IllustrationMy break petal went soft - as in goes all the way to the floor - it has been looked at by 2 different mechanics - no warning lights, no sounds, just all of a sudden no breaks - it has all new break pads, master cylinder, rotors, etc… the break petal is as soft as can be. I can not stop suddenly.
2012 Honda Odyssey
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2012 Honda Odyssey do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 249.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Odyssey years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
700–25K
3325–50K
3950–75K
1975–100K
16100–150K
10150K+
187 reports with mileage · 57 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports6 fire reports19 injury reports
Service Brakes complaints
58 reportsMy 2012 Honda Odyssey brake suddenly failed today. I felt the brake paddle was very soft and had to push all the way to the floor and the vehicle would slowly stop. I had to push very fast repeatedly to feel enough pressure on the paddle to stop the vehicle quickly. There is no indications on the instrument panel indicating the …
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My 2012 Honda Odyssey brake suddenly failed today. I felt the brake paddle was very soft and had to push all the way to the floor and the vehicle would slowly stop. I had to push very fast repeatedly to feel enough pressure on the paddle to stop the vehicle quickly. There is no indications on the instrument panel indicating the failure at all. My car is maintained regularly.
Without warning the breaks will not work. You have to push them all the way down and it sometimes lurches forward after breaking. I’ve had it looked at and they can find nothing wrong. This is a serious problem and needs recalled.
False abs activation at speed above 45mph.
When applying the brake fro my 2012 Honda Odyssey I feel my steering shaking that may cause an issue while driving on Freeway. I have done the wheel balancing on new tires again too... But still i fee the same.
I SCANNED MY VEHICLE WITH A FOXWELL 624ELITE AND FOUND THE FOLLOWING: 1. ANTI LOCK BRAKE TRACTION VEHICLE (FAULT I2) ABS/TCS/VSA 2. BATTERY VOLTAGE HIGH 62_1 PERMANENT DTC 3. BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW61_1 PERMANENT DTC 4. BODE ELECTRICAL INTEGRATED CONTROL SYSTEM (FAULT I1) 5. REAR COMMUNICATION FAILURE PERMANENT DTC B2965
MY WIFE'S 2012 ODYSSEY TOURING WAS PARKED ON THE RAMP TO OUR GARAGE, WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. I RELEASED THE BRAKE AND APPLIED SLIGHT PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR WITH THE CAR IN REVERSE GEAR: IT LURCHED BACKWARD AND THE BRAKE COULD NOT STOP IT, THOUGH A NEIGHBOR'S GARAGE DID. WHEN I DROVE IT FORWARD TO PARK IT THE CAR SPED …
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MY WIFE'S 2012 ODYSSEY TOURING WAS PARKED ON THE RAMP TO OUR GARAGE, WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. I RELEASED THE BRAKE AND APPLIED SLIGHT PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR WITH THE CAR IN REVERSE GEAR: IT LURCHED BACKWARD AND THE BRAKE COULD NOT STOP IT, THOUGH A NEIGHBOR'S GARAGE DID. WHEN I DROVE IT FORWARD TO PARK IT THE CAR SPED FORWARD THIRTY FEET OR SO BEFORE IT OBEYED THE BRAKE. THE GARAGE WILL NEED A NEW DOOR -- AT LEAST -- BUT THE CAR SUFFERED MINOR DAMAGE, EXCEPT THAT THE TAILLIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF.
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON MY 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY MULTIPLE TIMES. THE BRAKES VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN LONG HILLS OR MOUNTAINS. THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL SHAKES EXCESSIVELY AND IS HARD F…
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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON MY 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY MULTIPLE TIMES. THE BRAKES VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN LONG HILLS OR MOUNTAINS. THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL SHAKES EXCESSIVELY AND IS HARD FOR MY WIFE TO CONTROL. I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE HAD A UNIQUE PROBLEM BUT HAVE READ THAT MANY OTHER HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IN FACT HNDA HAS STATE THAT THE DISC DESIGN DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THE HEAT FROM BRAKING TO DISSIPATE THUS WARPING THE DISC. HONDA CONSIDERED IT AS MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND PART OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM, BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE. REQUEST ASSISTNACE IN MAKING THIS A RECALL ISSUE FOR THIS CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE!
WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR GOING DOWN HILL GET VIBRATION THROUGH STEERING WHEEL MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE, LITERALLY SHAKES WHOLE CAR
HAVE VIBRATION UP THRU STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM ORIGINALLY BECAME NOTICEABLE INSIDE OF 10,000 MILES. BY 36,000 MILES SHAKING WAS SEVERE WHEN BRAKING HARD AT HIGH SPEED ESPECIALLY GOING DOWNHILL, BUT ALSO NOTICEABLE, AT LOWER IN CITY DRIVING SPEEDS, WHEN BRAKING AND AFTER THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN USED AND HEATED UP. AT 36,773 MILES T…
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HAVE VIBRATION UP THRU STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM ORIGINALLY BECAME NOTICEABLE INSIDE OF 10,000 MILES. BY 36,000 MILES SHAKING WAS SEVERE WHEN BRAKING HARD AT HIGH SPEED ESPECIALLY GOING DOWNHILL, BUT ALSO NOTICEABLE, AT LOWER IN CITY DRIVING SPEEDS, WHEN BRAKING AND AFTER THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN USED AND HEATED UP. AT 36,773 MILES THE DEALER TURNED THE ROTORS WHICH ELIMINATED THE VIBRATION FOR A TIME. BUT MUCH LIKE THE CONDITION WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW, THE VIBRATION, OVER TIME AND USE, HAS RETURNED AND IS ONCE AGAIN SEVERE. THIS IS CAUSED BY FAULTY DESIGN OF THE BRAKE ROTORS WHICH WHEN HEATED UP FROM USE WARP CAUSING UNEVEN WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS WHICH OVER TIME CAUSES THE VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. HONDA COVERED HALF THE COST FOR THE REPAIR AT 36,773 MILES. DOUBT THEY'LL DO ANYTHING THIS TIME WHEN I TAKE THE CAR IN AGAIN FOR REPAIR AT 73,000 MILES. OWNERS SHOULD NOT GET STUCK WITH COSTLY REPAIRS DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN PREVALENT OF OTHER MODEL YEAR ODYSSEYS AND PILOTS.
Official recalls
517V725000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly
Nov 17, 2017
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 & remedy
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.
16V933000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly
Dec 27, 2016
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 & remedy
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.
13V143000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Apr 15, 2013
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 & remedy
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.
13V016000 · Air Bags
Jan 18, 2013
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 & remedy
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.
11V602000 · Suspension:front
Dec 22, 2011
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP26005 · Inadvertent Deployment Of Air Bags
Opened Jul 13, 2026 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module; Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module:software
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition is requesting an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contends 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 alleges that the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. The Petitioner cites 10 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition andconduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11744118.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition is requesting an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contends 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 alleges that the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. The Petitioner cites 10 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition andconduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11744118.
Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module:software
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition is requesting an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contends 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 alleges that the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. The Petitioner cites 10 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition andconduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11744118.
Air Bags
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition is requesting an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contends 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 alleges that the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. The Petitioner cites 10 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition andconduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11744118.