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: seats
14 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Seats, Sep 20, 2026
My vehicle electrical system has been acting up since I got vehicle and I don't know where to take vehicle for recent recalls to fix it.
Seats, Jul 13, 2020
IN TWO DIFFERENT OCCATIONS, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN A MOTION THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT SUDDENLY GO DOWN AND THE MOUNT PLASTIC COVER GET DISASSEMBLE. IT IS A SECURITY PROBLEM. IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT. IT IS A SAFETY RISK.
Wheels, Seats, Feb 27, 2020
PURCHASED 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 49K MILES, LOOKED LIKE NEW INSIDE AND OUT, DEALERSHIP PREPPED VEHICLE, INCLUDING NEW TIRES, A FEW MINOR REPAIRS WERE NEEDED, REQUESTED EVERYTHING BE GONE OVER, VEHICLE SAFETY WAS A PRIORITY. I GAVE THEM AN ADDITIONAL MONTH TO ORDER PARTS AND TO TAKE THEIR TIME TO MAKE SURE ALL WAS COMPLETED PROPERLY. DISCOVERED THE NEW ALL SEASON TIRES WERE REALLY DEDICATED MICHELIN WINTER TIRES AS I AM DRIVING ALL SUMMER, HIGHWAY INTERSTATE. THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THE CORRODED, LEAKING TPMS SENOR/VALVE STEMS, THEY LEFT THE ORIGINAL ONES IN. WHILE ON AN OUT OF STATE TRIP, THE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO DISCOVERED THE(2) SAFETY LATCH RECALLS FROM HONDA WERE STILL OPEN AS I AM DRIVING MY KIDS AND OTHER STUDENTS IN OUR VAN. THE DEALERSHIP SALESMAN ENSURED ME ALL WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AS HE HAD CHILDREN HIMSELF. HE WAS SENDING THE VEHICLE TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR THE KEY CYLINDER REPLACEMENT. TURNS OUT THE VEHICLE HAD 3 OPEN RECALLS. NON REPAIRED AND THEY ASSURED ME THEY HAD BEEN FIXED. THEY MARKETED THE VAN AS A LOCAL TRADE IN, LATER TO FIND OUT THE DEALERSHIP PURCHASED THE VAN AT AN OUT OF STATE AUCTION. I HAD TO PUT NEW ALL SEASON TIRES ON AND REPLACED THE LEAKING TPMS UNITS, THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUES AS I HAD REPAIRS COMPLETED AT A HONDA DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU REIMBURSED ME FOR THE SMALL REPAIRS, BUT REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE TIRES OR TPMS UNITS, DISMISSING ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. THERE IS NO LOVE OR SAFETY AT THIS SUBARU DEALERSHIP . ALL DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL COMPLAINT. A BIG QUESTION IS ABOUT THE VEHICLES HISTORY FROM AN AUCTION AND WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN COVERED UP AND NOT DISCLOSED.
Seats, Jan 15, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME SO I HAD TO QUICKLY HIT MY BREAKS TO AVOID A CAR ACCIDENT WITH THE OTHER CAR BUT IN THE PROCESS THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT THAT IS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT AUTOMATICALLY FLIPPED DOWN THEN FLEW FORWARD RAMMING THE BACK OF MY SEAT AND MY BACK VERY HARD. LUCKILY MY SON WAS SITTING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE VAN AND WAS NOT SITTING IN THAT SEAT. BUT THE SEAT KEPT SLAMMING BACK AND FORTH INTO MY BACK UNTIL I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER TO LATCH THE SEAT BACK INTO PLACE. I HAVE TRIED CALLING MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT HAVING MY SEATS CHECKED OUT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN SCARED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AFTER THE INCIDENT BUT THEY TOLD ME THEY CANNOT HELP ME. ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THERE IS NOT JUST ONE BUT TWO RECALLS ON THE 2ND PASSENGER ROW OF MY HONDA ODYSSEY. SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK WITH THE NEW INFORMATION ON THE RECALLS, BUT I WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE ISSUES WITH MY SEATS. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE BUT MY LOWER BACK HAS BEEN HURTING EVER SINCE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED BUT IM WORRIED IF I KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE SEAT SHOULD UNLOCK AGAIN THEN IT COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE ME/MY BACK EVEN MORE OR WORSE CAUSE ME TO WRECK.
Seats, Apr 23, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT IS EJECTING FROM THE FLOOR BOARD AND IS RECLINING ON IT'S OWN WHEN BREAKING OR GOING FORWARD. BOTH ON CITY & HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENED FIRST ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO SUDDENLY BRAKE BECAUSE ANOTHER CAR CUT HIM OFF AND OUR 8 YR OLD SON WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND SUDDENLY WENT FORWARD AND SIDEWAYS AND THE SEAT RECLINED AND WOULD NOT STAY IN POSITION. THE SEAT CAME OFF THE FLOOR BOARD BRACKETS WHICH ARE SHOWN IN THE PHOTOS . ALSO IN ONE PHOTO YOU WILL SEE THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE SMALLER SEAT IN THE MIDDLE HOW FAR IT CAME OFF THE BRACKETS.
Seats, Feb 3, 2018
THE BACK SEAT INVOLUNTARILY MOVES FORWARD WHILE DRIVING.
Seats, Jan 3, 2018
THERE IS A RECALL FOR SECOND ROW BUT IT IS THIRD ROW THAT DOES NOT CLAMP DOWN AND IS LOSE. IT TOOK ME 2 HOURS TO WIGGLE INTO CLAMP POSITION AS IT WAS NOT SAFE. IF I UNCLAMP, IT WILL NOT CLAMP AGAIN.
Seats, Jan 3, 2018
THE VAN HAS ABOUT 38000 MILES. THE THIRD ROW SEAT DOES NOT HOOK IN CLAMP AND IS LOSE. IT IS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS STATIONARY POSITION.
Seats, Nov 20, 2017
2ND ROW SEAT FLIPPED FORWARD DURING MODERATELY HARD BRAKING, INJURING MY CHILD WITH A BUSTED LIP AND SCRATCHES. SHE WAS 6 YRS OLD AND SECURED IN A 5 PT HARNESS CHILD SAFETY SEAT THAT WAS SECURED INTO THIS 2ND ROW SEAT. THE SEAT FLIPPED FORWARD WITH HER IN IT CAUSING HER TO STRIKE THE BACK OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE SEAT CAN BE MANUAL UNLATCHED FOR REMOVAL AND TO SLIDE IT SIDEWAYS, WHICH WE HAD DONE. APPARENTLY IT NEVER LATCHED BACK PROPERLY, BUT IT APPEARED TO BE FULLY LATCHED. WE WERE TRAVELING BETWEEN 35 AND 40MPH WHEN WE HAD TO STOP UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE SEAT FLIPPED FORWARD. IT WAS IN AMARILLO TX ON A CITY STREET WHEN A SHORT GREEN LIGHT QUICKLY CYCLED TO YELLOW, THEN RED. THIS EVENT HAPPENED JUNE 27, 2015. WE NOW "CHECK" AND MAKE SURE BOTH KID'S SEATS ARE LATCHED (THE BEST WE CAN) BY PULLING FORWARD, WITH HEAVY FORCE, ON THE SEATS WHEN BUCKLING KIDS IN THOSE SEATS. THERE APPEARS TO NOW BE EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE LATCH MECHANISM WHEN PERFORMING THIS "CHECK" THAT I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH. I FEEL THESE SEATS NEED TO BE REPLACED AND ARE NOT SAFE. THESE SEATS USED TO SECURE TO THE VEHICLE TIGHTLY, BUT NOW THERE IS EXCESSIVE "PLAY" AND LOTS OF "COMPLIANCE" IN THE SEAT FASTENING SYSTEM THAT SECURES IT TO THE VEHICLE. I'M NOT CONFIDENT, EVEN AFTER MY TRIPLE CHECKING IT EVERY TIME, THAT THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
Seats, Mar 21, 2017
2ND ROW SEAT SWUNG FORWARD SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND BRAKED AT A STOPLIGHT. I BELIEVE THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE CURRENT RECALL OF HONDA ODYSSEYS. MY DAUGHTER RAMMED HER CHIN AGAINST THE FRONT SEAT.
Seats, Jan 10, 2017
I'M SUBMITTING THIS NOW IN RESPONSE TO AN EVENT THAT HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, TRIGGERED BY A DEC. 27 2017 RECALL NOTICE. MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED AS AFFECTED BUT I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. ON THAT DAY, A SECOND ROW OUTBOARD SEAT TIPPED FORWARD AND BANGED AGAINST THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT DURING A SUDDEN DECELERATION (WE WERE GOING DOWN A SMALL HILL TOWARD A STOPLIGHT, WHERE A VEHICLE APPEARED IN CROSS-TRAFFIC AND UNEXPECTEDLY BLEW THROUGH ITS RED LIGHT, REQUIRING A SUDDEN STOP BY OUR VEHICLE). MY THEN-3-YEAR-OLD WAS SEATED IN HIS FORWARD FACING CAR SEAT, A BRITAX MARATHON CONNECTED USING THE LATCH ANCHOR SYSTEM, AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SEAT/CAR SEAT COMBINATION FLIPPED FORWARD. HE WAS SHAKEN AND SLIGHTLY BRUISED BUT OTHERWISE FINE, I BELIEVE AS A RESULT OF THE PROTECTION FROM THE SIDE WINGS OF THE CAR SEAT. AT THE TIME THE SECOND ROW SEATS HAD NOT RECENTLY BEEN MOVED. ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR THEY HAD BEEN REMOVED FOR HAULING A LARGE PIECE OF FURNITURE. AFTERWARD I REINSTALLED THE VEHICLE SEATS AND BELIEVED THEM TO BE FULLY AND FIRMLY AFFIXED TO THE VEHICLE. I WAS EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED BY NOT ONLY THE TIPPING EVENT ITSELF, BUT BY THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE SEAT HAD BEEN DANGEROUSLY UNATTACHED DURING THOSE TWO WEEKS. I INTENDED TO SUBMIT A REPORT BUT THEN DOUBTED MYSELF. HOWEVER, THE CONFIRMATION FROM THE RECENT RECALL NOTICE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR SOME HONDA ODYSSEY VEHICLES (AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A REPAIR AVAILABLE) IMMEDIATELY MADE ME WANT TO SUBMIT THIS REPORT.
Seats, Dec 31, 2016
MY 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE 2ND (BACK) ROW LEVER OR LATCH - I COULDN'T GET IT TO PROPERLY LATCH. IT CAUSED THE SEAT TO BE LOOSE AND IT WOULD GO BACKWARDS SOMETIMES WHEN I STOPPED. ON OCTOBER 6, 2016, I PAID $345.00 TO HONDA OF JEFFERSON CITY TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I WANT HONDA TO REFUND MY $345.00.
Seats, Nov 13, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD NOT FAR FROM MY HOME. MY SON WAS SITTING BEHIND ME ON THE CAR SEAT. AND WHEN I WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, I HEARD A HUGE BANG BEHIND ME AND THEN SUDDENLY MY SON'S CRYING! I LOOKED BEHIND ME AND SURPRISINGLY FOUND THAT THE SEAT BEHIND ME ON WHICH MY SON AND HIS CAR SEAT WAS SITTING FLIPPED OVER AND HIT MY SEAT IN THE BACK. MY SON'S FACE WAS INJURED AND BLEEDING. AND IT WAS VERY CLOSE TO HIS EYES. I WAS THINKING HOW CAN THAT HAPPEN! I WAS JUST AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH AND THE SEAT CAN FLIP OVER LIKE THAT. IF I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY OR HIGH WAY, WHAT WILL BE THE RESULT? IT'S TOO DANGEROUS! I CANNOT IMAGINE IT. DESPITE THE INJURY ON MY SON'S FACE, I DO THINK MY SON HAS MENTAL INJURY. AFTER THAT HAPPENED, HE WOKE UP AND CRIED SEVERAL TIMES DURING NIGHT. HOWEVER, HE WAS SUCH A GOOD SLEEPER BEFORE. AND HE WAS AFRAID TO TAKE ANY VEHICLE AGAIN. HE BECAME VERY INDEPENDENT SINCE THEN. THEREFORE, I REALLY THINK THERE IS MENTAL INJURY ON MY SON. *TR
Seats, Jul 14, 2014
SEAT HEAD RESTRAINT CAUSES NECK STRAIN AND REQUIRES VISITS TO DOCTOR OR CHIROPRACTOR. *TR