2012 Honda Accord problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Seats (62) · Air Bags (42) · Steering (35)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Honda Accord model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
271 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (8)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-06-27 · campaign 19V502000 · 9,555 vehicles
Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to p
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 August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-05-16 · campaign 19V378000 · 19,138 vehicles
Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-09-27 · campaign 18V661000 · 1,355,406 vehicles
Defect: 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
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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-04-26 · campaign 18V268000 · 1,335 vehicles
Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-01-09 · campaign 18V042000 · 691,726 vehicles
Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Sai
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 February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-08-31 · campaign 17V545000 · 3,257 vehicles
Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
Risk: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-01-10 · campaign 17V030000 · 977,708 vehicles
Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Sa
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
Air Bags:side/Window 2012-02-01 · campaign 12V030000 · 347 vehicles
Defect: HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ACCORD AND CROSSTOUR VEHICLES. THE DRIVER-SIDE OR PASSENGER-SIDE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG INFLATOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: HONDA WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG AS NEEDED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
Service bulletins (50)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2023-06-13 · A21120A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service 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 occurred on january 1, 2022, at 12:00am local time.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2022-01-25 · A21120A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
servicenews 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" will occur on january 1, 2022, at 12:00am local time. as a result, once specific triggers are met, the navigation date an
Equipment 2020-05-12 · APP05122020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message - the may episode of tech2tech is now posted. we've got some valuable information for you, so check it out! this month we're featuring "replacing that leaky front rocker arm oil control valve."
Air Bags 2020-03-10 · A20-016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - this bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. american honda is offering a customer support program (warranty extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2020-03-05 · A20-023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - the front rocker arm oil control valve is leaking.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-08-13 · 19-003-1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
warranty extension: customer support program for front passenger's airbag inflator for 2010-12 accord and other listed years and models (expires september 30, 2028)
Showing the 6 most recent of 50 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-13 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 170,762 mi“ odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2012 honda accord. it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 124,414, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 170,762.…”
2026-07-22 · Power Train · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 honda accord. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph and turning left onto a secondary road, the vehicle abruptly stopped in the middle of the road. the vehicle was pushed off to the shoulder of the road with help from other motorists who had stopped to aid. the vehicle was later towed to the local mechan…”
2026-06-19 · Tires“the suspected failed component is on 3-4 general altimax gt45 tires. after approximately 15,000 miles of use and regular tire rotations every 5,000 miles, a steering wheel vibration developed immediately following a tire rotation. multiple tire balances and a road-force balance did not identify a problem or correct the condition. multiple, independ…”
2026-05-19 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 238,639 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2012 honda accord. the contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase the vehicle mileage wa47,000,p=and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 238, 629. a carfax report was obtained with the same mileage. the con…”
2026-03-17 · Unknown Or Other“this car needs cv axle assembly replaced as published under 'honda news' attached as i am in one one the 22 states that uses road salt. honda dealer claims to have no knowledge of this , i need you to escalate please. [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)…”
2026-02-10 · Wheels“i have bought three hondas and leased one, i still have a 2012 sedan and 18 months ago the car stopped in the middle of the road, thankfully no one hit us. the axle was broken and had to be repaired. today [xxx] the car just stopped driving in a horrible round about [xxx] . the police and fire men, thank god helped to push the car out of the way …”
2026-02-05 · Electrical System · 🔥 fire“purchased a car from jkj auto on 01/17/2026 for $5000 + tax. car was sold "as-is" with no dealer warranty. vehile was only driven for 12 days before the car caught fire while my son was driving to school. he was trapped inside until a person ran over to help him out of the car. police came to the scene and towed the vehicle. it was later exami…”
2026-01-07 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 200,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2012 honda accord. the contact stated that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. the vehicle was a dealer sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 64,163. it was later discovered, upon checking the carfax report that the mileage was 200,000.…”
2025-11-12 · Wheels“i just saw the new honda civic recall for wheels falling off and it reminded me to report this. on january 6, 2022 i was driving down i-29 from grand forks to fargo and about 60 miles into my trip i thought i had a flat tire. i pulled over at the next exit and found i was missing 3 lug bolts and nuts, 1 lug nut with the bolt still attached, and m…”
2025-10-14 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 248,870 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2012 honda accord. while attempting to sell the vehicle, a potential buyer showed the contact a vehicle history report; the report showed that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was purchased by the contact through a private sale on facebook marketplace. additionally, the contact discovered a crash …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.