Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Honda Odyssey problems

Owners filed 245 complaints about the 2012 Honda Odyssey with NHTSA between Oct 2011 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (58).

Complaints
245
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
22
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes58
  2. Engine39
  3. Electrical system37
  4. Structure25
  5. Power train24
  6. Steering21
  7. Seats14
  8. Vehicle speed control13
  9. Fuel/propulsion system11
  10. Air bags10
  11. Seat belts9
  12. Wheels7
  13. Exterior lighting7
  14. Tires6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20113
201214
201324
201429
201522
201617
201732
201824
201917
202016
20219
20229
20239
20245
20257
20268

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

58 reports3 crashes
“My break petal went soft - as in goes all the way to the floor - it has been looked at by 2 different mechanics - no warning lights, no sounds, just all of a sudden no breaks - it has all new break pads, master cylinder, rotors, etc… the break petal is as soft as can be. I can not stop suddenly.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 23, 2022Service brakesODI 11494717

Engine

39 reports1 crash3 fires
“For several years now, we have misfire issue or code P0304. We continue to change spark plugs cylinders. Both usually last a year or so then they need replaced again. I research the problem, no recall or the like. I did see his report on-line, wondering if it applies to us, Warranty Extension: MIL Comes On with DTCs P0301 thru P0304. Any help would be greatly appreciated.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2025EngineODI 11684172

Electrical system

37 reports4 fires
“The contact owns a 2012 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked or while driving at undisclosed speeds, the clock on the vehicle was flashing, causing a distraction to the driver while driving. The contact stated that the flashing of the clock was controlled by satellite GPS, and the system could not be reset. The dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026Electrical systemODI 11763713

Structure

25 reports2 crashes
“A few weeks ago a cable for the sliding door on the passenger side snapped. We were able to use it manually until this weekend when the whole door fell right off when sliding it closed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 25, 2024StructureODI 11579282

Power train

24 reports1 related recall
“piston rings wore out prematurely on our 2012 honda odyssey. this was caused by the vcm system. its a known issue on hondas. it only had 88,600 miles at the time. we were driving our 2012 honda odyssey in december 2023. the check engine light began to flash. it starting running rough. we had it towed to a honda dealer for inspection. they pulled codes p303 and p304. they said the rings were worn and spark plugs fouled. they said this is a common issue because of the vcm. they peformed a rering job and with all parts and labor the cost came to $4000. we are very disgusted that this issue was already known by honda and they failed to place the vehicle on recall or wave the repair cost. they had a previous recall for this issue, but they say it was for a limited time frame. my mother only drives less than 10k miles a year, so the issue wouldnt have happened before 2016, as the miles on her van were still very low. we are issueing a complaint against honda for this issue. we are asking for reimbursement for the repair for the piston ring job which was $4000 while we had the vehicle in for this repair, we were also informed of other issues with the van, and we went…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 16, 2026Power trainODI 11738298

Steering

21 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Honda Odyssey equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: CS5 Grand Touring, Tire Size: P235/65/R17, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate abnormally. The driver was able to pull over safely and became aware of a blowout of the front passenger’s side tire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, there was an abnormal vibration in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a tire center where it was determined that the failure was linked to a busted tire core. The damaged tire and driver's side rear tire were replaced. The contact stated that while continuing to drive, the steering wheel and the vehicle continued to vibrate. The vehicle was taken to a tire center, where it was determined that the driver's side front tire had a shifted radial belt, and a bulge was detected. The tire was replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 79,694. The tire mileage was approximately 20,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 6, 2025Steering, TiresODI 11665333
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.