What 32 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Crosstour

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. The device was installed on October 6, 2025 as part of a state ignition interlock program. The first malfunction occurred only four days later. The device has malfunctioned multiple times since installation. The most serious failure occurred in March 2026 when the device would not power on at all. Because the device controls the ignition relay, the vehicle could not start and became completely inoperable. The vehicle had to be towed to the service center that installed the device. The component involved appears to be the ignition interlock handheld breath testing unit and relay system that communicates with the vehicle ignition. When the device fails to power on or function properly, the vehicle cannot start even when the driver is sober and compliant. This malfunction created a safety concern because the vehicle could not be operated or moved when needed, leaving the driver stranded and unable to safely transport family members. The problem has occurred multiple times and appears to be related to the device itself rather than the vehicle. The equipment has been returned to an authorized service center for inspection, and the device should be available for inspection upon request. There were no warning lights from the vehicle itself prior to the failure. The primary symptom was that the ignition interlock device would not power on or would malfunction during operation, which prevented the vehicle from starting. Because the ignition interlock device directly controls whether the vehicle can start, repeated device failures create a situation where the vehicle becomes unexpectedly disabled.

NHTSA ODI 11724064

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 short time window. To complete the test, the driver must physically pick up and handle the handheld unit and blow into the device while driving. This requirement creates a driver distraction because the driver must remove at least one hand from the steering wheel and divert attention from the roadway in order to complete the breath test. This procedure appears to conflict with Pennsylvania’s hands-free driving law, 75 Pa.C.S. §3316 (Paul Miller’s Law), which prohibits drivers from holding or manually using an interactive electronic device while operating a vehicle. Although the ignition interlock device is intended to promote road safety, the design of the rolling retest requires the driver to manually interact with a handheld device while the vehicle is moving. Drivers may feel pressured to complete the test immediately because failing to do so can be recorded as a violation or trigger lockout procedures. This creates a situation where drivers must choose between complying with the device requirements or maintaining full attention on safe vehicle operation. In my experience, the alert can occur while driving in traffic, which forces the driver to handle the device during active driving conditions. Because this equipment directly affects vehicle operation and driver behavior while the vehicle is moving, I am submitting this report to raise a potential safety concern regarding whether rolling retest procedures create unsafe driver distraction and whether they conflict with hands-free driving safety laws.

NHTSA ODI 11724067

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 damage to the engine. My son had to push the car to the side the highway when this happened. Honda service said the engine is “toast” and is a cost of $7,000 to be replaced. Reached out to Honda corporate for help due to defective part. They said the part had a 12 month warranty and the car is too old to help you. I can only trust the people but so much but I should be able to trust the parts when they are OEM. Disappointed Honda no longer stands behind it parts.

NHTSA ODI 11622188

Fuel pump malfunction

NHTSA ODI 11554000

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 great hazard as that failure can occur at any time. Honda is currently charging owners roughly $2000 (in Wake County, NC) to repair this issue. This should be a covered recall for all owners, to avoid engine failure, accidents, and potential deaths on the roads.

NHTSA ODI 11484394

Car was total air bag didn't didn't work!!

NHTSA ODI 11445240

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 DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT CV AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11412971

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 IS NO EXPLANATION FOR WHAT HAPPENED,. THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING HIT THE ROOF.

NHTSA ODI 11398171

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 DELEARSHIP IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY INTO THIS ISSUE AND I DEMAND AN ANSWER. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS ISSUE ON A NEE CAR OR A CAR THAT IS 8 YEARS OLD. I HAVE MAINTANED MY CAR VERY WELL AND THIS IS THE ONLY ISSUE WITH THE CAR BUT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA PRODUCT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THIS ISSUE AND ADVISE I HAVE LOOKED INTO A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST HONDA FOR COSTING ME SO MUCH TIME, MOKEY, AND HEARTACHE OVER THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY TIMES I FELT UNSAFE IN MY CAR AND TRIED TO TRADE IT IN BUT NO ONE WOULD GIVE ME PAY OFF SO I AM FORCED TO PAY MONEY THAT IS NOT NECESSARY EVERY 6 MONTHS SO I FEEL SAFE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD NOT BE THE A HONDA OWNER SHOULD FEEL. I HAVE BEEN ON VACATION 8 HOURS AWAY AND HAD TO HAVE MY CAR WORKED ON. THAT WAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE VACATION I HAVE EVER HAD. IT IS TRULY UPSETTING AND DISAPPOINTING BEYOND VOLUMES THAT I CAN NOT TAKE MY HONDA ANYWHERE ON VACATION FOR THE FEAR OF THE BRAKES LOCKING UP AND KILLING ME AND MY CHILDREN. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I HAVE PURCHAED A SUBARU AND STILL HAVE MY HONDA. I NEED THIS ISSUE FIXED BECAUSE MY SON WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR WHICH IS NOW PAID OFF AND IS SITTING IN A DRIVEWAY FOR FEAR OF DEATH OR INJURY.

NHTSA ODI 11373744

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 ODI 11290717

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR THIRTY MINUTES WHERE IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TEAM HONDA (LOCATED AT 4613 E LINCOLN HWY, MERRILLVILLE, IN 46410, (219) 947-3900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING TWO ENGINE VALVES REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11281044

VEHICLE FOULING SPARK PLUGS ABOUT EVERY 3-6 MONTH DUE TO OIL GETTING INTO THE CYLINDER(S) CAUSING SHUTTERING, LOSS OF POWER AND STALLING. IN MY CASE IT'S MY 3 BACK CYLINDERS. HAVE NOT BROUGHT TO HONDA DUE TO BEING A ASE MECHANIC MYSELF. STARTED HAPPENING AT ABOUT 80'000 MILES IN 2018 AND HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SINCE HAPPENING PROGRESSIVELY FASTER. HONDA TECH FRIEND OF MINE SAID HE'S DONE A LOT OF THESE REPLACING PISTON RINGS AT THE DEALER HE WORKS AT.

NHTSA ODI 11258536

THE CAR VIBRATES SO BAD STARTING 45MPH TO 60MPH. IT ALSO ACCELERATES WITHIN THE SAME SPEED RANGE.

NHTSA ODI 11161928

MY 2012 CROSSTOUR IS NOW SUFFERING FROM WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE VERY COMMON SHAKING/SHUDDERING ISSUE. THE PROBLEM PRESENTS BETWEEN 20-45MPH AND AGAIN AROUND 60MPH, WHILE UNDER ACCELERATION. THE PARTS REMAIN ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. HOW CAN HONDA GET AWAY WITH NOT SUPPORTING THESE VEHICLES? OWNERS REALLY SHOULD BEGIN TO CONSIDER GETTING TOGETHER TO BRING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST HONDA.

NHTSA ODI 11090066

I BEGAN EXPERIENCING A SHAKING STEERING WHEEL DURING ACCELERATION LAST FALL. (APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES) AFTER REPLACING ALL 4 TIRES, REPLACING FRONT BRAKES & ROTORS, REPLACING BEARINGS, DOING AN ALIGNMENT AND HAVING MY MECHANIC REBUILD THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE, I FINALLY GAVE UP AND WENT TO THE DEALER. WITHIN ABOUT 2 MINUTES OF DISCUSSING THIS PROBLEM, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT HE HAD SEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND TOLD ME THAT HONDA HAD UPGRADED THE AXLE. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH AXLES BUT NO RECALL OR INFORMATION HAS EVER BEEN POSTED BY HONDA FOR THIS PROBLEM. IF THIS IS, INDEED A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE, I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED!

NHTSA ODI 11079962

STERING WHEEL. SHAKES. WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11074468

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SHUDDERING AND VIOLENT SHAKING. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NALLEY HONDA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,484.

NHTSA ODI 11000246

EXTREME VIBRATION AT 35-45 MPH AND AT ACCELERATION MORE SO IN A RIGHT TURN HONDA SAYS THE AXLES ARE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER I HAVE READ COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT DATE BACK MORE THAN A YEAR THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT IS GETTING DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 10937844

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH, THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUNROOF MAY HAVE BEEN FRACTURED DUE TO A ROCK HITTING IT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10898764

PASSENGER SIDE HARSH VIBRATIONS - MOSTLY ON ANY ROAD GOING ABOVE 30MPH UNDER ACCELERATION THE AND HARSH VIBRATION IS FELT THROUGH OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER DIGGING ONLINE AND WASTING SEVERAL HOURS AND COUNTLESS DAYS AT MECHANICS THE OUTCOME IS A BAD PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AXLE (DRIVESHAFT) CALLED SEVERAL DEALERS - LOCAL JUNK YARDS - PLENTY OF AUTO PART STORES AND NOTHING WAS AVAILABLE. DECIDED TO CALL AMERICA HONDA JUST TO FIND OUT THAT THE AXLE FOR THE CROSSTOUR IS ON A NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER. GO FIGURE. THE INTERNET IS FILLED WITH CROSSTOUR OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE AND ASKING FOR ADVICE. YET THIS ISSUE IS NOT A RECALL. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL . WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR FROM HONDA THE VIBRATION WAS SMALL OVER 2 YEARS IT HAS GOT TO THE POINT OF DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. LAST NIGHT I HAD TO TOW THE CAR HOME DUE TO THE CRAZY AMOUNT OF VIBRATION WHEN UNDER ACCELERATION. --- HAVE A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT WITH A LOCAL HONDA DEALER -- TO SEE WHAT THE MANAGER THINKS MY NEXT STEP SHOULD BE. WITH OUT BREAKING MY POCKETS. WILL POST A UPDATE IN A WEEK OR SO. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALERS AND CALL AMERICAN HONDA AND LET THEM KNOW THE ISSUES THE MORE CALLERS THE QUICKER WE GET THIS FACTORY ISSUE TAKEN CARE OF. NO WONDER THIS CAR WAS DISCONTINUED. THEY REALIZED THEIR MISTAKE ONCE PRODUCTION WAS STARTED.

NHTSA ODI 10894890

ON 11/23/15 I BOUGHT MY 2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR TO MY MECHANIC AFTER FEELING A SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END. WANTED TO MAKE SURE CAR WAS NOT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. AFTER CHECKING ALL THE NORMAL CHECK POINTS (IE.. TIRES, WHEEL BALANCE, MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT), DID A CHECK ON BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT AXLES. MECHANIC STATED THE FLUTTERING IS DUE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN THE DRIVER SIDE AXLE. HONDA WAS TOLD ME THAT THE PART (44306-TP6-305) IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND THERE WAS NO ETA. IT IS 8/8/16 STILL WAITING FOR AXLE. I HAVE OPENED A CASE TICKET AGAIN WITH HONDA BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME THING. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT THIS PART IN ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER FOR OVER A YEAR AND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. THE CAR HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND NOW I'M UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR SINCE DUE TO THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND AXLE THAT I'M REPLACING.

NHTSA ODI 10894197

ON 12/23/15 TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP FELT A SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END. WANTED TO MAKE SURE CAR WAS NOT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. AFTER CHECKING ALL THE NORMAL CHECK POINTS (IE.. TIRES, WHEEL BALANCE, MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT), DID A CHECK ON BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT AXLES. MECHANIC STATED THEY WERE BOTH FULL OF HOLES AND ORDERED FROM HONDA BOTH AXLES. MECHANIC WAS TOLD THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER. GOT THE LEFT AXLE MID JANUARY. ON FEB 2 AFTER THE RIGHT AXLE WAS TO BE SHIPPED WE GOT A FAX FROM HONDA STATING THAT THESE AXLES WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND THERE WAS NO ETA. IT IS 3/29/16 STILL WAITING FOR RIGHT AXLE. I HAVE OPENED A CASE TICKET WITH HONDA BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME THING. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT THIS PART IN ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER AND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR SINCE LATE DECEMBER DUE TO THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 10852377

CAR BEGAN TO SHIMMY AS IF OUT OF BALANCE IN RIGHT REAR ON ABOUT 02-01-2016. TOOK TO TIRE KINGDOM AND THEY SAID IT WAS A ROAD "HAZARD" PROBLEM WITH DELAMINATION OF THE TREAD. THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS THAT LED TO THIS OCCURRANCE IT JUST "DEVELOPED" NO CURBS OR POT HOLES HIT. THIS IS FL ROADS ARE SMOOTH. I LIVED IN OH I KNOW WHAT A ROAD "HAZARD" IS. TIRE KINGDOM, MANAGER MICHAEL DECOSMO REFUSED TO SEND IT IN A DEFECTIVE TIRE. I REPLACED WITH SAME TYPE TIRE AT MY EXPENSE. CALLED YOKOHAMA AND THEY SAID TIRE DEALER HAD TO REPORT THIS AND WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. ON 03-22-2016 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THROUGH TX CALED AND SAID THE CAR WAS "SHIMMYING" AND I KNEW IT WAS ANOTHER DELAMINATION. SHE SLOWED DOWN UNTIL GETTING TO A WAL MART AND THEY SAID YES IT WAS DELAMINATED. IT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT. THEY HAD NO TIRES THAT SIZE AND SENT HER TO A LOCAL DEALER THAT DID. THE DEALER "CROSSROADS TIRE SERVICE" HAD ONLY TWO TIRES THAT SIZE AND SHE HAD THEM REPLACE BOTH FRONT TIRES FOR SAFETY WITH TOYO TIRES.THIS DEALER DID WRITE ON THE RECEIPT THAT THE TIRE DELAMINATED. TIRE KINGDOM WOULD ONLY REPORT AS A ROAD HAZARD. I AM ALSO GOING TO CALL YOKOHAMA BUT BASED ON PRIROR EXPERIENCE THEY WILL REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING. DO REPAIR SHOPS NOT HAVE TO REPORT THESE TYPE INCIDENTS. THEY ARE EXTREMEMLY DANGEROUS. THIS COMPLAINT INVOLVES TWO SEPERATE INCIDENTS ON TWO SAME MAKE/TYPE TIRES. ONE DATED 02-10-2016 THE OTHER 03-22-2016. FIRST INCIDENT SPEED WAS AROUND TOWN BETWEEN 0-70. SECOND INCIDENT ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 75. TIRE MODEL IS NOT LISTED ON DROP DOWN. TIRES AR YOKOHAMA AS530. THE ORANGE PEEL OIL TIRES. FIRST TIRE FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 15,000 TIRE MILES SEOND FAILURE AT ABOUT 18,000 TIRE MILES.

NHTSA ODI 10852153

2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON MAY 25,2014, THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER SUDDENLY DETACHED, RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE REAR BRAKES WERE SERVICED ON APRIL 10, 2014. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE CALIPER SLIDE PIN BOLT WAS MISSING. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10604245

I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON HIGHWAY 680 IN WALNUT CREEK CA AROUND 2;00 PM. TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AFTER A LOUD BANG! I PULLED OVER AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING IN THE CAR THAT INDICATED THAT IT WAS HIT BY AN OBJECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10575456