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Honda

2012 Honda ACCORD

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

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.

5 fire reports 58 crash reports 46 injuries

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
14%
  • 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
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

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.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
184
30-60K
68
60-100K
66
100-150K
27
150-200K
14
200K+
3

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

In line with typicalmedian 500 mi · 53 reports
0-30K
43
30-60K
6
60-100K
3
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 58K mi · 39 reports
0-30K
15
30-60K
5
60-100K
11
100-150K
5
150-200K
3
200K+
0

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 36 reports
0-30K
19
30-60K
9
60-100K
7
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 21K mi · 28 reports
0-30K
19
30-60K
4
60-100K
4
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 21K mi · 20 reports
0-30K
12
30-60K
4
60-100K
3
100-150K
0
150-200K
1
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 61K mi · 20 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
4
60-100K
6
100-150K
2
150-200K
2
200K+
0

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)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE27/09/2018

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

#2 most stolen in 2025

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

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

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 prices
Per year
$1,920
Per month
$160
Per mile
16.0¢
MPG
25
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,401/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,455/yr

Based 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 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Honda ACCORD

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,598
Full coverage / month
$133
Liability only / year
$574
vs US avg
-5%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.15x
× safety rating0.94x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1598

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda ACCORD Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

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

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500

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)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

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