KnownCarProblems2012 Honda Odyssey Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Odyssey, most often about the brakes (25% of complaints, typically around 22,000 miles). It is 17th of 27 Odyssey model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2012 Honda Odyssey problems
Brakes
60 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 22,000 miles. Parts named most often: disc, foundation components.
The mini van started to vibrate (the steering wheel) when I was braking at freeway speeds (65 MPH) and down hill. I took it to a dealer for inspection and they told me that the front rotors was bad. The dealer recommend that a brake job was needed. The brake pads, rotors, and any braking matters should not be an issue…
At highway speeds while applying the brakes the car has extremely bad vibration and the car has trouble slowing down. I first noticed this was occurring at about 22000 miles. When the brakes got warm and while going highway speeds or driving down hill the car would vibrate so bad it shakes the steering wheel and my…
Engine
45 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
After stopping the car has tried to accelerate on its own while the brake was applied. Six times since purchase, four times this year. I have reported the problem twice to Honda service as it occured twice on the way there for an oil change. The car was definitely stopped at busy intersectionsa and turning it off did…
Second report of same. Honda looked at problem but claimed cant fix without computer report. Engine accelerated dangerously while idling five times after each turn off in a pharmacy drive in line. Happened march 9,, 9:30 am 7th serious incident trying to film but have not yet succeeded due to panic and proximity of…
Electrical
37 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, instrument cluster/panel, alternator/generator/regulator.
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the rear passenger side sliding door opened, but would not close all the way. It remained in the middle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the door motor and rollers had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer…
I just had to have the passenger sliding door motor replaced on my Odyssey. The door would not close. When attempting to close, they door would shut about 3/4 of the way and then stop. Service department at the dealer advised that the motor was bad and had to be replaced. My concern is that the Odyssey was designed…
Body and structure
25 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the rear passenger side sliding door opened, but would not close all the way. It remained in the middle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the door motor and rollers had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer…
Purchase brand new Honda Odyssey in 2012. Paint failure became visible in july 2017. Vehicle has never been wrecked nor abused. Claimant made attempts to go through protocol at Honda consumer channels. Received evaluation from reputable body shop used by my local Honda. The paint pealing is an adhesion problem…
Transmission
24 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 22,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Odyssey. While driving 78 MPH, the contact stated the vehicle stalled and all of the warning lamps illuminated, then powered off. The contact was able to get the vehicle safely off of the highway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The dealer did not specify what…
Judder and vibrates and makes buzzing sound constantly but intermittently. Dealer and Honda state this is in relation to the eco feature. Research by me indicates either torque converter and/or rear motor mount needs replacing. It seems the issue is worsening as I was told by my Honda service tech that it will get…
Other or unspecified
23 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles.
The positive battery cable became disconnected from the battery terminal post while driving at full highway speed (75 MPH)!! This resulted in complete electrical failure. I was able to pull off the road, but the door locks were locked and inoperable. Without power I was unable to unlock the doors or roll down the…
When I arrived at Honda of lisle (4475 lincoln ave, lisle, il 60532) this morning for an oil change and recall service 16v-933, the service greeter told me that because I refused to provide an email address (presumably for marketing purposes), american Honda motor co., inc. Would no longer mail safety recall notices…
Steering
21 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 27,500 miles.
While moving approximately 65 MPH down a moderate grade, I applied light to moderate braking. I immediately felt a vibration in the front end and shaking in the steering wheel. This vibration and shaking only occurred while applying the brakes. The sensation was severe enough to question stability of the vehicle so I…
Steering wheel vibrates severely when brakes are applied at highway speeds. The brakes were hot due to steep descents while mountain driving. Steering was seriously impaired due to extreme shimmying effecting the entire front end. Braking was nearly impossible.
Seats
14 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles.
While driving on a city street, a car pulled out in front of me so I had to quickly hit my breaks to avoid a car accident with the other car but in the process the 2nd row passenger seat that is directly behind the driver seat automatically flipped down then flew forward ramming the back of my seat and my back very…
2nd row seat flipped forward during moderately hard braking, injuring my child with a busted lip and scratches. She was 6 yrs old and secured in a 5 pt harness child safety seat that was secured into this 2nd row seat. The seat flipped forward with her in it causing her to strike the back of the front passenger seat.…
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 Odyssey recalls
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: An unlocked second row outboard seat increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Air bags
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: front
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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
Inadvertent deployment of air bags
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has completed its review of a petition dated may 30, 2026. The petition requested an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (my) 2011-2017 honda odyssey vehicles. The petition contended that air bags can deploy absent a sufficiently severe event to trigger a deployment, such as an impact, rollover event, or g-force threshold breach. The petition further alleged that the diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) and supplemental restraint system (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. An air bag is a supplemental vehicle occupant restraint system that deploys a cushion designed to inflate in millisec
Questions about the 2012 Honda Odyssey
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Odyssey?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (60 complaints, typically around 22,000 miles); engine (45 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); electrical (37 complaints, typically around 66,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Honda Odyssey have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 17, 2017 (seats). 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 Odyssey?
- It is 17th of 27 Odyssey model years by number of complaints, with 245 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.