
2012 Honda ACCORD
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Honda ACCORD has 506 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 703. The most common issue is seats/restraints problems (14% of all complaints), specifically: the driver's seat is so uncomfortable that i feel it is a safety concern. driver fatigue and distraction. the seating material is too hard, the lumbar is too prominent and misplaced (too high) because the bottom seat cushion is too low in the back, and can't be adjusted upward. the head rest is s. There are 8 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.
506
Total Complaints
8
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
0.7x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
SEATS/RESTRAINTS
72 complaints- • THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS SO UNCOMFORTABLE THAT I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. DRIVER FATIGUE AND DISTRACTION. THE SEATING MATERIAL IS TOO HARD, THE LUMBAR IS TOO PROMINENT AND MISPLACED (TOO HIGH) BECAUSE THE BOTTOM SEAT CUSHION IS TOO LOW IN THE BACK, AND CAN'T BE ADJUSTED UPWARD. THE HEAD REST IS S
- • CANNOT DRIVE VEHICLE MORE THEN 10 MILES WITHOUT EXTREME BACK PAINS. *TR
- • I JUST BOUGHT A 2012 ACCORD SE AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS BEYOND UNCOMFORTABLE--IT'S CAUSING BOTH BACK PAIN AND NUMBNESS DOWN MY RIGHT LEG. I DON'T HAVE ANY BACK PROBLEMS AND FEAR IT WILL CAUSE SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS. I'VE PUT 400 MILES ON THIS CAR. I HATE TO BE IN THIS POSITION BUT I'M LEANING TOWARD
“THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS SO UNCOMFORTABLE THAT I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. DRIVER FATIGUE AND DISTRACTION. THE SEATING MATERIAL IS TOO HARD, THE LUMBAR IS TOO PROMINENT AND MISPLACED (TOO HIGH) BECAUSE THE BOTTOM SEAT CUSHION IS TOO LOW IN THE BACK, AND CAN'T BE ADJUSTED UPWARD. THE HEAD REST IS S”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Honda ACCORD
Based on 362 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 26K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
SEATS/RESTRAINTS
ENGINE
STEERING
BRAKES
SPEED CONTROL
TRANSMISSION
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (8)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.
High theft risk
The Honda ACCORD was the #2 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 17,797 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: Popular across generations; often stolen for parts
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Honda ACCORD
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Honda ACCORD
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Honda ACCORD Service Intervals
Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2012 ACCORD, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 506 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐SEATS/RESTRAINTS: THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS SO UNCOMFORTABLE THAT I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. DRIVER FATIGUE AND DISTRACTION. THE SEATING MATERIAL IS TOO HARD, THE LUMBAR IS TOO PROMINENT AND MISPLACED (TOO HIGH) BECAUSE THE BOTTOM SEAT CUSHION IS TOO LOW IN THE BACK, AND CAN'T BE ADJUSTED UPWARD. THE HEAD REST IS S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: A DRIVER PULLED OUT INFRONT OF ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND IN A HEAD ON COLLISION THE DRIVER AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: INCIDENT DATE: 12/05/2011, 5:45PM WEATHER/ROAD CONDITION: GOOD, NO RAIN/SNOW, NORMAL TRAFFIC PATTERN SUMMARY: ACCORD 2012 LX HAD A SUDDEN ENGINE REV FOR ABOUT A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND WENT BACK TO NORMAL WITHOUT DRIVER INTERVENTION. MINOR GAS PEDAL VIBRATION NOTICED FOR FIRST 500 MILES DURING B
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW 2012 HONDA ACCORD SE MODEL WITH VIN [XXX] ON JANUARY 19TH 2012. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM RIVERSIDE HONDA THROUGH FOOTHILL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION. EVER SINCE, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING NOTHING BUT NIGHTMARES. I HAVE FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED MANUFACTURER'S BREAK IN PERIOD FOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Honda ACCORD — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 506
- Recalls
- 8
- Fire reports
- 5
- Crash reports
- 58
- Injury reports
- 46
- Segment avg
- 703
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Honda ACCORD