CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012 Honda Accord has a solid reputation (so far), with one very significant flaw: uncomfortable seats.

Owners have consistently reported uncomfortable seats with the entire 8th generation (2008-2012) of Honda Accords. Complaints range from back pain to leg circulation problems due to bad lumbar support, cushioning, & seat angle. Complaints aren't limited to only a certain body type -- the seat comfort problems are from a wide spectrum of owner height & weight.

The common theme we hear is "we never noticed this during the test drive." Unfortunately for unwary buyers, the seat pain is noticeable after 15-20 minutes.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 1
Average Mileage:
48,734 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Honda Accord engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #22

May 252018

Accord

  • 20,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was at a stop sign on private property. I attempted to move forward to make a left turn and the car suddenly accelerated. I couldn't stop it - but a tree about 20 feet away did. Even if I had floored the gas pedal, the car would not have gone that fast that quickly. I have read of others that have had the same experience. Honda just says there is nothing wrong with the car.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #21

Dec 042017

Accord

  • miles
The variable timing control actuator makes a loud rattling noise when the car is started in the morning for the first time. That is the only time it rattles; the first start of the day. The mechanic says if the actuator fails the car will stop wherever it is. If I'm in traffic it could cause an accident; I live in the greater los angeles area where traffic is usually heavy which compounds the problem. Apparently Honda is repairing the vtc actuator on some Honda Accord, but my VIN is not on the fix list, so Honda recognizes it is an engineering problem, and it is wide spread enough that they are repairing some Honda Accord with the right VIN. The internet is filled with Honda Accord owner complaints so I know the problem is high in numbers. The office of attorney general, state of California referred me to your Agency and encouraged me to file a complaint. I think this is a serious problem due to an engineering misstep in planning and production. Further I think it poses a safety issue for Honda Accord owners and the general public if the engine malfunctions as the auto technicians say it will. I think Honda recognizes the problem, but are addressing it in a piece-meal fashion rather than issuing a recall. I hope you can give me and other Honda Accord owners some relief. Thank you

- Castaic, CA, USA

problem #20

Sep 182017

Accord

  • 84,300 miles
The car makes a rattling noise when I start the engine. It stops after a few seconds.I checked the engine oil level and it was good.

- Sylmar, CA, USA

problem #19

Jun 072017

Accord

  • 30 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car engine suddenly stalled in the middle of the road while driving on our city street. Also we are unable to push down the break. ( lucky no one behind us and we are not on the highway). We had to turn the key to off position and restart the engine. Thank you

- San Rafael, CA, USA

problem #18

Nov 012016

Accord

  • 63,000 miles
I am experiencing the issue outlined in Honda tsb 09-010, at cold start-up, the engine rattles loudly for about 2 seconds. I contacted my local dealer that was well aware of this problem. Took it in and the dealer changed out the vtc controller. 63,000 miles. Not covered due to out of warranty (5 years/60,000 miles). I asked if there was an extended warranty or recall and the dealer said no. It is unacceptable that this is such a widespread known issue with the Accord and CRV, yet Honda fails to issue a recall.

- Granville, OH, USA

problem #17

Oct 222016

Accord

  • miles
The vehicle consume too much oil. Oil changed on 10/22/2016 and today 10/26/2016 the vehicle shows 10% already consumed. The vehicle is for personal use, is driven about 6 miles a day.

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #16

Jun 072016

Accord

  • 25,017 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 60 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, but the engine revved and rpms increased rapidly. The engine seized for a moment. After applying the accelerator pedal, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The failure recurred on a separate occassion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice, but the mechanic was unable to duplicate or locate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,017.

- Deer Park, NY, USA

problem #15

Apr 272016

Accord

  • miles
Vtc actuator grinding noise - in the spring of 2015 I started to notice a grinding noise when the car was started in the morning. I took the car in to Honda of bowie (bowie, Maryland) on May 23, 2015, and they said it was the vtc actuator and that Honda had the concern under investigation, and that Honda would not cover the repair. They also said they would contact me with any additional details. It has been nearly year since I brought the car in, and Honda has not contacted me and the grinding noise now occurs not only every morning but now every time the car sits for a couple hours. I am very concerned that this problem is getting worse and I am worried about the long term reliability of this car and associated future repair costs associated with this issue.

- Huntingtown, MD, USA

problem #14

Oct 132015

Accord

  • miles
My vehicle only has 88,000 miles and the power steering pump is starting to scream. Is there a possible recall on this item?

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

problem #13

Apr 012015

Accord

  • 60,000 miles
Operating on the highway and vehicle had a loss of power. This loss of power happened when trying to merge into fast moving traffic on the interstate. The vehicle loss power as the merge began and caused vehicles operating from behind to drastically slow down or pull into left hand lane also, was unable to safely travel in the slow vehicle lane because of the loss of power. Evidently, dealership reported several cylinders had oil fowling on the spark plug. The engine was taken apart and cylinders 1,3,5 rings were replaced.

- Windsor Locks, CT, USA

problem #12

Nov 012015

Accord

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine coolant, thermostat, radiator and engine failed at a mere 37K miles. Honda refused to cover. It was in motion when it started smoking and shooting out fluid from under the hood. Had it towed to two Honda dealerships only to not have it covered.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #11

Aug 052015

Accord

  • 9,140 miles
I was slowing down and braking for a red traffic light. I had to apply a lot of pressure on the brakes as it felt like the car was going to accelerate. This is the second time that I had this particular problem. Both times, this acceleration attempt when I was braking, did not happen for the remainder of my drive. I did not notice the engine revving or see that the engine was overheated. I was driving on city street where the posted peed limit is 25 mph and I was driving withing the speed limit.

- Cleveland Heights, OH, USA

problem #10

Dec 032012

Accord

  • 1,500 miles
This is an intermittent recurring issue with the vehicle. When making a slow speed turn, typically accelerating from a traffic light or stop sign, the engine will not respond to the accelerator being depressed. This occurs if I have to lift off of the accelerator and reapply pressure, due to traffic slowing around turns or other driving conditions that necessitate lifting off of the gas pedal and then stepping on it the problem has not happened when going straight, only on turns. There have been times where this has proven to be unnerving and potentially dangerous as there were vehicles approaching and the brief hesitation caused what could have been an easy turn with no chance of an oncoming vehicle hitting my car to a situation with the potential for my vehicle being struck. When the first few hesitations occurred I was advised that it could be caused by the drive by wire technology. As I review some of the forms I see numerous instances where others have experienced this momentary non response when pressing on the accelerator. I also noticed that this is not just an Accord issue as other Honda model owners have experienced this same problem. At first this was an annoyance, but as stated it has become more of a safety concern.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

problem #9

Jun 042015

Accord

  • 75,000 miles
I am experiencing the issue outlined in tsb 09-010, at cold start-up, the engine rattles loudly for about 2 seconds. I am in the process of trying to contact american Honda to see if I can get goodwill to get this repaired. It is unacceptable that this is such a widespread known issue yet Honda fails to issue a recall.

- Andover, MA, USA

problem #8

May 292015

Accord

  • 43,000 miles
I was driving on a down hill road ( about 0.3 miles), and my transmission was exactly on "D". because it was a down hill road, I released my gas pedal. However, suddenly my engine made some acceleration sound, and on the meter, it showed that the engine speed was increasing from 2000rpm to 3000rpm. (please notice that I was not feeding the gas at that moment because I was driving on a down hill road ). I immediately step on the brake and the engine began to slow down. I need to drive on this road on a daily basis. This kind of incident had never happened previously.

- South Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #7

May 082014

Accord 6-cyl

  • 23,844 miles
While applying brakes, the engine revved up and car started to accelerate - I had to move transmission into "neutral" to stop vehicle. It was inspected the following day by a Honda dealer and they said that the car was functioning normally. It has happened 3 times since it was inspected by a 2nd dealer, the latest time was March 7th, 2015.

- West Chester, PA, USA

problem #6

Feb 122014

Accord

  • 21,900 miles
Vehicle does not accelerate, but hesitates 2-4 seconds from a stop or near stop, then suddenly surges to mid throttle forcing the driver to either brake suddenly or avoid hitting another vehicle. Happened 4 times in one year with my car.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #5

Jan 122015

Accord 6-cyl

  • 57,940 miles
Our 2012 4 door/V6 Honda Accord was involved in a crash. A mack truck hit our car from behind at an estimated speed of 50. We hit the car in front of us at an estimated speed of 20. The vehicle was considered totaled with an estimate of $22000-$25000 in damages. The front airbags never deployed. In my research, 2012 Honda's had a recall regarding side airbags not deploying (www.Honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=6510-en). I am concerned there might be an issue with the front airbags as well. I reported the issue to american Honda as a safety concerns for other Honda owners. Honda documented all the information regarding the crash then instructed me to have a private individual inspect vehicle to determine if there was a malfunction with the airbags. If so, then they want us to submit the issue in writing.

- Ponte Vedra, FL, USA

problem #4

Dec 132013

Accord 4-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
I was on the street, approaching a red light. All of a sudden the engine started to speed up. The car did not jump forward. I immediately pressed on the brake, put the car into park, and shut the engine. Luckily there were no cars in back of me. I started the car again. Everything seemed normal. Two days ago, on March 22, I was parking the car on the street between two other cars. I was in either D or R, when the vehicle started to race again. I followed the same procedure as before, and shut the engine. The first time this happened, I took the car to a Honda dealer. It was claimed they drove the car and everything seemed fine. Several weeks ago as normal maintenance, I had the transmission fluid changed at the Honda dealer. This seems to be a very dangerous situation. Please investigate.

- Oceanside, NY, USA

problem #3

Nov 282013

Accord

  • 32,500 miles
When cruising on the highway, the steering wheel develops a vibration. Also, when the car is idle, it vibrates almost like a cylinder is missing a spark. Only have 34000 miles on this car and its giving me these issues that they say "can't be fixed".

- Pooler, GA, USA

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