The Lemon Index2012 Honda Accord.
The 2012 Honda Accord is better than average by owner complaints: 184 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 51, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about seats, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 21 to 27 mpg combined. The best Honda Accord year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 381 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda Accord year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 68K miles on the car (276 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- seats complaints mostly came at 0K–4K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 28K–99K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 3K–52K miles
Recalls 8
- airbags 2019
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high …
- airbags 2019
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 8 recalls
- airbags 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2012
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ACCORD AND CROSSTOUR VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 50 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The engine shuts off, power on, but in accessory; never use conventional wheel & tire assemblies
- Engine has a loud rattling noise at a cold start up
- On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedAutoliv air bag propellant mixture2012
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Accord 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Honda Accord 2 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| Honda Accord V6 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Honda Accord V6 2 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2400–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Front seats are uncomfortable and cause neck and back pain on any drive >30 minutes. Pain lasts for hours.
2012 Honda Accord owner · NHTSA complaint 10457198
More owner reports
Very uncomfortable front seats are causing back problems and driving discomfort.
NHTSA complaint 10471341
Brand new Honda Accord coupe 2012 ex-l with steering wheel vibration noticed on the interstate while driving home at the speed of 60+.
NHTSA complaint 10473794
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Honda Accord reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 51; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Accord year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2012 Honda Accord problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are seats (33%), steering (11%) and brakes (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Honda Accord have?
8 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Honda Accord get?
21 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Honda Accord safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Honda Accord problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 3,200 and 68,800 miles. The middle report was at 27,500 miles, from 276 complaints.
Does the 2012 Honda Accord have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Honda Accord cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Honda Accord have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Accord year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2012 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works