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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

244 reports
75,150 miles · May 2, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

IN A STORE PARKING LOT, THE MINIVAN WAS SHUT OFF AND PARKED, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE KEYS AND LOCKED ME IN THE MINIVAN, NOT KNOWING I WOULD HAVE NO WAY OUT OF THE MINIVAN. I WAITED IN THE MINIVAN PERHAPS 10 MINUTES. THEN, I TRIED TO LEAVE THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK, BOTH MANUALLY MOVING THE UNLOCK SWITCH…

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IN A STORE PARKING LOT, THE MINIVAN WAS SHUT OFF AND PARKED, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE KEYS AND LOCKED ME IN THE MINIVAN, NOT KNOWING I WOULD HAVE NO WAY OUT OF THE MINIVAN. I WAITED IN THE MINIVAN PERHAPS 10 MINUTES. THEN, I TRIED TO LEAVE THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK, BOTH MANUALLY MOVING THE UNLOCK SWITCH NOR HITTING THE UNLOCK BUTTON. INSTEAD THE CAR ALARM WENT OFF. I THEN TRIED TO LOWER THE POWER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER DOOR, BUT IT DID NOT WORK. I THEN TRIED TO EXIT THE DRIVER DOOR. IT WAS LOCKED. THE MANUAL SWITCH AND AUTOMATIC DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON WOULD NOT WORK. I TRIED TO OPEN THE DRIVER WINDOW THROUGH THE POWER CONTROL BUTTON AND IT DID NOT OPEN. I TRIED TO OPEN THE POWER SUNROOF. IT DID NOT OPEN. I HIT THE OPEN TRUNK BUTTON, IT DID NOT OPEN. I TRIED THE SIDE SLIDING DOORS AND THEY DID NOT UNLOCK. I MADE SURE THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS OFF AND RETRIED ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED ITEMS AND NOTHING UNLOCKED. I WAS TRAPPED IN MY MINIVAN ON A WARM DAY. I WAS SWEATING. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND TRIED EVERYTHING IN IT, BUT NONE OF IT WORKED. THE MINIVAN CAR ALARM REMAINED ON FOR A FEW MINUTES AND NO ONE WOULD HELP WALKING BY, PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THE CAR ALARM. AFTER ANOTHER FEW MINUTES, SOMEONE CAME TO THE MINIVAN AND I ASKED THEM FOR HELP AS BEST I COULD. THEY GAVE A DESCRIPTION OF MY MINIVAN/PLATE TO THE NEARBY STORE AND THEY FOUND MY HUSBAND OVER THE STORE INTERCOM. HE CAME OUT AND UNLOCKED ME WITH THE KEYS. I WAS TRAPPED IN THE MINIVAN FOR AROUND 20 MINUTES ALTOGETHER. IF NO ONE WOULD HAVE LUCKILY WALKED BY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED LONGER. I AM SCARED MY KIDS COULD GET TRAPPED IN THE MINIVAN OR I COULD GET TRAPPED AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11091466

145,588 miles · Apr 23, 2018
Seats

PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT IS EJECTING FROM THE FLOOR BOARD AND IS RECLINING ON IT'S OWN WHEN BREAKING OR GOING FORWARD. BOTH ON CITY & HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENED FIRST ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO SUDDENLY BRAKE BECAUSE ANOTHER CAR CUT HIM OFF AND OUR 8 YR OLD SON WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND SUDDENLY WENT FORWARD AND S…

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PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT IS EJECTING FROM THE FLOOR BOARD AND IS RECLINING ON IT'S OWN WHEN BREAKING OR GOING FORWARD. BOTH ON CITY & HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENED FIRST ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO SUDDENLY BRAKE BECAUSE ANOTHER CAR CUT HIM OFF AND OUR 8 YR OLD SON WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND SUDDENLY WENT FORWARD AND SIDEWAYS AND THE SEAT RECLINED AND WOULD NOT STAY IN POSITION. THE SEAT CAME OFF THE FLOOR BOARD BRACKETS WHICH ARE SHOWN IN THE PHOTOS . ALSO IN ONE PHOTO YOU WILL SEE THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE SMALLER SEAT IN THE MIDDLE HOW FAR IT CAME OFF THE BRACKETS.

NHTSA ODI #11089611

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2018
Tires

PURCHASED A WHOLE SET OF MICHELIN PRIMACY MXV4 TIRES ON 10/13/2016, WITH ODOMETER 54993. DURING THE SERVICE ON 04/18/2018, WITH ODOMETER 79700, I WAS INFORMED TWO FRONT TIRES MEASURE BELOW 2/32NDS OF AN INCH, AND THE TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11089250

73,000 miles · Apr 17, 2018
Service Brakes

THE ROTORS WRAP FROM OVERHEATING RESULTING IN SEVERE VIBRATION TO THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING DURING INCLINES.THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO BRAKE & CONTROL DUE TO SEVERE VIBRATION OF THE FRONT WHEELS.THE PROBLEM REOCCURS A SHORT TIME AFTER RESURFACING THE ROTORS. HONDA HAS ISSUED NEW REPLACEMENT VENTILATE…

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THE ROTORS WRAP FROM OVERHEATING RESULTING IN SEVERE VIBRATION TO THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING DURING INCLINES.THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO BRAKE & CONTROL DUE TO SEVERE VIBRATION OF THE FRONT WHEELS.THE PROBLEM REOCCURS A SHORT TIME AFTER RESURFACING THE ROTORS. HONDA HAS ISSUED NEW REPLACEMENT VENTILATED ROTORS BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR FREE REPLACEMENT OF THE ORIGINAL FRONT ROTORS.

NHTSA ODI #11088743

62,000 miles · Mar 11, 2018
Engine

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 CAMERA…

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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 CAMERA WHICH WIFE ALWAYS MOVES. CAR WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI #11078532

13,000 miles · Feb 20, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUSSEX HONDA AT (973) 579-3500 (LOCATED AT 57 HAMPTON HOUSE RD, NEWTON, NJ 07860) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUSSEX HONDA AT (973) 579-3500 (LOCATED AT 57 HAMPTON HOUSE RD, NEWTON, NJ 07860) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PHILLIPSBURG EASTON HONDA (400 COUNTY ROAD 519, PHILLIPSBURG, NJ 08865) WHERE NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN ENOUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 06703538. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

NHTSA ODI #11073821

55,000 miles · Feb 3, 2018
Seats

THE BACK SEAT INVOLUNTARILY MOVES FORWARD WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11066787

80,000 miles · Jan 31, 2018
Electrical System

DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. ONLINE FORUMS SUGGEST THAT IT IS A CONTINUITY ISSUE IN THE SEAT. THE HEATING WIRE HAS BROKEN SOMEWHERE NO LONGER CREATING A CLOSED CIRCUIT. LOCAL HONDA DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THE ISSUE BUT WANTS TO CHARGE $600+ TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11066003

67,200 miles · Jan 16, 2018
StructureInjury

THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR GOT DETACHED, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE MIDDLE ROLLER BROKE BUT THE DOOR SHOULD HAVE NOT DETACHED FROM THE CAR. I WAS NOT EXPECTING A HEAVY DOOR TO FALL OFF AND I INJURED MY BACK A LITTLE. THIS IS THE WAY THINGS HAPPENED. AROUND 4:40 PM, THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR DID NOT CLOSED CORRECTLY, STOPPED IN…

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THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR GOT DETACHED, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE MIDDLE ROLLER BROKE BUT THE DOOR SHOULD HAVE NOT DETACHED FROM THE CAR. I WAS NOT EXPECTING A HEAVY DOOR TO FALL OFF AND I INJURED MY BACK A LITTLE. THIS IS THE WAY THINGS HAPPENED. AROUND 4:40 PM, THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR DID NOT CLOSED CORRECTLY, STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE AND OPEN AGAIN. TRIED FOR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR BUT COULD NOT CLOSE THE DOOR. -5:20 PM, MY WIFE AND I DECIDED TO DRIVE WITH THE DOOR HALF OPEN TO OUR HOME AND DROP THE KIDS -5:40 PM WE REMOVED THE CAR SEATS TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. -6:15 PM ARRIVED A THE DEALERSHIP BUT SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CLOSED. THEY RECOMMENDED TO TRY TO CLOSE IT MANUALLY. 7:00 PM GOT BACK HOME AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOOR, THE DOOR FELL ON ME. FOLLOWING DAY AT 8:30 AM, TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, WHILE MOVING THE DOOR FELL OFF AGAIN, I ATTACHED IT AND USED PASSENGER SEAT BELT TO HOLD IT. 9:00 AM ARRIVED AT DEALERSHIP. 12:56 PM DEALERSHIP CALLED TO INDICATE THE MIDDLE ROLLER BROKE. I ASKED IF THE DOOR SHOULD HAVE FALL OF AND SERVICE AGENT SAID IT SHOULD HAVE NOT.

NHTSA ODI #11063094

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2018
Seat BeltsInjury

MY SON WAS STUCK IN THE DRIVER SIDE 3RD ROW SEAT BELT. WE WERE STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT. THE SEATBELT DID NOT GIVE OR TO RELEASE TO ALLOW US TO LOOSEN THE STRAP ACROSS HIS LAP. THE SEATBELT KEPT LOCKING AND TIGHTING ON HIS STOMACH. WE HAD TO CUT THE SEATBELT TO RELEASE HIM.

NHTSA ODI #11060974

Official recalls

5

17V725000 · 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

1

DP26005 · 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.