2012 Honda CR-V
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 91 of 403 complaints (23%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (11) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 552 in 2011 to 403 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,700 | 2,600–2,700 | 2,400–2,500 | 2,400–2,500 | 2,400–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–24 | 23–24 | 25–26 | 25–26 | 25–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21 / 27–28 | 21 / 27–28 | 22–23 / 29–30 | 22–23 / 29–30 | 22–23 / 29–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–386 | 370–386 | 342–355 | 346–357 | 345–357 | |
| Complaints filed | 480 | 552 | 403 | 381 | 587 | |
| Recalls issued | 15 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 31 | 29 | 27 | 22 | 36 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 7 | |
| Injuries reported | 16 | 12 | 24 | 13 | 34 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Honda CR-V have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Honda CR-V?
Engine: 91 of 403 NHTSA complaints (23%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Honda CR-V get?
EPA rates it 25–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Honda CR-V?
EPA estimates $2,400–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 23 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 342 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 22 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 91 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 48 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 68 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 25 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 35 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 30 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 32 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 21 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 40 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 49 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 56 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 13V143000 · Apr 16, 2013
Defect: 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 position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 12V501000 · Oct 18, 2012
Defect: 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 Vehicle Weight Rating, Gross Axle Weight Rating front and rear, tire size, and rim size were specified on the safety certification label.
Consequence: 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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · Campaign 12V338000 · Jul 19, 2012
Defect: 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 the door latch mechanism may become loose and move out of position. There is a possibility that the cable can move far enough out of position to prevent the door from properly latching.
Consequence: If the door is not fully latched, the door may open while driving or in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle occupants.
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 will also be replaced, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, August 16, 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.