2012 Honda CR-V Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 12%of 403 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Honda CR-V, 12% of the 403 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Expering the exact same problem of Honda TSB number a09-010. Car only has 79k on it.am getting no where with local dealers. This is a known problem to Honda! Can I get a goodwill repair, as this is my sixth Honda I have bought and I certainly do not expect this from Honda.”
NHTSA complaint #11191589, filed 2019-03, 79,000 miles“Grinding noise upon cold start. This issue started at least two years ago. Did not happen on every start. Asked dealership what it might be and I was told it was nothing. Over the past year, noise happens religiously every time there is a cold start. Dealership now says it's the vtc actuator and I am now past my warranty. It appears that a TSB was issued march 2016. Why has no recall been made since this is a widespread issue?”
NHTSA complaint #11089059, filed 2018-04, 70,000 miles“Rattle/grinding noise on cold starts. At first, it was only on very cold mornings, which we don't usually have here in the south (alabama); however, today, it does it every time you start the car. It's a frightening noise that sounds like it's tearing up the engine. There are videos and hundreds of complaints online about this issue. I have read something about a class-action lawsuit, as well, although I was never notified of that.”
NHTSA complaint #11150687, filed 2018-11, 35,500 miles“Whenever I placed my car on parking an the e-brake if it was on a slope the car would keep going as if it was on drive or reverse. It happened a couple of times. I took it to the dealer and they said nothing was wrong. When I took it to another shop they saw that the brake pads were worn out already with barely a couple of miles from new.”
NHTSA complaint #10478862, filed 2012-10, 1,047 miles“Grinding noise upon cold start. This issue started at least two years ago. Did not happen on every start. Asked dealership what it might be and I was told it was nothing. Over the past year, noise happens religiously every time there is a cold start. Dealership now says it's the vtc actuator and I am now past my warranty. It appears that a TSB was issued march 2016. Why has no recall been made since this is a widespread issue? Class action settlement 3/ 2018 did not include the crv's”
NHTSA complaint #11119641, filed 2018-08, 85,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V143000Apr 15, 2013Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift…Covers: Honda CR-V 2012–2013, Odyssey 2012–2013, Acura RDX 2013
Related service bulletins
- 10108759May 25, 2017Service bulletin - A surge, vibration, or judder may be felt while driving under light acceleration. To minimize the possibility for the judder to occur, a software update for…
- 10108756May 25, 2017Service bulletin - A surge, vibration, or judder may be felt while driving under light acceleration. To minimize the possibility for the judder to occur, a software update for…
- 10108737May 20, 2017Service bulletin - to occur, a software update for the transmission is available at the customer's request. Additionally, the transmission fluid will be replaced. Complete 15-086…
- 10108735May 20, 2017Service bulletin - A surge, vibration, or judder may be felt while driving under light acceleration. To minimize the possibility for the judder to occur, a software update for…
- 10211537Jan 1, 2016Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle; refer to the address card for the affected VIN. The vehicle's battery sensor monitors the…
- 10191895Jan 1, 2016Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle to the address card for the affected VIN. The vehicle's battery sensor monitors the battery…
- 10099931Dec 3, 2015Service bulletin - the electric differential pressure solenoid (edps) in the rear differential has excessive oil pressure, causing the awd indicator to come on and dtc c-1858-73…
- 10108795Feb 28, 2015Service bulletin - The electric differential pressure solenoid (EDPS) in the rear differential has excessive oil pressure, causing the AWD indicator to come on and DTC C-1858-73…
- 10108835Feb 13, 2015Service bulletin - On some 2012-14 CR-V's and in cold weather, the AWD indicator may come on with DTC C1850-14 (low or no torque to the rear wheels). Over time, moisture and cold…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 | 11% |
| 2025 | 7 | 3% |
| 2024 | 17 | 4% |
| 2023 | 14 | 3% |
| 2022 | 10 | 4% |
| 2021 | 12 | 4% |
| 2020 | 20 | 6% |
| 2019 | 20 | 2% |
| 2018 | 64 | 3% |
| 2017 | 144 | 8% |
| 2016 | 45 | 11% |
| 2015 | 150 | 22% |
| 2014 | 68 | 12% |
| 2013 | 95 | 25% |
| 2012 | 48 | 12% |
| 2011 | 14 | 3% |
| 2010 | 30 | 6% |
| 2009 | 11 | 3% |
| 2008 | 37 | 4% |
| 2007 | 36 | 4% |
| 2006 | 25 | 6% |
| 2005 | 25 | 5% |
| 2004 | 13 | 3% |
| 2003 | 23 | 5% |
| 2002 | 24 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 15 | 12% |
| 1999 | 11 | 9% |
| 1998 | 8 | 6% |
| 1997 | 5 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2012 Honda CR-V
89 complaintsElectrical system
68 complaintsOther or unknown
52 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
36 complaintsSteering
35 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsSuspension
26 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsFuel system
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Honda CR-V
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology