2012 Honda Accord

● Typical for this model
2012 Honda Accord
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
373
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seats

17% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 193 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1995: 544 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2001: 922 complaints 2002: 1,050 complaints 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,017 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 431 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1,520 complaints 2009: 725 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2012 373 2013: 1,421 complaints 2014: 981 complaints 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 608 complaints 2017: 536 complaints 2018: 1,886 complaints 2019: 690 complaints 2020: 360 complaints 2021: 236 complaints 2022: 253 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 146 complaints 2025: 87 complaints 2026: 10 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 86 complaints 1989 1990: 193 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1995: 544 complaints 1995 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2001: 922 complaints 2001 2002: 1,050 complaints 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,017 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 431 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2007 2008: 1,520 complaints 2009: 725 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2012 373 2013: 1,421 complaints 2014: 981 complaints 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 608 complaints 2016 2017: 536 complaints 2018: 1,886 complaints 2019: 690 complaints 2019 2020: 360 complaints 2021: 236 complaints 2022: 253 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 146 complaints 2025: 87 complaints 2025 2026: 10 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1982 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 193 complaints 1990 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1994 1995: 544 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1996 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2000 2001: 922 complaints 2002: 1,050 complaints 2002 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,017 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 431 complaints 2006 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1,520 complaints 2008 2009: 725 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2012 373 2013: 1,421 complaints 2014: 981 complaints 2014 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 608 complaints 2016 2017: 536 complaints 2018: 1,886 complaints 2018 2019: 690 complaints 2020: 360 complaints 2020 2021: 236 complaints 2022: 253 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 146 complaints 2024 2025: 87 complaints 2026: 10 complaints 2026

2012: 373 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19817
198210
19837
198422
198513
198656
1987112
198890
198986
1990193
1991212
1992208
1993186
1994395
1995544
1996472
1997460
19981,200
19991,135
20001,183
2001922
20021,050
20031,987
20041,017
2005656
2006431
2007524
20081,520
2009725
2010580
2011296
2012373
20131,421
2014981
2015601
2016608
2017536
20181,886
2019690
2020360
2021236
2022253
202388
2024146
202587
202610

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Seats

17% · 65 reports

Most commonly citing head restraint.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I just bought this car two weeks ago. The first time I noticed the issue was on a long drive, 5+/- hours with the car. At the end of the drive, my lower back was on fire and I had a hard time moving around for the rest of that weekend.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-09

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Honda Accord. The contact stated that after driving in the vehicle for a few minutes the front driver's seat became very uncomfortable. The contact suffered pain to his back due to the seat.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-20

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the seat was causing him severe back pain when driving the vehicle for more than 15 minutes.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-16

Air bags

15% · 56 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Air bags failed. It is available. Lukily I'm safe. I don'nt know. No one inspected the vehicle, except the police at the incident location. No warning lamps observed prior to the incident.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-02-29

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Honda Accord. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-30

Steering

14% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Sudden loss of steering control causing vehicle to veer from the intended path of travel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-13

Engine

12% · 43 reports
CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Service brakes

10% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle was backing up and when put in drive to park, the vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed. I was braking as hard as I could and it went over the block causing damage to my car and hitting the building causing damage .

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-03

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2012-02-14EQClosed 2012-05-08 Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture
  2. R
    2012-02-24Air bags12V030000 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…

    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…

  3. R
    2017-02-22Air bags17V030000 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...

    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.

  4. R
    2017-10-30Air bags17V545000 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...

    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.

  5. R
    2018-02-16Air bags18V042000 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...

    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.

  6. R
    2018-06-22Air bags18V268000 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...

    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.

  7. R
    2018-11-06Air bags18V661000 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...

    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.

  8. R
    2019-07-05Air bags19V378000 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,...

    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.

  9. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V502000 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,...

    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.

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Honda Accord — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seats: 65 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 56 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 51 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V030000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V030000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V545000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V042000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V268000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V661000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V378000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V502000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Honda Accord reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Honda Accord is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Accord?
The most-reported component is seats, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Honda Accord have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.