Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Crosstour, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 6 | 19% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 9% |
| Engine | 3 | 9% |
| Air bags | 2 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 6% |
| Steering | 2 | 6% |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 6% |
| Seats | 2 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 gre
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 DIFF
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED WHILE IN A RETRACTED POSITION. VEHICLE WAS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME AND GLASS RAINED INTO THE CABIN CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO INJURIES. SO FAR, THERE
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 DELEAR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Honda Crosstour. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississipp
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-21
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-201
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-21
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009
Risk: 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.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019.
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ACCORD AND CROSSTOUR VEHICLES. THE DRIVER-SIDE OR PASSENGER-SIDE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG INFLATOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: HONDA WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG AS NEEDED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-80
| Reliability raw | 67 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 72 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 6 of them (19%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 67/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2012 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.