2012 Honda Accord: common problems and reliability

The 2012 Honda Accord has 745 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are seats and air bags. Owners most often flag valve cover gasket oil seepage on 4-cylinder models: frequency: very frequent. multiple owners report this as a common issue between 95,000 and 200,000 miles, with oem gaskets recommended over aftermarket.

Safety record for the 2012 model year

745
Owner complaints
8
Recalls
94
Crash reports
6
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Honda Accord vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2012 a good year for the Accord?

Across the 18 Accord model years we track, complaint volume runs from 267 (2022) to 2,013 (2003). With 745 complaints, the 2012 Accord sits belowthe model's median of 1,049.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

seats
128
air bags
116
steering
102
engine
88
service brakes
75

Recalls affecting the 2012 Accord

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 18V661000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles…

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 18V268000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Ins…

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 19V502000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic G…

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 19V378000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV,…

What owners report on the 9th generation Accord

Owners generally regard the 9th generation Accord as a reliable, well-built car that can last well beyond 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. The 4-cylinder models are praised for fuel economy and dependability, while the V6 is appreciated for power but cri

  • Valve cover gasket oil seepage on 4-cylinder models: Frequency: very frequent. Multiple owners report this as a common issue between 95,000 and 200,000 miles, with OEM gaskets recommended over aftermarket.
  • VSA/ABS modulator failure: Frequency: recurrent. Owners report internal failure of the ABS/VSA unit on 2013-2017 models, with replacement costs around $2,800 for the part alone. Some owners report successful repairs via module rebuild services.
  • Timing belt overdue on high-mileage V6 models: Frequency: recurrent. Multiple owners warn that neglected timing belts on V6 models are a serious risk, with the service due at 100,000 miles or 8 years.
  • V6 automatic transmission failure at high mileage: Frequency: recurrent. Several owners report V6 transmissions failing around 140,000 miles, often attributed to neglected fluid changes, though other owners dispute this and call the 6-speed automatic stout.
  • Hybrid battery degradation: Frequency: recurrent. Owners report hybrid batteries degrading noticeably between 100,000 and 150,000 miles, with replacement costs being a major concern.

Owner insights for the 9th generation Accord. Read the full 9th generation owner report.

Typical used price

Used Accord listings typically run $14,767–$27,819 across 2007 to 2026 model years.

Other Accord model years

Compare every Accord year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.

2022 Accord2020 Accord2018 Accord2017 Accord2016 Accord2015 Accord2013 Accord2011 Accord2008 Accord2007 Accord2005 Accord2004 Accord2003 Accord2002 Accord2001 Accord1999 Accord1998 Accord1996 Accord

Compare the Accord against its rivals

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