2012 Honda ODYSSEY: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10430621 · 2011-10-18 (October 18, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT FAR ENOUGH FOR HIM TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS BUT THE CONTACT STATED IT DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD GIVE HIM A RETURN CALL WITHIN THE NEXT TWO DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 380.
Owner-reported narrative. 380 miles reported. Look up ODI 10430621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10435582 · 2011-11-14 (November 14, 2011)
BRAND NEW VEHICLE, NEW MODEL YEAR, COULD BE ONE OF FIRST. HEADLIGHTS ARE AS BRIGHT AS THE SUN. ANY BUMP OR INCLINE PUTS HEADLIGHTS INTO ONCOMING DRIVER EYES. MAJORITY FLASH ME THAT MY HIGH BEAMS ARE ON. THEY ARE NOT. HONDA SAYS ALL PERFECT. I CANNOT LOOK INTO LIGHT - IT IS SUN-LIKE. MY HEADLIGHTS COME UP INTO ONCOMING EYES CONSTANTLY - HONDA SAYS AIMED PERFECTLY. I ASSERT THAT THIS IS SIMPLY HIGHLY DANGEROUS; HONDA WILL DO NOTHING FOR ME. ALL IS PERFECT, THEY SAY. EVEN IF I DON'T CAUSE SOMEONE ELSE'S ACCIDENT, THE QUANTITY OF PEOPLE FLASHING ME…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10435582 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 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 10445799 · 2012-01-30 (January 30, 2012)
OUR BRAND NEW 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY TOURING ELITE JUDDERS BETWEEN 25-40 MPH BETWEEN SHIFTS. THE JUDDER CAN BE ANYWHERE FROM MILD AND VERY TRANSIENT TO ROUGH BUCKING THAT LASTS FOR OVER 2 SECONDS BEFORE IT SMOOTHS OUT. UNDER MILD OR HEAVY ACCELERATION, I HAVE NOT NOT NOTICED THE JUDDER. IT SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION. IT ALSO SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE VIOLENTLY WHILE GOING UPHILL. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST 90% OF THE TIME DURING THE SHIFT BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS UNDER MODERATE (TYPICAL) ACCELERATION. THIS JUDDER RESULTS IN A LOSS O…
Owner-reported narrative. 2 miles reported. Look up ODI 10445799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10450093 · 2012-03-02 (March 2, 2012)
HESITATION OR STUTTER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. STARTED WITH MINIMAL PROBLEMS AT FIRST AND HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. NOW HEAR CLICKING JERKING AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND EMISSION LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG THEY CAN FIND. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10450093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10451538 · 2012-03-13 (March 13, 2012)
THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND OCCASIONALLY SURGES ON ACCELERATION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451538 at NHTSA ↗
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 ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
11V602000 · Suspension:Front
Reported: 2011-12-22 (December 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V016000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2013-01-18 (January 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V143000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2013-04-15 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V933000 · Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly
Reported: 2016-12-27 (December 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V725000 · Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly
Reported: 2017-11-17 (November 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗