lit up while steering was crooked on the column. Driving while incident occurred did not cause accident. disabled vehicle due to the same manufactured defects in the 2007 through 2011 Honda CRV models that have a recall on them my vehicle was manufactured August 2012 past cutoff date for the gen 3 model. Submitting this request for repair unable to drive the vehicle and it's current condition. This all due to the same manufacturer defect found on the rear control arm gen 3 body type and suspension of the 2007 through 2011 models same gen 3 should be repaired and accepted as a recall having exact same issue because it's the exact same type of model car.
Was driving my 2012 Honda CRV home from the store when the AWD light came on. By the time I got it home another light came on EPS. When I got out I noticed the drivers side rear tire looked tilted. Upon further inspection I could see that the control arm had fallen down along with the whole trailing arm from rust. After investigating I learned that there was a recall for this exact thing but only for 2007-2011 models. I called Honda and they told me to get it to a Honda dealership for diagnosis report so I haf it towed there. They said that if ut were the same issue as the recall that they could make an exception after a case manager reviewed everything. The Honda dealership documented that the rust on the underrails of the frame were critical for the overall integrity and safety of the car and that the control arms were rusted and broken through. When I sent everything to Honda, they said that since my vin was not part of the recall there was nothing they would do for me. There are many more complaints regarding this exact issue for the 2012 models and something needs done before lives are lost. My daughter and I were leaving for a trip the next morning and had I not decided to take my car to the store the night before we would have been on the interstate when the trailing arm and control arm broke and fell which would have been catastrophic while driving at interstate speed, from what I understand. I have only had my 2012 Honda CRV for 3 months and it only has 120k miles on it. These models need a recall ASAP as they are extremely dangerous!
The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking, and the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously received an alignment and tire rotation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the drive shaft might need to be replaced, but the vehicle needed a more extensive diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 15-076 (Vibration While Driving at Highway Speeds); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The car was being driven and the rear wheel and hub assembly all came off. Luckily, the car was being driven at a slow speed at the time. The problem turned out to be that the rear frame was all completely rusted out and where it was connected it all pulled out. After doing some research, there was a recall on the previous years for the exact same thing. Evidently, the problem still was not taken care of. If the car would have been a few months older it would have been covered under the recall. The car was taken to the dealership and had the factory rep look at it but they refused to do anything.
Complete rear tire assembly came loose from the unibody frame from rust. Not a drop of rust on the body of the car.Thank god we weren’t on the highway. they told me it was unfixable.Thank you Honda.And the recall stopped at 2011? Honda obviously doesn’t care about safety and human life.
The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact called on behalf of her son. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed and exiting a parking lot, the rear axle on the vehicle snapped. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact’s son pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was declared a total loss. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
399 total