2012 Honda Accord Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 9%of 373 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Honda Accord, 9% of the 373 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We found our car in the garage with all the windows wide open including the moon roof window. The red circle alarm was flashing. I started the car and the alarm went out. Then all was fine. What could cause that? And could it happen while driving?”
NHTSA complaint #11065881, filed 2018-01, 36,000 miles“I have found that at night, the headlight sensor overcompensates when detecting headlight beams cast by the opposing lanes of traffic. The sensor then forces the headlight sensor to immediately turn off our vehicle's headlights, leaving the driving shrouded in complete darkness. When driving at 70 or more miles an hour on a highway, these momentary seconds of darkness are all that are needed to cause a fatal mistake or a dead driver. …”
NHTSA complaint #10520694, filed 2013-06, 19,500 miles“Twice in the last few months my car's engine would not turn over when I turned the key to the start position. It only made a buzzing sound. I returned the key to the resting position and tried again. Both times it started. I took it to the Honda dealer to have it serviced. The technician told me this was normal. (no. It's normal for a car to start when you turn the key.) he gave me a copy of a Honda service news article dated october 2001 entitled starter relay buzzes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10609549, filed 2014-07, 22,000 miles“Tire inflation meter are too expensive for simple flat repairs. Consumer rip off caused but government regulations required tires to have pressure sensor and warning lights. Each tire has an expensive $80 sensor that easily leaks or gets bumped by mechanics. It cost me $200 to stop the leaks and warning lights. On first look, sounds like a nice idea but in practice companies are ripping us off doing simple nail fixes. The mechanics weaking, purposely loosen the value and say it is our car's computer problem. Please do not required cars to have these monitors. Thanks for listening. …”
NHTSA complaint #10919743, filed 2016-10, 80,000 miles“The first time my car stalled I was in the high way in the middle lane and my car stopped working, all the light came on and my radio turned off and my clock reset it self. The second time it was the same day while I was exiting on the highway, in addition I put press the accelerate it would not response. In addition when I would press the brakes the music would go down at times. I took it to Honda they did not find anything wrong with the car, when the car was return to me I found someone ez-pass and a cup of soda in the car. The car stall n my once again I turning from a stop sign. …”
NHTSA complaint #10519629, filed 2013-06, 7,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10237953Jun 13, 2023Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS receiver Capacity resulting in rollover of the internal chip memory; the rollover…
- 10206992Jan 25, 2022ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in "rollover" of the internal chip memory; the "rollover"…
- 10142434Jun 13, 2018Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co…
- 10136433May 4, 2018Service bulletin - The piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302…
- 10128887Feb 3, 2018Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co…
- 10099306Sep 5, 2015"service bulletin - american honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, soto et al.v. American honda motor co…
- 10128569Jul 24, 2014Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co…
- 10129528Feb 26, 2014Service bulletin - The piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling. This can set DTCs P0301 through P0304 and cause the MIL to…
- 10043248Jan 12, 2012Honda: on some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing alternators, installed on gr8 diagnostic battery station.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% |
| 2025 | 11 | 11% |
| 2024 | 26 | 17% |
| 2023 | 23 | 26% |
| 2022 | 107 | 41% |
| 2021 | 68 | 28% |
| 2020 | 53 | 15% |
| 2019 | 109 | 16% |
| 2018 | 296 | 16% |
| 2017 | 155 | 29% |
| 2016 | 200 | 33% |
| 2015 | 237 | 39% |
| 2014 | 378 | 38% |
| 2013 | 417 | 29% |
| 2012 | 32 | 9% |
| 2011 | 18 | 6% |
| 2010 | 34 | 6% |
| 2009 | 44 | 6% |
| 2008 | 105 | 7% |
| 2007 | 60 | 11% |
| 2006 | 42 | 10% |
| 2005 | 96 | 15% |
| 2004 | 146 | 14% |
| 2003 | 142 | 7% |
| 2002 | 69 | 7% |
| 2001 | 78 | 8% |
| 2000 | 171 | 14% |
| 1999 | 388 | 34% |
| 1998 | 308 | 26% |
| 1997 | 96 | 21% |
| 1996 | 40 | 8% |
| 1995 | 43 | 8% |
| 1994 | 32 | 9% |
| 1993 | 28 | 15% |
| 1992 | 26 | 13% |
| 1991 | 17 | 8% |
| 1990 | 26 | 14% |
| 1989 | 6 | 7% |
| 1988 | 4 | 5% |
| 1987 | 4 | 4% |
| 1986 | 3 | 6% |
| 1984 | 2 | 9% |
| 1983 | 1 | 14% |
| 1982 | 2 | 20% |
| 1981 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2012 Honda Accord
64 complaintsAir bags
56 complaintsSteering
51 complaintsEngine
43 complaintsBrakes
39 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaintsSuspension
23 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsWheels
17 complaintsFuel system
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Honda Accord
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology