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)

22 of 379 complaints match · Suspension · clear filters

Mar 17, 2026Suspension

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 ODI 11724923

Jun 27, 2023Suspension

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at a very slow speed, there was a loud sound coming from the front passenger’s side before the vehicle abruptly stopped driving forward. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger’s side axle had fractured. The mechanic also discovered that the driver’s side axle was also unsafe. The driver’s and passenger’s side front axles were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.

NHTSA ODI 11529060

Jun 21, 2021Suspension

Have a 2012 Accord. Dealer said axle was rusted and is attempting to replace it (dealer is not doing a good job and I'm having them redo under warranty.) There was no incident as of now. Reporting because their 2013-2015 models are presently under recall for rusting in a similar part of the vehicle (the "dynamic damper" part of the CVT / axle assembly if I've understood correctly). Honda claims the rust on the 2012 is "ordinary wear and tear" but I don't buy that. Dealer tried to take pictures to send to Honda America, who wouldn't cover repair.

NHTSA ODI 11421684

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

Mar 5, 2019SteeringSuspensionWheels

TAKATA RECALL MY 2012 HONDA ACCORD HAS A CONSISTENT VIBRATION/SHIMMING WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH BRAND NEW TIRES, HAD THE TIRES BALANCE BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIST AT 60+MPH. I HAVE READ MANY TESTIMONIES ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES AND HONDA OF AMERICA NOT WILLING TO HELP.

NHTSA ODI 11184307

Mar 5, 2019SteeringSuspensionWheels

TAKATA RECALL MY 2012 HONDA ACCORD HAS CONSISTENT VIBRATION/SHIMMING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60+MPH. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED FROM A HONDA DEALER IN JANUARY OF 2017. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AND HAD THEM BALANCE BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIST AND HONDA OF AMERICA ISN'T WILLING TO HELP. I HAVE READ MANY TESTIMONIES ON LINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND NO HELP FROM HONDA USA.

NHTSA ODI 11184311

Jan 11, 2018SuspensionAirbags

TAKATA RECALL - THE CURTAIN AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES UP ON THE DASHBOARD. WHICH MEANS THE AIRBAG GETS DEACTIVATED FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING WITH NO REASON. ALSO MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPALCED DUE TO HUGE NOISE, AND FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION IS LEAKING AND NOT TAKING SHOCKS.

NHTSA ODI 11062212

Dec 26, 2017Suspension

TIRES ON HONDA ACCORDS ARE CUPPING FOR NO GIVEN REASON, THERE WAS A RECALL ON HONDA CIVIC FOR CUPPING, THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR CUPPING ON HODA ACCONRD V6 AND SEDDAN, TOOOOOO MANY COMPLAINTS , EVEN WHEN ALIGNMENTS TIRE ROTATION AND ALL DONE ON TIME

NHTSA ODI 11056690

Jun 29, 2017Suspension

FRONT DRIVERS WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT 74,000 MILES

NHTSA ODI 11002076

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

Jun 4, 2015SuspensionBrakes

ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR, I HEAR A SIREN WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES AND IT IS REALLY ANNOYING THAT IT GIVES ME A HEADACHES.

NHTSA ODI 10723355

Mar 16, 2015Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA ODI 10694441

Aug 21, 2014SuspensionWheelsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

HONDA IS SENDING OUT ITS CARS WITH THE REAR WHEEL CAMBER SET TO NEGATIVE 1 TO 2 DEGREES. THIS CAUSES THE TIRES TO WEAR OUT ON THE INSIDE EDGE AND THE REAR TIRES DO NO MAKE PROPER CONTACT WITH THE ROAD. THE FRONT CAMBER IS USUALLY SET TO ZERO (IE STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN FOR THE TIRES). THE SMALLER CONTACT PATCH NOT ONLY WEARS OUT THE TIRE EDGES BUT MAKES A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE TIRES WEAR DOWN AND THE CONTACT PATCH DECREASES. ROTATING THE TIRES ONLY MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSE. I REQUESTED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AT ZERO MILES AND AGAIN AT 6K WITH THE REQUEST THAT THE REAR TIRES BE SET TO ZERO CAMBER. AT 30K MY TIRES ARE WORN OUT ONLY ON THE INSIDE EDGE AND I AM REQUESTING A THIRD WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHICH NOW WILL COST 600 DOLLARS OR MORE TO FIX HONDA'S PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE CAMBER PROBLEM MAKES THE CARS SUSCEPTIBLE TO SPINNING AROUND IN ICY WEATHER DUE TO THE DIFFERENCE IN TIRE PATCHES. THIS IS WORSE ON AN ICY ROAD. HONDA OTHER THAN THE LOCAL DEALER WILL NOT TALK TO ITS CUSTOMERS...... *TR

NHTSA ODI 10627121

Jun 30, 2014SteeringSuspensionBody & structureCrash

MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT SAFETY NEGLIGENCE, ON THE CORPORATE SITE FOR HONDA AND I QUOTE STATES ?YOUR SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY?. I TOOK MY CAR TO GET CHECKED FOR A KNOCKING NOISE AND WAS TOLD BALL JOINTS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND WAS TOLD YES BY SERVICE ADVISOR. AFTER BEING CHARGE FOR APPARENTLY TIGHTEN RODS. APPARENTLY THE CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS NEGLECT SAFETY OF THE CUSTOMER AND ALSO HAVE ATTITUDES TOWARDS CUSTOMERS WAS TOLD THIS WHEN BROUGHT CAR IN AND I QUOTE ?SO YOU KNOW MORE THAN THE HONDA ENGINEERS?. THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL OF MY CAR CAME OFF (WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM) AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AND BEING CHARGED FOR TIGHTEN RODS. NOW DEALER IS BLAMING ME FOR THE WHEEL COMING OF WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. MY COMPLAINT RESOLUTION SHOULD BE HONDA TECHS/DEALER SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR THEIR SAFETY NEGLECT AND SHOULD REPAIR THE DAMAGES THAT HAVE COST ME TO MY VEHICLE WHICH I HAVE WORK HARD FOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10606980

Dec 27, 2012Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT SUSPENSION BEGAN VIBRATING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE ROTATION AND ALIGNMENT OF THE TIRES WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON THE SECOND OCCASION OF THE FAILURE, THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI 10490260

Dec 17, 2012SteeringSuspension

FROM DAY OF PURCHASE BRAND NEW, VEHICLE VIBRATES (SHIMMIES) AT SPEEDS BEGINNING AT ABOUT 58 MPH AND UPWARD. THE VIBRATION IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE WHEEL CAN BE SEEN VISIBLY VIBRATING. PASSENGER CAN SENSE THE VIBRATION FROM SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, DEALER HAS FAILED. *TR THE DEALER PERFORMED A WHEEL BALANCE AND REPLACED THE TIRES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. HONDA ACKNOWLEDGED THE VIBRATION EXISTED, BUT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE CONSUMER. ACCORDING TO ENGINEER FROM HONDA, A RADIAL FORCE BALANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND AN INDEX OF ALL FOUR TIRES WAS DONE, AS WELL AS FINE TUNED THE BALANCE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND ADJUSTED THE STEERING RACK PRE-LOAD. THE ENGINEER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD IMPROVED BY 90%, AS THE VIBRATION NO LONGER EXISTED; ONLY ROAD FEEL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VIBRATION, IS STILL PRESENT AND EVEN WORSE THAN BEFORE. UPDATED 04/01/13

NHTSA ODI 10489046

Oct 12, 2012SteeringSuspension

I PURCHASED A 2012 HONDA ACCORD V6 EX-L IN DEC. 2011. I NOTICED A STEERING SHIMMY/VIBRATION AND AN ESCALATING GRINDING NOISE IN AUGUST 2012. I ORIGINALLY TEST DROVE THIS VEHICLE THOROUGHLY WHEN I PURCHASED IT AND NEVER NOTICED THIS PROBLEM UNTIL AUGUST 2012. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN ISOLATED THE NOISE TO A FAILED LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING. THEY REPLACED THE BEARING AND GRINDING NOISE HAS GONE AWAY BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE SHIMMY/VIBRATION AT 55 -75 MPH AND IS MOST NOTICEABLE/AMPLIFIED BETWEEN 60 - 70 MPH. SINCE THEN I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK AND HONDA TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THAT THE TIRES WERE BALANCED CORRECTLY. I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE TECHNICIAN AND HE CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS A VIBRATION/ SHIMMY OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE HONDA DEALER TECHNICIAN THAN DROVE ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THEIR LOT THAT WAS THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL WITH 500 MILES ON IT AND IT DID THE SAME THING. HE SAID IT COULD BE THE ROAD. I SAID NOT EVERY ROAD OR HIGHWAY WHERE SPEED LIMITS ARE ABOVE 55 MPH WILL DO THIS TO A VEHICLE. HE SAID THAT IF MORE COMPLAINTS ARE FILED THEIR MAY BE A RECALL BUT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE HE COULD DO AT THIS POINT AND IF HE HEARD ANYTHING IN REGARDS TO A RECALL HE WOULD LET ME KNOW. THE TECHNICIAN LOOKED AT MY RIMS FOR ANY CURB DAMAGE WHICH THERE IS NONE AND I INFORMED HIM THAT I HAVEN'T HIT ANY CURBS. I WAS GOING TO GO BACK TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS CONSTANT PROBLEM BUT THOUGHT I WOULD RESEARCH ON-LINE TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY OTHER 2012 HONDA ACCORD OWNERS HAVING THIS PROBLEMS AND THERE IS SO I SEE NO NEEDED TO MAKE AND WAITED TRIP TO HONDA DEALERSHIP. SINCE I DRIVE 60 MILES ROUND TRIP TO WORK FIVE DAYS A WEEK THIS IS GETTING TO BE VERY IRRITATING AND NOW THE LOWER PART OF MY ARMS HAVE DEVELOPED TINGLING/NUMBNESS SENSATION AFTER DRIVING FOR THESE LONG PERIODS OF TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10479894

Sep 5, 2012Suspension

THE CAR MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED OR RELEASED. THE LONGER THE CAR IS DRIVEN, THE LOUDER THE NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS ON THE 2012 MODELS AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS CAUSE MY TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEW PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO SEE IF THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10473973

Aug 27, 2012SteeringSuspensionWheels

I NOTICED NOISE, WHEEL VIBRATIONS AND STEERING PROBLEMS. THE HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT I HAD A BAD WHEEL BEARING ON THE LEFT SIDE AND REPLACED IT. AFTER I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK FROM THE SHOP, I NOTICED THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT, WHEEL VIBRATIONS, LOOSE STEERING WHEEL AND MAKING NOISE. THE CAR DID NOT SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS PROPERLY AND FLUCTUATED BETWEEN RPMS RANDOMLY (EVEN WHEN AT IDLE). I TOOK IT BACK TO THE HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS TIME THEY RESET THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR AND PERFORMED IDLE RELEARN PROCEDURE; ADJUSTED THE TOE ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. THEY ALSO FOUND THAT THE REAR ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND AND "MACHINE REAR BRAKE ROTORS" BUT REUSED THE BRAKE PADS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SCHEDULED ANOTHER SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR 8/28. HOWEVER, I AM STILL HAVING THE IDLE RPM, SHIFTING PROBLEMS, WHEEL VIBRATION ISSUES, STEERING PROBLEMS, NOISE ISSUES AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS. THIS MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10472610

Aug 13, 2012SteeringSuspensionEngine & cooling

I AM INTO MY FIRST YEAR OF LEASING THIS NEW VEHICLE. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES. IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER/SHOP THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A "DEFINITE SHIMMY" SHAKING OF STEERING WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEED. ( 60-65 ). THEY HAVE DONE ALL THE NECESSARY STEPS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AND NOTHING HAS WORKED. I HAVE CALLED HONDA MFG AND FILED A REPORT AS WELL. I WAS TOLD BY THE MFG, THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY A HONDA REP. THAT IT MAY BE A "CHARACTERISTIC" OF SOME ACCORDS. I FEEL AS A CONSUMER THIS WOULD BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I DON NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. ALSO, THE A/C HAS BEEN WORKED ON 3 TIMES AS WELL, AND STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHY CAN'T THE DEALER AUTHORIZE A REPLACEMENT WHEN IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED? WHY WOULD THE DEALER EVEN LET ME LEAVE LOT KNOWING IT HAS A DEFINITE PROBLEM? SHOULDN'T SAFETY COME FIRST FOR ALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI 10470465

Jul 14, 2012SuspensionWheels

THE VEHICLE HAS A SHIMMY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE ROADS ARE LIKE AS MANY IN MY AREA ARE BRAND NEW, THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND HAS A SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WILL BE GOING BACK TO HONDA FOR THE THIRD TIME AND I HAVE HAD THE WHEELS BALANCED, FRONT END ALIGNED, AND I AM NOW GOING IN FOR A ROAD FORCE BALANCE. THERE ARE MANY ISSUES REPORTED ON LINE AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. HAVING OWNED 7 HONDA PRODUCTS IN THE LAST 16 YRS, THIS WILL BE MY LAST. ONE MORE VISIT AFTER THIS AND I WILL BE SEEKING A LEMON LAW CLAIM ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE INTERNET. I AM IN THE CAR BUSINESS AND THIS IS FAR FROM WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS FROM ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN AND POSES A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE FOR MANY VEHICLE OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10465621

Jun 26, 2012SuspensionTires

2012 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS A LEMON *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE, HE HAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER EIGHT TIMES TO CORRECT A DEFECT RELATED TO A SHAKING/VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BETWEEN 60-80 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS ROAD TESTED BY HONDA SERVICE REPAIR MANAGERS AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS FOR A TOTAL OF OVER 126 MILES AND EACH TIME IT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED AND DOCUMENTED THAT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL EXISTED. THE TIRES WERE BALANCED AND ROTATED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE VIBRATION CONTINUED.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10462656

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 →