Honda CR-V 2012–2016
4th generation · RM1-RM4
NHTSA data through 13 August 20263,328 complaints, 2,270 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 2,270
- Median of reported failures
- 17,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Engine (21.5%)
- Recalls
- 7
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, 45% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 14 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000.
Figure 1 · Honda CR-V 2012–2016 · 2,270 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 771 complaints.
- First 12,000 miles — 45% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 16 complaints (0.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 150
- 25%
- 1,600
- Median
- 17,412
- 75%
- 42,746
- 90%
- 76,263
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 771 | 34.0% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 180 | 7.9% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 118 | 5.2% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 141 | 6.2% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 137 | 6.0% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 89 | 3.9% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 117 | 5.2% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 103 | 4.5% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 70 | 3.1% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 68 | 3.0% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 58 | 2.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 52 | 2.3% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 51 | 2.2% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 26 | 1.1% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 47 | 2.1% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 28 | 1.2% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 30 | 1.3% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 29 | 1.3% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 24 | 1.1% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 17 | 0.7% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 8 | 0.4% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 9 | 0.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 14 | 0.6% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 12 | 0.5% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 11 | 0.5% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 200,000+ | 16 | 0.7% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 3,328 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012–2016 Honda CR-V, and 2,270 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
45% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 14 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are the engine (21.5% of complaints, typically around 20,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (13.0% of complaints, typically around 20,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (12.1% of complaints, typically around 17,000 miles).
7 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2012–2016 Honda CR-V last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2012–2016 Honda CR-V were filed by 17,000 miles and 90% by 76,000 miles — figures drawn from 2,270 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
16 reports (0.7%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a CR-V reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2012–2016 CR-V: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,270 mileage-tagged complaints, 7 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Ask for throttle and speed control repair records. This area fails at a median of 10,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Ask for fuel and propulsion system repair records. This area fails at a median of 6,500 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Check powertrain on boundary at 2015 cars. Major mid-generation powertrain change at MY2015: the port-injected K24Z7 plus 5-speed automatic was replaced by the direct-injection K24W plus CVT. Treat 2012-2014 and 2015-2016 as distinct failure populations.
- Check engine/nvh on 2015–2016 cars. Pronounced idle and low-speed vibration in Drive on the 2015-2016 direct-injection/CVT cars; Honda issued service bulletins with revised engine mounts, driveshaft and PCM/CVT software.
- Check hvac. A/C condenser leaks, a persistent complaint across this generation.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 45% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the engine and problems owners could not categorise are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Problems owners could not categorise in particular shows a median failure mileage of 20,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Honda CR-V 2012–2016
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system134 reports6,5001,500–34,000Fuel and propulsion system: 134 reports, median 6,500 miles, middle half 1,500 to 34,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control141 reports10,0002,000–34,000Throttle and speed control: 141 reports, median 10,000 miles, middle half 2,000 to 34,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline404 reports17,0001,000–55,000Transmission and driveline: 404 reports, median 17,000 miles, middle half 1,000 to 55,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise434 reports20,0001,000–41,000Problems owners could not categorise: 434 reports, median 20,000 miles, middle half 1,000 to 41,000 miles.
- Engine717 reports20,0002,000–47,000Engine: 717 reports, median 20,000 miles, middle half 2,000 to 47,000 miles.
- Electrical system328 reports24,0008,000–45,000Electrical system: 328 reports, median 24,000 miles, middle half 8,000 to 45,000 miles.
- Airbag system146 reports32,00012,000–58,000Airbag system: 146 reports, median 32,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 58,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 717 | 21.5% | 20,000 | 2,000–47,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 434 | 13.0% | 20,000 | 1,000–41,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 404 | 12.1% | 17,000 | 1,000–55,000 |
| Electrical system | 328 | 9.9% | 24,000 | 8,000–45,000 |
| Airbag system | 146 | 4.4% | 32,000 | 12,000–58,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 141 | 4.2% | 10,000 | 2,000–34,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 134 | 4.0% | 6,500 | 1,500–34,000 |
| Body structure | 128 | 3.8% | 20,000 | 3,000–65,000 |
| Steering | 128 | 3.8% | 15,000 | 2,000–44,000 |
| Brakes | 120 | 3.6% | 19,000 | 5,000–35,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Honda CR-V 2012–2016 · 2,270 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 84% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 0.7% of reports (16) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
84% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 20,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 20,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 17,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 24,000 mi
- Airbag system — median 32,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 10,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 6,500 mi
At 90,000 miles
93% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 20,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 20,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 17,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 24,000 mi
- Airbag system — median 32,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 10,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 6,500 mi
At 120,000 miles
97% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 20,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 20,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 17,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 24,000 mi
- Airbag system — median 32,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 10,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 6,500 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 17,412 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 21.5% of complaints (717 reports, 501 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 20,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,000 and 47,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 13.0% of complaints (434 reports, 255 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 20,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 1,000 and 41,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 12.1% of complaints (404 reports, 273 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 17,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 1,000 and 55,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 9.9% of complaints (328 reports, 213 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 24,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 8,000 and 45,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 4.4% of complaints (146 reports, 85 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 32,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 58,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 4.2% of complaints (141 reports, 110 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 10,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,000 and 34,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2015 model year drew the most — 975 complaints — while 2013 drew the fewest at 500. The median year sits at 545.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 7 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 3,328 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 264 (7.9%)
- Fires
- 29
- Injury reports
- 160
- Fatality reports
- 6
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Powertrain boundary at 2015
Major mid-generation powertrain change at MY2015: the port-injected K24Z7 plus 5-speed automatic was replaced by the direct-injection K24W plus CVT. Treat 2012-2014 and 2015-2016 as distinct failure populations.
Engine/Nvh 2015–2016
Pronounced idle and low-speed vibration in Drive on the 2015-2016 direct-injection/CVT cars; Honda issued service bulletins with revised engine mounts, driveshaft and PCM/CVT software.
Hvac
A/C condenser leaks, a persistent complaint across this generation.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 512 | 356 |
| 2013 | 500 | 332 |
| 2014 | 796 | 544 |
| 2015 | 975 | 725 |
| 2016 | 545 | 313 |
Recalls (7) — is your car included?
Mar 2024 · 2013–2016 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
What can happen. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Jun 2017 · 2015–2016 · EngineThe reduced performance may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Honda CR-V vehicles that recently received a replacement engine. The replacement engine may have been built with the wrong pistons, potentially affecting the engine's performance.
What can happen. The reduced performance may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace the incorrect components, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KF6.
Nov 2015 · 2016 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture…
The defect. American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CR-V vehicles manufactured October 12, 2015, to October 19, 2015. The metal housing surrounding the driver's air bag inflator in these vehicles may have been manufactured incorrectly.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began in November 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda'a number for this recall is JV9.
Mar 2015 · 2015 · Engine and Engine CoolingLoss of engine power may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured July 29, 2014, to July 31, 2014, 2015 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured August 14, 2014, to January 30, 2015, and 2015 CR-V vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to February 6, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with improperly torqued connecting rod bolts, which can cause the engine to lose power or leak oil.
What can happen. Loss of engine power may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine leaks oil in the proximity of hot engine or exhaust components, there is an increased risk of a fire.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine short block, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JP2 (for Accord models) and JP3 (for CR-V models).
May 2013 · 2012–2013 · Power TrainIf the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the…
The 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."
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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.
Nov 2012 · 2012 · EquipmentA misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading.
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 CR-V, equipped with the LX trim level and manufactured from August 30, 2012, to August 31, 2012. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification." The incorrect values for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, Gross Axle Weight Rating front and rear, tire size, and rim size were specified on the safety certification label.
What can happen. A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading. Improper loading could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will apply the corrective label free of charge. The safety recall began on November 14, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Aug 2012 · 2012 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesIf the door is not fully latched, the door may open while driving or in a crash, increasing the risk of…
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Honda CR-V and model year 2013 Acura ILX vehicles. If the manual or power door lock is activated while an interior front door handle is being operated by an occupant, the cable connecting the interior door handle to the door latch mechanism may become loose and move out of position. There is a possibility that the cable can move far enough out of position to prevent the door from properly latching.
What can happen. If the door is not fully latched, the door may open while driving or in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle occupants.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front door latch assemblies in the affected vehicles, free of charge. Additionally, the interior front door handles in certain Honda CR-Vs will also be replaced, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, August 16, 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
What owners reported
the contact owns a 2012 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, he approached a traffic signal and when the brake pedal was depressed an unusual noise was present. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem.…
2012 · 2 miles · Brakes
I have had the headlights adjusted 3 times. There is insufficient light to drive by at night. I do not feel safe on the road in this vehicle after dark. The dealer said it is the nature of the new reflective lights which do not shine out. He said there is nothing else they can do to fix them. I reported the issue to…
2012 · 6 miles · Exterior lighting
the contact owns a 2012 Honda crv. The contact stated that he depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but they could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure…
2012 · 10 miles · Transmission and driveline
In stop and go traffic, with and without the econ button on, the car hesitates to accelerate to the point that it has nearly caused accidents. Took it to Honda and asked them to drive to witness the problem. I don't think they drove it. The problem is somewhat intermittent, so you never know when it will happen. You…
2012 · 100 miles · Engine
Built from 2,270 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page