2012 Honda CR-V Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Upon cold start, the engine makes a loud knocking or rattling noise for several seconds, most noticeable after the vehicle has been sitting overnight. The noise seems to be coming from the timing area of the engine and has been identified by multiple mechanics as likely due to a faulty VTC (Variable Timing Control) actuator. This issue…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

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. Honda tells me I can do a diagnostic test for $189. I see there are repeated complaints about the Honda CR-V needing a software…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Windshield defrost on drivers side produces no air or heat. Windshield became frosty and had to pull car over because of lack of visibility. Also heat on driver's side does not work, which is not a safety issue but may be related. Took it to the dealer where purchased. They flushed the heatcore. Which did nothing to fix the problem .Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 23,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the heating system and defroster were inoperable. The contact stated that both the heater and defroster would not function properly as no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 117,000 miles

2012 to 2014 honda crv's have a "blockage problem" on the driver's side of the heater core and the driver's side of the heater does not put out any heat. this is a safety issue as condensation builds up on driver's side of the windshield and snow/ice can build up on driver's side of the windshield due to no heat. honda has known of this…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 150,000 miles

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. The on coming car had to slam on their brakes and swerve to avoid hitting my passenger side. Since that time I had found out there was a service bulletin relating to this problem. Honda…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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. This time I was able to turn the steering wheel all the way and complete the turn. No warning lights appeared. I was on a side street when this…Owner complaint, filed 2023

In September of 2012, my wife and I purchase a new Honda CR-V. We have owned it since and it has been a reliable vehicle. Unfortunately, on Friday, June 23, 2023, my wife called me from the gym parking lot stating that the power steering on her 2012 Honda CR-V was not working. I drove up to the parking lot and confirmed that the electric…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 61,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (20).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 55 MPH, the suspension failed, and the vehicle started veering back and forth uncontrollably between two lanes. The contact's wife was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 230,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

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. I already filed a progressive claim. the problem has been issue with other honda crv models. I cant be the only one to have experienced…Owner complaint, filed 2024

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 ownerOwner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 182,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle pulled to the left. The driver pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to the residence. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the rear driver's side wheel suspension assembly had detached and the control arm mounting…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 218,000 miles

Left and Right suspension Front and Back. Yes car will be available for inspection when called. No one’s safety was at risk. It has been confirmed by an independent service center. No other place has inspected the car/component except for the independent service center. No there were no warning lamps, I was able to tell something was…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 14,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

Rear Brakes do not release completely. On Sept 2015 Replaced rear pads @36776. On July 2017 Replaced Pads and Rotors @59439. On Sept 2018 replaced Rotors, Pads, and both Calipers @70037. On June 2020 replaced Rotors and Pads @90000. On Nov 2020 replaced Driver caliper. On July 2021 replaced Rotors, calipers, and Pads @99374. On Mar 2023…Owner complaint, filed 2023

I bought this 2012 Honda CRV from a friend who always had the Honda dealership maintain it right on the recommended schedule. He told me the only real problem he'd had with the car was the brakes. His maintenance records showed that in 90,000 miles the Honda dealer had replaced the rear brake pads 4 times. The vehicle had 103,000 miles…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated while the brake pedal was slightly depressed. The brake pedal was violently depressed for the vehicle to come to a stop. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 147,000 miles

On August 22, 2021 at approximately 8:00 pm, my daughter and I were riding in my 2012 Honda CRV on Cassie Hill, a very steep and windy road in St Thomas, Virgin Islands. As we approached the base of the hill at a bend, I applied breaks. The car lurched forward and picked up speed. I again applied the breaks as the car continued to pick…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

the lever on my back right seat will not release seat down. Needed to put a large item in my car and ended up having to tie it to the roof instead and drive very slowly on the interstate since my seat would not go down. did not feel safe and want to get this figured out asap since I am a furniture dealer. I popped the plastic "cap" off…Owner complaint, filed 2023

The second row seats do not release to lie flat. There are release latches in the rear and on the seats themselves, neither release.Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

At different times while driving there is a hesitation when I press on the gas. This is scary when trying to take off in traffic or when turning a corner. I have to press hard on he gas peddle a couple times to get the car to go. I've mentioned this to the dealer every time I take the car in for service but they can't find what is wrong.…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 2,000 miles

Whenever I stop at a stop sign or light, upon re-starting (only if there is an incline in the street) the motor almost stops. I must pump the gas peddle, it seems, to cause fuel to enter. Then the car takes off too fast in the traffic. The mechanics at the dealer where I purchased the car cannot find (or experience) the problem. But…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 6,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

SUV was on highway driving at around 60 mph when the front driver side dipped and heard a loud noise. Tire went flat and there was a lot of holes on the sidewall of the tire. I had vehicle towed to Tire Plus and the technician said he had not seen a tire fail like that before. He stated that it could have been a defect in the tire. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023

I had one tire on this vehicle which had 3 times where the tire became flat. The first two flats were fixed and then when the third flat happen, the dealer said the tire could no longer be fixed. These tires were purchased at Costco. I have never had a tire have more than one flat.Owner complaint, filed 2021