Home · 2012 Honda Accord Fhev · Complaints

What 379 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Accord Fhev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (379)Crash / fire / injury (64)Seats (64)Airbags (58)Steering (51)Engine (44)Brakes (37)Electrical system (31)Transmission & drivetrain (30)Speed control (26)Body & structure (22)Suspension (22)

Newest first · 379 complaints · page 3 of 16

Jun 10, 2021AirbagsCrash1 injury

The driver's airbag failed to deploy until after the driver struck the wheel and suffered a severe mouth injury. Specifically a tooth was broken on the steering wheel and the tooth displaced down to the root. Consumer wanted to add rusted gasoline tank straps. They have rested out, broken and gasoline tank is hanging halfway down.

NHTSA ODI 11420435

May 12, 2021Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER WAS MISFIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED UNDRIVEABLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000.

NHTSA ODI 11416283

May 10, 2021Steering

WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE CAR STRUGGLES TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE AND WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR UNEVEN SURFACE THE CAR STEERING WILL LOOSE CONTROL

NHTSA ODI 11415813

Mar 25, 2021Transmission & drivetrainEngine

THIS VEHICLE CONSUMES SO MUCH OIL TO THE POINT THAT THERE IS NOT HARDLY ANY OIL WHEN THE OIL CHANGE IS DUE

NHTSA ODI 11404877

Mar 24, 2021Body & structure

MY 2012 HONDA ACCORD STARTED HAVING PAINT ISSUES WHEN IT HAD 80,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND AMERICAN HONDA ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT REFUSED TO FIX IT. THE PAINT STARTED PEELING IN THE BACK WINDOW WELL AND HAS NOW SPREAD TO THE SIDE OF THE CAR. LARGE PAINT CHIPS COME OFF EXPOSING BARE METAL.

NHTSA ODI 11404735

Feb 26, 2021Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlFuel systemCrash

WHILE DRIVING A HONDA ACCORD STRAIGHT AHEAD IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE, THE DRIVER SUDDENLY HEARD A "BOOM" NOISE, AND THE CAR SHOT FORWARD AT WHAT THE DRIVER SAYS FELT LIKE DOUBLE THE SPEED THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY GOING. THE DRIVER SAYS HE HAD NO WAY TO CONTROL THE CAR AS IT MOVED FORWARD AND STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT BEFORE VEERING LEFT AND CROSSING OVER ALL 4 LANES, INCLUDING A MEDIAN, AND CRASHING INTO A DITCH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER COMPLAINED OF CHEST PAINS AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. AT FIRST, WHILE STILL AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT, PRIOR TO BEING TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, THE DRIVER ASSUMED HE HAD BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE OF THE "BOOM" NOISE AND SUDDENLY BEING PUSHED FORWARD, WHICH IS WHAT HE TOLD THE POLICE. HOWEVER, AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL AND HAVING PROCESSED WHAT HAD OCCURRED, IT IS BELIEVED THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND ACCELERATED FORWARD ON ITS OWN. IT IS A MIRACLE NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A VERY TRAGIC STORY INSTEAD OF A MIRACLE. THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING SUBMITTED IN HOPES THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11398054

Feb 3, 2021Visibility & wipersDriver assistance

TURNED VEHICLE ON IN MY DRIVEWAY WHERE I LIVE. WARMING UP THE ENGINE (GETTING READY TO GO TO STORE) AND I PUT ON FRONT AND REAR DEFROSTER (WAS COLD OUT). AND BACK WINDSHIELD MADE A LOUD NOISE AND JUST CRASHED INSIDE, GLASS SHATTERED INSIDE CAR. I USUALLY HAVE SOMEONE WITH ME SO I AM GRATEFUL I DID NOT. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY. WE JUST HAD SNOW FALL (WHICH IS SUPER NORMAL HERE AND IT WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED SO NOT SURE WHY THE WINDOW IMPLODED INSIDE THE CAR). YOU CAN SEE IN PHOTO. MY HUSBAND CLEANED OFF THE CAR FOR ME. I USED A BRUSH IT WAS JUST A FEW FLAKES. I USED THE CAR 2 DAYS EARLIER AND CLEANED IT ALSO. IT HAD BEEN CLEANED. THERE WAS SOME RESIDUAL SNOW ON TOP AND ON THE TRUNK BUT NOTHING THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11394521

Jan 11, 2021Engine

ENGINE SEIZURE

NHTSA ODI 11387439

Dec 25, 2020AirbagsCrash

NEARLY HEAD ON COLLISION AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH AND NEITHER THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG OR DRIVER'S STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED

NHTSA ODI 11384915

Dec 22, 2020Engine

I AM EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE OUTLINED IN HONDA TSB 09-010, AT COLD START-UP, THE ENGINE RATTLES LOUDLY FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS. NOTICE ISSUE AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE 95,000 MILES. WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE DEALERSHIP CHECK THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING IDLE IN THE COLD FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. PLUS VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT. NOW THAT EXTENDED WARRENTY HAS EXPIRED, WONDERING IF THIS A RECURRING ISSUE, WOULD A RECALL FORCE HONDA TO RESOLVE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11384499

Dec 18, 2020SteeringSuspensionBody & structure

THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED AT 106000 MILES. NO CREAKING, WHINING, CLUNKING, OR ANY INDICATION THAT IT WAS FAILING. THERE WERE NO CRACKS IN THE BOOT AND THE VEHICLE DROVE FINE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11384013

Nov 11, 2020AirbagsBrakesDriver assistance

VEHICLE IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET, PROCEEDING IN AN EASTWARD DIRECTION.

NHTSA ODI 11374178

Sep 22, 2020Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST LIGHTS CAME ON FIRST WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. THE OBD CODES WERE SCANNED AND THE CODE P0341 WAS READ. THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF AND THE P0341 CODES WERE CLEARED. THE SECOND TIME THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THE OBD CODES WERE SCANNED AGAIN AND THE CODE P1009 WAS READ MEANING THE VTC ACTUATOR IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH ALL 2008-2012 ACCORDS AND THERE HAS BEEN SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED REGARDING THE PROBLEM. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ABOUT THE ISSUE. IF THERE IS NOT ALREADY, THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ISSUED.

NHTSA ODI 11360522

Sep 18, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

CAR JERKS AND SHUDDERS WITH LIGHT ACCELERATION IN LOW GEARS. RECALL WAS ISSUED ON CROSSTOUR TORQUE CONVERTER AND SHOULD BE ISSUED ON ACCORD FROM THIS YEAR WELL OR EXTEND POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. READING FORUMS THIS SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THIS WILL BE MY LAST HONDA UNTIL THEY GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER. ALREADY BOUGHT A DIFFERENT MAKE FOR MY SONS CAR 2 MONTHS AGO.

NHTSA ODI 11359831

Sep 13, 2020AirbagsWheelsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

PURCHASED JUNE 13, 2020.. SHORTLY AFTER NOTICED IT'S LIGHT ON DASH WAS ON.. I HAVE JUST BECOME AWARE WHAT IT IS, IT IS STILL ON ALL THE TIME.. WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO I GOT AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY SUGGESTED I GET 2 NEW TIRES AND A FLANGE ON THE EXHAUST WOULD NEED REPAIRED SOON.. A FEW WEEKS AGO I PURCHASED 2 NEW TIRES UPON RETURNING HOME FRONT FLASHERS ONLY BEGAN TO BLINK INTERMITTENTLY IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS OCCASIONALLY.. I CALLED DISCOUNT TIRE THAT SAME DAY AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW IF ANYTHING HAD TO BE RESET SO I HAVE BEEN CONTINUOUSLY LOOKING FOR ANSWERS SO NOW I HAVE COME ACROSS THE RECALLS AND COMMON PROBLEMS. THE TPMS. LIGHT CAME ON AFTER A 2 HOUR DRIVE HOME AND ALL TIRES WERE 10-12 LBS PRESSURE LOW.. WHAT IS GOING ON..

NHTSA ODI 11354665

Jul 29, 2020Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND TO BILL PAIGE HONDA (6715 ARLINGTON BLVD, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22042, (703)533-9700) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A SOLENOID VALVE DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11342033

May 28, 2020Airbags

THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE BUT THERE ARE NO HONDA DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326273

Mar 8, 2020Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

VSA/ TC FAIL - CAUSED HAZARD. PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: I GOT STUCK ON MY DRIVEWAY, ON PAVEMENT, IN A STEEP SECTION OF THE ROAD. TC KEPT CUTTING THE THROTTLE. HERE'S WHAT I DID: 1) I TRIED TO USE THE BRAKES TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING DOWN THE HILL AND TO STOP THE NO-TRACTION WHEEL FROM SPINNING. THIS DID NOT WORK. TC KICKED IN, OVER AND OVER, CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL BACKWARDS. 2) I TRIED TO USE THE BRAKES, DURING QUICK FOOT SWAP OF THE PEDALS (SEPARATE APPLICATION OF BRAKE, THEN GAS PEDAL). THIS TOO, DID NOT WORK. THIS WAS THE WORSE CASE - THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARD, AND THEN MADE THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL SPIN EVEN MORE (BESIDE, I NOW WAS ALMOST OFF THE ROAD, AND INTO MUDDY DITCH). 3) NEXT, I TRIED MORE CAREFUL SLOW ACCELERATION, THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IDLE, OFF-IDLE AND THE VERY SLIGHTEST OF ACCELERATION (NEEDED MORE GRANULARITY). THE WHEEL SPUN FREELY. I NOW WAS EVEN CLOSER TO BEING, OFF THE ROAD, AND INTO THE MUDDY DITCH. WHERE OTHERS HAVE FALLEN BEFORE. 4) FINALLY, I TURNED THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF. THIS HAD NO EFFECT. IT APPEARS THIS IS DUMMY-BUTTON (ITS FAKE). HERE'S WHAT I EXPECTED... A) SINCE 3 OF THE WHEELS REPORTED 0-MPH, AND EACH APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE RESULTED IN NEGATIVE MPH, ON THE SAME 3 WHEELS THEN THE TC SHOULD ALLOW LOW MPH OF WHEEL SPIN, WHILE GAS AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED (I DO THIS ALL THE TIME IN REVERSE/ BACKING UP HILL, AND THIS WORKS GOOD - NO TC INTERFERENCE). B) OR, SINCE 3 OF THE WHEELS REPORTED 0-MPH, AND EACH APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE RESULTED ZERO FORWARD PROGRESS, THEN THE ABS SHOULD APPLY SLIGHT BRAKES (MAYBE EVEN HILL HOLDING FUNCTION), TO THE FRONT WHEELS, TO FORCE TRACTION TO THE WHEEL WITH THE MOST GRIP. ABS POSSIBLY APPLYING, ALTERNATING BRAKING, AS TRACTION IS LOST, AND GAINED, TO EACH FRONT WHEEL, TILL FORWARD MOTION IS ACHIEVED FOR 100FT (SOME DISTANCE). C) OR, AT LEAST ALLOW THE VSA/ TC, BUTTON TO WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11316873

Mar 5, 2020AirbagsCrash2 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER AN UNKNOWN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER FOR THE AIR BAGS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FOOT AND KNEE INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED NINE RIBS FRACTURED, A FRACTURE FROM THE STERNUM, THE RIGHT CLAVICLE FRACTURE, TWO LOWER VERTEBRAE BRUISED AND A BRUISED LUNGS, ABDOMEN AND CHEST THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT FELT DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS CAUSED TOO MANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOWING SHOP AND WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED BILLY CRAFT HONDA (2634 LAKESIDE DR, LYNCHBURG, VA 2450) AND WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE 131,500. *LN*JB*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11316249

Dec 30, 2019Engine

UPON START OF I HEARD A RATTLE AND IT STOPPED AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS. I GOT ONLINE AND SEE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY HONDA THE VTC ACTUATOR GOES OUT FREQUENTLY.

NHTSA ODI 11292197

Dec 19, 2019Body & structure3 injuries

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 ODI 11290099

Nov 9, 2019Wheels

STEERING ISSUES, WHEEZING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEN STARTS THE ENGINE AND IN MOTION. STEERING OFTEN BECOMES STIFFS WHEN IN MOTION. PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED SINCE THE FIRST DAY DRIVEN OUT OF THE LOT. IT HAS BEEN FIXED AT LEAST, FOUR TIMES NOW BY HONDA, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THE STIFFENING OF THE STEERING OCCURRED ON 8NOV2019 AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11279192

Oct 14, 2019Electrical system

DRIVER WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP. LOOKING ONLINE THERE'S AN ENTIRE THREAD OF HONDA OWNERS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE!! YOUR WINDOWS ARE MALFUNCTIONING AND I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 18 MONTHS!! MOST MOTORS IN WINDOWS LAST!! NOT SURE WHY HONDA HASN'T HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE!!

NHTSA ODI 11268326

Oct 4, 2019Seat belts

THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT OF MY 2012 HONDA ACCORD HAS JAMMED INSIDE THE BELT HOUSING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MOST RECENT EVENT LASTED OVER AN HOUR AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FREE THE BELT FROM THE HOUSING, I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE WITHOUT A SEATBELT ON, WHICH WAS TERRIFYING AND AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. THE BELT EVENTUALLY RELEASED FROM ITS HOUSING AND IS WORKING PROPERLY AGAIN, UNTIL THE NEXT INCIDENT, I SUPPOSE.

NHTSA ODI 11266181

Oct 1, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS (STEERING WHEEL AND SIDE WINDOW) DEPLOYED. AFTERWARDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI 11265478

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Honda Accord Fhev verdict →