2012 Honda Cr-v: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Honda Cr-v: 3 recalls, 403 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.

Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #12V338000 · 2012 · 172,837 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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,…
Equipment Vehicle recall #12V501000 · 2012 · 264 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #13V143000 · 2013 · 204,169 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 24 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (89): the most common themes are noise or vibration (61), stalls / loses power (8).
- Electrical (68): the most common themes are electrical failure (38), noise or vibration (13), stalls / loses power (9).
- Other / unknown (52): the most common themes are noise or vibration (12), stalls / loses power (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (48): the most common themes are noise or vibration (24), hard / delayed shifting (14).
The 2012 Honda Cr-v has 403 owner complaints, ranking #15 of 30 Cr-v model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 533). Complaints peaked in 2015 (51 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 35,903 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (554 complaints, 13 recalls), 2013 (382 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Honda Cr-v.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Honda Cr-v have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Honda Cr-v. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Honda Cr-v problems?
Owners have filed 403 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (89), electrical (68), other / unknown (52).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Honda Cr-v get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Honda Cr-v repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.