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).
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!!
In the accident, side curtain airbags malfunctioned. They started to deploy but did not finish deploying. Pictures and incident report are available. The car was a total loss and was not returned to owner
The airbag light often turns red, indicating that airbags are not likely to be deployed if needed. This happens usually when the steering is turned in a certain way when I take left or right turn (more likely during the left turn). No accidents. I took it to the dealership for repair. The dealership says this is an issue with a faulty part (clockspring) but there is no certainty. Even the cost of a clockspring replacement is about $500. I suspect this has something to do with 2011 Honda CRV airbag light issues. However, Honda never recognized this significant safety-related issue in 2012 CRVs.
The side air bags popped upon one car tire going on curb when I was driving in the dark and thought I saw a deer. My safety was put at risk because now I don't have airbags Insurance will inspect soon. I already filed a progressive claim. the problem has been issue with other honda crv models. I cant be the only one to have experienced this causing expensive repair costs that I cant afford as a single mother NO warnings prior to the problem.
While driving southbound on the far right lane of the ny state thruway the evening of jan 8, 2015, I lost control of my Honda crv on black ice that was caused by a water main break with a temperature outside of about 20 degrees f. The car skidded into the middle lane where it was lit in the rear by a tractor trailer resulting in the car doing a complete 360 into the far left lane where the front end hit a pick up truck. The damage to rear and front the vehicle was extreme. My compliant is that the only air bags that deployed were the driver's side and curtain bags. None of the front air bags deployed. I know that Honda has had issues with air bag recalls, but I had verified directly with Honda that my vehicle was not one of those subject to a recall. I think this incident warrants some type of investigation into why the air bags did not deploy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-v. The VIN was not provided. The contact stated that while driving about 45 MPH, a tire popped off from another vehicle and struck the driver's side front end bumper of the contact's vehicle, caved in the frame and punctured the radiator. The contact was able to maintain control of the vehicle. The driver's side air bag did not deploy while the passenger air bag deployed. There was no warning. The contact sustained injures that required medical attention, a whiplash, head and shoulder pains. A police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged and was towed away by the insurance company, awaiting a decision on the state of the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacture were not called. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Takata recall: on 7/20/19 1420 hrs, I was driving north/east on ca hwy 121 at aprox 40 MPH through a yield turn. A chp officer called to chase a speeding vehicle pulled out in front of me and I hit him square on his drivers side. My steering wheel airbag only partially deployed. All others deployed. My right shoulder slammed into the steering wheel, my right hand sustained significant lacerations. Honda is non-responsive to my request to resolve this matter. My case number 09740188. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6).'
My husband and I had automobile accident on nov 7 on a busy city street. I was the passenger. My husband hit a telephone pole at about thirty MPH or less. The pole didn't split but I sustained serious enough injuries to be med-flighted to a boston due to internal bleeding in the abdomen and a broken wrist , two crushed fingers and multiple right side injuries. The air bags deployed and hit me hard. I also had my seat belt on prior to the accident when I came to, my seat belt wasn't secured. My husband was the driver and didn't receive any injuries yet the driver side air bag in steering wheel never came out nor did the seat air bag upon impact.
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.
I was stopped in traffic about 10 feet behind a vehicle and rear ended by a car going at least 40 - 50 MPH. The crash caused my car to be pushed into the car in front of me. There was a small amount of damage to the front of my car, but there was extensive damage to the rear of my car, pushing the back seats into the front. My car was totaled. Not one airbag deployed, the drivers seat broke and my seatbelt did not restrain me after the initial impact causing me to be thrown into the passenger seat and knocking me out. There were no passengers in my car.
NHTSA investigations
Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture
The summary for this investigation, labeled EQ12-002 Autoliv Closing Resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.This EQ is closed.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Airbag complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Honda CR-V, 7% of the model year's 403 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Honda CR-V airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 0 fires and 11 injuries to air bags 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.