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).
Premature wear of rear brakes - caliper locks up. First replaced pads at 3 years old, 39000 miles. 2 years later, at 59000 miles, replaced pads rotors and serviced calipers. 2 years after that, at 70000 miles replaced calipers, pads and rotors. 2 years after that, at 90000 miles, replaced rear brake rotors and pads again. 6 months later, at 95000 miles, replaced calipers. 8 months later at 100000, replaced calipers, pads and rotors. The internet forums blame the rear hydraulic hoses for collapsing when warm, locking up the calipers. This time the shop will also replace those hoses. I've only had to replace the front brakes once, pads and rotors, at 90000. Honda has a real problem here and the dealer won't acknowledge it.
I bought this 2012 Honda CRV from a friend who always had the Honda dealership maintain it right on the recommended schedule. He told me the only real problem he'd had with the car was the brakes. His maintenance records showed that in 90,000 miles the Honda dealer had replaced the rear brake pads 4 times. The vehicle had 103,000 miles on the odometer when I bought it and when I inspected the rear brakes the pads were nearly down to the metal. I had the pads replaced and 17,000 miles later my mechanic said they are nearly metal-to-metal, again. This is a common complaint with CRV owners of this era vehicle. You can easily look up similar complaints on every Honda owners' group.
Rear Brakes do not release completely. On Sept 2015 Replaced rear pads @36776. On July 2017 Replaced Pads and Rotors @59439. On Sept 2018 replaced Rotors, Pads, and both Calipers @70037. On June 2020 replaced Rotors and Pads @90000. On Nov 2020 replaced Driver caliper. On July 2021 replaced Rotors, calipers, and Pads @99374. On Mar 2023 replaced Passenger Caliper, Rotors and Pads @111762. All of these repairs were done be a certified mechanic shop and I have all receipts. The Honda dealership states there is no problem.
Rear brake rotors scored extensively on new vehicle at 45,000 miles. One pad frozen in place against rotor. Had rotors and pads replaced at dealership. Just experienced same problem with new rotors and pads after 19000 miles. One pad has 0% wear left and was frozen in place. One brake caliper bolt was internally corroded. Dealer technician attempted to blame the three miles driven on dirt roads daily as the culprit. Car is washed with underbody flush once per week. Dozens of others report a similar problem on internet message boards. I didn't feel safe driving the vehicle due to excessive noise coming from rear brakes. Neighbor and I replaced pads and caliper bolts. The next day I felt sufficiently comfortable to drive vehicle to Honda dealership. Service manager agreed there was a problem and agreed to replace the rotors for no cost and to refund my cost for pads and caliper bolts. …
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. …
My wife took vehicle (2012 crv ex 2 wd) to apostlakis Honda in hermitage pa for annual state inspection. Service personnel stated that vehicle required new rear rotors/ brake pads. Service rep stated that due to insufficient brake fluid reaching the left rear brakes, the pads had not functioned properly, resulting in damage to the rotor. As a result, vehicle needed new rotors/pads on rear of vehicle to pass state inspection at a cost of nearly $400. From the explanation of the service rep, it appears that a possible manufacturing defect was the cause of the premature disintegration of the left rear brake components. Considering the safety issues involved with defective and compromised braking system, I believe this concern needs to be addressed immediately. I believe Honda motors needs to compensate individuals such as myself who have been required to address and repair this problem
While parking my car as I was trying to straighten it out on reverse the break pedal sunk to the floor. I immediately stepped on emergency brake put it in park, noticed fluid puddle on right front side. Walked to auto mech a block away . They picked up car next day since I was afraid to drive it ,.front brake hose was torn from wear out . Asked mechanic what caused it , claimed the hose is not long enough and when turning creates tension should talk to Honda and in his 20 yrs. Exp.didn't see this and that I was lucky I wasn't on highway ,when asked if he used a longer hose he said there's only 1 type for this vehicle took.. Usually use highways due to my job but thankfully I was off that day.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, there was an abnormal noise emitting from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear brake calipers needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the brake calipers, rotors, brake pads, and hydraulic brake hoses were replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000. Consumer stated light indicator did not light up to show there was a brake problem.
My wife who was driving our Honda crv 2012 had an accident on the freeway off ramp. When the car in front of her ran over some wire that was left on the road, the driver made a sudden stop. My wife was unable to stop in time and hit the vehicle with our Honda. There was considerable damage on both cars. Since the airbags did not deploy and the safety belt in our 2012 Honda crv did not restrain my wife from hitting the steering wheel, she was seriously hurt. I hope other owners of the Honda crv 2012 do not have this type of situation happen to them.
Just went in for oil change and tire rotation and dealer is telling me because I have not driven that much my rear brake pads needs replacing because the pins in the rear brakes is frozen and keeping the rear brake pad in use even though I am not applying my brakes. Front pads are OK. He said I only had about 1/4 inch pad left before it dug into the rooters. 7,902 miles did not let dealer do work yet. ...updated 08/12/15 updated 10/26/2017
Brake complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2012 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Honda CR-V, 6% of the model year's 403 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Honda CR-V brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 14,000 miles, and 68% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes 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.