2012 Honda CR-V — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Honda CR-V is an SUV powered by a 2.4L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 31 mpg (UK) / 26 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 30–31 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Honda CR-V workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Honda CR-V: Fuel economy improves from 29 to 31 mpg (UK) combined on the most efficient configuration. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. The overall NHTSA rating moves from 4★ to 5★.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 2.4L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 31 combined / 28 urban / 36 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 26 combined / 23 city / 30 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 212 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,600 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2012 Honda CR-V, all with the 2.4L 4-cyl engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 25 to 26 mpg (US), or 30 to 31 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 30 | 25 (22/29) | 221 | $2,700 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 26 (23/30) | 212 | $2,600 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Honda CR-V
Running Costs: 2012 Honda CR-V
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Honda CR-V at 31 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,173 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,600 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Honda CR-V Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Honda CR-V (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Power train (1), Equipment (1), Latches/locks/linkages (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Power train — campaign 13V143000, reported 15 April 2013. Risk: If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Equipment — campaign 12V501000, reported 16 October 2012. Risk: A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading. Improper loading could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Latches/locks/linkages — campaign 12V338000, reported 19 July 2012. Risk: If the door is not fully latched, the door may open while driving or in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle occupants.
Owners have filed 403 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Honda CR-V. The most-reported areas are Engine (89), Electrical system (68), Unspecified (52). Complaints include 27 reported crashes, 4 reported fires, 24 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 478 complaints across the 17 Honda CR-V model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Honda CR-V
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Engine (89 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Electrical system (68 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Transmission & drivetrain (1 recall campaign · 48 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Doors & latches (1 recall campaign) — Test every door, boot and bonnet latch and the central locking.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Honda CR-V compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 31 mpg figure is 4 mpg better than that average. Its 212 g/km CO₂ figure is 41 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Honda models in our database average about 35 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Honda CR-V's 31 mpg is 4 mpg below that make average. Its 212 g/km CO₂ figure is 15 g/km higher than the 197 g/km Honda average.
Of the 17 Honda CR-V model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 13th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (31 mpg UK combined, against a high of 36 mpg). See every Honda CR-V year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Honda CR-V
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Honda CR-V have?
It's fitted with a 2.4L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic 5-spd transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Honda CR-V?
The most efficient configuration returns around 31 mpg (UK) combined, or 26 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 30 to 31 mpg.
How much does the 2012 Honda CR-V cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,600 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Honda CR-V have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 5 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Honda CR-V have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Honda CR-V (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Power train (1), Equipment (1), Latches/locks/linkages (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Honda CR-V?
Among the 403 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Engine (89 complaints), Electrical system (68 complaints), Unspecified (52 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Honda CR-V's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 31 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.