general problems of the 2012 Honda CR-V

24 problems related to steering have been reported for the 2012 Honda CR-V. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Honda CR-V based on all problems reported for the 2012 CR-V.

1 Steering problem

Failure Date: 12/03/2023

I attempted to make a right turn and the steering wheel locked, not allowing me to continue turning. The steering wheel returned to its original position and I again attempted to make the turn. This time I was able to turn the steering wheel all the way and complete the turn. No warning lights appeared. I was on a side street when this happened and there was no traffic, but this could have been cause for an accident if I had been driving on a busy road.

2 Steering problem

Failure Date: 07/20/2023

While I was driving the car, an indicator with "battery" symbol showed up on the monitor. All off a sudden I see all the lights went on/off and I couldn't steer the wheel. The power steering stopped working and the car was running. Since I was near a 4-way stop sign, I managed to pull my car on the side without an accident. Then I got roadside assistance to tow my car to a mechanic shop. They said the "alternator" need to be replaced. I did that and went for a "battery" checkup based on the indicator. The battery was good. It would have been a life threatening incident if I were somewhere on a highway. I wanted to make sure this is taken care seriously by the manufacturer and find a fix. Because it just impacts all electrical things and we can't steer the car!.

3 Steering problem

Failure Date: 06/23/2023

In September of 2012, my wife and I purchase a new Honda Cr-v. We have owned it since and it has been a reliable vehicle. Unfortunately, on Friday, June 23, 2023, my wife called me from the gym parking lot stating that the power steering on her 2012 Honda Cr-v was not working. I drove up to the parking lot and confirmed that the electric power steering system ("eps" or "epas") was not working. When this condition exist, the steering and turning is almost impossible to implement. The vehicle was towed to space coast Honda in cocoa florida late in the day. The next morning, Saturday, June 24, 2023, the dealer called and said that the eps had failed and the module would have to be replaced. They estimated the delivery of the part to take one to two weeks. The next week, the dealer said that the part is backed ordered and would now take 2-4 weeks. On July 26, after almost five weeks of sitting in the side parking lot of the dealer, I went out to the dealer to find out more about why the part was taking so long to arrive. They then said that they have no idea when it will be available and could take a year…. . Or more! on Wednesday, July 26, 2003, I drove out to the dealer to remove more personal items along with starting the vehicle. When I did start the vehicle, the power steering functioned properly. We returned later in the day and drove the Cr-v home. I have used the Cr-v several times and the power steering now works fine…. . But for how long? since that time, we have found out that the failure of the Honda Cr-v eps system has been known to Honda for many years. There are numerous youtube videos and web sites which describe this failure and Honda’s failure to address this safety concern to ensure that drivers of this model can safely and reliably utilize their vehicle. However, with no regard to the safety of the Honda Cr-v driver, passengers and others around them, Honda continues to sell Cr-vs (2012-2016…and perhaps with other years affected) with this known.

4 Steering problem

Failure Date: 04/08/2023

Power steering system stopped working. Very difficult to steer at low speeds, easier at higher speeds. Had the control module reprogrammed and it worked for a few starts, but after restarting the car 3 times, the steering system stopped working.

5 Steering problem

Failure Date: 01/10/2023

I am writing this letter to place a complaint against the total lack of Honda not providing parts for car repair. I have a 2012 Honda crv that the electronic steering gear has failed. I was told by a dealers parts department that this part 53601t0aa01 is not available anywhere in the USA. They couldn’t understand why the part is unavailable as it is not part of the port holdup situation. To date, my car has been in the shop for 3 weeks waiting for this part from Honda. Monday I was told the part might arrive in the middle of March! in the meantime, 6+ weeks later I have no car. My complaint is that this power steering gear has for years been a dangerous problem on Honda vehicles. The potential dangerous crisis is that when this part fails you cannot steer your car or drive it. So, imagine driving 70 mph on a freeway and lose power steering. Of course, the manuel indicates the vehicle just goes to manual steering. In real time, this manuel operation makes it extremely difficult to turn the wheel right or left. And if you continue to drive it without repair you could more damage to the vehicle. Why this has not been a recall problem is beyond me. Not only is the cost of the part is ridiculous at $1700+ with an additional cost of labor $1500+. Something must be done about Honda not providing parts for car repair. Especially an issue that is so dangerous to car owners. I’m guessing the Honda excuse now is tied to ukraine. I have trouble believing that’s the only country that provides auto parts.

6 Steering problem

Failure Date: 10/20/2021

In the middle of a turn, the radio had a pop sound. The dash screen blanked out and the steering wheel stiffened and became hard to move. Thankfully there was no vehicular traffic on the street I was turning onto because I would have hit oncoming traffic. The issue resolved in less than a minute and driving resumed back to normal.

7 Steering problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2021

After starting the engine there's resistance in the steering will . When you steer to the left there's resistance and the wheel the steering wheel it feels like a bounces against the resistance in the turns in the opposite it feels like a bounces against the resistance in the turns in the opposite direction.

8 Steering problem

Failure Date: 12/27/2020

Was driving and power steering went out then came back on. Almost caused me to go into a ditch as I was making a left turn. Barely even turned the wheel.

9 Steering problem

Failure Date: 02/27/2020

While backing out of a parking space, the steering became very tight making it impossible to turn the steering wheel at all. An indicator light appeared briefly on the dash and then went out again and the steering became normal. The following day, while I was making a left turn at approx 25 miles per hour it happened again and the indicator light came on briefly again. Many complaints of this issue have been found online. Someone is going to get killed because this is a significant safety issue as you have no ability to steer the car when this happens. It seems as if Honda had a similar issue with their fit model and a recall was issued. This must be dealt with as quickly as possible before lives are lost in an accident.

10 Steering problem

Failure Date: 12/12/2018

Steering wheel locked several times while driving at lower speeds. I had to turn car off and restart for it to work again. I was unable to turn the wheel at all when it locked.

11 Steering problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2018

The 2012 Honda crv has started to vibrate in the front end. I have had the wheel bearings and tires checked. Nothing is reported found as an issue. It starts to vibrate at random speeds and when you take your foot off the gas it stops. Only then can you re-engage the gas pedal. I am concerned with my safety because of this.

12 Steering problem

Failure Date: 06/18/2018

Details can be found in service bulletin 15-086. Shudder in vehicle steering wheel would make it harder to control. Metal shavings in atf fluid from transmission grinding. Software update required to repair issue at the cost of owner.

13 Steering problem

Failure Date: 02/03/2018

While drive 40mph, an abrupt decision to turn into a business driveway was made. In the act of removing my foot from the gas to the brake, the engine rpm is reduced while the steering wheel is turned. I experienced a fault light on the instrument cluster for the steering eps (electronic power steering) system and the steering wheel was momentarily locked in position while attempting to turn. If another vehicle was in the driveway, I would have collided with them. While trying to recreate the problem in the safety of a parking lot, I was able to get the steering will to lock up repeatedly while not moving, with my foot on the brake and a/c on. Each attempt to move the steering wheel at low rpm with my foot on the brake resulted in a flash of eps steering fault while the steering wheel locks up preventing me from steering. The steering wheel locks instead of just becoming hard to steer. I have fixed the problem with cleaning of the battery terminals. . . . The eps power steering requires a lot of electric power. The fuse box has a 70amp fuse feeding power to the eps. At low rpm, the alternator will not supply enough power to operate eps, so the power must come from the battery. My battery was installed by a Honda dealership but they did not apply battery corrosion protector to the terminals in November 2016. The corrosion that developed created a resistive electrical connection preventing the high current draw needed for the eps from the battery. This condition will also happen if the alternator is not operating at full capacity (one of the diodes has failed) or if the battery develops a failed cell. Honda should correct the issue by allowing the operator to still use the steering wheel instead of having the eps system lock the wheel. The following NHTSA complaints may associated with this issue. 10981511,11005158, 11065903,10979918,10910951.

14 Steering problem

Failure Date: 01/19/2018

When driving at about 60mph, all of a sudden the steering seizes, and I am unable to steer left or right. Its like if the steering locks up. The steering icon appears in the dash until I stop the car and turn off the ignition. When I turn it back on, the car is normal. I could've crashed on the freeway!! this has happened 4 times already.

15 Steering problem

Failure Date: 09/02/2016

The power steering goes out periodically while turning to the right or left it also will go out while driving on freeway, speed of car when this happens is anywhere 5-65 mph. All fluids are full in the car. Dealer can't find anything wrong. The roads have been normal ( rain, dry, hot, cold) . I have gone on-line to see if others have the same thing happening and there are a lot of people expressing the same concerns with mo one to help them. Some had said there could be a bubble in a hose causing it or an issue with vsa ( ?) this a real safety issue.

16 Steering problem

Failure Date: 10/31/2015

My daughter was turning right after being stopped at a light along with other cars. Upon starting her right turn, she could not increase the turn rate - the steering wheel became unresponsive. She hit the brakes when she realized she couldn't turn and hit two other vehicles in the left turn lane before the car stopped. Other vehicles had minor damage to rear quarter panel and medium damage to front of 2nd other car.

17 Steering problem

Failure Date: 10/21/2015

When I "cold" start my car (mornings, after 6 hours of nonuse) there is a loud grinding/screeching noise that lasts a few seconds (https://. . Read more...

18 Steering problem

Failure Date: 04/09/2014

On 4/9/14 I was driving my vehicle in heavy traffic during rush hour (stop and go) traffic. Suddenly eps indicator light came on, the vehicles steering became difficult to manuever. I was unable to turn steering wheel without extreme effort, was a very dangerous situation. Upon arrival home, I turned off vehicle and restarted immediatly, issue dissapeared, vehicle's steering was normal. . On 4/12/14 vehicle taken to burns Honda, marlton, NJ for an inspection of the vehicle steering issue as recommended by Honda America. Honda dealer inspected vehicle for which they indicated that diagnosis of vehicle computer showed eps code came on previously,but all codes are clear and no fault present at time. On 4/14/14 while driving vehicle to work in the early hours of the morning, eps light indicator came on at 8:13 a. M. , same situation, heavy traffic, stop and go traffic. Eps (electronic power steering) light indicator returned, I pulled over (as referenced in the manual) turned engine off engine, then re-started, system seemed to reset itself. A few minutes later eps light came on again, steering wheel very difficult to navigate as previously stated. I pulled over, turned engine off and restarted. The same problem/issue continued to persist approx. Eight more times; I was slowly capable to guide vehicle directly to the same dealer (burns Honda). Honda America has been notified of this problem from the first incident of 4/9/14 and most recent incident today 4/14/14. Awaiting response of service procedure from dealer and Honda America to adress problem, this is a serious safety issue. Eps system failure.

19 Steering problem

Failure Date: 01/23/2014

I bought the 2012 crv ex in Dec 2012. There have been multiple failures in my car ac died, vibrations, battery died while driving. The following is the major incident which occurred in my car. While driving at around 40 miles, the steering of the car stopped responding and started responsing after few sec and then went bad. I stopped my car cautiously, missed hitting the car in front of me. Took on the side of the street and tried to move back and forth. After 10 mins and lot of honks from other car it started responding. While this thing was going on my wife took the video. Took it to the dealership slowly driving and the dealer said there is no issue in the car and I can take this away. Scared to death, I asked dealer that I will not take the car back and sent him the video of my car by uploading it on you tube. As soon as they saw the video, as usual it became a safety concerns and he then did not want me to take the car back. They found some issue and fixed it after keeping the car for two days. No issues with the steering since then but my ac died suddenly now. I took my car over 15 times to dealership in 1 year of new purchase. Opened a case with Honda customer service and they said "this is what warranty is for". Good going Honda. I am never going to buy any car in future from them. They believe their product is bery good and so they do not deal properly with any problem they have in the cars. I still have the youtube video, I can share that if it is of some use to anyone else.

20 Steering problem

Failure Date: 09/19/2013

While driving my car from maryland to new york in extremely rainy conditions on the i95, the SUV steering wheel locked after a loud noise. I thought I had a flat tire, but this was not the case. The brakes pedal also did not move. The car buckled and rocked from side to side. (no warning lights came on--why didn't it?) this situation could have been deadly if other vehicles around me were not alert. I read through the comments and realize I am not the only person this has happened to. Is Honda waiting for someone to die. I told my family to sue them if it happens to me. I have started driving with my ipad video camera on. This is my black box to prove that the Honda crv 2012 is faulty. Since this has happened, the gas and brake pedals vibrate when driving after 2-3hrs. I took the car into Honda, long island, NY. They checked the brakes and said it is fine. But, the car does not drive smooth on the road. You can feel the difference in the steering wheel while driving. Honda needs to fix this unsafe problem of the steering and brakes locking while the car is in motion.

21 Steering problem

Failure Date: 06/29/2013

Driver reported hearing loud pop from right side (assumed to be front tire blowout). She described steering locked up and was unable to turn wheel. Lost control of vehicle on a curving 2 lane road. She describes braking was ineffective, and her vehicle right front corner hit a vehicle in opposite lane, both vehicles spun 180 and crv ended up upright in a ditch off the road. Right front wheel and suspension was completely disconnected from vehicle. Rear right wheel broke from suspension. Car airbags deployed properly, and driver was just bruised and scraped up. This vehicle has had 2 issues with tpms (tire-pressure monitor system). Vehicle was returned to dealer for service after two days after purchase when tpms indicator came on 10 minutes away from dealership after purchase (service dept was closed the next day). Second time was 3 days after service, technician reported that "previous tech didn't adjust the spare tire tpms. That's what caused the errors". Months later tires appeared to be low, but tpms system didn't indicate anything, driver wondered if the service techs disabled the tpms system completely? car was at dealer Jan 12, 2013 for door lock recall. Described tpms issues to tech, nothing reported. Car was due to go back to shop a month or two after the accident for 1 year check-up. Driver states she will not buy another Honda. . This one just had too many problems from the start.

22 Steering problem

Failure Date: 06/05/2013

Tl- the contact owns a 2012 Honda crv. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and stalled intermittently on multiple occasions. The steering wheel was difficult to turn left or right and the contact had to apply force to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who replaced the battery four times, replaced the alternator and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,400. Dyd.

23 Steering problem

Failure Date: 08/24/2012

The power steering system (eps) shuts down making the vehicle difficult to maneuver. It has happened several times, many times while turning at low speed (the very purpose of power steering). One failure occurred in a parking garage and nearly caused a head-on collision. The failure is intermittent and sometimes includes illumination of the eps warning light on the dash but not always, and the light has never sealed-in. . Read more...

24 Steering problem

Failure Date: 07/23/2012

The contact owns 2012 Honda Cr-v. The contact stated that while driving 15 mph, the steering wheel became stiff and could not be turned left or right. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or repair shop for inspection or repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 1,600. Updated 8/24/12.



Safety Ratings of CR-V Cars
Fuel Economy of CR-V Vehicles
CR-V Service Bulletins
CR-V Safety Recalls
CR-V Defect Investigations