Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking, and the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously received an alignment and tire rotation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the drive shaft might need to be replaced, but the vehicle needed a more extensive diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 15-076 (Vibration While Driving at Highway Speeds); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
While I was driving the car, an indicator with "Battery" symbol showed up on the monitor. All off a sudden I see all the lights went ON/OFF and I couldn't steer the wheel. The Power Steering stopped working and the car was running. Since I was near a 4-way stop sign, I managed to pull my car on the side without an accident. Then I got roadside assistance to tow my car to a mechanic shop. They said the "Alternator" need to be replaced. I did that and went for a "Battery" checkup based on the indicator. The battery was good. It would have been a life threatening incident if I were somewhere on a highway. I wanted to make sure this is taken care seriously by the manufacturer and find a fix. Because it just impacts all electrical things and we can't steer the car!
The contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that an abnormal grinding was coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that after coming to a complete stop, the vehicle would hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact's husband spoke with the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
Complete rear tire assembly came loose from the unibody frame from rust. Not a drop of rust on the body of the car.Thank god we weren't on the highway. they told me it was unfixable.Thank you Honda.And the recall stopped at 2011? Honda obviously doesn't care about safety and human life.
Details can be found in Service Bulletin 15-086. Shudder in vehicle steering wheel would make it harder to control. Metal shavings in ATF fluid from transmission grinding. Software update required to repair issue at the cost of owner.
I was at a corner waiting for traffic to clear so I could make a turn left. When I started to accelerate the vehicle started to hesitate and continued. The on coming car had to slam on their brakes and swerve to avoid hitting my passenger side. Since that time I had found out there was a service bulletin relating to this problem. Honda Service Bulletin 17-040. This is my granddaughters car and now I am reluctant to let her drive the vehicle. It is a very serious safety issue!! My frustration is that when I have discussed the issue with 2 different Honda dealers they didn't disclose there was a bulleting but rather recommended changing the transmission fluid and the information was confusing. One dealer recommended changing the fluid once and another recommended I change it three times at the same appointment. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-v. While pulling into the driveway, the vehicle shifted into park. A few minutes later, the contact was altered by the child occupant that the vehicle had rolled back. The contact attempted to get into the vehicle, but the vehicle rolled back too quickly. The child occupant jumped out the vehicle before it crashed into another parked vehicle across the street from their residence. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified. There were three injuries that required medical attention. The contact suffered from a hairline fracture on the arm. The contact also went into early labor due to the incident and had an emergency c-section to a child born nine weeks early. The contact stated that the newborn child suffered from disabilities. …
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. …
On cold startups there is a grinding noise coming from the engine compartment which lasts for a few seconds. The grinding noise is heard usually after the car is left idle overnight & does not occur on an everyday basis. My mechanic identified it as the vtc actuator (cam} & should be taken care of before it shuts down the engine & then it becomes an expensive engine overhaul. I have taken it to the Honda service dept.(2 places) & told it must be verified to be replaced. The trouble is when I leave the car it doesn't happen, as I said it happens randomly. Honda knows of this problem (bulletin:09-010) but refuses to replace the part without verification. I believe it's unreasonable to leave my vehicle for a long length of time & go without transportation. I even recorded the sound & Honda won't accept that. …
I have a 2012 Honda crv exl + navi 2wd and last 3-4 years I visited Honda dealerships more than 7 times for the problem. Vehicle has currently approximately 30K miles and Honda part # 44500-t0a-a00 was replaced under warranty 3 times. There is still oil leak from passenger site intermediate drive half shaft bearing. Last time vehicle was repaired about 14 months ago at Honda dealership and the leak came back again. Honda regional mechanic looked at it and couldn't identify the root cause of the problem. (no help there...) the vehicle is still under power train warranty (and its running out...) I called last Honda dealer again and they told me that they would probably replace the same part again and again until leak stops. And for how long repeat the same repair? I strongly believe that they are not able accurately diagnose the root cause of the problem and keep repairing wrong thing. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013.
Transmission complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Honda CR-V, 12% of the model year's 403 complaints. The component named most often is driveline › differential unit (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Honda CR-V transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-143 (automatic transmission, Apr 15, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Honda CR-V transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 6 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.