2012 Honda Crosstour Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026

Excellent

Ranks 2nd of 6 Crosstour years we score.

Owner complaints: 40; 3 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 13.6; 27,121 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.40×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 14; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 7
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating

← 2011 Crosstour 2013 Crosstour →

Should You Buy the 2012 Honda Crosstour?

Yes. Our reliability score for the 2012 Honda Crosstour is 81 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 2nd of the 6 Crosstour years we score.

The most reported problem is the driveshaft or CV axle, mostly vibration or shudder (9 of 40 complaints). Owners also complain about shattered sunroof glass and vibration. 14 of the 40 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 7 recalls. Honda also offers a warranty extension that may still apply, for a problem with the engine. For comparison, the 2011 scores 84 and the 2013 scores 70.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 13-079 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Excellent reliability score of 81
About a third of the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

CV axles: vibration or shudder9 complaints
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking5 complaints
Vibration (cause not stated)3 complaints

How the 2012 Crosstour Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems14 complaints · average car: about 38	0.39×	−6
Everyday problems23 complaints · average car: about 56	0.43×	−2
Problems in the last two years0 complaints · average car: about 3.3	0.32×	−4
Recalls7 recalls · average car: about 4.7	1.3×	−7
Score		81

Each part shows two counts: this year's so far, and what an average car would have at the same age. For complaints, that average car was made in the same number as this one. “Vs average” compares the two counts, but in our scoring system we first add a little to both, so a few complaints cannot swing the result. That is why it is not simply one count divided by the other. The last two years count only complaints about five systems: the engine and fuel system, transmission, brakes, steering, and airbags and seat belts.

What Owners Report

We read all 40 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Honda Crosstour, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

CV axles: vibration or shudder
9 complaints (23%)
Vibration or shudder and damage. 3 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 68,000 miles.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
5 complaints (13%)
Shattering or cracking. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 35,000 miles.
Vibration (cause not stated)
3 complaints (8%)
Vibration or shudder.
Brake calipers: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (5%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of braking.
Steering: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (5%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and sticking or stiffness.
Timing belt failure
2 complaints (5%)
A failure and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (5%)
Parts breaking or coming apart. Both describe a serious outcome.

Reported Once (14)

Show the 14 problems reported once

VTC actuator failure
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
Brakes: early wear
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
Engine failure
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
Fuel pump failure
Ignition coils or spark plugs: rough running or misfires
Side or curtain airbags: glass-like fragments came out of the airbag
Transmission failure
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
Valve train failure
Wiring, fuses or body control module: a fire

How the 2012 Honda Crosstour Compares With Other Years

Every Crosstour year is here: the Crosstour was made in one generation, 2010 to 2015.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2015	Good	72	0.96×	25.1	3	Starter: the car not starting
2014	Good	71	1.1×	31.6	3	Starter: the car not starting
2013	Good	70	1.1×	34.3	4	Steering: stopped working
2012 This year	Excellent	81	0.40×	13.6	7	CV axles: vibration or shudder
2011	Excellent	84	0.28×	11.3	7	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2010	Good	75	0.55×	22.5	9	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil

See every Crosstour year

2012 Honda Crosstour Recalls

Seven recalls cover the 2012 Honda Crosstour. The most recent was issued in June 2019: “Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, June 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V502000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 36% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Improperly Installed Passenger Air Bag Inflator
An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 19V378000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 16, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, September 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V661000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 27, 2018. By the first quarter of 2020, 78% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, January 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V042000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 9, 2018. By the second quarter of 2019, 72% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Incorrectly Installed Replacement Air Bag
In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 17V545000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Aug 31, 2017. By the first quarter of 2019, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 17V030000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 10, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 1 more recalls

Driver-Side or Passenger-Side Side Curtain Airbag
In the event of a crash, the side curtain airbag may fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 12V030000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 1, 2012.

2012 Honda Crosstour Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has one warranty extension and four customer support programs for the 2012 Honda Crosstour, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the airbags and engine. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

Warranty extensionHonda 13-079
Engine misfire from piston rings fouling spark plugs
The problem:
Piston rings can turn and line up, which can foul the spark plugs. The engine then misfires and the check engine light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the misfire for free. Owners who paid for past repairs may claim repayment through the class action settlement, not at a dealer.
Who qualifies:
Only V6 cars qualify. A cylinder misfire fault must be stored and the spark plugs must be fouled. Cars with a salvage or branded title are not covered. The VIN must show as eligible.
Coverage:
8 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit for these misfire repairs.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-052, 18-055, 19-003 and 20-016
Front passenger's airbag inflator
4 programs with the same terms. Which one applies depends on the VIN.
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
18-052: Covered until January 31, 2027.
18-055: Covered until January 31, 2028.
19-003: Covered until September 30, 2028.
20-016: Covered until January 31, 2030.
Bulletin 18-052 (PDF)Bulletin 18-055 (PDF)Bulletin 19-003 (PDF)Bulletin 20-016 (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2012 Crosstour ratings on NHTSA.gov.

SUV 4WD and SUV FWD

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Side crashNot rated

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2012 Crosstour, from its seven recalls, a Honda warranty extension that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, June 2019 NHTSA 19V502000
Improperly Installed Passenger Air Bag Inflator NHTSA 19V378000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, September 2018 NHTSA 18V661000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, January 2018 NHTSA 18V042000
Incorrectly Installed Replacement Air Bag NHTSA 17V545000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 7 recalls and which are still open.

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether this warranty extension applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

13-079: engine misfire from piston rings fouling spark plugs

On the Test Drive

Look for water stains or damp carpet, and test the sunroof.
Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Driveshaft or CV axle
Shattered sunroof glass
Vibration
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes and transmission fluid changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Crosstour Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.