7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$250
Average Mileage:
40,600 miles
Total Complaints:
87 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (38 reports)
  2. replace battery (13 reports)
  3. if honda does not solve such problem, give loyalty elsware (11 reports)
  4. new battery (11 reports)
  5. alternator replacement (5 reports)
  6. software upgrade (3 reports)
2012 Honda CR-V electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Honda CR-V Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #87

Dec 122022

CR-V EX 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,954 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It's simply that it comes back recurrent for a vehicle used in town or in the countryside.

- cleblond, Lévis, QC, Canada

problem #86

Feb 142022

CR-V

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,245 miles

I bought this car, brand new in 2012. It has low mileage as I’m a now retired woman who only drove 10 miles to/from work and occasional trips North. And my husband has a car, not a Honda!

Now that I’m retired, and because of Covid-19, I don’t drive as much.

My car battery has been replaced 5 times!! Twice the auto store replaced the battery for free because it was under warranty. And there's been many, many calls to AAA for assistance, as well as my husband jumping from his car. We’ve had the car checked from end to end and there is nothing wrong with the car. It’s in perfect condition, really nice inside and out.

It’s sitting in the driveway now. Dead battery after not using it for 2 days. We’ve been taking it for a 15-20 minute drive every other day, because we were told the car needs to be driven in order to keep the battery charged. Well, that’s not working either.

My husband and I are both elderly and this issue has really caused us distress. We don’t want to get rid of the car, it’s paid for, it’s otherwise in perfect condition and we like it. We didn’t realize it was an ongoing problem before now, because when I was working, it was run every day. And in the winter/weekends it sometimes wouldn’t start, but we blamed it on the cold weather. Now that I’m not working, the car sits for a couple of days, and it won’t start. That’s a problem.

Should we ever be in a situation where we need to leave quickly, we’d be worried about taking this car. My husband’s car is older, has many more miles (and I don’t like driving it).

After reading about all these other people having the same problem with their CRV, I will never buy another. Honda needs to address this and fix the problem. They tout about reliability and how long the car lasts, but looking at it closely, tells another story.

I didn’t know about this complaint website, I’m so glad I found it. Thank you.

- Roxanne M., Somerset, US

problem #85

Jun 052020

CR-V EXL 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

05-June-2020: I have to replace another battery. This is the 6th battery my car has had and killed! It averages a new battery every 15-18 months. This time it killed a brand new 5-yr warranty battery in less than 18 months.

Just a huge annoyance and inconvenience! Honda dealer said I should have used a Honda battery. Uh WHY? I have a fantastic mechanic who’s worked on my car for 6 years (I.e., regularly scheduled oil changes, new tires, AC Relay switch replacement). Honda refuses to acknowledge the issue since it’s out of warranty. If and when I ever get another Honda CR-V, the dealer WILL have to reimburse the hundreds of dollars I’ve been put out!

Honda use to make a quality vehicle with good customer service, but no more!

I think my next car will be a KIA TELLURIDE. I’ve heard they are truly a huge improvement over Honda vehicles now!

- drcasto04, Murfreesboro, US

problem #84

Jan 012017

CR-V

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2012 Honda CRV has been having issues for four years. Started around 60 to 80 thousand miles. The car kept killing the battery. Replaced battery 4 times in four years. Honda dealership service said it was the alternator and convinced me to replace alternator and battery at around 100,000 miles. Within a year back to dead battery.

I argued with the dealership last year that the issue was electrical and something was draining the battery, they wouldn't listen. Now trying to get a free replacement battery as guaranteed last year. There is something electrically wrong that is causing parasitic draining of the battery.

- Susan M., St. Petersburg, US

problem #83

Aug 212019

CR-V

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles

We purchased a 2012 Honda CRV for our son going to college. As it turns out, it's very unreliable. There is an electrical drain in the electrical system and Honda has been unable to find it. Software updates, new alternator and pulling the AC relay has not resolve it. Hopefully Honda will recognize the problem and address it with their customers.

Another issue is that you are unable to gain access to the locked car, even with a manual key. The manual key requires electric (dead battery) to open the door locks (solenoid), there is no manual linkage to the locking mechanism. With a dead battery, you are stranded and locked out. You can not open the engine hood to jump start the engine or charge the battery to open the door (towing service needed). Awful design by Honda. What were the Honda Engineers thinking? Too much alcohol drank that day apparently.

- Joe G., Lake In The Hills, IL, US

problem #82

Sep 102020

CR-V

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

Battery drains after a day.

I replaced battery to no avail.

Update from Nov 18, 2020: Replaced relays etc. but nothing worked.

I then noticed the issue occurs when the navigation panel stays on after the keys are removed.

I reset every option I could to factory defaults and the issue was fixed. Since then I left the car for 10 days and it turned on like a champ.

I guess my kids put on a screen saver that messed something up.

- Dave C., Delray Beach, US

problem #81

Nov 232020

CR-V

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is the third dead battery in 4 years. I've heard that an A/C relay may be draining... Going to try. The dealership has been unhelpful.

- Aaron W., Houston, TX, US

problem #80

May 212021

CR-V

  • Automatic transmission
  • 218,000 miles

This was my daughter’s car and the battery has and continues to die prematurely. Resolution is to constantly buy new batteries about every 15 months.

- Betty L., Phoenix, US

problem #79

Jun 202012

CR-V LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles

6 months after I bought brand new I was left stranded at a car wash with my 2 young kids. I shut off the car as I went through to save on gas and wouldn't start. People had to push me out of the stall. Oy vey! Called road side assistance and wrecker came to give me a jump but wouldn't start. It was towed to the dealer. The battery was so dead that it couldn't be jumped. They said this sometimes happens because the batteries sit a long time. They gave me a new battery under warranty and I thought that was it. 2 years later 2014 battery dead again! Reluctantly they put in a new battery again, no charge and I was on my merry way. It was at this point I bought jumper cables for the car. A little bit later there was a recall on battery drain issue and they updated this and I thought, Oh that's why! and I would be fine from there forward. 3 years later 2017 the battery was dead again!!!!!! This time I was done with the Honda batteries and went and purchased a battery at the local car part store and thought I was OK, no more Honda batteries. It's winter 2021 and my battery was dead this morning. My husband jumped it and it's fine for now but I know I need another battery. I've had the car for 9 years and have gone through 3 batteries and onto my 4th. Just bought a newer car and it wasn't a Honda. Such a shame that the batteries are unreliable. Haven't had a lot of problems other than it going through oil.

- Stacey D., Weare, US

problem #78

May 202020

CR-V

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,992 miles

Another dead battery issue that Honda refuses to accept or repair. Battery changed several times, alternator changed. Get up this morning battery dead yet again. Have to carry a booster pack in this thing since i got it. Never again.

- Wayne B., campbells bay, QC, Canada

problem #77

Sep 152013

CR-V EXL 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,636 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2012 Honda CR-V had to have a new battery! This just doesn't see right that with so few miles on it that the battery would die! Very inconvenient as I was at a friend's house and they had to jump start my car to get to an auto parts dealer to buy a new battery! Since it was out of warranty I did not contact Honda for advice. But if this continues I will have to move my loyalty elsewhere with an American made vehicle that has lifetime warranty!

- drcasto04, Murfreesboro, US

problem #76

Aug 312015

CR-V EXL 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,416 miles

Again, this is the 2nd time I've had to replace my battery in my 2012 Honda CR-V. It has 77,416 miles on it and this time it died in my driveway before heading out to work! SUCH A PAIN IN THE BUTT ... why isn't HONDA recognizing this as a possible RECALL! I've read online where several folks have had issues with this and Honda refuses to acknowledge it. Otherwise, the car is fantastic and I love it...but Honda's lack of interest is concerning in that I don't feel like once the warranty is out they could care less. I called Honda Customer Service and they literally said once it is out of warranty any issues become those for the owner to resolve.

- drcasto04, Murfreesboro, US

problem #75

Sep 122017

CR-V EXL 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,671 miles

This is the THIRD BATTERY I've had in my 2012 Honda CR-V with less than 117,000 miles on it! After researching the internet apparently the AC Relay needed replaced. So I am trying that to see if it helps in preventing the premature discharge! I've averaged replacing my battery about every 18 months! This is ridiculous! Honda should research and do a recall on this!

- drcasto04, Murfreesboro, US

problem #74

Apr 082018

CR-V EX-L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,087 miles

This is our second battery fail. Having AAA jump the car again so we can put in a new battery. Hopefully larger and better. Honda says there is nothing wrong with the other battery. It's still under warranty for two more years. I see so many complaints regarding battery failure on this CR-V and it covers a number of years; With Honda not helping anyone. Sounds like they are jumping around getting money out of people so they are not responsible and the consumer ends up eating it in the long run. Does anyone have any solutions? Our engine size is 185h, 2.4L, 4cylinder. Will let you know if there are more problems in the future. Not sure a larger, stronger battery will fit. Will find out later today. 04/09/2018 And we are going to another mechanic as we no longer trust Honda to fix the problem.

- Linda C., West Branch, US

problem #73

Feb 152018

CR-V LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,987 miles

THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD ENOUGH THAT HONDA SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM.

THIS IS THE SECOND BATTERY I'VE HAD TO REPLACE IN 16 MONTHS. THIS IS THEIR MISTAKE!!!

- Bruce A., Hayward, US

problem #72

Oct 312017

CR-V EX-L 2.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

Since I purchased my 2012 CRV I've replaced the battery 3 times. Today the third battery was installed and the dealer insists that all systems are operating within acceptable limits. The second battery was replaced under warranty but I had to pay for this one and the diagnostics. In 2015 I reported it to a class action lawsuit website that all other 2012 CRV owners should report on too. Here is the site to report your issue: http://www.consumerclassactionlawyers.com/2012-honda-crv-battery-class-action-investigation.html

- Jeff C., Bensalem, US

problem #71

Aug 152016

CR-V EXL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

Bought brand new. First time it happened a month after buying and died while pumping gas, all of four minutes. Honda refused to do anything. After taking it back the third time they said Honda released a SR to update the computer. Ok, fine. It was free. This has happened at least 10 times over four years. After the third time and a planned trip to the beach, I went to Interstate to get a new battery. After buying the battery and having it installed the morning of our trip, the interstate guys finally decides to tell me that Honda uses interstate batteries and he has replaced numerous NEW CRV batteries for the EXACT SAME ISSUE. This is my first and last Honda. If Honda won't fix a SIMPLE that could result in a BAD SITUATION, then I don't trust Honda. I would NEVER let my daughters drive this CRV or ANY Honda. Shame on you Honda. First-time and last-time Honda buyer here......

- John B., Tega Cay, SC, US

problem #70

Jan 242017

CR-V VTI-L 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,742 miles

I was able to recharge the battery for some time and it lasted for a week. Then it goes flat again and again. I bought a new battery..

- mycar101, Broome, Australia

problem #69

Jan 102017

CR-V

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,035 miles

Ever since I bought my CR-V the battery has been an issue. It would hesitate in starting. I replaced the battery when the car was just a couple of years old hoping a better battery would solve the problem. Less than 2 years later I had to replace it again. Our 2011 Ford still has it's original battery. I think there's something in Honda's system that's causing the batteries to die early. If this happens again in the next couple of years I'll likely have to replace the car and it won't be with a Honda. Too bad. I like everything else about the car, but I can't stand to have car trouble and not know when my car is going to run or not.

- Patricia B., Snoqualmie, WA, US

problem #68

Nov 242012

CR-V ES 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

Ever since I bought the vehicle it has had serious problems with the battery. It will sit for just a couple of days and then not start. The type of weather is irrelevant. Dealer insisted that nothing was wrong, no draw on battery/system. Charged battery, then a couple of days later it was dead again. Multiple trips to dealer, they "supercharged" (?) the battery... same result. TSB computer patch did not work. Battery boiling on inspection by private shop. Replaced battery. Ok for a few months, then dead again after sitting for 3 days. Charged, determined no excess draw, suspected AC compressor clutch issue (draw), replaced relay. Waiting to see if that fixed the problem. All of our other vehicles start after being parked for weeks. You should be able to park at an airport for a 7-day trip and your vehicle should start when you return, plain and simple. This is a well-known and apparently widespread problem that Honda knows exists yet they have not properly addressed the issue.

- E W., Springfield, IL, US

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