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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
15,000 miles · Oct 13, 2016
EngineService BrakesSteering

THERE WAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND UPON INSPECTION, HONDA NOTIFIED ME THAT THE PISTON RING REPLACEMENT WAS NECESSARY AND THAT HONDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100K MILES. THE PROBLEM WAS THE TIMING BELT AND FEW OTHER PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WOULD GET DAMAGED DURING THIS WARRANTY REPAIR. HONDA REFUSED TO PAY FOR …

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THERE WAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND UPON INSPECTION, HONDA NOTIFIED ME THAT THE PISTON RING REPLACEMENT WAS NECESSARY AND THAT HONDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100K MILES. THE PROBLEM WAS THE TIMING BELT AND FEW OTHER PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WOULD GET DAMAGED DURING THIS WARRANTY REPAIR. HONDA REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT AND MADE ME PAY ALMOST $800.00 IN PARTS AND LABOR. 2. MY CAR STARED TO VIBRATE EVERY TIME I BRAKED FROM ABOUT 15K MILES. I TOOK IT IN AND INSTEAD OF MAKING THE PROPER REPAIRS THE SERVICE CENTER HAD THE FRONT ROTORS RE-SURFACED 3 TIMES. THE PROBLEM KEPT ON COMING BACK BECAUSE THE FRONT ROTORS ARE UNDERSIZED FOR THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO BUY MY OWN FRONT ROTORS FROM A GENERIC MAKER ALONG WITH PADS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT COST ME $350 FOR PARTS AND $200 AT HONDA SERVICE CENTER TO REPAIR IT PROPERLY. 3. THERE'S A POPPING SOUND WHEN I MAKE TURNS. I'VE ADDRESSED IT AND NO ONE WILL FIX IT. I DON'T THINK ITS NORMAL THAT CLICKING AND POPPING SOUND COMES WHILE STEERING.

NHTSA ODI #10915766

40,000 miles · Sep 28, 2016
Service Brakes

HONDA ODYSSEY ARE NOT MANUFACTURING OR FABRICATING QUALITY PRODUCTS. I HAD SAME ISSUE WITH MY 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY EX AS MENTIONED IN THE LINK BELOW HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/HONDA/ODYSSEY/2013/BRAKES/SERVICE_BRAKES.SHTML BRAKES VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY WHEN BRAKE APPLIED, AND WHEN AT LEGAL SPEEDS OF 60 OR 70 VEHICLE IS SOMET…

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HONDA ODYSSEY ARE NOT MANUFACTURING OR FABRICATING QUALITY PRODUCTS. I HAD SAME ISSUE WITH MY 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY EX AS MENTIONED IN THE LINK BELOW HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/HONDA/ODYSSEY/2013/BRAKES/SERVICE_BRAKES.SHTML BRAKES VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY WHEN BRAKE APPLIED, AND WHEN AT LEGAL SPEEDS OF 60 OR 70 VEHICLE IS SOMETIMES HARD TO CONTROL. MY MECHANICS THAT WORK ON THESE VEHICLES AND AFTER SEARCHING THE WEB IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE DISC DESIGN DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THE HEAT FROM BRAKING TO DISSIPATE THUS WARPING THE DISC. MY MECHANIC TRIED TO FIX IT BY SURFACING YOUR ORIGINAL DISC BUT FOUND THAT DUE TO THE CASTING OR FABRICATION ISSUES SURFACING WAS NOT POSSIBLE, AND REVEALING ROUGH RING SURFACES AGAIN AND AGAIN AFTER REPEATED RESURFACING. AS IT COULD CAUSE A SEVERE ACCIDENT, I GOT IT REPLACED RIGHT WAY TO AVOID ACCIDENT WITH AFTERMARKET ONE THAT IS RUSTED QUICKLY THAT I DO NOT LIKE. I FEEL HONDA SHOULD REPLACE THE ORIGINAL DISCS THROUGH A NEAREST HONDA DEALER WITH NEWLY DESIGNED ONES TO ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I COMPLAINED, HONDA CONSIDERED IT AS MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND PART OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM, BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE. THEIR SUPPLIER MAKES BAD BRAKE ROTOR. RESURFACING SHOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND ROTOR SHOULD NOT REVEAL ROUGH RING SURFACE (PHOTO ATTACHED) - THIS IS GENERAL MAINTENANCE ON BRAKES. I AM HAPPY TO HAND OVER OR SHIP THE DEFECTIVE DISC IF YOU NEED IT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION IN RESPECT TO ITS QUALITY AND MANUFACTURING ISSUES WITH THE VENDOR.

NHTSA ODI #10910289

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2016
Exterior LightingCrash

LOW BEAMS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH FOR DRIVING.. CAN'T SEE SEE MOST OR ANY SIGN CLEARLY ON DARK HIGHWAY AND ROADS. VERY UNSAFE AND SCARY TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #10891863

40,000 miles · Jun 13, 2016
Service Brakes

VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING.. HAD TAKEN IT TO THE HONDA SERVICE TWICE, THEY SAID THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND FIXED IT TWICE AND STILL THE ISSUE IS REPEATING.

NHTSA ODI #10874012

36,000 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING 37 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 01/31/1…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING 37 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 01/31/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10873100

25,055 miles · Jun 5, 2016
Service Brakes

"TAKATA RECALL" I AM DRIVING AND WHEN I HAVE TO BRAKE AT A TURN, THE BRAKES DON'T WANT TO WORK. I WAS PRESSING WAY DOWN, ALMOST PUSHING AT THE FLOOR THEN THEY TAKE A GRAB. THAT'S RIDICULOUS. I DRIVE ON A ROAD WHERE VIEWS NEAR TURNS ARE NOT VISIBLE AT ALL. SOMEONE DRIVES OUT AND YOU HAVE TO BRAKE IN A SECOND, AND BRAKES DON'T WAN…

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"TAKATA RECALL" I AM DRIVING AND WHEN I HAVE TO BRAKE AT A TURN, THE BRAKES DON'T WANT TO WORK. I WAS PRESSING WAY DOWN, ALMOST PUSHING AT THE FLOOR THEN THEY TAKE A GRAB. THAT'S RIDICULOUS. I DRIVE ON A ROAD WHERE VIEWS NEAR TURNS ARE NOT VISIBLE AT ALL. SOMEONE DRIVES OUT AND YOU HAVE TO BRAKE IN A SECOND, AND BRAKES DON'T WANT TO GRAB. WITH FOUR KIDS, YOU ARE PUTTING EVERYONE IN DANGER BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

NHTSA ODI #10872596

60,000 miles · May 30, 2016
Electrical System

THE BATTERY CUTS OUT WHEN I DRIVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER MORE THAN 2" HIGH. THE DASHBOARD BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON & THE STEERING LOCKS. THIS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN I AM MAKING A RIGHT TURN & HAVE TO DRIVE THROUGH THAT PUDDLE THAT COLLECTS ON THE CORNER. THIS IS VERY COMMON IN RAINY SOUTH FLORIDA. WHEN I'M IN THE TURN & THE BATTER…

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THE BATTERY CUTS OUT WHEN I DRIVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER MORE THAN 2" HIGH. THE DASHBOARD BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON & THE STEERING LOCKS. THIS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN I AM MAKING A RIGHT TURN & HAVE TO DRIVE THROUGH THAT PUDDLE THAT COLLECTS ON THE CORNER. THIS IS VERY COMMON IN RAINY SOUTH FLORIDA. WHEN I'M IN THE TURN & THE BATTERY CUTS OT & THE STEERING LOCKS UP, I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE STRAIGHT & PRAY THAT ANOTHER CAR IS NOT RIGHT NEXT TO ME, THAT I'LL END UP SLAMMING INTO. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE EXPLIANED TO ME THAT, APPARENTLY, A BATTERY CABLE IS MOUNTED TOO LOW ON THE CAR. PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA ODI #10871412

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2016
Service Brakes

LIKE MANY OTHERS HERE, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY ROTORS WARPING. I HAD MY FIRST PROBLEM RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I HAD TAKEN A LONG ROAD TRIP OVER THE SUMMER, AND THE MILES PUSHED ME OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAD TO PAY THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER TO RESURFACE THE ROTORS(OVER $200!). LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER, I EXPERIENCED T…

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LIKE MANY OTHERS HERE, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY ROTORS WARPING. I HAD MY FIRST PROBLEM RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I HAD TAKEN A LONG ROAD TRIP OVER THE SUMMER, AND THE MILES PUSHED ME OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAD TO PAY THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER TO RESURFACE THE ROTORS(OVER $200!). LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME SHAKING ETC WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. HONDA DID RESURFACE THEM A SECOND TIME AT THEIR COST (SINCE IT WAS WITHIN ONE YEAR). I WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME BY THE DEALER, THAT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THE ROTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. IT'S NOW 10 MONTHS LATER, AND ONCE AGAIN I AM EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME. I WAS TOLD BY MORE THAN ONE EMPLOYEE THAT THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM OFTEN, AND THAT THIS STYLE VAN IS MUCH HEAVIER THAN MY OLD ODYSSEY, AND THAT'S WHY THEY ARE WARPING, UNLIKE MY LAST VAN. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED! I NOW HAVE TO PAY THEM FOR NEW ROTORS AND PADS, AND I KNOW THAT IN A YEAR, WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AND AGAIN! SHAME ON HONDA FOR NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS.

NHTSA ODI #10865168

70,000 miles · Apr 19, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

CAR SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING (LUCKILY IN PARKING LOT). WOULD NOT RE-START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC. WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE RIGHT WIRING HARNESS. NO DAMAGE VISIBLE TO WIRING HARNESS. ~70,000 MILES ON VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10860437

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2016
Steering

THERE IS A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THE FOLLOWING WAS REPORTED: "HEARD NOISE COMING FROM POWER STEERING" "COMPARED TO NEW UNIT AND HAD SAME NOISE" "NOISE IS FROM PRESSURE BEING PUT ON PUMP ON TIGHT TURNS. NO ISSUE WITH THE SYSTEM FOUND" "NO REPAIRS TO BE MADE AT THIS TIME". FEEL NOT SAFE …

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THERE IS A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THE FOLLOWING WAS REPORTED: "HEARD NOISE COMING FROM POWER STEERING" "COMPARED TO NEW UNIT AND HAD SAME NOISE" "NOISE IS FROM PRESSURE BEING PUT ON PUMP ON TIGHT TURNS. NO ISSUE WITH THE SYSTEM FOUND" "NO REPAIRS TO BE MADE AT THIS TIME". FEEL NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10821807

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.