VehicleVerdict

2012 Honda Odyssey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2012 Honda Odyssey is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 325 owner complaints run below the Odyssey median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 31 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (60), engine (45), and electrical system (34), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

325

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

31

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Odyssey years?

Odyssey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted1,586 complaints1990: 2 complaints1994: 1 complaints1995: 112 complaints1996: 88 complaints1997: 24 complaints1998: 89 complaints1999: 664 complaints2000: 785 complaints2001: 721 complaints2002: 1,117 complaints2003: 1,095 complaints2004: 715 complaints2005: 1,046 complaints2006: 879 complaints2007: 1,038 complaints2008: 617 complaints2009: 243 complaints2010: 338 complaints2011: 291 complaints2012: 325 complaints2013: 275 complaints2014: 406 complaints2015: 268 complaints2016: 345 complaints2017: 47 complaints2018: 1,586 complaints2019: 1,525 complaints2020: 833 complaints2021: 191 complaints2022: 178 complaints2023: 143 complaints2024: 121 complaints2025: 356 complaints2026: 21 complaints
Odyssey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Odyssey years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Honda Odyssey problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes6018%
Engine4514%
Electrical System3410%
Body & Structure258%
Other247%
Transmission247%
Steering216%
Tires & Wheels155%
Seats134%
Speed Control134%
Fuel System113%
Airbags103%
Seat Belts93%
Visibility & Wipers82%
Lighting72%
Suspension52%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2012 Honda Odyssey have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

17V725000SeatsNovember 17, 2017 · 806,936 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The second row outboard seats can slide sideways to one of two positions. If a seat is placed between either of the two positions when attaching the seat to the vehicle floor, the seat will not latch properly to the seat striker, allowing the seat to tip forward unexpectedly during braking.

Consequence

If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket to the second row outboard floor strikers, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2018. Owners may contact American Honda Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is S0G.

16V933000SeatsDecember 27, 2016 · 633,753 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2010, to October 1, 2015. The affected vehicles have second row outboard seats that have a release lever that allows the seats to move for easier access to the third row of seats. This release lever may remain in the unlocked position allowing the seats to move unexpectedly.

Consequence

An unlocked second row outboard seat increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional bracket and spring to both second row outboard seats, free of charge. Interim letter has been mailed, and a second notification will be sent . Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KD5.

13V143000TransmissionApril 15, 2013 · 204,169 units

Defect

Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence

If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.

13V016000AirbagsJanuary 18, 2013 · 748,481 units

Defect

Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.

Consequence

The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the driver's airbag module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

11V602000SuspensionDecember 22, 2011 · 9 units

Defect

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012, ODYSSEY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 31, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2011. THE RETENTION NUT FOR THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER SUSPENSION DAMPER BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE NUT TO LOOSEN.

Consequence

IF THE NUT LOOSENS, THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY WOULD ONLY BE ATTACHED BY ONE BOLT, ALLOWING THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO SHIFT TO AN EXTREME INWARD ANGLE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

HONDA CONTACTED ALL NINE OWNERS BY PHONE ON DECEMBER 19, 2011, AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN AFTER A FULL STOP, I ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 5 MPH AND WAS ABOUT TO PARK (LESS THAN 20FT FROM STOP SIGN) WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED. I WAS UNABLE TO BREAK AFTER REPEATEDLY APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WAS UNABLE TO AVOID A HEAD ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 28, 2015 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED IN THE DRIVEWAY, A LOUD EXPLOSION WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MOMENTS LATER, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ORANGE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND PROVIDED PHONE NUMBER [PHONE]…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 1, 2019 · fire

“The 2012 Honda odyssey alternator caught on fire after the battery light came on which luckily I, the driver, was able to put out. The next day I towed the vehicle to Boyd Honda Auto in Oxford, NC, where they confirmed with diagnostic that the alternator was overworking and that there was a seeping…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 22, 2026 · fire

“WAS TRAVELING ROUGHLY 70 MPH ON HWY 45 JUST OUTSIDE OF BUCKATUNNA, MS WHEN 2 DEER WERE SEEN ON THE MEDIAN OF THE HWY A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY. AS SOON AS THEY WERE SEEN, THE DEER SAW OUR HEADLIGHTS AND JUMPED INTO OUR LANE OF TRAVEL HITTING THE DRIVERS FRONT CORNER DAMAGING THE BUMPER, GRILL,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 18, 2019 · crash

“Misfire in cylinder 1 Caused van to lose power on freeway almost causing an accident. From 2011-2013 there was a settlement that gave an 8 year extended warranty, but why is it only 8 years when not everyone’s driving is the same? My van was brought to the Honda dealer Check engine light came on,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 6, 2021

2012 Honda Odyssey — common questions

Is the 2012 Honda Odyssey reliable?

It is close to typical for the Odyssey: 325 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2012 Odyssey problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (60 complaints), engine (45 complaints), electrical system (34 complaints).

Does the 2012 Honda Odyssey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Honda Odyssey. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Honda Odyssey years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Odyssey years to avoid are 2018, 2019, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2006, 2020, 2000, 2001, 2004, 1999, 2008, 2025, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. The cleanest record among Odyssey years belongs to 1994.

How safe is the 2012 Honda Odyssey?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Honda Odyssey earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.