How many recalls does the 2012 Honda CR-V have?

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Honda CR-V model year. Whether one car had the recall work done depends on that car, so check its VIN with NHTSA.

1997: 109 owner complaints, Worthy

Our take: worth a look. Owners filed about as many complaints as in a typical year of this model.

Year verdict

Worthy

0.8× a typical year

About as many owner complaints as a typical year. Still get it inspected.

Confidence: Medium

NHTSA did not answer for 2 years, so the typical year may shift.

NHTSA did not answer for 2 years, so this may change.

Past 100,000 miles

Locked

How this year held up past 100,000 miles.

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How the dial was counted

Year verdict: Typical year: 327 complaints, the median of 8 nearby years. Each counted over its first 8 years from January 2011; this one had 273.

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Odometer check

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WhipWorthy sticker

2012 Honda CR-V

Complaints403From owners
Loading owner complaints
Recalls3On file
Loading recalls
Crash5 out of 5 starsBest of 2 versions
Loading crash ratings
MPG25 to 26Combined, EPA
Loading fuel economy

Complaints are unverified owner reports, not adjusted for how many were sold.

Compare this car Every CR-V year

Car report

Park this car in My Garage and see its recalls at a glance.Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Value signals

We do not price cars.

These help you judge whether this one is worth its price.

Costly problem zones ahead at your miles come with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans
Fuel: $2,450 to $2,550 a year.The EPA’s estimate for 15,000 miles a year, 55% in town, at its fuel prices. Each version
Loading the EPA's yearly fuel cost
Have the VIN? Check it is this car, and see its open recalls at NHTSA.
VIN
On the dash at the base of the windshield, or on the driver’s door sticker.

What about the price? Check the asking price on two listing sites. Buying from a dealer? Run its offer through the offer X ray.

Education, not financial or mechanical advice. Have any used car checked by a mechanic you trust before you buy.

The full record

Tap to open

What owners complain about

403 complaints; the part named most is the engine

Unverified reports, not adjusted for sales. One complaint can name several parts, so shares add up past 100%. Filed Jan 25, 2012 to Aug 31, 2026. 37% name a part that is usually costly to fix.

Owners reported 27 crashes, 4 fires and 24 injuries in these complaints.

Engine91 · 23%Usually costly to fix
Electrical68 · 17%
Other or unknown52 · 13%

What one owner wrote about the engine

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…

Filed Dec 9, 2025NHTSA complaint 117040981 of 18 owner quotes

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15 more parts, and 18 owner quotes

Every part owners name for the 2012 Honda CR-V, with their own words about what went wrong. Usually costly to fix among them: Transmission and drivetrain, Body and frame.

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SourceOwner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Honda CR-V. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Seller kit

Questions for the seller, test drive checks and price points

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Walk up to the seller ready

Questions to ask the seller of a 2012 Honda CR-V, built from this year's owner complaints and recalls. What to feel, hear and look at on the test drive, with boxes to tick at the car. Honest points to raise on price, from the records and never from guesses. Copy the questions to your phone in one tap.

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Write your offer

A ready to send offer for the seller, by text or email

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Send the seller a fair offer

Type the asking price and your own offer for the 2012 Honda CR-V, tick what you found, and get a polite message ready to text or email. Its reasons come from this year's owner complaints, recalls and crash ratings, and never from made up repair prices.

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When problems show up

Engine: the middle complaint around 50,000 miles

The bar holds the middle half of the complaints that gave a mileage; the dark mark is the middle one. 96 complaints of 403 gave one. Owners file when something fails, so this shows when problems were reported, not how long the cars last.

EngineCostly30,000 to 70,000 mi
Half of these 19 complaints came between about 30,000 and 70,000 miles, the middle one around 50,000.

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Mileage for 1 more part

The mileage band for every part owners name, and your car's miles laid across them.

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SourceMileage from owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Honda CR-V. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Will it outlast the loan?

The month of your loan each problem zone lands in

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2 problem zones to lay against your loan, 1 usually costly

See the month of your loan each one lands in, and what you would still owe then.

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Recalls

3 recalls on file

Not every car needs every fix. Run the VIN at NHTSA to see which are still open. Repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand; ask before any work.

Transmission and drivetrain
Apr 15, 2013 · Recall 13V143000
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."
What can happen
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.
The fix
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 and accessories
Oct 16, 2012 · Recall 12V501000
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.
What can happen
A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading. Improper loading could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.
Doors, locks and latches
Jul 19, 2012 · Recall 12V338000
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.
What can happen
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.
The fix
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.

SourceRecalls listed by NHTSA for the 2012 Honda CR-V. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Crash ratings

5 of 5 stars overall, the best of 2 versions tested

NHTSA's stars out of five, for each version it tested. Front crash stars only compare cars of about the same size and weight.

2012 Honda CR-V SUV 4WD
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
17.4% chance of a rollover in a one car crash, by NHTSA's estimate.
Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Not available
Lane departure warning
Not available
2012 Honda CR-V SUV FWD
Overall
Front
Side

NHTSA investigations: 3

SourceNHTSA crash ratings for the 2012 Honda CR-V. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Fuel economy

25 to 26 mpg combined, across 2 versions

The EPA's estimates for each engine and transmission, and its own yearly fuel cost. Yours depends on how you drive and the shape the car is in.

Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
CR-V 2WD · Front wheel drive · Regular gas
City
23 mpg
Highway
30 mpg
Combined
26 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$2,450
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
CR-V 4WD · All wheel drive · Regular gas
City
22 mpg
Highway
29 mpg
Combined
25 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$2,550
This one on fueleconomy.gov

SourceEPA fuel economy data, fueleconomy.gov. EPA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

True cost to own

The loan, fuel, insurance and upkeep, a month and over 5 years

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What it really costs to own

What the 2012 Honda CR-V costs a month and over 5 years: the loan and its interest, fuel worked out from the EPA's figures for the version you pick, and your own insurance, registration and upkeep. A cost a mile, a link that reopens your numbers, and the breakdown copied to your phone in one tap.

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Every year of the CR-V

21 Worthy, 6 Maybe, 2 Pass, of 30 years on file

Owner complaints for each model year, this one outlined. Tap a year to open it. The newest 2 are not judged yet. Bars are totals, so older years stand taller; the verdict compares every year at the same age.

Best and worst years of the CR-V

NHTSA did not answer for 4 years, so the chart may be missing some.

SourceNHTSA owner complaints and recalls for the CR-V. NHTSA, checked Nov 1, 2026.

Before you buy this one

5 checks, with a close look at the engine

Built from this year's numbers. Whatever the data says, the car in front of you is the one that counts.

Run the VIN at NHTSA to confirm every recall was fixed.
This year has 3 recalls on file. Recall repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand. Ask the dealer to confirm before any work is done. Look up a VIN at NHTSA.
Ask the seller for the service records.
Look closely for any work on the engine. It is the part owners complain about most for this year.
Have a mechanic you trust inspect it before you pay.
Ask them to look hard at the engine. It is usually costly to fix.
Look at a vehicle history report.
It can show reported crashes, flood or salvage titles, and mileage that does not add up.
On the test drive, pay attention to the engine.
Start it cold if you can. Listen for knocking or ticking, and watch for warning lights and smoke.

Going to see it? Take the checklist52 checks with the bad signs to look for, saved on your phone.

Check this exact car

The verdict is about the model year. These checks are about the one in front of you. Most are free or a few dollars.

VIN for these checks

Copy it, then paste it into each check. Nothing is sent until you open one.

Official checks on this VIN

Open recallsFree
NHTSA
Safety recalls on this VIN that are not fixed yet, from the last 15 years.
A recall already fixed does not show.
Check recalls at NHTSAnhtsa.gov (opens in a new tab)
Theft and total lossFree
NICB VINCheck
Whether an insurer reported it stolen and not found, or wrote it off as a total loss.
Only insurer records. Five checks a day.
Open NICB VINChecknicb.org (opens in a new tab)
Title brandsA few dollars
NMVTIS, the federal title system
Salvage, flood, junk and rebuilt brands from any state, and the last miles on the title.
No repairs, service or recalls. Sold by approved sellers listed on the site.
See the approved sellersvehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov (opens in a new tab)
Title statusVaries by state
The state motor vehicle office
Whether the title is branded in that state and, where the state offers it, whether a lender still has a lien.
It will not name the owner. Each state asks its own way, and some only by mail. Ask to see the seller’s title too.
Find your state’s officeusa.gov (opens in a new tab)

What a paid report adds

A history report such as Carfax or AutoCheck pulls in more of the car’s past than these checks can:

Crashes and damage reported by police, insurers or shops, even when it was fixed.
Service visits that shops reported, with the miles each time.
How many owners, for how long, and the states it was registered in.
Whether it was a rental, fleet or lease car, when that was reported.

It only knows what was reported to it. A clean report is not proof of a clean car. Ask the seller first: many dealers hand one over for free.

Red flags in a history

Salvage title
Usually an insurer called it a total loss. In most states it cannot be driven on the road until it is rebuilt and inspected.
Rebuilt title
A salvage car that was fixed and passed a state check. It can be fine, but it is worth less, can be harder to insure, and needs a careful inspection.
Flood damage
Water can ruin wiring and sensors months later. Be wary of a flood brand that vanished after a move to another state.
Lemon or maker buyback
The maker bought it back over a defect it could not fix. Ask what the defect was and how it was fixed.
Odometer rollback
A mileage reading lower than an earlier one, or a title marked not actual miles.
Many owners, fast
Three owners in two years can mean a problem each one passed along.
Gaps in the records
Years with no service or registration. Ask why: it may have sat, been off the road, or been rebuilt.

Title words and rules differ by state. Not legal advice.

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection
Have a mechanic you choose, not the seller, put it on a lift and look it over before you pay.
Insurance quote
Get a quote on this exact car before you sign. Ask your own insurer and one or two others.

Model year	Owner complaints	Verdict
1997	109	Worthy
1998	143	Worthy
1999	138	Worthy
2000	142	Worthy
2001	153	Worthy
2002	527	Maybe
2003	494	Maybe
2004	501	Worthy
2005	479	Worthy
2006	398	Worthy
2007	887	Worthy
2008	963	Worthy
2009	386	Worthy
2010	482	Worthy
2011	554	Worthy
2012	403	Worthy
2013	382	Worthy
2014	587	Worthy
2015	673	Maybe
2016	394	Worthy
2017	1779	Pass
2018	2163	Pass
2019	1107	Maybe
2020	358	Worthy
2021	338	Worthy
2022	269	Worthy
2023	517	Maybe
2024	393	Maybe
2025	262	Worthy
2026	175	Not judged

The verdict on the 2012 Honda CR-V

Value signals

What owners complain about

Seller kit

Write your offer

When problems show up

Will it outlast the loan?

Recalls

Transmission and drivetrain

What can happen

The fix

Equipment and accessories

What can happen

The fix

Doors, locks and latches

What can happen

The fix

Crash ratings

2012 Honda CR-V SUV 4WD

2012 Honda CR-V SUV FWD

Fuel economy

Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L

True cost to own

Every year of the CR-V

Before you buy this one

Check this exact car

Official checks on this VIN

What a paid report adds

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection

Insurance quote

Transmission and drivetrain

What can happen

The fix

Equipment and accessories

What can happen

The fix

Doors, locks and latches

What can happen

The fix

Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L

2012 Honda CR-V SUV 4WD

2012 Honda CR-V SUV FWD