2012 Honda ODYSSEY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
242 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 184 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 58 of 242 complaints (24.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 66 | 27.3% |
| Steering behavior | 36 | 14.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 58 |
| Engine | 39 |
| Electrical System | 29 |
| Unknown Or Other | 23 |
| Power Train | 21 |
| Steering | 21 |
| Structure:Body | 21 |
| Seats | 13 |
Service Brakes: 58; Engine: 39; Electrical System: 29; Unknown Or Other: 23; Power Train: 21; Steering: 21; Structure:Body: 21; Seats: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 70 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 33 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 39 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 70; 25,000 to 49,999: 33; 50,000 to 74,999: 39; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 7
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (70). 58 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 14 |
| 2013 | 24 |
| 2014 | 29 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2011: 3; 2012: 14; 2013: 24; 2014: 29; 2015: 22; 2016: 17; 2017: 32; 2018: 24; 2019: 17; 2020: 16; 2021: 9; 2022: 9; 2023: 9; 2024: 5; 2025: 7; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 66 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 18 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10453829 · 2012-04-02 (April 2, 2012)
PULLING ONTO FREEWAY AND DASH LIGHTS FLASHED THEN MOTOR QUIT COMPLETELY. COASTED TO STOP ON SHOULDER WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKE POWER LEFT. VEHICLE WOULD NOT EVEN TURN ON - COMPLETE VEHICLE FAILURE. HAD IT TOWED ONCE AGAIN TO DEALER SAID A FAULTY OR SHORTED GROUND WIRE. HAVE NOT PICKED UP YET SO WILL DETERMINE IF FIXED. THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR FAILURE WITH THIS VEHICLE. HONDA DEALER NOR CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE SHOWS ANY CONCERN OR INTEREST IN OUR SITUATION. MY WIFE IS VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE OR DEPEND ON THIS CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10453829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10491607 · 2013-01-06 (January 6, 2013)
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW '12 ODYSSEY EXL-NAV (5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND FROM THE DAY I PICKED IT UP, I NOTICED A SHUDDERING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS AT A SHIFT POINT, ESPECIALLY FROM 2ND TO 3RD AND 3RD TO 4TH. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I SEE A REGISTERED COMPLIANT FOR ODYSSEY TOURING AND TOURING ELITE MODELS WITH 6-SPEED TRANSMISSIONS BUT NOT FOR THE EX OR EXLS WITH 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION [NHTSA REFERENCE #10046880;TSB REFERENCE #SB-12-064]; HOWEVER I HAVE THE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUE. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT A HONDA DEALE…
Owner-reported narrative. 137 miles reported. Look up ODI 10491607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10445166 · 2012-01-25 (January 25, 2012)
2012 HONDA ODYSSEY HAS A SHUTTERING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THIS SEEMS MOST PREVALENT AROUND 40+ MILES PER HOUR, HOWEVER, IT CAN HAPPEN AT VARYING SPEEDS. I HAVE SET AN APPOINTMENT WITH HONDA DEALER (LEHIGH VALLEY HONDA FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 31. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE CONSULTANT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS AT THIS TIME. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA MOTOR CORPORATION REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THIS VAN IS APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS OLD AND EXPERIENCING THIS SHUTTERING PROBLEM. YOU CAN FEEL THE VIBRATIONS IN THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10445166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10467810 · 2012-07-26 (July 26, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER IMPACTED HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES AND A MINOR CONTUSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE SEAT BELT AND DETERMINED THAT THEY WERE OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CU…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10467810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10534936 · 2013-08-12 (August 12, 2013)
WIFE CAME HOME PARKED IN GARAGE 1.5 - 2.5 HOURS LATER OPENED GARAGE DOOR, GARAGE FILLED WITH SMOKE, FOUND HONDA ODYSSEY HAD SELF IGNITED AND SELF EXTINGUISHED ITSELF DUE TO LACK OF OXYGEN. INCIDENT AREA AT REAR CARGO LIGHT POSSIBLY EITHER REAR CARGO LIGHT OR REAR HATCH DOOR ONLY ELECTRICAL ITEMS IN THAT AREA THAT I AM AWARE OF - JUST A GUESS - FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED TO SCENE TO WITNESS NOTE AND PROVIDE A REPORT. HAD A WINDOW BEEN CRACKED MOST LIKELY MY HOUSE WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY INCIDENT THAT DESERVES THE HIGHEST LEV…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,606 miles reported. Look up ODI 10534936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10536660 · 2013-08-22 (August 22, 2013)
ONGOING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. POSSIBLE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. MULTIPLE ONGOING PROBLEMS FROM: (1) WIFE HAS NEW PACEMAKER, SHE RECEIVED A SHOCK WHILE RESTING HER FEET/LEGS ON THE DASHBOARD (AUG. 2013), (2) DASHBOARD LIGHT(S) KEEP CHANGING IN BRIGHTNESS: WE HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, THE STAFF PLAYS DUMB, LOOKS AT US LIKE WE ARE DUMB, (3) DOCUMENTED WINDOW MALFUNCTION IN AUGUST 2012, DUE TO ELECTRICAL, (4) ELECTRICAL GADGETS SEEM TO WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO, (5) YESTERDAY (8/21/2013) HAD THE IPAD PLUGGED IN TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,192 miles reported. Look up ODI 10536660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10438700 · 2011-12-06 (December 6, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD EMIT A SHUTTERING SOUND WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10438700 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10509043 · 2013-04-22 (April 22, 2013)
2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE SLOWED DOWN OR LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE ACTED AS THOUGH IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD. IT ALSO HAPPENED WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS TO TURN A CORNER, AND WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, IT FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STALL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10509043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10550770 · 2013-11-04 (November 4, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING 78 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED, THEN POWERED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE SAFELY OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DID NOT SPECIFY WHAT COMPONENT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,050.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550770 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10949994 · 2017-02-07 (February 7, 2017)
AFTER 2 YEARS A SERIOUS FUEL LEAK OCCURRED AT THE FUEL TANK. IT WAS REPAIRED AND ASSURED THE PROBLEM SOLVED UNDER WARRANTY. AGAIN AFTER ANOTHER 2 YEARS THE SERIOUS LEAKED OCCURRED. WE PAID FOR THE REPAIR AND AGAIN ASSURED THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. WE WERE TOLD IF THE VAN TO BE SOLD THE BUYER MUST BE MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS GAVE US NO REASSURANCE. ALL PROBLEMS OCCURRED WHEN MOVING FROM PARKED POSITION.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10949994 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11641339 · 2025-02-07 (February 7, 2025)
vehicle loses acceleration power intermittently. No response when pressing accelerator or when speeding up with cruise control. Pressing the gas harder does not help but the vehicle starts working normally a few seconds later. Dangerous on busy roads. I don't think it is a weak fuel pump because it accelerated quickly after an event
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11641339 at NHTSA ↗