2012 Honda Odyssey
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 245 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 26 Odyssey model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 14 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 22 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seats, mid/rear assemblyNov 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.
If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 17V725000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, mid/rear assemblyDec 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.
An unlocked second row outboard seat increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V933000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionApr 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."
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.
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.
Campaign 13V143000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJan 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V016000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, frontDec 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 11V602000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
37 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jul 25, 2017
I JUST HAD TO HAVE THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR MOTOR REPLACED ON MY ODYSSEY. THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE, THEY DOOR WOULD SHUT ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY AND THEN STOP. SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MOTOR WAS BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE ODYSSEY WAS DESIGNED WITH A SWITCH WHERE YOU CAN DISABLE THE MOTORIZED FEATURE AND OPEN/CLOSE THE DOOR MANUALLY. HOWEVER, WHEN MY MOTOR WENT BAD, I WAS UNABLE TO MANUALLY OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR. SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THAT THE CABLE SYSTEM RUNS THROUGH THE MOTOR SO WHEN IT WENT BAD, THE CABLES WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION ALLOWING MANUAL OPERATION. THIS SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW THAT CAN POSE A SAFETY ISSUE AS MY DOOR WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION UNABLE TO CLOSE. THIS OCCURRED AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 6, 2017
THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY TERMINAL POST WHILE DRIVING AT FULL HIGHWAY SPEED (75 MPH)!! THIS RESULTED IN COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, BUT THE DOOR LOCKS WERE LOCKED AND INOPERABLE. WITHOUT POWER I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS OR ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS. WITHOUT POWER I HAD NO AIR CONDITIONING. I WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR ON A HOT DAY. THE BATTERY CABLE MISMATCH (CLAMP TOO BIG TO TIGHTEN COMPLETELY ON POST) IS A KNOWN ODYSSEY PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED ON ONLINE FORUMS. DOOR AUTO-LOCKING PROBLEMS IN A VARIETY OF HONDA MODELS HAVE ALSO BEEN DOCUMENTED. PUTTING THE TWO TOGETHER IS A DEADLY MIX. WITHOUT A CELL PHONE TO CALL MY HUSBAND AND 911, I AND MY THREE SMALL DOGS WOULD HAVE DIED IN THE HOT CAR. THIS IS A FATAL DESIGN FLAW.
Electrical system, May 30, 2016
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 7, 2016
THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE UNDERSIZED AND WILL WARP WITH USE CAUSING VIBRATION DURING BRAKING. THE HOMELINK STAYS ON EVEN AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF WITH KEY REMOVED CAUSING THIEF TO OPEN YOUR GARAGE DOOR WHEN THEY BREAK INTO THE CAR AND HAVING ACCESS TO HOMES BECAUSE THE HOMELINK STAYS ON CONSTANTLY.
Electrical system, Structure, Dec 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED, BUT WOULD NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY. IT REMAINED IN THE MIDDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR MOTOR AND ROLLERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Electrical system, Nov 24, 2015
WE HAD SOMETHING PLUGGED INTO THE AC OUTLET IN THE THIRD ROW. CAR WAS RUNNING BUT PARKED IN A LOT. CHILD PULLED CORD AND THE WHOLE COVER OF THE UNIT WAS PULLED OFF. EXPOSED PROTECTED WIRES BUT ALSO A SCREW THAT WAS "LIVE". CHILD RECEIVED FULL BODY ELECTRIC SHOCK TOUCHING THE SCREW. COVER WAS EASILY REPLACED, BUT CHILDREN SIT IN THE THIRD ROW.
Electrical system, Tires, Wheels, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Nov 11, 2014
TPM(TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR) LIGHT INDICATING LOW PRESSURE WHEN THERE IS NO ERROR. DEALER (SAN MARCO,TEXAS) CLAIMS THE ISSUE IS DUE TO CELL PHONE CHARGER INTERFERENCE WITH TPM SYSTEM. DEALER CLAIMS HONDA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND SENT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN TO LIMIT THE CELL PHONE CHARGER TO LESS THAN TWENTY MINUTES TO PREVENT THE TPM FAULT CODE AND DASH LIGHT FROM BEING SET. IN MY PROFESSIONAL OPTION, HONDA AMERICA HAS WHAT IS KNOWN AS A 'CONDUCTIVE ELECTRO-MAGNETIC INTERFERENCE" ISSUE WITH THEIR SYSTEM. BASED ON WHAT HAS BEEN COMMUNICATED, I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ELEMENTARY DESIGN FLAW WITH THEIR SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS EITHER THE TRANSMITTED ENERGY OR INTERNAL GENERATED SIGNALS OF CELL PHONE TO BE COUPLED INTO THEIR SYSTEM USING THE BATTERY LINES. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 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 THE GLOVE BOX POWER, BUT THE IPAD INDICATED THAT IT WAS NOT CHARGING. CONCERN: HEALTH AND SAFETY. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2013, fire
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 LEVEL OF FOLLOW UP. I WORK IN THE RISK MANAGEMENT / LOSS CONTROL AREA PROFESSIONALLY AND THIS HAS CERTAINLY SCARED ME. ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP I AM WILLING TO DO SO. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 21, 2012
THE SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS ON THE DASH BOARD ARE VERY EASY TO SEE AT NIGHT. HOWEVER, IN DAYLIGHT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE OTHER INSTRUMENTS, PARTICULARLY IF WEARING POLAROID SUNGLASSES. THE NUMBERS ON THE SPEEDOMETER ARE GREY ON GREY. THAT AND THE LED LIGHTING MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS GOING. IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE MOTORISTS HAVE TO SPEND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF EXTRA TIME LOOKING AT THE SPEEDOMETER IN ORDER TO SEE HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS GOING. WHILE THE MOTORISTS ARE LOOKING AT THE SPEEDOMETER, THEY CAN'T SEE THE ROAD AND THEY CAN'T SEE POTENTIAL TRAFFIC CONFLICTS. EARLIER MODELS OF HONDA ODYSSEY DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. HONDA KNOWS HOW TO MAKE THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTS CLEARLY VISIBLE IN DAYLIGHT. NO NEW TECHNOLOGY HAS TO BE DEVELOPED TO MITIGATE THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL WAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,220. UPDATED 05/31/12*LJ
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 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