2012 Honda Cr-z problems
The Honda CR-Z is a sport compact hybrid electric car manufactured by Honda and marketed as a "sport hybrid coupe." The CR-Z combines a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain with traditional sports car elements, including a 2+2 seating arrangement (excluding North American models where the backseat is removed) and a standard 6-speed manual transmission. The CR-Z is regarded as the spiritual successor to the second-generation Honda CR-X in both name and exterior design.
In the U.S., the CR-Z is one of the least polluting hybrid vehicles available and is rated as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) as defined by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The CR-Z is the third gasoline-electric hybrid model offered by Honda (after the 2000–2006 Insight and 2003–2005 Civic Hybrid) that can be equipped with a manual transmission, and the only one in its class.
The CR-Z is the sixth unique version of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology since the technology was first launched in the first generation Insight 3 door hatchback. Sales of the CR-Z began in Japan in February 2010. Sales in the U.S. began in August 2010, and production ended by the end of 2016.
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Common 2012 Honda Cr-z problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2012 Honda CR-Z, several common problems have been reported:
- Battery Pack Voltage: Complaints indicate that the traction battery in the Honda CR-Z may experience issues if any of the 12 battery packs output voltages drop below 15 volts. Low voltage can harm the batteries and affect the smart electronics of the Honda IMA system, potentially leading to battery overload and damage .
- Power Steering Assist: Some owners have experienced sudden loss of power steering in the 2012 CR-Z. This issue can be alarming and make the car difficult to maneuver, posing safety risks, especially during driving situations that require quick steering responses.
- Hybrid System Concerns: The hybrid system in the CR-Z, particularly the traction battery, has raised worries among buyers. While the IMA system usually does not require maintenance, there have been concerns about battery life and potential costs associated with battery replacement. It's essential for buyers to assess the condition of the hybrid system, especially the traction battery, before purchasing a used 2012 Honda CR-Z .
- Internal Combustion Engine Issues: The 2012 CR-Z has a unique feature where the internal combustion engine is started by the IMA electric motor. If the engine is started by the conventional starter powered by a standard 12-volt battery instead of the IMA electric motor, it may indicate that the car has been stationary for an extended period, potentially affecting the battery's health and overall performance .
These reported problems highlight key areas of concern for owners of the 2012 Honda CR-Z, emphasizing the importance of thorough inspections and maintenance to address these issues and ensure the vehicle's optimal performance and safety.
How long do Honda CR-Z hybrid batteries last?
Your Honda hybrid battery life expectancy is between 6 to 10 years or up to 100,000 miles.
Why did Honda discontinue the CR-Z?
Discontinuation. On June 17, 2016, Honda announced that the CR-Z would be discontinued at the end of the year to make room for the Accord Hybrid and Clarity.
Can CR-Z run without battery?
A: The CR-Z is just like any other Honda vehicles available in the market, you will need to fill it up at your preferred gasoline station to keep it running. But, the CR-Z can be driven without the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) battery. This is primarily because the IMA is designed to supplement the gasoline engine.
What is the gas mileage on a 2012 Honda CRZ?
Based on data from 113 vehicles, 7,323 fuel-ups and 2,281,208 miles of driving, the 2012 Honda CR-Z gets a combined Avg MPG of 37.25 with a 0.12 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 279 outliers (3.67%) removed.
2012 Honda Cr-z car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Honda Cr-z problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Honda Cr-z vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2012 Honda Cr-z complaints
The NHTSA has received 7 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Honda Cr-z.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-15
- VIN: JHMZF1D6XCS
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-09-10
- VIN: JHMZF1C66CS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEACTIVATES WHEN MOISTURE IS PRESENT IN THE AIR. ESPECIALLY PREVALENT WHILE RAINING.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-04-02
- VIN: JHMZF1C61CS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DETECTIVES AND REACTIVATES ON IT'S OWN SOMETIMES. WARNING POPS UP RANDOMLY.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-11-14
- VIN: JHMZF1D4XCS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-03-17
- VIN: JHMZF1C40CS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-Z. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-03-28
- VIN: JHMZF1D61CS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING MY VEHICLE BEING RECALLED FOR AN AIRBAG PART THAT WON'T BE ABLE TO BE REPAIRED UNTIL MID SUMMER OF 2016. I WAS TOLD I CAN GET A RENTAL VEHICLE BUT I'M ONLY 18 AND THE VEHICLE IS IN MY NAME ONLY SO I'M NOT CURIOUS AS TO HOW I CAN RENT A VEHICLE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW!
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-11-24
- VIN: JHMZF1D68CS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR ANY IMPACT OF A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT SOMETHING UNDER THE VEHICLE MADE THE AIR BAG DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
2012 Honda Cr-z recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2012 Honda Cr-z.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
Negative 2012 Honda Cr-z car reviews
Positive 2012 Honda Cr-z car reviews
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As a previous owner of a CRX-DX (7-years) this CRZ is a welcome pleasure. I traded in my 2001 A4 1.8TQ for this little piece of heaven. It is nice getting back to a smooth clutch. The Audi was a little long on both travel and throw. The exterior styling is a mix of Porsche 928 rear end & heavily modified S2000 front. The interior high end with soft touch controls like the Audi. The well placed control close to the driver. The 6 weeks has been unbelievable in the gas mileage. I am just about to fill up for the third time with: 41.7, 43.5 and 43.4 for miles/gal. avg. Not bad for a 80 City / 20 Highway driving. There seems to be no difference in Normal / Econ mode on mileage, just on stop idle.
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Had this car for 5 months now and I can't wait to drive it each day! It's been such a joy to travel to Salt Lake Utah valley and enjoy the ride up and down the mountains. I'm so impressed with the power it has coming up the mountains and the fuel average of 40 mpg is just amazing. This car is definitely a sport car all the way!
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Hi there! I recently test drove a 2012 CR-Z EX manual transmission with 65K miles. Before heading to the lot, I did my research and read every review and long term test to prepare. For some context, I've owned a 02 Accord DX, 93' Civic DX, and a 2010 Honda Fit Base, all manual transmissions. As someone who knows small Hondas pretty well, I was hoping the CR-Z would be a moderately zippy 2-seater that could take a turn with spirit. However, I found that it was slower and didn't handle as well as my Fit. On the upside, the CR-Z is extremely cheap to insure (Hybrid owners are considered safer) and gets pretty good MPG. While it may not be the best sports car or hybrid out there, there are still a handful of Hondas that can offer a fun driving experience with comparable MPG and more than two seats. So why would you bother with the CR-Z? Well, maybe it's the styling or perhaps the size works well for you in the city, or you just want something different. Either way, if you know what you're getting into, it's not a bad car, it just may not be the best fit for everyone. Hope this helps!
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Hi there! I just wanted to share my experience with my new car. I recently traded in my 2007 Ford Edge for a 2011 CR-Z EX CVT. It took me a little while to get used to the smaller size and lower visibility, but I'm really enjoying the fun driving experience and the fact that I'm saving 50% on gas money! It's definitely a comfort in more ways than one.
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I was pleasantly surprised after researching for a few months before the release and taking a test drive the day dealers received a few. Although I had read about rear visibility issues (common in hatchbacks) and was expecting poor handling/power (hybrid), I was proven wrong! The outside look was already appealing, but the driving experience was even better. It strikes a perfect balance between sport/fun and economy. Although it only seats 2, it is one fun car to drive. While it may not have the power to pass another car at 100mph on the freeway like my BMW Z4, it is still a great car.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2012 Honda Cr-z problems:
Any Common Problems with CR-Z to look for? | Honda CR-Z Hybrid ...
Jan 8, 2018 ... I think a few members mentioned having issues with cracked fog lights and weak door handles, mostly in pre-2013 models. Aside from the 12 volt ...
Is your CR-Z reliable? : r/crz
Dec 5, 2021 ... Voted yes, but there are some known issues with the CR-Z. Door handles being one, and the other being the CV Axles. I've got a out 90k miles on ...
What To Look For When Buying A CRZ? | Honda CR-Z Hybrid Car ...
Apr 10, 2021 ... 3 well known issues are the outside door handles break (The Door Handle Issue , Door Handle Parts Thread and others) the other common issue is a ...
2012 Honda CR-Z Reliability - Consumer Reports
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other ...
Problems with CRZ? | Honda CR-Z Hybrid Car Forums
Nov 21, 2011 ... Been adjusting the rubber thingy on each side but can't really get rid of the vibration/rattle. 2012 BMW 650i Vert 2011 Honda CR-Z EX CVT 2010 ...
Other years of Honda Cr-z
Are you having problems with your 2012 Honda Cr-z?
Patrick Swift 2024-09-26
The vehicle looks really cool and is sporty for a hybrid, making it fun to drive. However, it is important to note that the 12V battery in these cars is not very reliable and may need to be replaced frequently. Additionally, the air conditioner is known to be weak and may struggle on hotter days. Despite these issues, the 6 speed manual transmission is a great feature. Overall, it's important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
Garrison Satterfield 2024-06-28
Looks better than in pictures. The seat is nice, but the height adjustment could be improved as it tilts at the same time. The shifter is very good. However, the rear wheels are too much tucked inside the fenders. The car is reluctant to accelerate at any rpm, and the engine noise is not what one would expect from a Honda. Revs build slowly. The brake pedal feels unnatural with no initial bite, and the steering does not feel connected, like most electric steering systems. Additionally, the clutch is too soft, making it hard to feel the engagement point.
Edgar Hirthe 2024-01-09
I recently traded in my Honda CRZ after owning it for 2 years. Unfortunately, I found that it wasn't worth the 20k I paid for it. While the car has potential, it lacks the necessary thought process to make it truly unique and valuable. The interior is made of cheap materials that scratch easily, especially since the car sits low to the ground. Additionally, the engine shuts off when the car stops, which can be frustrating. The car is also prone to dents and has some blind spots. However, I have since purchased a Dodge Dart that I am very happy with. It's faster and gets the same gas mileage as the CRZ.