The Lemon Index

All cars · Honda Odyssey · 2012

2012 Honda Odyssey. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index67100 = average car
Complaints92NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold125,980U.S. model year
Per 100K sold73complaints
Year rank#4 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 2

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.5L 6-cylAuto 6-spdFWD19 / 27 / 22Regular$2,850
3.5L 6-cylAuto 5-spdFWD18 / 27 / 21Regular$2,950

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 15,000 and 72,000 miles. Median 40,400, from 186 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Brakes22,00015,000–36,00047
Engine62,50026,200–87,00026
Electrical66,60033,800–130,50026
Body structure70,00055,000–75,00015
Transmission & drivetrain22,000400–75,50018

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Brakes36%
Transmission & drivetrain15%
Steering12%
Engine10%
Speed control9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
2451461906

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 17V725000 Nov 2017 Seats / Mid/Rear Assembly

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 16V933000 Dec 2016 Seats / Mid/Rear Assembly

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. An unlocked second row outboard seat increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 13V143000 Apr 2013 Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    Defect. 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."

    Risk. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 13V016000 Jan 2013 Air Bags

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 11V602000 Dec 2011 Suspension / Front

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedInadvertent deployment of air bags20262026

Manufacturer communications 133

Honda filed 133 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • After shifting into 2nd, 3rd, or 4th gear, vehicle would surge or judder or would have hesitation
  • The engine shuts off, power on, but in accessory; never use conventional wheel & tire assemblies
  • Service bulletin - a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Honda Odyssey VAN FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20098269100,133Body structure
20106275108,182Transmission & drivetrain
201194121107,068Electrical
20126792125,980Brakes
20135282128,987Brakes
2014112155122,738Transmission & drivetrain
20157897127,736Transmission & drivetrain

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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