Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 CR-V.
The 2012 Honda CR-V is a five-passenger SUV equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. Its engine takes 4.4 quarts of 5W-20 API oil, and the model year recorded 399 owner complaints alongside three recalls. This places it well below the CR-V’s peak of 2,085 complaints in 2018, marking the 2012 as a notably trouble-free entry in the nameplate’s history.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Overall length | 178.3 in |
| Overall width | 71.7 in |
| Overall height | 64.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.1 in |
| Curb weight | 3490 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61.4 / 61.4 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 58/42 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 23 / 30 / 26 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the CR-V of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | EX-L 2.4L I-4 | 8.40 sec | 16.30 sec | 185 hp | FWD |
| 2012 | EX-L 2.4L I-4 | 8.50 sec | 16.60 sec | 185 hp | AWD |
| 2012 | EX-L 2.4L I-4 | 8.60 sec | 16.50 sec | 185 hp | AWD |
| 2012 | EX-L 2.4L I-4 | 9.10 sec | 16.90 sec | 185 hp | AWD |
| 2013 | EX-L 2.4L I-4 | 8.70 sec | 16.60 sec | 185 hp | FWD |
| 2015 | EX 2.4L I-4 | 7.50 sec | 15.90 sec | 185 hp | FWD |
| 2015 | Touring 2.4L I-4 | 8.20 sec | 16.60 sec | 185 hp | AWD |
| 2015 | Touring 2.4L I-4 | 8.50 sec | 16.70 sec | 185 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, USE HONDA PART NO. 08200-9007 OR EQUIVALENT in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.7 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.3 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | USE HONDA PART NO. 08200-9007 OR EQUIVALENT |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.5 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 55 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 9 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 133 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 760 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Ignition Timing | 8, Not adjutstable degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Reference RPM | Idle rpm |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 0.85-1.10 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 2.65-3.00 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 51R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 410 cca |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 48.0 |
| Engine Compression | 135 minimum PSI. 29 maximum variation PSI. |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 10 psi @ idle, 44 psi @ 3000 rpm psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | 0.008-0.009 in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | 0.100-0.0110 in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 25 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 101 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 37 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 101 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in |
| Minimum Shoe Thickness | 0.039 in |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs, Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 36 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 | 36 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2012 Honda CR-V records 399 complaints, 3 recalls, 3 investigations, and 105 TSBs—a notably calmer year compared to the surrounding model years. In context, the 2007–2012 generation shows a cyclical complaint pattern: 2007–2008 spiked sharply (884 and 959 complaints with 12–11 recalls each), receded through 2009 (386), then rose again to peaks in 2010–2011 (480 and 551 with 15 and 13 recalls), before dropping to 399 in 2012. The 3 recalls in 2012 represent the lowest point in the entire generation before the generational transition, sharply lower than the 13–15 recalls seen in 2010–2011. The top complaint categories for 2012 are Engine (60), Electrical System (43), Unknown/Other (35), and Power Train (24), with 27 crash-related complaints and 4 fire-related complaints. Following 2012, the 2013 model year continues the downward trend (381 complaints, 2 recalls, 2 investigations), but the 2014–2016 model years begin climbing again (585, 668, 388), culminating in the dramatic 2017–2018 spike (1,740 and 2,085 complaints), which corresponds to a new generation. The data suggests 2012 occupies a favorable position within the generation arc—a post-recall trough with reduced complaint volume and the lowest recall count of the entire 2007–2012 run. A buyer should verify that any outstanding recalls specific to the 2012 model have been addressed, but as of the federal record, this year shows materially fewer safety-related actions than its generational peers, making it a comparatively sound candidate within that span.
All 399 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 CR-V, equipped with the LX trim level and manufactured from August 30, 2012, to August 31, 2012. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will apply the corrective label free of charge. The safety recall began on November 14, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear… Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of…
Showing 5 of 105 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A19050B | 2019-05-16 | Steering | ServiceNews Article - When removing and installing a cable reel, you need to keep both… |
| A18-138 | 2019-02-26 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - This bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is now… |
| A17-028 | 2018-07-24 | Air Bags | Service bulletin - 2012 CR-V Driver?s Airbag Inflator Collection. This bulletin has been… |
| A18-057 | 2018-06-15 | Air Bags | Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
| A16-063 | 2018-04-11 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | Service bulletin - The tailgate won?t open from the outside handle in temperatures near… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.4 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined mpg.