Is the 2012 Honda ODYSSEY reliable?

The 2012 Honda ODYSSEY has 325 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Honda ODYSSEY?

Top problems: BRAKES (60 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (45 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (33 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Honda ODYSSEY?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY, SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY, SUSPENSION:FRONT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AIR BAGS. Contact any Honda dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Honda ODYSSEY?

The 2012 Honda ODYSSEY gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Honda ODYSSEY?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Honda ODYSSEY is approximately $1,317/year (minivan class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Honda ODYSSEY

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Honda ODYSSEY has 325 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 325. The most common issue is brakes problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: i bought a brand new '12 odyssey exl-nav (5-speed automatic transmission) and from the day i picked it up, i noticed a shuddering when the transmission was at a shift point, especially from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th. i am submitting this complaint because i see a registered compliant for odyssey to. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 8 fire reports filed.

8 fire reports 10 crash reports 27 injuries

325

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

60 complaints

18%

• I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW '12 ODYSSEY EXL-NAV (5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND FROM THE DAY I PICKED IT UP, I NOTICED A SHUDDERING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS AT A SHIFT POINT, ESPECIALLY FROM 2ND TO 3RD AND 3RD TO 4TH. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I SEE A REGISTERED COMPLIANT FOR ODYSSEY TO
• MY CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE A LITTLE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND DOWN HILL AROUND 18,000 MILES. I DROVE IT AND FINALLY AT 22,000 MILES I TOOK IT TO A HONDA DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THAT I NEEDED A BRAKE JOB. I FEEL THAT THE ROTORS ARE EITHER
• THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY DURING HIGHWAY SPEED BRAKING WHEN GOING DOWNHILL. TOOK IT TO DEALER, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM, BUT CLAIMED THAT THIS IS WEAR AND TEAR. THE BRAKES HAVE 8MM ON BOTH FRONT BRAKES. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW '12 ODYSSEY EXL-NAV (5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND FROM THE DAY I PICKED IT UP, I NOTICED A SHUDDERING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS AT A SHIFT POINT, ESPECIALLY FROM 2ND TO 3RD AND 3RD TO 4TH. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I SEE A REGISTERED COMPLIANT FOR ODYSSEY TO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Honda ODYSSEY

Based on 246 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 40K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

104

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 49 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 31 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 24K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 48K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (5)

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY17/11/2017

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.

Risk: If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Honda ODYSSEY

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/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

Show:

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 ODYSSEY

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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,317

Full coverage / month

$110

Liability only / year

$559

vs US avg

-21%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (minivan)0.91x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1317

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda ODYSSEY 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 ODYSSEY, 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

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 325 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW '12 ODYSSEY EXL-NAV (5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND FROM THE DAY I PICKED IT UP, I NOTICED A SHUDDERING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS AT A SHIFT POINT, ESPECIALLY FROM 2ND TO 3RD AND 3RD TO 4TH. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I SEE A REGISTERED COMPLIANT FOR ODYSSEY TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: OUR BRAND NEW 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY TOURING ELITE JUDDERS BETWEEN 25-40 MPH BETWEEN SHIFTS. THE JUDDER CAN BE ANYWHERE FROM MILD AND VERY TRANSIENT TO ROUGH BUCKING THAT LASTS FOR OVER 2 SECONDS BEFORE IT SMOOTHS OUT. UNDER MILD OR HEAVY ACCELERATION, I HAVE NOT NOT NOTICED THE JUDDER. IT SEEMS TO O
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: PULLING ONTO FREEWAY AND DASH LIGHTS FLASHED THEN MOTOR QUIT COMPLETELY. COASTED TO STOP ON SHOULDER WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKE POWER LEFT. VEHICLE WOULD NOT EVEN TURN ON - COMPLETE VEHICLE FAILURE. HAD IT TOWED ONCE AGAIN TO DEALER SAID A FAULTY OR SHORTED GROUND WIRE. HAVE NOT PICKED UP YET SO WILL DE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: WIND NOISE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD IS SIGNIFICANT AND ALSO AIR LEAK ON DRIVER SIDE WINDOW; DEALER PUT IN NEW DOOR SEAL, BUT THIS DID NOT HELP. THEY SAID THEY KNOW OF THE COMPLAINTS AND HAD NO FIX FOR IT. IN DEC OF 2012, ONE YEAR AFTER I FIRST STARTED TO COMPLAIN, THEN CONTACTED CORPORATE HONDA DIRECT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)