Home · 2012 Honda Accord Plug In Hybrid · Complaints

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)

Newest first · 379 complaints · page 7 of 16

Jun 1, 2017Seats

THE FOAM COVERING THE METAL FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S BACK REST HAS EITHER SHIFTED OR IS SO THIN THAT IS HAS WORN THROUGH AND THAT ALLOWS DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S BACK AND THE METAL FRAME. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, I FEEL THAT THE DIRECT CONTACT OF THE METAL SEAT FRAME WILL RESULT IN INJURY OR INCREASED INJURY TO THE DRIVER.

NHTSA ODI 10992765

May 24, 2017Electrical system

RODENT CHEWED THROUGH SOY COVERED EVAP VENT SHUT VALVE WIRE, ABS AND VSA SENSOR WIRES. CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE AND WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON NEXT TIME CAR WAS DRIVEN.

NHTSA ODI 10991339

May 3, 2017Electrical system

TWO REAR DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN USEING THE SWITCHES ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. AND REAR DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE REMOTE ON THE KEY RING. THE DOOR MOTORS SOUND LIKE THEY ARE DYING. ALL OF THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN THE OFF MODE ENGINE NOT RUNNING AND IN PARK.

NHTSA ODI 10983278

Apr 29, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

PERIODICALLY DURING ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO LOSE POWER OR HESITATE TO BEGIN WITH IT WAS BARELY NOTICEABLE NOW WHEN IT OCCURS IT'S VERY OBVIOUS AND NORMALLY TAKES THREE TO FIVE SECONDS TO RECOVER

NHTSA ODI 10981393

Apr 19, 2017AirbagsSeat beltsBrakesCrash

I WAS IN A CRASH YESTERDAY 04/18/17 AT AROUND 4:55-5:00PM DUE TO MY BRAKES NOT REACTING AS THEY SHOULD AND STOPPING MY CAR. I REAR ENDED A CAR BECAUSE OF THIS AND MY FRONT OF MY CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE, BUT THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND NOTICED THAT MY SEATBELT HAD UNFASTENED AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AND WAS IN TRAFFIC ON THE 405 SOUTHBOUND GETTING CLOSE TO THE 22 FWY EXIT BY SEAL BEACH. IF I WAS GOING FASTER THAN CRUISING SPEED, WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE OUTCOME, SEEING THAT THESE 3 RED FLAGS OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI 10979279

Mar 8, 2017AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S SON CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A STOPPED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S SON SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND BOTH LEGS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 10959608

Mar 7, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V030000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER INFLATOR. THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10959099

Feb 25, 2017Electrical system

RATS CHEWED AND DAMAGED ELECTRICAL WIRING. ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST. COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $2000. PROBLEM FIRST MANIFESTED WHEN DRIVING. TRANSMISSION SHIFTING BECAME SLUGGISH AND SOON AFTER THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION LIGHT ("FLASHING D") OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI 10956900

Feb 6, 2017AirbagsSpeed controlCrash

VEHICLE ACCELERATOR SNAPPED AND CAUSED ACCELERATOR TO DEPRESS TO THE FLOOR AT FULL THROTTLE WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR, JUMP A CURB, AND CAUSED SERIOUS FRONT END DAMAGE AND DRIVER INJURIES. ( CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. AIRBAG ON DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT PREVENT PASSENGER COLLISION WITH STEERING WHEEL AND SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN.

NHTSA ODI 10949837

Jan 18, 2017Speed control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. .....UPDATED 03/08/17 *BF UPDATED 12/06/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 10945941

Jan 15, 2017Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES MAKING DIFFICULT TO KEEP UNDER CONTROL. HAPPENED MANY TIMES. THE CAR WAS RUNNING IN THE LOCAL CITY STREETS.

NHTSA ODI 10945431

Jan 13, 2017Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI 10945056

Jan 6, 2017Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 20 MPH, A HUMMING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 10940170

Dec 16, 2016Steering

MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR RECALL AT SCHAMBURG HONDA,SCHAMBURG ILL FOR WHICH I WAITED ONE HOUR IN LINE AND NEVER GOT INTO SERVICE AREA. DEALER APPEARS TO PURPOSELY NOT WANT TO MAKE MANDATED REPAIR.,

NHTSA ODI 10935638

Nov 15, 2016Electrical system

BOTH DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER WORK.

NHTSA ODI 10926108

Nov 10, 2016Steering

31,000 MILES RACK & PINION IS LEAKING ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE AND YEAR OF THE CAR ITS A SAFETY ISSUE. LOOKS LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI 10925450

Nov 5, 2016Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 10924453

Oct 27, 2016Steering

I NOTICED MY STEERING WAS GETTING HARD TO TURN AROUND 42K MILES. AFTER CHANGED NEW TIRES AND DONE WHEEL BALANCE AND ALIGNMENT, THE SAME CONTINUED AND FELT THE PAIN IN MY HANDS EVERY TIME. I REQUESTED TO CHECK THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL AND THE HONDA SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT NO ISSUES. AS TIME CONTINUED THE STEERING PROBLEM GOT WORST. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WAS NOT GOOD, ITS HARD TO SIMPLE TURN ALSO MY WIFE ALSO OBSERVED THE SAME AND TOLD ME THAT MANUAL POWER WHILE GETTING OUT OF PARKING SPACES, OR WHEN HAVING TO TURN WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO MY LOCAL HONDA SERVICE TECHNICIAN DURING THE OIL CHANGE AND HE HAS TOLD ME THAT IT NEED TO BE REPLACED AND LITTLE BIT DIRTY AND IT SHOULD GO AWAY AFTER A WHILE. IT IS SAME AND NO PROGRESS, IT GOT WORST! ASKING THE DEALERSHIP FOR COST RELIEF FROM HONDA FOR REPAIR AND DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST THOUGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10919326

Oct 27, 2016Electrical systemWheels

TIRE INFLATION METER ARE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR SIMPLE FLAT REPAIRS. CONSUMER RIP OFF CAUSED BUT GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS REQUIRED TIRES TO HAVE PRESSURE SENSOR AND WARNING LIGHTS. EACH TIRE HAS AN EXPENSIVE $80 SENSOR THAT EASILY LEAKS OR GETS BUMPED BY MECHANICS. IT COST ME $200 TO STOP THE LEAKS AND WARNING LIGHTS. ON FIRST LOOK, SOUNDS LIKE A NICE IDEA BUT IN PRACTICE COMPANIES ARE RIPPING US OFF DOING SIMPLE NAIL FIXES. THE MECHANICS WEAKING, PURPOSELY LOOSEN THE VALUE AND SAY IT IS OUR CAR'S COMPUTER PROBLEM. PLEASE DO NOT REQUIRED CARS TO HAVE THESE MONITORS. THANKS FOR LISTENING. SOUNDS LIKE THE LOBBYIST ARE CREATING MONEY GRABS. REGARDS JOHN

NHTSA ODI 10919743

Oct 26, 2016Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 10919124

Oct 21, 2016Brakes

WHEN TRANSITIONING FROM BRAKING BACK TO ACCELERATING THERE IS SOMETIMES A SIGNIFICANT LAG IN THE CAR RESPONDING WHICH MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE LAG IS INCONSISTENT SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL AND SOMETIMES IT SEEMS LIKE A FEW SECONDS. I BELIEVE HONDA HAS A PROBLEM IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE RESPONSE TIME FROM BRAKING TO ACCELERATING. THE CAR IS USUALLY SLOWING TO A VERY SLOW SPEED OR STOPPING AND THEN IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATING. THIS HAPPENS ONCE OR TWICE PER WEEK, SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FROM NEW, BUT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP WON'T RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AND WON'T TRY TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 10917824

Oct 21, 2016Visibility & wipers

ALL THE GLASS ON THE CAR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE WINDSHIELD SUFFERS FROM THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS A STREAKY FINISH TO THE GLASS THAT WHEN WET AND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S DAMP AND DARK OUTSIDE DANGEROUSLY OBSCURE THE VISION FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. MANY TYPES OF GLASS CLEANER HAVE BEEN TRIED WITHOUT SUCCESS AND HONDA ONLY SUGGESTED USING GLASS CLEANERS. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM LIES IN THE GLASS ITSELF AND NO AMOUNT OF CLEANING WILL GET RID OF THIS. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION PARTICULARLY DRIVING IN THE WINTER AFTER SUNSET. IT'S BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR FROM NEW. THE TWO DOOR MIRRORS ARE ALSO AFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10917829

Oct 12, 2016Steering

41000 MILES POWER STEERING LEAKING , FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDS REPLACING . NEED TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING RACK TO TUNE OF 1700 DOLLARS. STEERING LEAKING SINCE 25000 MILES. HONDA SHOULD RECALL. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS INVOLVING STEERING PROBLEMS. CAVEAT EMPTOR!

NHTSA ODI 10915631

Oct 4, 2016Seats

MOST UNCOMFORTABLE CAR SEAT EVER MAKES YOUR LOWER BACK HURT AND LEGS GO NUMB

NHTSA ODI 10913572

Sep 28, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 10910400

← NewerOlder →

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 →