2012 Honda Odyssey Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 10%of 245 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,025miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Honda Odyssey, 10% of the 245 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,025 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Got the p3400 and/or the p3497 error codes after engine and found my oil was at almost nothing. Oil light never went on. Have also had to change my spark plugs twice in two years. I am so glad my car did not seize up on me. Had to add 3 quarts of oil and got my oil changed two months ago.”
NHTSA complaint #11093593, filed 2018-05, 106,000 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“Judder and vibrates and makes buzzing sound constantly but intermittently. Dealer and Honda state this is in relation to the eco feature. Research by me indicates either torque converter and/or rear motor mount needs replacing. It seems the issue is worsening as I was told by my Honda service tech that it will get worse the more miles driven. Presently has 40k miles and still under warranty. Car lost power on open highway and was able to drive it to Honda service...(unrelated) to vibration issue. Did a computer update and that took care of power issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10680262, filed 2015-01, 30,000 miles“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 only happen under moderate acceleration. It also seems to occur more violently while going uphill. It happens at least 90% of the time during the shift between 2nd and 3rd gears under moderate (typical) acceleration. …”
NHTSA complaint #10445799, filed 2012-01, 2 miles“The same problem that occurred in dec 2012 when Honda issued a transmission software update, but only worse. I was driving at approx 18mph and the transmission locked then slipped continuously. It was worse when I was on a hill causing the van to jerk backwards. It continued to occur and when on a flat road I almost lost control of the vehicle because it jerk so hard when accelerating to 20mph. I ended up having the van towed to the dealership who can't duplicate the problem, Honda said they are unaware of the issue. I am afraid to drive the vehicle and it only has 5000 miles on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10505004, filed 2013-03, 5,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V143000Apr 15, 2013Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift…Covers: Honda Odyssey 2012–2013, CR-V 2012–2013, Acura RDX 2013
Related service bulletins
- 10145412Sep 28, 2018Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10145411Sep 28, 2018Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10143228Jul 19, 2018Service bulletin - This bulletin is replaced by 16-046, Product Update: 2011?12 Odyssey Software Update for Lock-up Clutch Function
- 10142437Jun 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…
- 10129792Feb 27, 2018Service bulletin - Judder from the Torque Converter Lock-Up Clutch. Replaced by 17-052, 2012-13 Odyssey: Judder from the Torque Converter Lock-Up Clutch
- 10129803Feb 24, 2018Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10129799Feb 24, 2018Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque…
- 10119595Oct 13, 2017Customer letter - Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle; refer to the address card for the affected VIN. There may be a judder from…
- 10108879Jun 20, 2017Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter…
- 10108777May 23, 2017Customer letter - Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle; refer to the address card for the affected VIN. On some 2011?14 Odyssey…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 41 | 9% |
| 2024 | 16 | 13% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 14 | 10% |
| 2021 | 6 | 4% |
| 2020 | 17 | 3% |
| 2019 | 128 | 13% |
| 2018 | 165 | 16% |
| 2017 | 7 | 18% |
| 2016 | 38 | 14% |
| 2015 | 41 | 20% |
| 2014 | 73 | 24% |
| 2013 | 14 | 7% |
| 2012 | 24 | 10% |
| 2011 | 19 | 8% |
| 2010 | 23 | 9% |
| 2009 | 18 | 9% |
| 2008 | 41 | 8% |
| 2007 | 78 | 9% |
| 2006 | 87 | 12% |
| 2005 | 106 | 13% |
| 2004 | 221 | 38% |
| 2003 | 533 | 58% |
| 2002 | 608 | 63% |
| 2001 | 332 | 54% |
| 2000 | 228 | 34% |
| 1999 | 170 | 33% |
| 1998 | 14 | 19% |
| 1997 | 1 | 5% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 Honda Odyssey
60 complaintsEngine
39 complaintsElectrical system
37 complaintsBody and structure
25 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