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Research · Two Seaters

2012 Honda CR-ZRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2012 Honda CR-Z. Most complaints involve air bags (6) and electrical system (1). The EPA rates it 34–36 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
34–36mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
7
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V500000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Air bagsReported Feb 3, 2016NHTSA 16V061000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2016 – Jun 2022
  1. Air bags6
  2. Electrical system1
  3. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each CR-Z model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201138
20127
201311
20144
20156
20162
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

6 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-Z. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2016Air bagsODI 10925756

Electrical system

1 report
“Same issue as the 2012 CRV recalls of the passenger aide lock actuators. The passenger door lock works sometimes but the car will constantly try to lock that door if it is unlocked, because it won’t always lock. The dealership isn’t sure, I wonder if it’s a fuse because I hear the entire mechanism when it works. Also, it works with the drivers side child safety control which turns off the controls on the passengers side and also keeps it locked so someone cant jump in your cat when you unlock the drivers door. This is the exact problem the Accords and CRV has in the same year and I want to get mine repaired also. Its in perfect condition and taken care of.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2022Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11471655
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S7) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CR-Z
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
343836$1,800247
CR-Z
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
313734$1,900261
  • CR-Z
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    34 city · 38 hwy · $1,800/yr
    36
    mpg comb.
  • CR-Z
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    31 city · 37 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Honda CR-Z 3 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
3 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 6096
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 CR-Z questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Honda CR-Z have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Honda CR-Z problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (6), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Honda CR-Z get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Honda CR-Z at 34–36 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Honda CR-Z?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Honda CR-Z 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026