2012 Honda CR-V Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

89Engine complaints

22.3%Of all 399 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE89 · 22.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM63 · 15.8%

Unspecified / other51 · 12.8%

POWER TRAIN47 · 11.8%

STEERING35 · 8.8%

Share of the 399 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Honda CR-V overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A LOUD GRINDING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE…”NHTSA complaint 10748059 — filed 08/12/2015

“SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE BRAND-NEW THE CAR WOULD NOT START. NO LIGHTS HAD BEEN ON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A "FIX." NOW…”NHTSA complaint 10732075 — filed 07/06/2015

“LOUD METALLIC RATTLE NOISE ON COLD START-UP. HONDA DEALER FOUND HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 09-010 ISSUED, BUT NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ISSUED TO…”NHTSA complaint 10731929 — filed 07/03/2015

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Honda CR-V have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 Honda CR-V: 89 of 399 complaints on file (22.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Honda CR-V have in total?

399 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 27 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 24 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.