RoadVitals

2012 Honda Crosstour Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
32
Latest Mar 13, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Crosstour, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine411.4%
  • Airbags38.6%
  • Electrical38.6%
  • Steering38.6%
  • Visibility38.6%
  • Brakes25.7%
  • Interior & seats25.7%
  • Fuel system25.7%
  • Driver assistance12.9%
  • Tires & wheels12.9%
  • Other / unspecified12.9%
  • Suspension12.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Honda is aware of faulty VTC actuators on certain models. There is no active recall to repair the defective part. This issue causes extra wear on the engine, which could then lead to catastrophic failure. That causes great hazard as that failure can occur at any time. Honda is currently charging owners roughly $2000 (in Wake County, NC) to repair this issue. This should be a covered recall for all owners, to avoid engine failure, accidents, and potential deaths on the roads.

NHTSA ID 11484394 · filed Sep 14, 2022

STEERING WHEEL AND CHASSIS VIBRATION ON ACCELERATION ABOVE 65 MPH. VIBRATION STOPPED ONLY AFTER LETTING OFF GAS PEDDLE. AXLE VIBRATES UNDER ACCELERATION LOAD AT HIGH SPEED. ALL ROAD CONDITIONS

NHTSA ID 11290717 · filed Dec 22, 2019
All 9 reports naming powertrain (other)

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Car was due for timing belt maintenance at 100k miles. Timing belt and related parts were changed August 2023. I was told belt will last 100k miles. October 2024, 13.5 months later, the belt fails and causes catastrophic damage to the engine. My son had to push the car to the side the highway when this happened. Honda service said the engine is “toast” and is a cost of $7,000 to be replaced. Reached out to Honda corporate for help due to defective part. They said the part had a 12 month warranty and the car is too old to help you. I can only trust the people but so much but I should be able to trust the parts when they are OEM. Disappointed Honda no longer stands behind it parts.

NHTSA ID 11622188 · filed Oct 27, 2024

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR THIRTY MINUTES WHERE IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TEAM HONDA (LOCATED AT 4613 E LINCOLN HWY, MERRILLVILLE, IN 46410, (219) 947-3900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING TWO ENGINE VALVES REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 11281044 · filed Nov 19, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Car was total air bag didn't didn't work!!

NHTSA ID 11445240 · filed Dec 28, 2021

STERING WHEEL. SHAKES. WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ID 11074468 · filed Feb 23, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

An aftermarket ignition interlock device installed in my vehicle requires “rolling retests” while the vehicle is in motion. During these rolling retests, the device alerts the driver and requires a breath sample within a short time window. To complete the test, the driver must physically pick up and handle the handheld unit and blow into the device while driving. This requirement creates a driver distraction because the driver must remove at least one hand from the steering wheel and divert attention from the roadway in order to complete the breath test. This procedure appears to conflict with Pennsylvania’s hands-free driving law, 75 Pa.C.S. §3316 (Paul Miller’s Law), which prohibits drivers from holding or manually using an interactive electronic device while operating a vehicle. Although the ignition interlock device is intended to promote road safety, the design of the rolling retest requires the driver to manually interact with a handheld device while the vehicle is moving. Drivers may feel pressured to complete the test immediately because failing to do so can be recorded as a violation or trigger lockout procedures. This creates a situation where drivers must choose between complying with the device requirements or maintaining full attention on safe vehicle operation. In my experience, the alert can occur while driving in traffic, which forces the driver to handle the device during active driving conditions. Because this equipment directly affects vehicle operation and driver behavior while the vehicle is moving, I am submitting this report to raise a potential safety concern regarding whether rolling retest procedures create unsafe driver distraction and whether they conflict with hands-free driving safety laws.

NHTSA ID 11724067 · filed Mar 13, 2026

An aftermarket ignition interlock device (Intoxalock eLERT model) installed in my vehicle repeatedly malfunctioned and disabled the vehicle’s ignition system, preventing the vehicle from starting and operating normally. The device was installed on October 6, 2025 as part of a state ignition interlock program. The first malfunction occurred only four days later. The device has malfunctioned multiple times since installation. The most serious failure occurred in March 2026 when the device would not power on at all. Because the device controls the ignition relay, the vehicle could not start and became completely inoperable. The vehicle had to be towed to the service center that installed the device. The component involved appears to be the ignition interlock handheld breath testing unit and relay system that communicates with the vehicle ignition. When the device fails to power on or function properly, the vehicle cannot start even when the driver is sober and compliant. This malfunction created a safety concern because the vehicle could not be operated or moved when needed, leaving the driver stranded and unable to safely transport family members. The problem has occurred multiple times and appears to be related to the device itself rather than the vehicle. The equipment has been returned to an authorized service center for inspection, and the device should be available for inspection upon request. There were no warning lights from the vehicle itself prior to the failure. The primary symptom was that the ignition interlock device would not power on or would malfunction during operation, which prevented the vehicle from starting. Because the ignition interlock device directly controls whether the vehicle can start, repeated device failures create a situation where the vehicle becomes unexpectedly disabled.

NHTSA ID 11724064 · filed Mar 13, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

STEERING WHEEL AND CHASSIS VIBRATION ON ACCELERATION ABOVE 65 MPH. VIBRATION STOPPED ONLY AFTER LETTING OFF GAS PEDDLE. AXLE VIBRATES UNDER ACCELERATION LOAD AT HIGH SPEED. ALL ROAD CONDITIONS

NHTSA ID 11290717 · filed Dec 22, 2019

THE CAR VIBRATES SO BAD STARTING 45MPH TO 60MPH. IT ALSO ACCELERATES WITHIN THE SAME SPEED RANGE.

NHTSA ID 11161928 · filed Dec 17, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH, THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUNROOF MAY HAVE BEEN FRACTURED DUE TO A ROCK HITTING IT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10898764 · filed Aug 26, 2016

I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON HIGHWAY 680 IN WALNUT CREEK CA AROUND 2;00 PM. TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AFTER A LOUD BANG! I PULLED OVER AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING IN THE CAR THAT INDICATED THAT IT WAS HIT BY AN OBJECT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10575456 · filed Mar 29, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS REPLACED EVERY 6 MONTHS. I KNOW I AM NOT TYE ONLY OWNER WHO HAS HAD THIS SAME ISSUE I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE LOCAL DELEARSHIP IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY INTO THIS ISSUE AND I DEMAND AN ANSWER. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS ISSUE ON A NEE CAR OR A CAR THAT IS 8 YEARS OLD. I HAVE MAINTANED MY CAR VERY WELL AND THIS IS THE ONLY ISSUE WITH THE CAR BUT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA PRODUCT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THIS ISSUE AND ADVISE I HAVE LOOKED INTO A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST HONDA FOR COSTING ME SO MUCH TIME, MOKEY, AND HEARTACHE OVER THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY TIMES I FELT UNSAFE IN MY CAR AND TRIED TO TRADE IT IN BUT NO ONE WOULD GIVE ME PAY OFF SO I AM FORCED TO PAY MONEY THAT IS NOT NECESSARY EVERY 6 MONTHS SO I FEEL SAFE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD NOT BE THE A HONDA OWNER SHOULD FEEL. I HAVE BEEN ON VACATION 8 HOURS AWAY AND HAD TO HAVE MY CAR WORKED ON. THAT WAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE VACATION I HAVE EVER HAD. IT IS TRULY UPSETTING AND DISAPPOINTING BEYOND VOLUMES THAT I CAN NOT TAKE MY HONDA ANYWHERE ON VACATION FOR THE FEAR OF THE BRAKES LOCKING UP AND KILLING ME AND MY CHILDREN. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I HAVE PURCHAED A SUBARU AND STILL HAVE MY HONDA. I NEED THIS ISSUE FIXED BECAUSE MY SON WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR WHICH IS NOW PAID OFF AND IS SITTING IN A DRIVEWAY FOR FEAR OF DEATH OR INJURY.

NHTSA ID 11373744 · filed Nov 9, 2020

2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON MAY 25,2014, THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER SUDDENLY DETACHED, RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE REAR BRAKES WERE SERVICED ON APRIL 10, 2014. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE CALIPER SLIDE PIN BOLT WAS MISSING. *JB

NHTSA ID 10604245 · filed Jun 23, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD REST WOULD PUSH HIS HEAD FORWARD, CAUSING HIM PAIN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEFECT CAUSED HIS ARM TO BECOME NUMB AS WELL. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY HE REMOVED THE HEAD REST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ID 10494634 · filed Jan 24, 2013

THE SEATS IN THE 2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR I JUST LEASED ARE HORRIFIC. THEY ARE EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE AND THE POSITIONING ENCOURAGES POOR POSTURAL HABITS AND CANNOT BE TOLERATED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. I TOOK MY CAR ON A 3500 MILE BUSINESS TRIP AND WAS CRIPPLED THE ENTIRE TIME AND ALMOST COULDN'T DRIVE HOME. I'VE PUT A LARGE SUM OF $ DOWN TO LOWER MY MONTHLY PAYMENTS AND AM NOW STUCK WITH A CAR THAT'S EXCRUCIATING TO DRIVE. I'VE OWNED HONDA'S IN THE PAST AND WAS VERY HAPPY WITH THEIR LONGEVITY, FUEL ECONOMY AND COMFORT OVERALL. I NEVER THIS COMING-SHAME ON YOU-HONDA! I'VE ALSO DRIVEN A 2012 PILOT (FOR 4.5 HOURS) AND THEY WERE SIMILAR IN DESIGN ONLY NOT QUITE AS UNCOMFORTABLE-BUT STILL UNACCEPTABLE! EVERY ATTEMPT I'VE MADE TO BOLSTER, PAD, LIFT, RELEASE OR OTHERWISE "FIX" WITH PADDING, PILLOWS, FOAM ETC. HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. WHILE PADDING WITH MINIMAL FOAM, IT RAISES ME IN A POSITION WHERE MY VIEW IS OBSTRUCTED AND MY HEAD HITS THE CEILING. I'M ONLY 5'7" AND NOT LARGE. I HAVE ALSO ENLISTED THE HELP OF A LOCAL UPHOLSTERER TO ASSIST ME BUT WE'VE REACHED THE END OF IDEAS TO ASSIST ME. *TR

NHTSA ID 10487653 · filed Dec 7, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Fuel pump malfunction

NHTSA ID 11554000 · filed Nov 7, 2023

WHILE PARKING, IN SPOT, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, ENGINE STARTED TO REV AND I FELT CAR WANTING TO MOVE FORWARD. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND CHECKED TO MAKE SURE MY FOOT WAS NOT TOUCHING THE GAS. IT WAS NOT. MY WIFE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND ASKED ME WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I WASN'T SURE. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER MY WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROX. 25 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD AND FELT THE ENGINE REV AND THE CAR STARTED RACING FORWARD. SHE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE AND PULLED THE CAR OVER AND SHUT IT OFF. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OR BEHIND HER DURING THIS OCCURRENCE. MY WIFE AND I FEEL THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER HAS "CHECKED" IT OUT AND CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10532386 · filed Jul 29, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE PARKING, IN SPOT, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, ENGINE STARTED TO REV AND I FELT CAR WANTING TO MOVE FORWARD. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND CHECKED TO MAKE SURE MY FOOT WAS NOT TOUCHING THE GAS. IT WAS NOT. MY WIFE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND ASKED ME WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I WASN'T SURE. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER MY WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROX. 25 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD AND FELT THE ENGINE REV AND THE CAR STARTED RACING FORWARD. SHE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE AND PULLED THE CAR OVER AND SHUT IT OFF. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OR BEHIND HER DURING THIS OCCURRENCE. MY WIFE AND I FEEL THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER HAS "CHECKED" IT OUT AND CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10532386 · filed Jul 29, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR BEGAN TO SHIMMY AS IF OUT OF BALANCE IN RIGHT REAR ON ABOUT 02-01-2016. TOOK TO TIRE KINGDOM AND THEY SAID IT WAS A ROAD "HAZARD" PROBLEM WITH DELAMINATION OF THE TREAD. THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS THAT LED TO THIS OCCURRANCE IT JUST "DEVELOPED" NO CURBS OR POT HOLES HIT. THIS IS FL ROADS ARE SMOOTH. I LIVED IN OH I KNOW WHAT A ROAD "HAZARD" IS. TIRE KINGDOM, MANAGER MICHAEL DECOSMO REFUSED TO SEND IT IN A DEFECTIVE TIRE. I REPLACED WITH SAME TYPE TIRE AT MY EXPENSE. CALLED YOKOHAMA AND THEY SAID TIRE DEALER HAD TO REPORT THIS AND WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. ON 03-22-2016 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THROUGH TX CALED AND SAID THE CAR WAS "SHIMMYING" AND I KNEW IT WAS ANOTHER DELAMINATION. SHE SLOWED DOWN UNTIL GETTING TO A WAL MART AND THEY SAID YES IT WAS DELAMINATED. IT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT. THEY HAD NO TIRES THAT SIZE AND SENT HER TO A LOCAL DEALER THAT DID. THE DEALER "CROSSROADS TIRE SERVICE" HAD ONLY TWO TIRES THAT SIZE AND SHE HAD THEM REPLACE BOTH FRONT TIRES FOR SAFETY WITH TOYO TIRES.THIS DEALER DID WRITE ON THE RECEIPT THAT THE TIRE DELAMINATED. TIRE KINGDOM WOULD ONLY REPORT AS A ROAD HAZARD. I AM ALSO GOING TO CALL YOKOHAMA BUT BASED ON PRIROR EXPERIENCE THEY WILL REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING. DO REPAIR SHOPS NOT HAVE TO REPORT THESE TYPE INCIDENTS. THEY ARE EXTREMEMLY DANGEROUS. THIS COMPLAINT INVOLVES TWO SEPERATE INCIDENTS ON TWO SAME MAKE/TYPE TIRES. ONE DATED 02-10-2016 THE OTHER 03-22-2016. FIRST INCIDENT SPEED WAS AROUND TOWN BETWEEN 0-70. SECOND INCIDENT ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 75. TIRE MODEL IS NOT LISTED ON DROP DOWN. TIRES AR YOKOHAMA AS530. THE ORANGE PEEL OIL TIRES. FIRST TIRE FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 15,000 TIRE MILES SEOND FAILURE AT ABOUT 18,000 TIRE MILES.

NHTSA ID 10852153 · filed Mar 29, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

STERING WHEEL. SHAKES. WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ID 11074468 · filed Feb 23, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT CV AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ID 11412971 · filed Apr 20, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .