2012 Honda CR-V Steering Problems

I was driving Honda CRV on Route 60, MPH was about 30 when the vehicle went to side by side on the road. This is a 2 lane highway. If some was coming the other way I could not help from colliding into them. I pulled over as soon as I could. The Honda has a left rear frams is broken. I heard other people announcing that their frame on CRV Honda 2012 is broken at the same side. It is a good car except for the frame. Please help . Are there any recall for frame?

NHTSA ID

11723504

Incident

Mar 6, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11558430

Incident

Dec 3, 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!

NHTSA ID

11537934

Incident

Jul 20, 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

NHTSA ID

11535296

Incident

Jun 23, 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.

NHTSA ID

11519964

Incident

Apr 8, 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.

NHTSA ID

11506768

Incident

Jan 10, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11501772

Incident

Jun 18, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID

11438014

Incident

Oct 20, 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.

NHTSA ID

11398807

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

88,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11385137

Incident

Dec 27, 2020

Mileage

171,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I WAS STRUGGLED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY. IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT . IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS THE POWER STEERING OR ECP AND IT WILL COST ALMOST $1500 DOLLARS TO FIX. MY CAR WAS NEVER IN ANY MAJOR ACCIDENTS FOR ANYTHING OF THIS NATURE TO OCCUR AND IS ALWAYS SERVICED AT THE DEALER. I ASK THE DEALER WHY WOULD THIS HAPPEN AND ALL HE SAID WAS 'THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF IS IF IT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT '.

NHTSA ID

11339669

Incident

Jul 10, 2020

Mileage

72,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11312253

Incident

Feb 27, 2020

Mileage

108,850 mi

I DROVE MY CAR AS USUAL ON NOV, 15, 2019, WENT HOME, AND PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY OF MY HOUSE. BUT ON NOV, 16, 2019 AROUND NOON, I STARTED MY CAR, AND THE EPS INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON FROM MY DASH BOARD, THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY TIGHT, VERY HEAVY, CAN BARELY TURN. I CAN EASILY CAUSE INCIDENT FROM IT.

NHTSA ID

11280957

Incident

Nov 16, 2019

Mileage

97,868 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11162134

Incident

Dec 12, 2018

Mileage

158,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11150994

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

Mileage

75,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11066978

Incident

Feb 3, 2018

Mileage

98,400 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11065903

Incident

Jan 19, 2018

Mileage

85,400 mi

ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING---THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN AND THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I PULLED OUT OF MY SUBDIVISION ONTO THE MAIN STREET. THIS HAPPENED WHILE TURNING A CORNER AND WHILE TURNING AROUND IN A PARKING LOT.---IT TOTALLY TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. TOOK IT TO THE HONDA SERVICE THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT! THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS ON HIGHWAY 158-TURNING ONTO THE MAIN ROAD--I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A WRECK OR KILLED---WHEN I FINALLY MADE IT TO A SAFE PLACE THE CAR TURNED OFF AGAIN FOR 10-15 MINUTES. THE HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT SENT A TOW TRUCK--HOPEFULLY THEY CAN REPAIR IT.---THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION TO HAVE HAPPEN--THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE TURN! IT HAPPENS WHILE TURNING--AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON! THIS HAPPENED ON 7/10/17 AND 7/13/17

NHTSA ID

11005158

Incident

Jul 10, 2017

Mileage

102,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10981511

Incident

Sep 2, 2016

POWER STEERING FAILED TWICE WITHIN 1 MILE (~3 MINUTES APART) OF STARTING CAR AND DRIVING 25MPH DOWN RESIDENTIAL STREET. IN BOTH INSTANCES CAR WAS GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD. INDICATOR LIGHT RESET AFTER FIRST FAILURE AND RESTART THEN ~3 MINUTES LATER INDICATOR LIT AND POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. VSA MODULATOR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BY THE DEALER (~4000 MILES AGO) TO REMEDY THIS RECURRENT ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10979918

Incident

Apr 22, 2017

Mileage

92,000 mi

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE IN MOTION ~25MPH ON A CITY STREET. INDICATOR LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLASHED 2-3 TIMES AFTER POWER STEERING WAS LOST. COLLISION WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED.

NHTSA ID

10910951

Incident

Oct 1, 2016

Mileage

87,900 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY ACTUATOR (VSA) FAILED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10895112

Incident

Aug 10, 2016

Mileage

120,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10787473

Incident

Oct 31, 2015

Mileage

45,000 mi

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://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=V3Z00LN1DD8). THE SCHAUMBURG (IL) DEALERSHIP SAYS HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT PROVIDED A SOLUTION TO THEM YET. I CONTACTED THEM ON MARCH 13, 2015, REGARDING THIS. THEY PROVIDED THE SAME ANSWER TODAY...WHILE THE PROBLEM/NOISE PERSISTS. I AM HOPING THIS COMPLAINT WILL HELP FORCE HONDA DEVELOP A (VTC ACTUATOR?) SOLUTION AND PROVIDE IT TO HONDA DRIVERS.

NHTSA ID

10785104

Incident

Oct 21, 2015

Mileage

33,000 mi

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 RESPONDING 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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10633402

Incident

Jan 23, 2014

Mileage

9,000 mi