10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,510 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Honda CR-V:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #65

Mar 162016

CR-V

  • miles
There is a known issue with the vtc on many Honda from 2008-2014. Honda is only covering the issue under the standard warranty though it is a known issue.

- Locust Grove, VA, USA

problem #64

Oct 222015

CR-V

  • 35,500 miles
Rattle/grinding noise on cold starts. At first, it was only on very cold mornings, which we don't usually have here in the South (Alabama); however, today, it does it every time you start the car. It's a frightening noise that sounds like it's tearing up the engine. There are videos and hundreds of complaints online about this issue. I have read something about a class-action lawsuit, as well, although I was never notified of that.

- Vestavia Hills, AL, USA

problem #63

Jul 132016

CR-V

  • miles
Engine rattles at cold start-up - vtc actuator needs replacement. The Honda dealer (criswell Honda, germantown md) doing the maintenance says that I have gone past the warranty. But I have been there multiple times for service before and mentioned about the issue. They did not fix it or explained to me the issues. They are charging me $800 now for this. Based on current search in google, this is what I find. Please help Honda tsb number:A09-010.V4 NHTSA number:10087883tsb date:March 17, 2016 failing component: Engine (pws) summary: Service bulletin - replace the vtc actuator if the engine rattles loudly for 2 seconds during cold start-up.

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #62

Aug 282018

CR-V

  • 59,000 miles
Rattle noise on cold start up. Vtc actuator replaced under warranty and now same problem again after 10;000 miles. From my reading and speaking to several auto mechanics, this is a common problem with this model of car and it seems like Honda of America has not taken responsibility for addressing this problem adequately. I think a recall of this engine or an extension of the warranty should be required.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #61

Aug 082017

CR-V

  • 85,000 miles
Grinding noise upon cold start. This issue started at least two years ago. Did not happen on every start. Asked dealership what it might be and I was told it was nothing. Over the past year, noise happens religiously every time there is a cold start. Dealership now says it's the vtc actuator and I am now past my warranty. It appears that a tsb was issued March 2016. Why has no recall been made since this is a widespread issue? class action settlement 3/ 2018 did not include the CRV's

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #60

Jun 302018

CR-V

  • 38,000 miles
Prior to accident, vehicle had no issues and was serviced routinely. There were 2 individuals in the car and accident took place on a two lane state road approximately 2 miles from residence. The weather was hot and sunny on the mid-afternoon of the accident. Driver noticed sputtering in the car and decided to U-turn to return to residence. As driver continued, sputtering worsened and somebody drove alongside and yelled that the vehicle appeared to be leaking gas. Very soon after, while car was driving at 5mph, the car had an explosion and flames came through the passenger window. Both driver and passenger were burned and medevac'd to local burn center. Passenger received severe 2nd and 3rd degree burns on upper half of body. Driver also received burns but not as severe. Each managed to exit vehicle before the being engulfed by flames. Vehicle is completely unrepairable and destroyed. Fire marshal report as further details on possible origins of the car fire.

- Lovettsville, VA, USA

problem #59

Feb 022018

CR-V

  • 110,000 miles
Engine rattles at cold start up. Per service bulletin the vtc actuator is faulty and needs to be replaced with an upgraded part. This is the second time I will need to have it replaced. I shouldn't have to pay for this repair again.

- Plainfield, IN, USA

problem #58

Apr 202018

CR-V

  • 70,000 miles
Grinding noise upon cold start. This issue started at least two years ago. Did not happen on every start. Asked dealership what it might be and I was told it was nothing. Over the past year, noise happens religiously every time there is a cold start. Dealership now says it's the vtc actuator and I am now past my warranty. It appears that a tsb was issued March 2016. Why has no recall been made since this is a widespread issue?

- Schiller Park, IL, USA

problem #57

Apr 102018

CR-V

  • 35,000 miles
Engine- purchased car in Aug 2013 in winter that year I heard a loud grinding noise at morning starts when it was cold. Took to Honda dealer service who said it was probably vtc actuator. Had to bring it back and leave over nght so they could hear it in am. Of course the night I took it wasnt cold enough next am to make noise. Took it 3 other times since all to Honda dealer plus reported it each time I took in for service. Never able to hear noise because too warm. Still making noise today, 5 years later. Warranty expired. Very aggravating. Electrical- battery has been replaced 3 times in 5 years, this year it was in janurary. Something is draining it when the vehicle is even turned off and not running. Lights have never been left on to run battery down. Each time I have to get a new battery the sales person says the battery is too new to be drained already and there must be something draining it. Honda dealer says they would need to have the vehicle there when the problem happened to find the problem. They said that the first 2 times I took it there the third time I didnt waste my time going there.

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #56

Jan 082018

CR-V

  • 106,000 miles
We had a direct deer hit on I81 North in grantville pa. The direct hit was taken on the driver's side of the vehicle at 65 mph in highway driving. The airbag only deployed on the passenger side not on the driver's side. This seemed very odd to us. Either both air bags should have deployed or neither airbag should have deployed in this accident. Pictures are attached. I reported this to american Honda, but they refused to investigate it and I had to beg them for an email address to send the pictures to. Given their attitude, I felt I needed to report this accident to NHTSA. My car was totaled by New Jersey manufacturer's insurance co.

- Annandale, NJ, USA

problem #55

Feb 012017

CR-V

  • 59,000 miles
Please research this issue with 2012 Honda CR-V's as I am not the only one with this issue and I believe it's a serious safety issue: The vehicle shakes, vibrates or wobbles when accelerating in low gears. It stops when easing up on the gas pedal. It typically occurs when the vehicle shifts (automatic transmission) between the 1st and 2nd gears. The whole car shakes. The only way to stop it is by removing foot from gas pedal or accelerating car quickly to higher speed. The issue affects the ability to safely accelerate to proper speed. Begins when accelerating from a stopped position all the way up until car reaches about 40-45 miles per hour. Occurs on all types of road conditions but is very pronounced when driving on a flat surface. I have taken my vehicle to be serviced at the Honda of the avenues and I was told it was resolved. It hasn't been resolved and I have been traveling so I haven't had the chance to take it back. I am up to date with all my oil changes and maintenance. I see that I am not the only one with this issue with my 2012 Honda CRV as others with the same vehicle are complaining online. This should be part of a recall service.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

problem #54

Nov 072017

CR-V

  • 74,000 miles
Car in motion at approximately 45 mph on city street, when suddenly all power is lost. Engine still running but no power when pushing accelerator pedal. This lasts from 5 to 10 seconds. Then suddenly kicks in again. No check engine light appears. Talked to Honda about this and they said they have never heard of this happening. This has happened four times in this vehicle.

- Graham, NC, USA

problem #53

Sep 182017

CR-V

  • 31,000 miles
The vtc is making a rattling noise on a cold start up. This started out of nowhere and has not gone away. My car is parked in a garage at home and is parked outside at work but will do the same no matter what.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #52

Jun 112017

CR-V

  • 21,000 miles
Every time I start a car I hear a grinding sound that lasts for 1-2 seconds and then stops. This is how it sounds like: Https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=kr20baoxbo8 this happens to Honda CR-V's and Accord with 2.4L 4 cyl. Engines. The issues known as "vtc actuator assembly" - https://www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/ucm501009/sb-10041669-6712.pdf this is a huge problem for vehicles assembled between 2010 - 2016 and it should be a recall to fix the issue. As of now Honda is not admitting that there is the problem.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #51

Nov 212014

CR-V

  • 50,920 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. the contact stated that the engine failed to start without warning. The vehicle was taken to the conicelli Honda dealer located at 1100 ridge pike, conshohocken, pa 19428; (484) 533-2352 where it was diagnosed that a service bulletin needed to be updated and the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact also stated that when trying to start the vehicle it made an abnormal noise. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no outstanding service bulletin for this issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case number was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 50,920.

- Wyndmoor, PA, USA

problem #50

Jul 182016

CR-V

  • miles
Engine rattles on cold start. Ties to their service bulletin 09-010 issue. This was reported to Suburban Honda novi 7/18/2016 when car mileage was 59716. Car was returned indicating this issue could not be replicated. Service buletin dates back to March 17 2016. How did Suburban Honda not recognize this as the issue when I first reported to them on 7/18/2016? today 8/16/17 this issue has coumponded. Every time car is started after kept idle of more than an hour the rattle sound is real lud. Local technician, paul's automotive said yesterday, it is real impoartant it be looked at by Honda. So takin it to Suburban Honda today 8/16/17.

- Commerce, MI, USA

problem #49

Feb 162017

CR-V

  • 41,000 miles
The engine makes a rattling noise when the car is turned on in cold weather, usually when it is first turned on in the morning. I live on the gulf coast, so it really doesn't even get that cold down here, but I have noticed this on multiple "cold" mornings (temperatures maybe in the 40S). I noticed several other people have reported this problem. I don't know if it is causing damage to the car, but it does not sound good.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #48

Jun 062017

CR-V

  • 31,000 miles
When pressing the accelerator the vehicle hesitates before accelerating. This creates a hazardous condition when pulling out into traffic. Vehicle feels like it is going to stall out.

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

problem #47

May 252017

CR-V

  • 99,000 miles
I bought a used CRV from the dealer in manchester nh. It is not under warantee anymore. The vtc actuator is bad and I need it replaced. It was recalled by Honda. They are telling me its only up to 60 K miles. I bought it with that many on it.

- Deerfield, NH, USA

problem #46

May 062017

CR-V

  • 47,000 miles
Wife pulled car into attached garage, has stopped, needed to move up 1-2 feet, with foot on brake the car suddenly overpowered the brakes, smashed a cabinet in garage, hit inside wall, broke studs, and moved others damage both wall in garage and inside home, there were marks on garage floor per insurance adjuster said, not skid marks instead it was from front wheels spinning as it pushed a cabinet into and through 2 walls - took to dealeer, Honda corporate was involved, before Honda people we involved, they could not duplicate the situaltion, (note this is the second time this happened other was parking in outside parking lot, was able to stop but barely) it was swept under the rug, by Honda, corporate, factory rep never even bothered to call us. Wife was accident free 50+ years, she is short about 5 foot, drives with right foot only. There is an engineer or someone back in 2012 already 136,000 reported accidents across all makes and models, SUV and foreign cars were the worst, 92% were at slow speed mostly parking, the one thing in common is everything is electronic, batteries are smaller and at low speeds all the power being used causes a spike to the computer, which controls speed, no cables or rods to be pushed on gas pedal anymore, to make it worse another car same model, year, make in on your site as id 10794564 look at VIN # almost identical. With all this happening it appears the manufactures are not bothering to find a common cause for this, saves them money, but the damages, injuries, and deaths related to this problem has never been found in 10+ years

- The Villages, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »