2012 Honda Odyssey
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

- Class
- Minivan - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr Minivan EX, 4dr Minivan EX-L Res, 4dr Minivan LX, 4dr Minivan Touring
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 19 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 202.8 in
- Curb weight
- 4,341–4,564 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Overview
The 2012 Honda Odyssey is a minivan offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 203 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,416 lb (4dr Minivan EX).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 27 highway), 3% better than the 2012 minivan average of 21.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Odyssey — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Odyssey →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Minivan EX | 202.8 in | 79.1 in | 68.5 in | 118.1 in | 67.7 / 68.1 in | 4,416 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr Minivan EX-L Res | 202.8 in | 79.1 in | 68.5 in | 118.1 in | 67.7 / 68.1 in | 4,513 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr Minivan LX | 202.8 in | 79.1 in | 68.5 in | 118.1 in | 67.7 / 68.1 in | 4,341 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr Minivan Touring | 202.8 in | 79.1 in | 68.5 in | 118.1 in | 67.7 / 68.1 in | 4,564 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | +3% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Odyssey | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | -1% | $3,200 | 423 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Honda Odyssey.
Similar 2012 minivans
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Honda Odyssey (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Toyota Sienna | 21 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2012 Kia Sedona | 21 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan | 20 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2012 Chrysler Town and Country | 20 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Nissan Quest | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Routan | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (5)
Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly · Nov 17, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V725000 · 806,936 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The second row outboard seats can slide sideways to one of two positions. If a seat is placed between either of the two positions when attaching the seat to the vehicle floor, the seat will not latch properly to the seat striker, allowing the seat to tip forward unexpectedly during braking.
- Risk
- If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket to the second row outboard floor strikers, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2018. Owners may contact American Honda Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is S0G.
Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly · Dec 27, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V933000 · 633,753 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2010, to October 1, 2015. The affected vehicles have second row outboard seats that have a release lever that allows the seats to move for easier access to the third row of seats. This release lever may remain in the unlocked position allowing the seats to move unexpectedly.
- Risk
- An unlocked second row outboard seat increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional bracket and spring to both second row outboard seats, free of charge. Interim letter has been mailed, and a second notification will be sent . Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KD5.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Apr 15, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V143000 · 204,169 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Risk
- If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.
Air Bags · Jan 18, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V016000 · 748,481 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.
- Risk
- The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the driver's airbag module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Suspension › Front · Dec 22, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V602000 · 9 vehicles
- Problem
- HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012, ODYSSEY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 31, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2011. THE RETENTION NUT FOR THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER SUSPENSION DAMPER BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE NUT TO LOOSEN.
- Risk
- IF THE NUT LOOSENS, THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY WOULD ONLY BE ATTACHED BY ONE BOLT, ALLOWING THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO SHIFT TO AN EXTREME INWARD ANGLE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- HONDA CONTACTED ALL NINE OWNERS BY PHONE ON DECEMBER 19, 2011, AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Not every 2012 Honda Odyssey is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Honda Odyssey buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 34 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Engine — 33 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 27 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 63,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Honda Odyssey. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Odyssey years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Odyssey | 22 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Odyssey | 22 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 57 |
| 2025 Odyssey | 22 | 205.1 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 438 |
| 2024 Odyssey | 22 | 205.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 121 |
| 2023 Odyssey | 22 | 205.1 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 105 |
| 2022 Odyssey | 22 | 205.1 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 141 |
| 2021 Odyssey | 22 | 205.1 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 147 |
| 2020 Odyssey | 22 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 14 | 490 |
| 2019 Odyssey | 22 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 20 | 995 |
| 2018 Odyssey | 22 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 16 | 1,009 |
| 2017 Odyssey | 22 | 202.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 39 |
| 2016 Odyssey | 22 | 202.8 in | Not rated | 6 | 271 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Honda. How we calculate this →