VehicleVerdict

2012 Honda CR-V transmission problems

The 2012 Honda CR-V has 49 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

49

Transmission complaints

10%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

13V143000TransmissionApril 15, 2013 · 204,169 units

Defect

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. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence

If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 30, 2018 · fire

Common questions

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

NHTSA has 49 complaints about the 2012 Honda CR-V transmission — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Honda CR-V transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 13V143000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.