LOW BEAMS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH FOR DRIVING.. CAN'T SEE SEE MOST OR ANY SIGN CLEARLY ON DARK HIGHWAY AND ROADS. VERY UNSAFE AND SCARY TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Odyssey years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Exterior Lighting complaints
7 reportsREAR RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT DEVELOPED AN INTERIOR CRACK IN IT AND THERE ARE NO SCRATCHES OR DENTS INDICATING SOMEONE HIT IT. HONDA SAW THE DAMAGE WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT FOR REGULAR SERVICE AND REFUSED TO FIX IT SAYING THAT ITS OUR FAULT THAT THE TAILLIGHT CRACKED. THE MANAGER PRESSED ON THE CRACK WHICH MADE IT COME ALL THE WAY THROU…
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REAR RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT DEVELOPED AN INTERIOR CRACK IN IT AND THERE ARE NO SCRATCHES OR DENTS INDICATING SOMEONE HIT IT. HONDA SAW THE DAMAGE WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT FOR REGULAR SERVICE AND REFUSED TO FIX IT SAYING THAT ITS OUR FAULT THAT THE TAILLIGHT CRACKED. THE MANAGER PRESSED ON THE CRACK WHICH MADE IT COME ALL THE WAY THROUGH.THE CAR IS HARDLY DRIVEN ONLY FOR FAMILY TRIPS AND IS HAND WASHED, WAXED, COVERED AND BEFORE BEING PLACED IN THE GARAGE FOR STORAGE AFTER EACH TRIP. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2 YEAR OLD HONDA ODYSSEY W/15,000 MILES ON A 35 MPH STATE ROAD IN THE EVENING. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VAN LOST COMPLETE POWER, EVERYTHING INSIDE WENT BLACK, BRAKES WENT, NO LIGHTS IN OR OUTSIDE WORKING, AND THE STEERING GOT VERY STIFF, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VAN OFF THE ROAD. MY 5 YOUNG CHILDREN WERE IN T…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2 YEAR OLD HONDA ODYSSEY W/15,000 MILES ON A 35 MPH STATE ROAD IN THE EVENING. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VAN LOST COMPLETE POWER, EVERYTHING INSIDE WENT BLACK, BRAKES WENT, NO LIGHTS IN OR OUTSIDE WORKING, AND THE STEERING GOT VERY STIFF, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VAN OFF THE ROAD. MY 5 YOUNG CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE AS WELL. (AGES 14, 6, 4, 2, & 5 MONTHS). THANKFULLY NO VEHICLES WERE ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME OR STOPPED BC I WOULD HAVE HURT THEM BADLY. I JUST MISSED GETTING REAR ENDED BY 3 OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. THANKFULLY WE WEREN'T TRAVELING THE BUSY INTERSTATE THAT EVENING, OR THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN FATAL FOR MY WHOLE FAMILY AND POSSIBLY OTHERS AS WELL. PREVIOUS TO THIS (APPROX. 3 MONTHS OR SO) I HAD MADE COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT A POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN, WHEN A SHARP TURN WAS MADE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS "NORMAL". I ALSO HAVE A CONSTANT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL, WHICH HONDA BALANCED THE TIRES AND RE SURFACED THE ROADERS. FOR A VEHICLE WHICH ALMOST COST ME $36,000 & 2 YEARS OLD WITH LOW MILES, SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THESE ISSUES. THE ISSUE WITH THE COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER NEEDS TO BE DIAGNOSED AND CORRECTLY FIXED, OR TAKEN OFF THE ROAD BEFORE IT CAUSES SOMEONE TO BE SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED!!!! FIX IT CORRECTLY OR I WANT THE VEHICLE REPLACED OR MY MONEY BACK TO BUY A SAFER VEHICLE....NOT WE'RE UNSURE OF WHAT THE ISSUE IS OR THINK WE FIXED IT. I DON'T NEED MY FAMILY OR ANY OTHERS KILLED. *TR
HEADLIGHTS ARE AIMED TOO LOW, DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING ME $85 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT ADJUSTED AS THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, VEHICLE WAS LEASED AS NEW; ADJUSTED IT MYSELF BUT IT IS AT THE HIGHEST SETTING AND STILL TOO LOW, ADDED FACTORY FOG LAMPS BUT DID NOT REALLY HELP WITH FORWARD ILLUMINATION, LIGHTS ARE OVERRUN BY VEH…
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HEADLIGHTS ARE AIMED TOO LOW, DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING ME $85 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT ADJUSTED AS THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, VEHICLE WAS LEASED AS NEW; ADJUSTED IT MYSELF BUT IT IS AT THE HIGHEST SETTING AND STILL TOO LOW, ADDED FACTORY FOG LAMPS BUT DID NOT REALLY HELP WITH FORWARD ILLUMINATION, LIGHTS ARE OVERRUN BY VEHICLE ON HIGHWAYS GOING 65-70 MPH. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY , BUT I'M WAITING FOR HONDA TO RECALL AND REPLACE THESE POORLY DESIGNED HEADLAMPS. I DO A LOT OF NIGHT DRIVING AS I WORK NIGHTS, I WAS NOT ABLE TO CATCH THIS ON THE TEST DRIVE, AS TEST DRIVES ARE USUALLY DONE IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. *JS
I JUST BOUGHT A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. AT NIGHT YOU CAN NOT SEE VERY WELL WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. IT LEAVES BAD VISUALIZATION OF THE ROAD. IT IS LIKE A BLACK CURTAIN OVER YOUR WINDSHIELD IN DARK COUNTRY ROADS. I ALMOST WENT INTO A RAVINE. THANK GOODNESS I WAS GOING SLOW. I DO NOT TAKE THIS ROUTE MUCH. BUT WHEN GOING INTO VERY DARK …
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I JUST BOUGHT A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. AT NIGHT YOU CAN NOT SEE VERY WELL WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. IT LEAVES BAD VISUALIZATION OF THE ROAD. IT IS LIKE A BLACK CURTAIN OVER YOUR WINDSHIELD IN DARK COUNTRY ROADS. I ALMOST WENT INTO A RAVINE. THANK GOODNESS I WAS GOING SLOW. I DO NOT TAKE THIS ROUTE MUCH. BUT WHEN GOING INTO VERY DARK AREAS. IT IS A COMPLETE BLACK OUT. I TOOK IT BACK TO MY DEALER IN MENTOR, OHIO. AT CLASSIC AND THE SERVICE MAN WAS VERY RUDE. AND LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS OUT OF MY MIND. I AM A NIGHT NURSE. DRIVE MY KIDS AROUND FOR FUNCTIONS. THIS REALLY SCARES ME. I SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE A FAMILY VEHICLE. A SAFE VEHICLE. I SEE NOW WHY THEY NEED A GOOD CRASH RATING. IT COULD HAPPEN CAUSE OF THESE HEADLIGHTS. PLEASE HELP! *TR
BRAND NEW VEHICLE, NEW MODEL YEAR, COULD BE ONE OF FIRST. HEADLIGHTS ARE AS BRIGHT AS THE SUN. ANY BUMP OR INCLINE PUTS HEADLIGHTS INTO ONCOMING DRIVER EYES. MAJORITY FLASH ME THAT MY HIGH BEAMS ARE ON. THEY ARE NOT. HONDA SAYS ALL PERFECT. I CANNOT LOOK INTO LIGHT - IT IS SUN-LIKE. MY HEADLIGHTS COME UP INTO ONCOMING EYES CONST…
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BRAND NEW VEHICLE, NEW MODEL YEAR, COULD BE ONE OF FIRST. HEADLIGHTS ARE AS BRIGHT AS THE SUN. ANY BUMP OR INCLINE PUTS HEADLIGHTS INTO ONCOMING DRIVER EYES. MAJORITY FLASH ME THAT MY HIGH BEAMS ARE ON. THEY ARE NOT. HONDA SAYS ALL PERFECT. I CANNOT LOOK INTO LIGHT - IT IS SUN-LIKE. MY HEADLIGHTS COME UP INTO ONCOMING EYES CONSTANTLY - HONDA SAYS AIMED PERFECTLY. I ASSERT THAT THIS IS SIMPLY HIGHLY DANGEROUS; HONDA WILL DO NOTHING FOR ME. ALL IS PERFECT, THEY SAY. EVEN IF I DON'T CAUSE SOMEONE ELSE'S ACCIDENT, THE QUANTITY OF PEOPLE FLASHING ME APPEARS TO BE EVIDENCE OF SPREADING ANGER, BECAUSE I CAN DO NOTHING. MY SUN-LIKE LIGHTS 'FLASH' THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN. PITY THE POOR DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME, IN MY LANE. MY BULBS ARE HALOGEN, NOT THE 'HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE' TYPE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT FAR ENOUGH FOR HIM TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS BUT THE CONTACT STATED IT DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE DESIGN OF THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT FAR ENOUGH FOR HIM TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS BUT THE CONTACT STATED IT DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD GIVE HIM A RETURN CALL WITHIN THE NEXT TWO DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 380.
Official recalls
517V725000 · 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
1DP26005 · 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.
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