Photo: OSX / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2012 Honda Odyssey: common problems and reliability
An average Odyssey year.
245 owner complaints, most about service brakes. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Odyssey?The 2012 Honda Odyssey has 245 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and engine. Owners most often flag vcm (variable cylinder management) system problems: causes excessive oil consumption, fouled spark plugs, and premature piston ring wear leading to engine damage. very frequent mention for 2005-2017 models.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Honda Odyssey vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Odyssey years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Odyssey?
Across the 30 Odyssey model years we track, complaint volume runs from 27 (1997) to 990 (2018). With 245 complaints, the 2012 Odyssey sits below the model's median of 307.
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
Recalls affecting the 2012 Odyssey
seats:mid/rear assembly
Campaign 17V725000Honda (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.
seats:mid/rear assembly
Campaign 16V933000Honda (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.
suspension:front
Campaign 11V602000HONDA 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.
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 13V143000Honda 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."
Show 1 more recall
air bags
Campaign 13V016000Honda 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.
What owners say across generations
The sentiment is strongly positive regarding the Odyssey's core attributes of practicality, comfort, and long-term reliability, particularly for family transportation.
- VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) system problems
Causes excessive oil consumption, fouled spark plugs, and premature piston ring wear leading to engine damage. Very frequent mention for 2005-2017 models.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Odyssey. See the full Odyssey owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Odyssey listings typically run $13,397–$29,354.
Other Odyssey model years
Compare every Odyssey year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Odyssey against its rivals
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