Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On August 22, 2021 at approximately 8:00 pm, my daughter and I were riding in my 2012 Honda CRV on Cassie Hill, a very steep and windy road in St Thomas, Virgin Islands. As we approached the base of the hill at a bend, I applied breaks. The car lurched forward and picked up speed. I again applied the breaks as the car continued to pick up speed while going up the hill. However, the breaks did not reduce the speed. It did not work. I put the car in neutral and the lower gears but it did not slow down. As we were approaching the most steepest and windiest part of the road and with the car gaining more speed, I steered the car to the right side of the hill. The car traveled for some distance and flipped over. All air bags were successfully deployed.
The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated while the brake pedal was slightly depressed. The brake pedal was violently depressed for the vehicle to come to a stop. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000. The VIN was not available.
Lost control of my car when I looked down to pick up a piece of ice in my console. In the crash the steering wheel air bag did not deploy, and my accelerator stuck. I had my seat belt on but the force of the impact in the ditch was so hard and my air bag did not deploy that my back was fractured in the accident!!
Car accelerated out of control. I was going in my garage. Ice at front of garage. I tapped the accelerator and I ended up in my garage wall, damaging my car and kitchen. This is the second time this has happened. A year and a half ago, the car accelerated out of control in my neighbors driveway and hit the garage door. ...updated 04/21/15
When pulling into a parking spot in a parking structure, as I prepared to stop, the automobile, I think, inexplicably accelerated, crashing into the concrete barrier wall. The airbag deployed. To sum up, I think that my car accelerated by itself.
Bought a 2012 Honda CR-v 8/2015.dealer service was on 10/15/2015. Advised 2 change differential fluid (57,000 mi) charged to change differential fluid, but there is a judder 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 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.approx.May, 2019 I was stopping 4 a light-car accelerated on own-put in neutral,but RPM shot up again. Braked and put it back in drive. …
I went to park in a diagonal, on street parking spot, and applied the brake to stop. The car instead accelerated, jumped the curb and proceeded into an adjoining parking lot. I turned hard right to avoid vehicles and struck the retaining wall at the back of the lot with my left front quarter panel. This impact steepened the turn and shot me back out of the lot and onto the street. I proceeded up the street, the car accelerating all the time. I tried to determine if I was accidentally stepping on the gas, and felt I was indeed on the brake. My car proceeded rapidly up the street, over 1/10th mile in distance. In a panic to try and stop the car I stomped on the emergency brake, which locked up the rear wheels. My rear tires were in a skid for over 150 feet, which produced a sideways skid, the car turning right and slamming broadside into a park vehicle which stopped me. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-v. While driving between 25-30 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and hesitated to move. When fuel was added, the vehicle would accelerate and drive normally. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Honda kingsport (located at 2217 e stone dr, kingsport, tn 37660, [phone]) where the technician changed the automatic transmission fluid and performed an update; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to Honda kingsport and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-v. While operating the vehicle, it experienced unintended acceleration. Also, the doors would randomly lock and unlock and the instrument panel gauges displayed false readings. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 73,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was compromised by a cyber-stalker/hacker for over 2 years. The radio station randomly changes, the compass display was incorrect, the climate controls would not operate, and the clock switched to military time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Honda crv. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking space at 10 MPH the vehicle rpms started to increase excessively then there was a sudden acceleration. The vehicle drove over a curb, crash into a building and then rolled over. The contact did not have any physical injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The police were notified and a report was filed. The dealer was notified which offered no assistance. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 2,000.
Acceleration complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2012 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2012 Honda CR-V, 5% of the model year's 403 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Honda CR-V acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2012 Honda CR-V, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Honda CR-V acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles, and 56% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.