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What 379 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Accord Plug In Hybrid

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)

37 of 379 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters · page 2 of 2

Mar 8, 2014Brakes

THE BRAKE HAS FAILED FOUR TIMES STARTING AT ABOUT 22 MONTH OLD. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN, THE WHEELS KEPT RUNNING. FIRST TIME, I WAS EXITING FROM HIGHWAY. THE ROAD WAS SLIGHTLY SLIPPERY. THE BRAKE WORKED FINE INITIALLY BUT STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CURVE. THE CAR ZIGZAGGED FOR THREE TIMES BEFORE REACHING THE STRAIGHT ROAD. THE SECOND TIME WAS ON DECEMBER 14, 2012 AFTER SNOWING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. AS I WAS SWITCHING TO THE LEFT TURN LANE, THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED YELLOW, THE BRAKE WORKED INITIALLY SO I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. HOWEVER, AS I WAS APPROACHING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THE BRAKE FAILED AGAIN AND THE CAR CONTINUE TO CRUISE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES FIRMLY. AT THE END, I HAD TO TURN THE CAR TOWARDS CURB ON MY LEFT SIDE AND THE IMPACT OF HITTING THE CURB FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON THE SAME DAY. THE DEALER CHECKED THE BAKE AND DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN TWICE IN THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 26, 2014 WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY SON TO MIDDLE SCHOOL ON SLIPPERY ROAD. THE FIRST TIME, THERE WAS A SLIGHT TURN TO THE LEFT AND A SMALL DOWNWARD SLOPE, AND APPLYING THE BRAKES COULD NOT STOP THE CAR EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS MOVING AT AROUND 10 MPH. THE SECOND TIME WAS NEAR AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. WHEN HE WANTED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, ON A STRAIGHT ROAD WITHOUT AN INCLINE, THE CAR PULSATED (ASSUMING ABS STARTED) BUT DID NOT STOP AND DID NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN. HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10567971

Mar 6, 2014Brakes

I BEGAN TO HEAR AN INTERMITTENT SCRAPING, RUBBING NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED REAR BRAKE PADS ONLY AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE FINE, NO PROBLEM'. SOON AFTER, I HAD NECESSITY TO BRAKE SUDDENLY ON THE FREEWAY AND I DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING AT 55-60 MPH! I FELT A DREAD TO TELL THE DEALER DUE TO PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THEM. I FINALLY TOOK IT BACK AND WAS TOLD THAT NOW THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WARPED AND NEEDED THE 'ROTORS TURNED! AT A COST OF $300.00+ TO ME. I COMPLAINED THAT THIS CAR IS STILL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH MILEAGE FOR SUCH DRASTIC MEASURES OF TURNING THE ROTORS. I RECEIVED A VAGUE ESTIMATE WHICH OFFERED TO REPAIR AT NO CHARGE TO CUSTOMER. WHY CAN'T HONDA REPLACE THESE ROTORS AND NOT JUST TURN THEM? I AM STILL PAYING FOR THIS CAR AND CERTAINLY NEVER ANTICIPATED SUCH A MESS AS THIS WHEN IT IS STILL NEW! IS THERE SOME PROBLEM WITH THESE ROTORS AS YET UNDISCLOSED BY HONDA? I DID MONTHS OF RESEARCH AND TEST DRIVING AND LOOKING FOR MY FIRST BRAND NEW CAR. I EXPECT MORE FROM HONDA AND THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING! HONESTLY, I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE THIS CAR FOR MANY YEARS TO COME AND NOW I FIND MYSELF WONDERING WHY I BOUGHT A NEW CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS NOT A GOOD START! PLEASE PROVIDE SOME ANSWERS FOR ME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10567593

Sep 27, 2013Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ODI 10545730

Aug 5, 2013Brakes

ROTOR MALFUNCTION PREMATURE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 25K MILES ON IT, AND THE BRAKES ARE STILL GOOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10533730

Jun 16, 2013Brakes

WE HAVE A 2012 HONDA ACCORD WITH A LOUD CLICKING NOISE IN THE FRONT BRAKES WHEN YOU CHANGE DIRECTIONS , WE HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THEM THAT THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THAT CAN BE DONE THAT IT WAS BRAKE PAD SHIFT AND IT IS NORMAL FOR THAT YEAR ACCORD, I AM CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AS MY WIFE DRIVES IN IT WITH MY STEPDAUGHTERS AND MY YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN, I'M CONCERNED THAT THE CONSTANT MOVEMENT WILL WEAR DOWN THE METAL AND CAUSE A BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10520029

Jun 3, 2013BrakesCrash

PULLED INTO A VERTICAL PARKING SPACE, APPLIED BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATED HITTING A TREE AND CAUSING FRONT END DAMAGE. FIFTEEN MINUTES PREVIOUS TO THIS ACCIDENT, WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN DRIVE & WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I NOTICED THE ENGINE REVVING AS THOUGH ONE WAS STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR. FOUND THIS WEIRD BUT DID NOT THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10514944

Mar 24, 2013AirbagsBody & structureBrakesCrash1 injury

AS I WAS BRAKING WHILE APPROACHING AN ANGLED PARKING SPACE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THE CAR ACCELERATED, CROSSED THE SIDEWALK AND HIT A CONCRETE BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR DECLARED THE CAR TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10504319

Nov 4, 2012SteeringEngine & coolingBrakes

SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR, THE ENGINE VIBRATES, POWER STEERING MAKES NOISE (AND THE PUMP WAS REPLACED BY DEALER), NOW IT ALSO VIBRATES WHEN RIDING (WHEEL) AND BRAKES MAKE A "CLAMPING" NOISE THAT HONDA ASSURES ME IS NORMAL. AT 7K MILES, THE BRAKES WERE "ADJUSTED". THE CAR IS NOW 14.5K MILES AND STILL VIBRATES IN IDLE AND WHEN RIDING. I HAVE FILED A LEMON LAW CLAIM WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA ALREADY, THOUGH HONDA IS WORKING ON PROVING I AM WRONG. DO I JUST GET RID OF THE CAR? IS THIS CAR SAFE? LEMON LAW ARBITRATION CASE #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10483324

Jun 1, 2012Electrical systemBrakes

ABS LIGHTS ON PURCHASE AFTER 5 MONTHS. I PURCHASE MY CAR ON 12/30/11. ON 30/5/12 I SAW THE LIGHTS ON, I DROPPED MY CAR FOR 1 DAY AT BOARDWALK HONDA SERVICE. NEXT DAY, WHEN I WENT TO TAKE MY CAR THE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT RODENTS HAD EATEN THE WIRING. THE PLACE WHERE I PARK MY CAR, THERE WERE THREE OTHER CARS ALSO PARKED EVERYDAY. THEY NEVER HAVE SUCH KIND OF PROBLEM. I THINK BECAUSE OF THEIR CAR IS OLD AND MY CAR IS NEW SO RODENTS LIKE TO EAT NEW WIRES NOT A OLD WIRES. THE MANGER TOLD ME THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS AND IT WILL BE MORE THAN $1000. I AM COMPLETELY DISAGREE, WHY SHOULD I PAY. STILL ITS PASSED 5 MONTHS. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BY HONDA WITH FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10460317

May 31, 2012Brakes

MY BRAKES CONSTANTLY MAKE AN ANNOYING CLICKING SHOULD IT IS ONLY GETTING WORSE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I MADE THE PURCHASE I WAS WAITING FOR ONE HOUR AND A HALF ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DID NOT DO A FULL INSPECTION AND EVERYTHING IS NORMAL THE CLICKING SOUND IS NORMAL. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH MY CAR IT IS THE FIFTH HONDA IN THE FAMILY THE NEW VEHICLE WITH THE LOUD CLICKING SOUND. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE VEHICLES FROM MAZDA TO NISSAN EVEN TOYOTA AND THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE THAT I HAVE WITH SUCH ANNOYING CLICKING SOUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10460101

May 9, 2012BrakesEngine & cooling

CAR WAS STOPPED ENGINE KEEP RUNNING FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10457890

May 9, 2012BrakesEngine & coolingSeat belts

STOPPED FOR GAS ENGINE KEEP RUNNING AT HIGH LEVEL OF RPMS WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES STOPPED THE CAR BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND TURNING ENGINE OFF THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPEN IN ONE DAY. IN MY OTHER COMPLAIN REGARDING HONDA I SAID APRIL INSTEAD OF MAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10457896

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Working with the data? Download all 379 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 28, 2026

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 Plug In Hybrid verdict →