ServiceNews Article - When removing and installing a cable reel, you need to keep both the cable reel and the steering angle sensor in position. If you don't , the VSA indicator may come on along with one or more VSA DTCs. And when you run the Neutral Memorization Procedure in the i-HDS, it won't complete.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Honda CR-V steering problems
severe 35 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
35
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 35 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Honda CR-V, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 35 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
HONDA: ENGINEERING REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION. STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS NOT WORKING (AUDIO AND CRUISE CONTROL) AND SRS LIGHT ON WITH DTC 11-1 THRU 11-B ON CERTAIN VEHICLES. MODELS 2012-2013 CR-V.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report 35 distinct complaints of electric power steering (EPS) failure on the 2012 Honda CR-V. The core issue: the EPS system shuts down or locks up during normal driving, with failures occurring at 5 mph parking lot speeds, 25–30 mph neighborhood streets, and 60+ mph highway driving.
When the system fails, steering becomes extremely hard or completely locked. Owners describe being unable to turn the wheel even with extreme force, forcing them to stop and restart the engine to restore steering. Most failures resolve temporarily after shutdown and restart, but recur days or weeks later. No warning light appears in some cases; in others, the EPS indicator flashes briefly before disappearing.
Multiple owners report the same condition affecting low-speed, high-steering-input situations—parking lots, tight turns, stop-and-go traffic—where power steering is most needed. One owner documented this aligns with a 2009 Honda Fit failure that triggered Service Bulletin 09-043, yet the CR-V has received no recall.
Dealers struggle to diagnose the problem. Without reproducing the failure during inspection, many refuse to repair the vehicle. When parts are required—typically a $1,700+ EPS module or steering gear—owners face weeks to months of backorder, with some parts reported unavailable nationwide. One case tied the lockup to electrical power starvation (corroded battery terminals preventing current to the EPS). Another documented thermal shutdown: the manual warns that normal parking-lot steering can overheat and damage the EPS system.
Owners cite this as a serious safety issue, with several narrow misses of collisions on highways and busy intersections.
Same Honda CR-V steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
EPS Module Failure / Complete Loss of Power Steering
The electric power steering (EPS) system shuts down entirely, leaving the steering wheel extremely difficult or impossible to turn. Owners report needing to apply extreme force or being unable to steer at all. The vehicle may be nearly impossible to maneuver, particularly at low speeds.
When: Intermittent; occurs during parking lot maneuvers, neighborhood driving under 25 mph, highway driving at 40–70 mph, or stop-and-go traffic. One owner reported failure at 6,372 miles; another at 1,795 miles. Multiple owners report multiple occurrences over vehicle ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very hard to turn or completely locks up; Vehicle extremely difficult to maneuver, especially at low speed; EPS warning light illuminates on dashboard (though not always; light may flash briefly or not appear at all); Condition resets after turning vehicle off and restarting; Steering returns to normal operation after restart
Codes mentioned: EPS fault code, VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) fault
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers report EPS module or steering gear replacement required. One owner cited part 53601T0AA01 unavailable in USA; another quoted $1,700+ for part plus $1,500+ labor. Multiple owners report extended part backorders (weeks to months to potentially years).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda has not issued a recall. Service Bulletin 15-086 addresses steering shudder and requires software update. Owners note similar failure on Honda Fit led to Service Bulletin 09-043. Dealers often cannot replicate the failure and refuse service without in-dealership replication. One owner received TSB referencing battery connection/grounding wire check.
EPS Lockup at Low RPM / Electrical Power Starvation
Steering wheel locks when engine is at idle or low RPM, particularly during parking maneuvers with brake pedal depressed and air conditioning on. Owners report this occurs even while stationary. Root cause appears to be insufficient electrical power supply to the EPS system at low alternator output.
When: Low-speed parking situations, especially with AC on and foot on brake. Vehicle at idle or very low RPM.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks and prevents turning; EPS fault light flashes; Condition occurs repeatedly during attempts to steer at low RPM; May be triggered by low battery charge, poor battery terminal connections, or alternator not operating at full capacity; Condition resolved by cleaning corroded battery terminals
Codes mentioned: EPS fault code
Repairs/costs cited: One owner resolved issue by cleaning corroded battery terminals where dealership had failed to apply corrosion protector. 70-amp fuse supplies power to EPS. Condition also linked to alternator diode failure or battery with failed cell.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific TSB cited. One owner noted Honda should allow manual steering fallback instead of locking the wheel completely.
EPS Overheating / Thermal Shutdown
Electric power steering system limits performance or loses function after extended low-speed steering input (parking lot maneuvers, tight neighborhood streets) or when steering is held at full lock. System enters protective mode and steering becomes progressively harder. Owner manual states repeated operation under these conditions can eventually damage the system.
When: After extended parking lot maneuvering or full-lock steering input. One owner experienced this after vehicle sat in bright sun all day.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes progressively harder to turn; Power steering performance degrades; System recovers after cooling (typically 5 minutes); EPS indicator light may not illuminate during event
Repairs/costs cited: System recovers without intervention once cooled. Owner manual (page 355) documents this as normal protective behavior but warns repeated operation can eventually damage the system.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner manual documents thermal protection mode as intended design. No recall or TSB issued to address the design limitation.
Intermittent EPS Fault with VSA / ABS Interaction
Steering loses power during stop-and-go traffic or specific driving conditions, with EPS warning light appearing. Often requires vehicle shutdown and restart to restore function. May be related to vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator malfunction or electrical load conflicts between EPS and other systems during low alternator output.
When: Stop-and-go traffic, heavy traffic during rush hour, low-speed driving. Multiple occurrences within short timeframe (minutes to days apart).
Symptoms owners cite: EPS light comes on, steering becomes difficult; Steering wheel hard to turn or unresponsive; Condition clears after engine restart; May recur multiple times in a single drive session; No warning light or intermittent warning light
Codes mentioned: EPS code, VSA code
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports VSA modulator replacement by dealer; one owner had control module reprogrammed with temporary success. Dealers may find fault codes in computer history but unable to replicate fault during diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers often cannot find problem despite fault codes in history. One Honda recommendation was to check/replace battery grounding wire. Service Bulletin 15-086 applies to steering shudder (different symptom).
Steering Wheel Seizure / Physical Locking
Steering wheel suddenly becomes completely rigid or locks in position, preventing any turning motion. Distinct from hard steering—the wheel is physically immobilized. Can occur while actively turning or while driving straight.
When: During turns at various speeds (25 mph to 60+ mph), parking lot maneuvers, highway driving, and while stationary. One reported failure at 1,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks and cannot be turned at all; May occur mid-turn, causing driver to lose ability to complete maneuver; Little or no warning light before lockup; Brief loud pop or grinding noise may precede event; Condition clears after engine shutdown and restart
Codes mentioned: EPS warning light (not always)
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer found loose steering wire as cause; another case linked to VSA actuator failure. One owner replaced alternator after electrical system warning light, which did not resolve steering issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific TSB or recall issued. Dealers deny fault when vehicle does not fail during service visit.
Cold Start Grinding / Screeching Noise in Steering System
Loud grinding or screeching noise from steering system during cold start (morning or after 6+ hours of non-use), lasting a few seconds. Does not prevent steering operation but indicates internal wear or mechanical issue.
When: Cold start only (morning or after extended vehicle non-use). Noise lasts a few seconds.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding or screeching noise from steering area during cold start; Noise duration: a few seconds; Does not occur on warm starts
Repairs/costs cited: No repair provided by dealership as of complaint date (March 2015).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Schaumburg, IL Honda dealership confirmed Honda is aware of the problem but has not provided a solution. Possible VTC actuator issue.
Synthesized from 35 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Was driving and power steering went out then came back on. Almost caused me to go into a ditch as I was making a left turn. Barely even turned the wheel.
Steering wheel locked several times while driving at lower speeds. I had to turn car off and restart for it to work again. I was unable to turn the wheel at all when it locked
Had steering trouble with your 2012 Honda CR-V?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2012 Honda CR-V?
It's a meaningful issue. 35 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 15,000 and 97,868 miles, with the median around 72,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 97,868. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Honda/CR-V.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.