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2012 Honda

CR-V 2WD

Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Honda CR-V: best and worst years
2012 Honda CR-V 2WD (photo 1 of 4)

Photo may show a different model year; you're viewing the 2012.

PhotoAlexander-93CC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic 5-spdEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

HP
185
Power to weight
0.056 hp/lb
Axle ratio
4.44
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

Smog score
5/10
Real-world MPG
26.9 mpg, reported by 11 driversabout 0.9 mpg above the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
Yes

Dimensions & capacity

GVWR class
Class 1C (4,001 to 5,000 lb)NHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 10/13/2026

Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

Overall crash rating
★★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
No
Lane-departure warning
No
Recalls
3
Owner complaints
403 See on NHTSA
Reported injuries
24
Theft rate
0.3 per 1,000 produced (CY 2012 federal data)

Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • ENGINE17%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER10%
  • POWER TRAIN9%
  • STEERING7%
  • AIR BAGS6%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 513 total.

Honda CR-V: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • EA21002Openopened Sep 17, 2021AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

  • EA19001opened Apr 19, 2019AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

    Electrical overstress

  • EQ12002opened Feb 14, 2012AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

    Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

68 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • May 16, 2019STEERINGA19050B

    ServiceNews Article - When removing and installing a cable reel, you need to keep both the cable reel and the steering angle sensor in position. If you don't , the VSA indicator may come on along with one or more VSA DTCs. And when you run the Neutral Memorization Procedure in the i-HDS, it won't complete.

  • Feb 26, 2019AIR BAGSA18-138

    Service Bulletin - This bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is now complete. If you did the collection in this Service Bulletin on or before February 26, 2019 (RO date), use the Warranty Claim Information provided below.

  • Jul 24, 2018AIR BAGSA17-028

    Service bulletin - 2012 CR-V Driver?s Airbag Inflator Collection. This bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is now complete.

  • Jun 15, 2018AIR BAGSA18-057

    Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.

  • Apr 11, 2018LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCHA16-063

    Service bulletin - The tailgate won?t open from the outside handle in temperatures near freezing or colder, but will open in warmer temperatures. There is an internal failure of the tailgate outer handle switch.

  • Jan 3, 2018VISIBILITY/WIPERAPaS01032018904

    Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2012-2016 CR-Vs with a customer complaint of the front wiper motor inop completely or inop on certain speed setting. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

  • Nov 27, 2017VISIBILITY/WIPERAPaS11272017907

    Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2012-2016 CR-Vs with a customer complaint of the front wiper motor inop completely or inop on certain speed setting. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

  • Nov 10, 2017VISIBILITYAPaS11102017902

    Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2012-2016 CR-Vs with a customer complaint of the front wiper motor inop completely or inop on certain speed setting. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

  • and 60 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
3 yr / 36k mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60k mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36k mi
EV battery
8 yr / 100k mi

Source: www.cars.com as of 2026-06

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.