2012 Honda Odyssey Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 24 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2012 Honda Odyssey, 10% of all complaints for that year, with a median failure mileage of 22,025. A related recall (13V143000) covers a brake-shift interlock issue in cold weather, separate from the shuddering complaints.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 24
- 10% of 245
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 22,025 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners describe a shuddering or shaking sensation in the transmission at low speeds, often cited near 20 mph.
- Multiple reports describe judder or bucking between 25 and 40 mph during gear shifts, sometimes lasting several seconds before smoothing out.
- Some owners report a delay of several seconds between pressing the accelerator and the vehicle responding, especially at low speed or when merging.
- Several complaints describe the transmission locking up or slipping suddenly while driving, including one report of the van jerking backward on a hill.
- Owners report the engine feeling like it will stall when easing off the gas, followed by a sudden lurch forward when accelerating again.
- One owner reported the vehicle rolling away after being shifted into park, with the brake pedal traveling to the floor, later tied to the recall repair.
When 2012 Honda Odyssey transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 6, 2011, latest May 16, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Honda Odyssey
- 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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Odyssey model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Honda Odyssey?
- NHTSA lists 24 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2012 Odyssey, which is 10% of all 245 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2012 Honda Odyssey?
- There is a related recall, campaign 13V143000, covering a brake-shift interlock mechanism that could become slow to release in sub-freezing temperatures. It is not labeled do-not-drive or park-outside.
- At what mileage do 2012 Odyssey transmission problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 22,025 miles, though some owners reported issues within the first few hundred miles.
- What do owners say the 2012 Odyssey transmission does?
- Owners describe shuddering or judder during gear shifts, delayed acceleration response, and in some cases sudden slipping or lockup while driving.
- Were there any crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?
- NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries among the 24 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2012 Odyssey.