KnownCarProblems2012 Honda Accord Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 373 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Accord, most often about the seats (17% of complaints, typically around 500 miles). It is 19th of 27 Accord model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2012 Honda Accord problems
Seats
64 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 500 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
Have had to block seat restraint from working digs into back causing constant movement while trying to drive causing to not paying attention to road ahead. Honda says they cannot make adjustments to seat to allow to drive with seat restraint active.
Driver car seat as well as front passenger seat are painfully uncomfortable. After driving the car for about 3 weeks I noticed severe neck and shoulder pain. No seat adjustment could alter this, I have become unable to drive the car without severe pain. After researching this further online(even on this website for…
Air bags
56 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the passenger side seat air bag sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer…
Vehicle accelerator snapped and caused accelerator to depress to the floor at full throttle while car was in motion, causing the driver to lose control of the car, jump a curb, and caused serious front end damage and driver injuries. ( car was declared a total by my insurance company. Airbag on driver's side did not…
Engine
52 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles.
Vtc acuator is faulty. For 2 years now I've had a grinding noise when I start the car and no car shop has been able to tell me what is wrong up until yesterday I found out it's the vtc actuator that's making the grinding sound and it's been draining my oil. I call america Honda to see if it has a recall for this…
Our 2012 4 door/v6 Honda Accord was involved in a crash. A mack truck hit our car from behind at an estimated speed of 50. We hit the car in front of US at an estimated speed of 20. The vehicle was considered totaled with an estimate of $22000-$25000 in damages. The front airbags never deployed. In my research, 2012…
Steering
51 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 22,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion.
Whining noise under the hood while engine was running and continued regardless of the car's speed. Cause: power steering rack was leaking. Internal damage to power steering pump. Power steering reservoir had debris in it causing the fluid to aerate. Solution: Honda dealership mechanic replaced the power steering rack…
I noticed my steering was getting hard to turn. I checked the power steering fluid and it was low. I added fluid. As time continued the steering problem got worst. While driving the steering was good, but I had to use manual power while getting out of parking spaces, or when having to turn while vehicle was stopped.I…
Brakes
39 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock.
Front drive shaft oil seal was leaking brake fluid. It was spraying brake fluid underneath my drivers door when I applied the brakes. Seal was replaced under warranty by the Honda dealer.
I began to hear an intermittent scraping, rubbing noise in the back of the car. I took it in to the dealer where I bought the car and they told me I needed rear brake pads only and the front brakes were fine, no problem'. Soon after, I had necessity to brake suddenly on the freeway and I discovered that the front end…
Electrical
32 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, ignition.
Two rear doors will not unlock when useing the switches on the driver side door. And rear doors will not unlock when using the remote on the key ring. The door motors sound like they are dying. All of this happens when the car is in the off mode engine not running and in park.
Rodent chewed through soy covered evap vent shut valve wire, ABS and vsa sensor wires. Car was parked in garage and warning lights came on next time car was driven.
Transmission
27 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
While driving home from work the transmission started 'slipping.' within the next 2 miles the car lost acceleration and began jerking and appeared to brake although my foot was still on the accelerator. The transmission shop where it was taken said two parts inside the transmission had fused together...the car was…
Check engine light is on, car was shaking when driving. Took it to the dealership and was told oil level pressure switch is bad and need to be replaced( mtc p3400),it is not covered under 5yr 60k miles powertrain warranty. It was quoted >$300 to fix the car. The car has 59k miles on. I didnt want to pay for the fix…
Other or unspecified
27 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles.
All four of my door locking actuators have all "failed." the car randomly locks and unlocks on the highway and even though Honda has had a class action lawsuit over these door actuators for the crv they are not replacing the Honda Accord ones (they will for a small fee of $1500.00).
Two rear doors will not unlock when useing the switches on the driver side door. And rear doors will not unlock when using the remote on the key ring. The door motors sound like they are dying. All of this happens when the car is in the off mode engine not running and in park.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Honda Accord recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are f5f and q5e.
Full defect summary
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, 2010-2014 insight, and 2009-2015 pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger 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.
Air bags: inflator module
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. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are m4o, p4r, t4q, and w4p.
Full defect summary
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 2009-2015 pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Air bags: inflator module
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 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are m2j and s2k.
Full defect summary
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, mississippi, south carolina, california, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan) and the u.s. Virgin islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 acura tsx, tsx wagon and zdx, honda crosstour, insight, fit and pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 honda accord and 2011 honda civic ngv, civic, civic hybrid and cr-v vehicles in arizona, arkansas, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia and west virginia. Lastly, honda is recalling ce
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began june 22, 2018. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are k1p, and m1o.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 honda accord and pilot, 2010 accord crosstour, 2001-2011 civic, 2002-2011 cr-v, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 element, 2007 and 2009-2013 fit, 2010-2012 insight, 2002-2004 odyssey, and 2012 ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Air bags: inflator module
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 february 16, 2018. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are b0k and l0j.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 acura tsx, zdx, honda accord crosstour, fit, insight and pilot vehicles, 2011-13 acura tsx sportswagon, 2010-2012 honda accord,, 2010-2011 honda civic, civic ngv, civic hybrid and cr-v vehicles and 2013 honda fcx clarity and fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." additionally, honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 acura tsx, honda accord, accord crosstour, fit and pilot, 2010-2011 honda civic, civic ngv, civic hybrid and cr-v, and 2010 acura zdx and honda insight vehicles ever registered in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri,
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began october 30, 2017. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are o07, y0a, n06, g05, m04, y01, and o09.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 accord, 2010-2012 accord crosstour, 2006-2011 civic, 2007-2011 cr-v, 2009-2012 fit and pilot, 2010-2012 insight, and 2009-2012 acura tsx vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are ke1 and ke2.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 acura tsx, 2011-2012 acura tsx wagon, 2010-2012 acura zdx, 2008-2012 honda accord, 2010-2012 honda accord crosstour and honda insight, 2009-2012 honda fit, 2009-2012 pilot, 2007-2011 honda cr-v, 2012 honda fcx clarity and 2006-2011 honda civic, civic hybrid, civic ngv vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, if not included in "zone a" above, honda is recalling certain 2009 acura tsx, honda fit and pilot, 2008-2009 honda accord, 2006-2009 civic, civic hybrid and civic ngv, and 2007-2009 honda cr-v vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, i
Air bags: side/window
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 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Autoliv air bag propellant mixture
Summary
The summary for this investigation, labeled eq12-002 autoliv closing resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.this eq is closed.
Questions about the 2012 Honda Accord
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Accord?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: seats (64 complaints, typically around 500 miles); air bags (56 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); engine (52 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Honda Accord have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 27, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Honda Accord?
- It is 19th of 27 Accord model years by number of complaints, with 373 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.