Reliable Auto DB

2012 Honda Accord reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 Honda Accord has 381 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 47 per year. That is about even with the other Accord years here. Their median is 49 complaints per year. NHTSA has 8 recalls on file, including Inflator and Side and window.

2008 Honda Accord sedan
Photo by IFCAR, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons Public domain
Complaints

381

Per year

47

Recalls

8

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Seats (64 of 381), then Air bags (58) and Steering (52). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 27,500 miles, and the middle half falls between 3,257 and 68,250 miles. Those filings include 47 that report a crash, 4 that report a fire, 33 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Accord has 1,420 complaints, 121 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Honda Accord. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (8)

Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2019-06-27 · NHTSA campaign 19V502000
Summary 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 propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy 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.
Vehicles affected 9,555
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2019-05-16 · NHTSA campaign 19V378000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Vehicles affected 19,138
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2018-09-27 · NHTSA campaign 18V661000
Summary 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 Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy 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.
Vehicles affected 1,355,406
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2018-04-26 · NHTSA campaign 18V268000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Vehicles affected 1,335
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2018-01-09 · NHTSA campaign 18V042000
Summary 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 (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy 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.
Vehicles affected 691,726
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2017-08-31 · NHTSA campaign 17V545000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Vehicles affected 3,257
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2017-01-10 · NHTSA campaign 17V030000
Summary 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 Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy 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.
Vehicles affected 977,708
Recall air bags, side and window 2012-02-01 · NHTSA campaign 12V030000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Vehicles affected 347

NHTSA's count is every vehicle in that campaign. A campaign can cover other model years and other models.

Complaints by component (381 total)

Seats
64
Air bags
58
Steering
52
Engine
44
Service brakes
36
Electrical system
32
Powertrain
30
Speed control
26
Suspension
23
Structure
22
Wheels
18
Fuel and propulsion system
13
Tires
12
Engine and engine cooling
9
Visibility and wipers
9
Electronic stability control (ESC)
7
Seat belts
7
Visibility
6
Exterior lighting
5
Fuel system, gasoline
5
Forward collision avoidance
3
Hydraulic brakes
2
Adaptive and mobility equipment
1
Air brakes
1
Equipment
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Show 18 more Show less
Crash-flagged

47

Fire-flagged

4

Injury reports

33

Death reports

1

Of the 276 complaints that include an odometer reading, the median is 27,500 miles. The middle half fall between 3,257 and 68,250 miles.

Complaints filed per year

52011722012432013212014432015322016352017292018302019112020142021720221320231020248202582026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-08-13
  • "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…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-07-22
  • "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…"
    Tires · filed 2026-06-19
  • "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…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-05-19
  • "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.…"
    Suspension, Unknown or other · filed 2026-03-17

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Honda Accord 2 DR FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 5 stars
2012 Honda Accord 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2012 Honda Accord V6 2 DR FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 5 stars
2012 Honda Accord V6 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Accord 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 23 33 27 MPG $2400
Accord 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 5-speed Front-wheel drive 22 33 26 MPG $2500
Accord 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic 5-speed Front-wheel drive 20 30 23 MPG $2800
Accord Coupe 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 23 31 26 MPG $2500
Accord Coupe 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (5-speed) Front-wheel drive 19 29 23 MPG $2800
Accord Coupe 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 5-speed Front-wheel drive 22 32 26 MPG $2500
Accord Coupe 3.5L, 6-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 18 26 21 MPG $3100

Specs and fitment

8th generation, 2008–2012
Body styles Sedan, Coupe
Oil 5W-20 (2008-2010); 0W-20 (2011-2012) , 4.2 qt capacity
Tire size 205/65R16 (LX) to 235/45R17 (EX/EX-L)

Known issues for this generation

Honda Service Bulletin 12-087 documents sticking oil control rings on the four-cylinder engine in all 2008-2009 Accords and in specific VIN ranges of the 2010-2011 cars. Honda says deposits form on the rings only when three conditions occur together on a regular and prolonged basis - the engine is cold, it is accelerated hard while cold, and the fuel used has an unusually high concentration of particles - and that over years of driving this way the rings can stick and oil consumption can rise. The dealer procedure is an engine oil consumption test followed, if necessary, by replacement of all engine pistons and piston rings; the bulletin states that the normal warranty applies to this repair. A separate bulletin, 13-078, covers 2008-2012 Accords with the V6 automatic, on which piston rings can rotate and align, foul the spark plugs and set misfire codes P0301 through P0304 with the check engine light on. Honda extended the powertrain warranty for that repair to 8 years with unlimited mileage from the original purchase date, following the settlement of Soto et al. v. American Honda Motor Co. (N.D. Cal., No. 3:12-cv-1377-SI). On 2008-2011 cars the first step is a PCM software update and new spark plugs, with piston cleaning and new rings only if the car comes back; 2012 cars go straight to piston cleaning and new rings. The extension does not apply to a car that has ever been declared a total loss, sold for salvage, or given a branded title.

Compare

Next year 2013 Honda Accord See every Honda Accord model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Honda Accord reliable?

The 2012 Honda Accord has 381 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 47 per year. That is about even with the other Accord years here. Their median is 49 complaints per year. NHTSA has 8 recalls on file, including Inflator and Side and window.

What are common problems with a 2012 Honda Accord?

The complaints owners file most often name Seats (64 of 381), then Air bags (58) and Steering (52). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 27,500 miles, and the middle half falls between 3,257 and 68,250 miles. Those filings include 47 that report a crash, 4 that report a fire, 33 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2012 Honda Accord more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Accord has 1,420 complaints, 121 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Honda Accord been recalled?

The 2012 Honda Accord has 8 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Honda Accord?

Owners have filed 381 complaints about the 2012 Honda Accord with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Honda Accord get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Honda Accord is 24.6 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2020 Honda Accord?

10th generation (2018-2022).

Does the Honda Accord have head gasket or oil dilution problems?

Certain 2018-2022 Accords with the 1.5L turbo engine have a documented head-gasket coolant leak issue; there is no NHTSA recall, but Honda has issued dealer service communications.