VehicleVerdict

2012 Honda CR-Z problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2012 Honda CR-Z — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

8

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other CR-Z years?

CR-Z NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted54 complaints2011: 54 complaints2012: 8 complaints2013: 14 complaints2014: 4 complaints2015: 9 complaints2016: 2 complaints
CR-Z NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CR-Z years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Honda CR-Z problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags675%
Electrical System113%
Other113%

Does the 2012 Honda CR-Z have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V500000AirbagsJune 27, 2019 · 1,558 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

16V061000AirbagsFebruary 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING MY VEHICLE BEING RECALLED FOR AN AIRBAG PART THAT WON'T BE ABLE TO BE REPAIRED UNTIL MID SUMMER OF 2016. I WAS TOLD I CAN GET A RENTAL VEHICLE BUT I'M ONLY 18 AND THE VEHICLE IS IN MY NAME ONLY SO I'M NOT CURIOUS AS TO HOW I CAN RENT A VEHICLE. PLEASE LET…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 28, 2016

“Same issue as the 2012 CRV recalls of the passenger aide lock actuators. The passenger door lock works sometimes but the car will constantly try to lock that door if it is unlocked, because it won’t always lock. The dealership isn’t sure, I wonder if it’s a fuse because I hear the entire…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 15, 2022

“Same issue as the 2012 CRV recalls of the passenger aide lock actuators. The passenger door lock works sometimes but the car will constantly try to lock that door if it is unlocked, because it won’t always lock. The dealership isn’t sure, I wonder if it’s a fuse because I hear the entire…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 15, 2022

2012 Honda CR-Z — common questions

Is the 2012 Honda CR-Z reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2012 Honda CR-Z have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Honda CR-Z. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Honda CR-Z under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Honda CR-Z years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CR-Z years to avoid are 2011. The cleanest record among CR-Z years belongs to 2016.

How safe is the 2012 Honda CR-Z?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Honda CR-Z earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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.