2012 Honda CR-V Brakes Problems

ABS modulator has been replaced 3 times and I am seeing online that this seems to be a common problem. Very dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11593650

Incident

Jun 11, 2024

Rear Brakes do not release completely. On Sept 2015 Replaced rear pads @36776. On July 2017 Replaced Pads and Rotors @59439. On Sept 2018 replaced Rotors, Pads, and both Calipers @70037. On June 2020 replaced Rotors and Pads @90000. On Nov 2020 replaced Driver caliper. On July 2021 replaced Rotors, calipers, and Pads @99374. On Mar 2023 replaced Passenger Caliper, Rotors and Pads @111762. All of these repairs were done be a certified mechanic shop and I have all receipts. The Honda dealership states there is no problem.

NHTSA ID

11510131

Incident

Mar 3, 2023

I bought this 2012 Honda CRV from a friend who always had the Honda dealership maintain it right on the recommended schedule. He told me the only real problem he'd had with the car was the brakes. His maintenance records showed that in 90,000 miles the Honda dealer had replaced the rear brake pads 4 times. The vehicle had 103,000 miles on the odometer when I bought it and when I inspected the rear brakes the pads were nearly down to the metal. I had the pads replaced and 17,000 miles later my mechanic said they are nearly metal-to-metal, again. This is a common complaint with CRV owners of this era vehicle. You can easily look up similar complaints on every Honda owners' group.

NHTSA ID

11477196

Incident

Aug 2, 2022

Premature wear of rear brakes - caliper locks up. First replaced pads at 3 years old, 39000 miles. 2 years later, at 59000 miles, replaced pads rotors and serviced calipers. 2 years after that, at 70000 miles replaced calipers, pads and rotors. 2 years after that, at 90000 miles, replaced rear brake rotors and pads again. 6 months later, at 95000 miles, replaced calipers. 8 months later at 100000, replaced calipers, pads and rotors. The internet forums blame the rear hydraulic hoses for collapsing when warm, locking up the calipers. This time the shop will also replace those hoses. I've only had to replace the front brakes once, pads and rotors, at 90000. Honda has a real problem here and the dealer won't acknowledge it.

NHTSA ID

11423242

Incident

Aug 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES WERE REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED LIGHT INDICATOR DID NOT LIGHT UP TO SHOW THERE WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM.*JB

NHTSA ID

11323507

Incident

May 2, 2020

Mileage

59,000 mi

WHILE PARKING MY CAR AS I WAS TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN IT OUT ON REVERSE THE BREAK PEDAL SUNK TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY STEPPED ON EMERGENCY BRAKE PUT IT IN PARK, NOTICED FLUID PUDDLE ON RIGHT FRONT SIDE. WALKED TO AUTO MECH A BLOCK AWAY . THEY PICKED UP CAR NEXT DAY SINCE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ,.FRONT BRAKE HOSE WAS TORN FROM WEAR OUT . ASKED MECHANIC WHAT CAUSED IT , CLAIMED THE HOSE IS NOT LONG ENOUGH AND WHEN TURNING CREATES TENSION SHOULD TALK TO HONDA AND IN HIS 20 YRS. EXP.DIDN'T SEE THIS AND THAT I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T ON HIGHWAY ,WHEN ASKED IF HE USED A LONGER HOSE HE SAID THERE'S ONLY 1 TYPE FOR THIS VEHICLE TOOK.. USUALLY USE HIGHWAYS DUE TO MY JOB BUT THANKFULLY I WAS OFF THAT DAY.

NHTSA ID

11196039

Incident

Apr 11, 2019

Mileage

59,900 mi

CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AFTER APPLYING BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT - FELT LIKE CAR KINDA JOLTED AND BRAKE FELT HARDENED, AFTER RETRYING IT WAS ALL FINE. HAPPENED THIS AGAIN TO MY WIFE TWICE WHILE SHE WAS PULLING THE CAR OUT OF PARKING LOT AND HAD TO PULL BACK IN, CAR ACCELERATED, ON NEXT TRY IT WAS FINE. TAKING IT TO HONDA SERVICE TOMORROW.

NHTSA ID

11186608

Incident

Feb 25, 2019

Mileage

74,000 mi

REAR BRAKE ROTORS SCORED EXTENSIVELY ON NEW VEHICLE AT 45,000 MILES. ONE PAD FROZEN IN PLACE AGAINST ROTOR. HAD ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. JUST EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM WITH NEW ROTORS AND PADS AFTER 19000 MILES. ONE PAD HAS 0% WEAR LEFT AND WAS FROZEN IN PLACE. ONE BRAKE CALIPER BOLT WAS INTERNALLY CORRODED. DEALER TECHNICIAN ATTEMPTED TO BLAME THE THREE MILES DRIVEN ON DIRT ROADS DAILY AS THE CULPRIT. CAR IS WASHED WITH UNDERBODY FLUSH ONCE PER WEEK. DOZENS OF OTHERS REPORT A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS. I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM REAR BRAKES. NEIGHBOR AND I REPLACED PADS AND CALIPER BOLTS. THE NEXT DAY I FELT SUFFICIENTLY COMFORTABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO HONDA DEALERSHIP. SERVICE MANAGER AGREED THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND AGREED TO REPLACE THE ROTORS FOR NO COST AND TO REFUND MY COST FOR PADS AND CALIPER BOLTS. SERVICE MANAGER AGREED THERE IS A DESIGN AND/OR MATERIAL FLAW WITH THE REAR BRAKES AND NOTED THE PROBLEM IS EVEN MORE FREQUENT IN THE CIVIC. INCLUDED PICTURE SHOWS CORRODED CALIPER BOLT.

NHTSA ID

11030681

Incident

Sep 28, 2017

Mileage

64,000 mi

MY WIFE TOOK VEHICLE (2012 CRV EX 2 WD) TO APOSTLAKIS HONDA IN HERMITAGE PA FOR ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION. SERVICE PERSONNEL STATED THAT VEHICLE REQUIRED NEW REAR ROTORS/ BRAKE PADS. SERVICE REP STATED THAT DUE TO INSUFFICIENT BRAKE FLUID REACHING THE LEFT REAR BRAKES, THE PADS HAD NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE NEEDED NEW ROTORS/PADS ON REAR OF VEHICLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION AT A COST OF NEARLY $400. FROM THE EXPLANATION OF THE SERVICE REP, IT APPEARS THAT A POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PREMATURE DISINTEGRATION OF THE LEFT REAR BRAKE COMPONENTS. CONSIDERING THE SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVED WITH DEFECTIVE AND COMPROMISED BRAKING SYSTEM, I BELIEVE THIS CONCERN NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I BELIEVE HONDA MOTORS NEEDS TO COMPENSATE INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS MYSELF WHO HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO ADDRESS AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ID

10851013

Incident

Mar 21, 2016

Mileage

51,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BUT THERE WERE NO BRAKE FAILURES. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ID

10836369

Incident

Jan 26, 2016

Mileage

60,000 mi

SUDDEN ACCELERATION: WHEN FOOT ON BRAKE, THE ENGINE SURGES

NHTSA ID

10794564

Incident

Nov 13, 2015

Mileage

24,000 mi

REPLACED REAR BRAKE PADS, CALIPER PINS, REAR ROTORS . PINS SEIZED UP. REPLACED BY DEALER WHERE PURCHASED CAR. DEALER FINALLY PICKED UP ALL COST WITH EXCEPTION OF BRAKE PADS $77.00.

NHTSA ID

10733446

Incident

Jul 7, 2015

Mileage

8,133 mi

JUST WENT IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AND DEALER IS TELLING ME BECAUSE I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THAT MUCH MY REAR BRAKE PADS NEEDS REPLACING BECAUSE THE PINS IN THE REAR BRAKES IS FROZEN AND KEEPING THE REAR BRAKE PAD IN USE EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT APPLYING MY BRAKES. FRONT PADS ARE OK. HE SAID I ONLY HAD ABOUT 1/4 INCH PAD LEFT BEFORE IT DUG INTO THE ROOTERS. 7,902 MILES DID NOT LET DEALER DO WORK YET. ...UPDATED 08/12/15 *BF UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10730135

Incident

Jun 24, 2015

Mileage

7,902 mi

I WENT TO PARK IN A DIAGONAL, ON STREET PARKING SPOT, AND APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP. THE CAR INSTEAD ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB AND PROCEEDED INTO AN ADJOINING PARKING LOT. I TURNED HARD RIGHT TO AVOID VEHICLES AND STRUCK THE RETAINING WALL AT THE BACK OF THE LOT WITH MY LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANEL. THIS IMPACT STEEPENED THE TURN AND SHOT ME BACK OUT OF THE LOT AND ONTO THE STREET. I PROCEEDED UP THE STREET, THE CAR ACCELERATING ALL THE TIME. I TRIED TO DETERMINE IF I WAS ACCIDENTALLY STEPPING ON THE GAS, AND FELT I WAS INDEED ON THE BRAKE. MY CAR PROCEEDED RAPIDLY UP THE STREET, OVER 1/10TH MILE IN DISTANCE. IN A PANIC TO TRY AND STOP THE CAR I STOMPED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHICH LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEELS. MY REAR TIRES WERE IN A SKID FOR OVER 150 FEET, WHICH PRODUCED A SIDEWAYS SKID, THE CAR TURNING RIGHT AND SLAMMING BROADSIDE INTO A PARK VEHICLE WHICH STOPPED ME. I FEEL THIS IS A CASE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, AND HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF OTHER SUCH INCIDENTS IN LATE MODEL CRVS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10652485

Incident

Oct 18, 2014

Mileage

6,723 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED FOUR TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA ID

10598529

Incident

Dec 28, 2012

Mileage

14,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10547320

Incident

Sep 19, 2013

Mileage

15,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO DISENGAGE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE SHOES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10524557

Incident

Oct 1, 2012

Mileage

1,000 mi

I WAS APPLYING INTERMITTENT BRAKING TO MODULATE SPEED WHILE PROCEEDING EASTBOUND ON I-40 EAST OF BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC WHICH IS A RELATIVELY STEEP GRADE (APPROXIMATELY 6% FOR 5 MILES). WITH SUCCESSIVE APPLICATIONS I FELT PROGRESSIVELY INCREASING VIBRATIONS FROM THE FRONT END AND FEEDBACK THROUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL. TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE GRADE I SERIOUSLY QUESTIONED THE ABILITY OF THE BRAKES TO ADEQUATELY SLOW THE CAR AND HAD NO CONFIDENCE THAT I COULD STOP THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE/ADEQUATE DISTANCE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR IN MORE LEVEL, INTERSTATE CONDITIONS FOR ANOTHER 3.5 HOURS BUT DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM AGAIN. REPORTED TEMPERATURE THAT DAY WAS MID TO HIGH 80'S. I WAS CONSCIOUS OF MY BRAKE USE GIVEN THE CONDITIONS, AND DO NOT FEEL IT WAS EXCESSIVE. I HAVE DRIVEN THIS PARTICULAR STRETCH OF ROAD BEFORE IN HIGHER TEMPERATURES, IN OTHER VEHICLES AND IN MORE SEVERE CONDITIONS WITHOUT THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT. WITHIN A WEEK OF THIS INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT A HONDA DEALERSHIP AND NO ABNORMALITIES WERE NOTED WITH THE BRAKES. SERVICE PERSONNEL ADVISED THAT MY EXPERIENCE WAS SIMPLY DUE TO THE CONDITIONS. I DISAGREE. IF BRAKES IN SERVICEABLE/GOOD CONDITION CANNOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRAKING PERFORMANCE UNDER THE CONDITIONS I DESCRIBED, THEN I FEEL THIS PARTICULAR COMPONENT IS INADEQUATE AND REPRESENTS A RISK TO THE OPERATOR AND OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10524441

Incident

Jun 28, 2013

Mileage

21,000 mi

TL* 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. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2. UPDATED 07/09/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, UPON IMMEDIATELY RE-ENTERING THE SEAT BELT OPERATED PROPERLY. UPDATED 07/15/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID

10515972

Incident

Aug 2, 2012

Mileage

2 mi

FEB 2012 : PURCHASED MY 2012 HONDA CRV BECAUSE IT WAS FLAT TOWABLE. SEPT 1 :LEFT FOR A TWO MONTH TRIP TOWING SAID CAR AND USING THE BLUE OX PATRIOT BRAKING SYSTEM. AFTER FOLLOWING ALL THE DIRECTIONS FOR BLUE OX AND HONDAS DIRECTIONS FOR THE TRANSMISSION, EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE.WITH EXCEPTION OF THE BATTERY GOING DEAD EVERY 3-4 HRS OF DRIVING. OCT 6: THE BACK BRAKE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS SCRAPING.HONDA DEALER SAID THE PADS WERE RUBBING BUT DIDN'T HAVE ANY REPLACEMENTS. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD BE OKAY TO MAKE IT BACK HOME. OCT 16: IN TEXAS THE BRAKES SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS METAL ON METAL. TOOK INTO A HONDA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE PAD WAS MISSING ON THE RIGHT REAR, THE CALIPER PINS WERE MISSING, ROTORS NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED, AND THE PARKING BRAKE CALIPERS PINS WERE MISSING. EVERYTHING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FOR BOTH REAR BRAKES. CAR TEST DRIVEN, ALL BRAKES FINE. OCT 28: BACK HOME, BRAKES VIBRATING SO TOOK IT TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE AND HAVE THEM CHECK THE BRAKES. I WAS TOLD ALL FOUR OF THE BRAKES WERE SHOT BURNT ETC AND PARTS WOULD COST $5,000.00. THEY SAID IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I USED AN AFTER THE MARKET BRAKING SYSTEM. THEY ARE BLAMING BLUE OX. BLUE OX IS BLAMING HONDA. AMERICA HONDA HDQ WERE NOTIFIED BUT THEY SAID SINCE THE DEALERSHIP DEEMED IT WASN'T THEIR FAULT THEY CLOSED MY CASE. IM THE ONE STUCK WITH PAYING AS THE INSURANCE WONT COVER THIS EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10485081

Incident

Sep 29, 2012

Mileage

12,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CRV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, EVERY TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED IT CONTINUOUSLY EMITTED A THUMPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE BRAKES EXHIBITED RUST. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN WHETHER THE DEFECT PERTAINED TO THE FRONT OR REAR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.

NHTSA ID

10481356

Incident

Sep 12, 2012

Mileage

1,200 mi

MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING OUR HONDA CRV 2012 HAD AN ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY OFF RAMP. WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER RAN OVER SOME WIRE THAT WAS LEFT ON THE ROAD, THE DRIVER MADE A SUDDEN STOP. MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND HIT THE VEHICLE WITH OUR HONDA. THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE ON BOTH CARS. SINCE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SAFETY BELT IN OUR 2012 HONDA CRV DID NOT RESTRAIN MY WIFE FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL, SHE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT. I HOPE OTHER OWNERS OF THE HONDA CRV 2012 DO NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF SITUATION HAPPEN TO THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10479504

Incident

Sep 17, 2012

Mileage

3,231 mi

WHENEVER I PLACED MY CAR ON PARKING AN THE E-BRAKE IF IT WAS ON A SLOPE THE CAR WOULD KEEP GOING AS IF IT WAS ON DRIVE OR REVERSE. IT HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. WHEN I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP THEY SAW THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT ALREADY WITH BARELY A COUPLE OF MILES FROM NEW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10478862

Incident

Sep 2, 2012

Mileage

1,047 mi