2012 Honda Odyssey Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 16%of 245 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Honda Odyssey, 16% of the 245 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Cylinder number 3 has misfired multiple times in last 14,000 miles. Spark plug 3 had a lot of carbon. We changed all spark plugs and the pc valve in july 2018. It misfired few times in 2019 but then worked ok after restarting till feb 2020. It misfired multiple times and we now changed all spark plugs again and ignition coil of cylinder 3”
NHTSA complaint #11309672, filed 2020-02, 100 miles“Frequent check engine sign coming on, mechanic said excessive oil consumption, oil buring off, although Honda has reached a settlement with owners of Odyssey from 2008-2013 regarding this issue, when I called with the complaint they are saying my 2012 Odyssey is not on the list of cars with this problem. But my car is having the same problem as other owners were having.”
NHTSA complaint #11119334, filed 2018-08, 51,000 miles“1. Brakes and rotors are undersized and warped causing a massive vibration when you break. Honda dealers worked 3 times on it but the problem continued until I purchased after market parts and replaced them. 2. I received no warranty letter or warning about an engine failure (piston recall warning) letting me know that the engine needed repairs. I was on a trip when the car almost stalled on the freeway and I had to take evasive actions to prevent a devastating accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10920508, filed 2016-11, 80,000 miles“The check engine light started to blink and the vsa came on as well. This happened after I pulled into our driveway thank goodness because the engine started to shake the car. We took the van in our local dealership and it had a p0302 code. Engine misfire. This was caused by oil getting into the spark plug. Piston and ring job was recommended. The 2012 Honda had a TSB 11-033 for this issue. We are being denied our claim. I am including a picture of our spark plug that shows where there was a lot of oil when it was fired upon along with talks I have had with Honda.”
NHTSA complaint #11308670, filed 2020-02, 75,000 miles“After stopping the car has tried to accelerate on its own while the brake was applied. Six times since purchase, four times this year. I have reported the problem twice to Honda service as it occured twice on the way there for an oil change. The car was definitely stopped at busy intersectionsa and turning it off did not stop the problem immediately. It required two or three on and offs in busy traffice. Have tried to videotape problem but traffic has spooked my ability and concern that engine would blow, so loud is the rearing up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11057960, filed 2018-01, 60,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152433Dec 20, 2018"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…
- 10108391Apr 25, 2017Service 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…
- 10087402Oct 19, 2016"techline summary article - if the engine is overheating and theres engine oil mixed in the coolant reservoir, chances are the cylinder head may be cracked. A crack may form…
- 10084442Jul 12, 2016"techline summary article - if the engine is overheating and theres engine oil mixed in the coolant reservoir, chances are the cylinder head may be cracked. A crack may form…
- 10084330Jun 28, 2016Service news article - while driving under steady cruise (between 30 and 65 mph) or light acceleration, does the engine intermittently rattle or runs rough with the mil blinking?…
- 10083956May 17, 2016Service bulletin - the piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling. Spark plug fouling may reuslt in rough engine idle and/or…
- 10099879Nov 24, 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…
- 10099273Sep 30, 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…
- 10099309Sep 4, 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…
- 10099104Sep 4, 2015Service bulletin - warranty extension: mil comes on with dtcs p0301 thru p0304 - the piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align, which can lead to spark plug fouling…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 26 | 46% |
| 2025 | 239 | 55% |
| 2024 | 44 | 36% |
| 2023 | 15 | 14% |
| 2022 | 15 | 11% |
| 2021 | 26 | 18% |
| 2020 | 71 | 14% |
| 2019 | 135 | 14% |
| 2018 | 190 | 19% |
| 2017 | 10 | 26% |
| 2016 | 93 | 34% |
| 2015 | 54 | 26% |
| 2014 | 59 | 19% |
| 2013 | 69 | 33% |
| 2012 | 39 | 16% |
| 2011 | 25 | 11% |
| 2010 | 46 | 18% |
| 2009 | 34 | 17% |
| 2008 | 40 | 8% |
| 2007 | 58 | 7% |
| 2006 | 74 | 11% |
| 2005 | 68 | 8% |
| 2004 | 50 | 9% |
| 2003 | 32 | 4% |
| 2002 | 27 | 3% |
| 2001 | 9 | 1% |
| 2000 | 9 | 1% |
| 1999 | 9 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 Honda Odyssey
60 complaintsElectrical system
37 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsSeats
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Honda Odyssey
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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