CSR

Honda · NHTSA safety record

2012 Honda Accord

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

373

Complaints

46

Crashes

4

Fires

44

Injuries

1

Deaths

Owners of the 2012 Honda Accord have filed 373 safety complaints with NHTSA between October 2011 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the seats, named in 64 of them (17%). The typical failure was reported at 25,284 miles, the median across the 271 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints rose by half year on year: 11 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 7 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 8 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (8)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V502000 · June 27, 2019

The 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 propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 9,555 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V378000 · May 16, 2019

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 19,138 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V661000 · September 27, 2018

The 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 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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 1,355,406 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V268000 · April 26, 2018

The 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.
The risk
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 1,335 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V042000 · January 9, 2018

The 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 (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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 691,726 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

17V545000 · August 31, 2017

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 3,257 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

17V030000 · January 10, 2017

The 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 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.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 977,708 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

12V030000 · February 1, 2012

The 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.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
The 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.

HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) · up to 347 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture

EQ12002

Closed equipment query · opened February 14, 2012 · closed May 8, 2012

the air bags

The summary for this investigation, labeled EQ12-002 Autoliv Closing Resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.This EQ is closed.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 373.

SEATS 64 17%
AIR BAGS 56 15%
STEERING 51 14%
ENGINE 43 12%
SERVICE BRAKES 36 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 32 9%
POWER TRAIN 27 7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 27 7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 26 7%
SUSPENSION 23 6%
STRUCTURE 22 6%
WHEELS 17 5%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2012 at 72.

2011 2012 2026
2011 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

1 death · 4 injured · fire · crash · towed · 152,000 miles

DRIVING MY HONDA ON A COLD NIGHT AT 20 DEGREE, I HIT MY BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELRATED AT A EXTREME HIGH SPEED, I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND CRASHED TOTALLING MY VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint 11192434. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS

3 injured · 30 miles

FRONT DRIVER SEAT IS CAUSING NECK,BACK AND HIP PAIN AFTER DRIVING 10-15 MINUTES, ADJUSTING SEAT DOES NOT HELP. I TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP, THEY INSPECTED SEAT AND SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM, I TOLD THEM THERE IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE NO MATTER WHO DRIVES THE CAR EVERYONE EXPERIENCES THE SAME PAIN. I GOOGLED "ACCORD SEAT PROBLEM" AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL WEBSITES AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. FOR A COMPANY THAT MAKES SUCH GREAT CARS I NEVER EXPECTED TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A SEAT, I HOPE THEY VALUE THEIR CUSTOMERS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10497953. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

3 injured · 60,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOAD THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE, THE HATCH CLOSED AND INJURED THREE FAMILY MEMBERS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO APOSTOLAKIS HONDA (3156 ELM RD, CORTLAND, OH 44410, (800) 900-4600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DAMPERS ON THE SPRING MAY HAVE WEAKENED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO PROPERLY OPEN THE TRUNK TO ITS FULL UPRIGHT POSITION FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA complaint 11290099. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 79,000 miles

'TAKATA RECALL'. I HAVE TAKEN MEASURES FOR THE SAFETY RECALLS, ADHERING TO REQUIRED DATES PROVIDED BY NHTSA OF THIS VEHICLE, ONE BEING THE AIR BAGS RECALLS. I WAS INVOLVED IN A RECENT CAR WRECK (JANUARY 12TH, 2019)AT WHICH THE DRIVER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED FROM STEERING WHEEL. THE OPPOSING PASSENGER RAN A RED LIGHT AT A STREET/INTERSECTION PERPENDICULAR TO THE STREET I WAS TRAVELING ON. I T-BONED HER 2010 HONDA ACCORD IN THE REAR PANEL, DRIVER'S SIDE. I WAS TRAVELING AT SPEED LIMIT, APPROX 42 MPH AND SHE WAS TRAVELING AT EXCESSIVE SPEED BUT I AM UNAWARE OF HER SPEED LIMIT. MY VEHICLE CONTINUED IN A STRAIGHT PATH BUT COMPLETELY TOTALED THE FRONT END AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT PANEL, FRAME, ETC.

NHTSA complaint 11174322, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

170,762 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11756682. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 100,000 miles

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 mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the front passenger’s side CV axle was fractured from corrosion. The CV axle and the rear brakes and rotors were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V769000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that

NHTSA complaint 11752147, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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, independent mechanics advised that the vibration may be caused by an internal tire belt defect, such as a shifted belt or belt separation. After the tires were rotated again, the vibration changed in character and became worse, further suggesting that the condition is related to a tire rather than the vehicle's suspension or alignment. The tires are still

NHTSA complaint 11745320, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

238,639 miles

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 contact sent a message and left a voice mail message but there was no response. The contact received an unusual high quote from the insurance company. The contact's son sent a text to the seller but they did not respond. There was no other agency contacted.

NHTSA complaint 11738830. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
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)

NHTSA complaint 11724923. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 into a parking lot. Talk about stress, the round abouts are a horror show, with more accidents than ever and a car just STOPS driving. Well now we are being told the axle is broken. What in [XXX] is wrong, I looked on-line and many people have made complaints about broken axels on their Honda's. You have to do something, someone could have gotten

NHTSA complaint 11716999, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Honda Accord

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 77 0
2024 135 3
2023 84 5
2022 228 4
2021 219 4
2020 347 5 1
2019 667 6
2018 1,838 6
2017 531 3 2
2016 594 4
2015 599 5
2014 976 4
2013 1,418 5 1
2011 296 9
2010 579 12 2

Other 2012 Honda models

Every Honda on this site — 187 vehicles, 362 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst