2012 Honda Odyssey Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Honda Odyssey has a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th worst of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Brakes are the top problem area with 60 complaints (24% share) at a median mileage of 22,000, plus 5 recalls including seat and airbag issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Odyssey years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 245
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 14
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 22
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 18.5 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 22 / 0
Top 2012 Honda Odyssey problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes60 (24%)
- Engine53 (22%)
- Electrical System44 (18%)
- Structure & Body40 (16%)
- Other25 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain24 (10%)
- Steering21 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (7%)
- Fuel System11 (4%)
- Airbags10 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while stopped or slowing, with the vehicle lurching forward despite the brake pedal being pressed.
- Brakes reportedly fail to stop the vehicle promptly during normal driving, leading to collisions at low speeds.
- Front airbags have reportedly failed to deploy in moderate-speed frontal crashes near 35 mph.
- Seat belts are reported to fail to retract properly after a collision, allowing occupants to strike the steering wheel.
- Electrical system complaints include a vehicle that self-ignited in a garage near the rear cargo light area.
- Some owners describe low-beam headlights as too dim for safe nighttime driving.
2012 Honda Odyssey recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V725000Nov 17, 2017Structure & Body806,936 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V933000Dec 27, 2016Structure & Body633,753 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 13V143000Apr 15, 2013Transmission & Powertrain204,169 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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."
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.
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.
2012 Honda Odyssey fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,025
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Honda Odyssey reliable?
- NHTSA data give the 2012 Odyssey a complaint index of 50, placing it 11th worst out of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. Brakes are the leading reported problem area.
- What problems does the 2012 Honda Odyssey have?
- NHTSA complaints point to brakes (60 complaints, 24% share, median 22,000 miles), engine (53 complaints), and electrical system (44 complaints) as the top problem areas.
- Does the 2012 Honda Odyssey have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 Odyssey, covering second-row seat sliding, a brake-shift interlock issue in cold weather, airbag rivet attachment, and a front suspension damper bolt.
- How does the 2012 Odyssey compare to other Odyssey years?
- The 2012 model's complaint index of 50 is worse than 2011 (20), 2013 (10), and 2015 (5), which are rated Best, but better than 2007, 2008, 2018, 2019, and 2020, which are rated Avoid.