2012 Honda Odyssey
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 60 of 243 complaints (25%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (11) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 233 in 2011 to 243 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Minivan - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100–3,450 | 2,850–2,950 | 2,850–2,950 | 2,850–2,950 | 2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–20 | 21–22 | 21–22 | 21–22 | 22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–17 / 23–25 | 18–19 / 27 | 18–19 / 27 | 18–19 / 27 | 19 / 27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444–494 | 404–423 | 404–423 | 404–425 | 404 | |
| Complaints filed | 255 | 233 | 243 | 210 | 307 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 10 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 25 | 13 | 22 | 13 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Honda Odyssey have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Honda Odyssey?
Brakes: 60 of 243 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Honda Odyssey get?
EPA rates it 21–22 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Honda Odyssey?
EPA estimates $2,850–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 18 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 45 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 35 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 60 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 17 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 39 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 25 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY · Campaign 17V725000 · Nov 21, 2017
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.
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.
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY · Campaign 16V933000 · Dec 27, 2016
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.
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 13V143000 · Apr 16, 2013
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."
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.
AIR BAGS · Campaign 13V016000 · Jan 18, 2013
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.
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT · Campaign 11V602000 · Dec 28, 2011
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.
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.