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2012 Honda Odyssey

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Honda Odyssey do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 249.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

187 reports with mileage · 57 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports6 fire reports19 injury reports

Engine complaints

39 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2021
Engine

The Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) System continues to burn my spark plugs on the rear of the engine where the VCM activates and deactivates. Spark plugs and cylinder fills with oil deposits when cylinders are deactivated. Also burning in excess of one quart of oil per 1,000 miles. Not safe to continue to drive because en…

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The Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) System continues to burn my spark plugs on the rear of the engine where the VCM activates and deactivates. Spark plugs and cylinder fills with oil deposits when cylinders are deactivated. Also burning in excess of one quart of oil per 1,000 miles. Not safe to continue to drive because engine failure could cause other systems like, power brakes, ABS, power steering wheel, etc to fail. Also unsafe unreliable to have my family to take long trips where road side assistance might not be available due to no cell telephone signal in certain areas of Texas isolated roads. Thank understand Honda has had recalls on these engines and VCM systems in the past but their fixes don’t appear to work. I am one of many Honda owners that are left out to spend thousands of dollars in new engines because of original and extended warranties expiring. Honda should extend these engine warranties and take ownership and responsibility for their engineering / manufacturing mistakes. A simple switch to turn off the VCM should fix this problem. Other car brands have this feature that allows vehicle owners to turn it off. This is the fourth time this vehicle gets either a p303, P302 or P301 code for damaged spark plugs and excess oil in the cylinder.

NHTSA ODI #11419578

130,000 miles · Nov 2, 2020
Engine

VAN STARTED TO CHUG WHEN DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND IT WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. PISTON RINGS ARE BAD AFTER 130,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11372684

155,757 miles · Oct 28, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

WAS DRIVING NORMAL STARTED MISSING AND SPUTTERING REALLY BAD JERKING VIOLENTY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING BARELY WAS ABLE TO GET SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. GOT BACK HOME IGHT GOES OFF AND DRIVES NORMAL FEW DAYS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11366934

128,438 miles · Apr 29, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFire

VAN CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11322629

100 miles · Feb 17, 2020
Engine

CYLINDER NUMBER 3 HAS MISFIRED MULTIPLE TIMES IN LAST 14,000 MILES. SPARK PLUG 3 HAD A LOT OF CARBON. WE CHANGED ALL SPARK PLUGS AND THE PC VALVE IN JULY 2018. IT MISFIRED FEW TIMES IN 2019 BUT THEN WORKED OK AFTER RESTARTING TILL FEB 2020. IT MISFIRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WE NOW CHANGED ALL SPARK PLUGS AGAIN AND IGNITION COIL OF …

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CYLINDER NUMBER 3 HAS MISFIRED MULTIPLE TIMES IN LAST 14,000 MILES. SPARK PLUG 3 HAD A LOT OF CARBON. WE CHANGED ALL SPARK PLUGS AND THE PC VALVE IN JULY 2018. IT MISFIRED FEW TIMES IN 2019 BUT THEN WORKED OK AFTER RESTARTING TILL FEB 2020. IT MISFIRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WE NOW CHANGED ALL SPARK PLUGS AGAIN AND IGNITION COIL OF CYLINDER 3

NHTSA ODI #11309672

75,000 miles · Feb 12, 2020
EnginePower Train

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK AND THE VSA CAME ON AS WELL. THIS HAPPENED AFTER I PULLED INTO OUR DRIVEWAY THANK GOODNESS BECAUSE THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE THE CAR. WE TOOK THE VAN IN OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND IT HAD A P0302 CODE. ENGINE MISFIRE. THIS WAS CAUSED BY OIL GETTING INTO THE SPARK PLUG. PISTON AND RING…

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK AND THE VSA CAME ON AS WELL. THIS HAPPENED AFTER I PULLED INTO OUR DRIVEWAY THANK GOODNESS BECAUSE THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE THE CAR. WE TOOK THE VAN IN OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND IT HAD A P0302 CODE. ENGINE MISFIRE. THIS WAS CAUSED BY OIL GETTING INTO THE SPARK PLUG. PISTON AND RING JOB WAS RECOMMENDED. THE 2012 HONDA HAD A TSB 11-033 FOR THIS ISSUE. WE ARE BEING DENIED OUR CLAIM. I AM INCLUDING A PICTURE OF OUR SPARK PLUG THAT SHOWS WHERE THERE WAS A LOT OF OIL WHEN IT WAS FIRED UPON ALONG WITH TALKS I HAVE HAD WITH HONDA.

NHTSA ODI #11308670

70,000 miles · Jan 10, 2019
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED IN THE DRIVEWAY, A LOUD EXPLOSION WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MOMENTS LATER, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ORANGE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND PROVIDED PHONE NUMBER 321-313-0541 IN LIEU OF A REPORT NUMBER.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED IN THE DRIVEWAY, A LOUD EXPLOSION WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MOMENTS LATER, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ORANGE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND PROVIDED PHONE NUMBER 321-313-0541 IN LIEU OF A REPORT NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11166205

51,000 miles · Aug 11, 2018
Engine

FREQUENT CHECK ENGINE SIGN COMING ON, MECHANIC SAID EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, OIL BURING OFF, ALTHOUGH HONDA HAS REACHED A SETTLEMENT WITH OWNERS OF ODYSSEY FROM 2008-2013 REGARDING THIS ISSUE, WHEN I CALLED WITH THE COMPLAINT THEY ARE SAYING MY 2012 ODYSSEY IS NOT ON THE LIST OF CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM. BUT MY CAR IS HAVING T…

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FREQUENT CHECK ENGINE SIGN COMING ON, MECHANIC SAID EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, OIL BURING OFF, ALTHOUGH HONDA HAS REACHED A SETTLEMENT WITH OWNERS OF ODYSSEY FROM 2008-2013 REGARDING THIS ISSUE, WHEN I CALLED WITH THE COMPLAINT THEY ARE SAYING MY 2012 ODYSSEY IS NOT ON THE LIST OF CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM. BUT MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHER OWNERS WERE HAVING.

NHTSA ODI #11119334

62,000 miles · Mar 11, 2018
Engine

SECOND REPORT OF SAME. HONDA LOOKED AT PROBLEM BUT CLAIMED CANT FIX WITHOUT COMPUTER REPORT. ENGINE ACCELERATED DANGEROUSLY WHILE IDLING FIVE TIMES AFTER EACH TURN OFF IN A PHARMACY DRIVE IN LINE. HAPPENED MARCH 9,, 9:30 AM 7TH SERIOUS INCIDENT TRYING TO FILM BUT HAVE NOT YET SUCCEEDED DUE TO PANIC AND PROXIMITY OF CAMERA…

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SECOND REPORT OF SAME. HONDA LOOKED AT PROBLEM BUT CLAIMED CANT FIX WITHOUT COMPUTER REPORT. ENGINE ACCELERATED DANGEROUSLY WHILE IDLING FIVE TIMES AFTER EACH TURN OFF IN A PHARMACY DRIVE IN LINE. HAPPENED MARCH 9,, 9:30 AM 7TH SERIOUS INCIDENT TRYING TO FILM BUT HAVE NOT YET SUCCEEDED DUE TO PANIC AND PROXIMITY OF CAMERA WHICH WIFE ALWAYS MOVES. CAR WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI #11078532

60,000 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

AFTER STOPPING THE CAR HAS TRIED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHILE THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. SIX TIMES SINCE PURCHASE, FOUR TIMES THIS YEAR. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TWICE TO HONDA SERVICE AS IT OCCURED TWICE ON THE WAY THERE FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE CAR WAS DEFINITELY STOPPED AT BUSY INTERSECTIONSA AND TURNING IT OFF DID NOT …

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AFTER STOPPING THE CAR HAS TRIED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHILE THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. SIX TIMES SINCE PURCHASE, FOUR TIMES THIS YEAR. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TWICE TO HONDA SERVICE AS IT OCCURED TWICE ON THE WAY THERE FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE CAR WAS DEFINITELY STOPPED AT BUSY INTERSECTIONSA AND TURNING IT OFF DID NOT STOP THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. IT REQUIRED TWO OR THREE ON AND OFFS IN BUSY TRAFFICE. HAVE TRIED TO VIDEOTAPE PROBLEM BUT TRAFFIC HAS SPOOKED MY ABILITY AND CONCERN THAT ENGINE WOULD BLOW, SO LOUD IS THE REARING UP. ONLY AFFIRMATION IS MY WIFE AS AN EYEWITNESS ONCE, AND TWO REPAIR BILLS THAT SHOW REPORT OF PROBLEM IN 2017. ONE IN MAY AND ONE IN NOVEMBER. SERVICE SAYS COMPUTER SHOULD CONFIRM PROBLEMS AND THAT IT IS HONDA, NOT HONDA DEALERS ULTIMATE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11057960

Official recalls

5

17V725000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly

Nov 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly

Dec 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Apr 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 · Air Bags

Jan 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 · Suspension:front

Dec 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP26005 · Inadvertent Deployment Of Air Bags

Opened Jul 13, 2026 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module; Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module:software

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition is requesting an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contends that air bags can deploy absent a sufficiently severe event to trigger a deployment, such as an impact, rollover event, or G-force threshold breach. The Petition further alleges that the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. The Petitioner cites 10 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition andconduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11744118.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition is requesting an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contends that air bags can deploy absent a sufficiently severe event to trigger a deployment, such as an impact, rollover event, or G-force threshold breach. The Petition further alleges that the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. The Petitioner cites 10 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition andconduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11744118.

Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module:software

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition is requesting an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contends that air bags can deploy absent a sufficiently severe event to trigger a deployment, such as an impact, rollover event, or G-force threshold breach. The Petition further alleges that the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. The Petitioner cites 10 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition andconduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11744118.

Air Bags

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition is requesting an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contends that air bags can deploy absent a sufficiently severe event to trigger a deployment, such as an impact, rollover event, or G-force threshold breach. The Petition further alleges that the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. The Petitioner cites 10 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition andconduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11744118.