This page covers 9 recalls, 369 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Honda Accord.
21–27 mpg combined
8.7–11.2 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 7 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2012 Honda Accord centers on the front seat area and airbag system. Seat complaints are the most numerous, with owners describing the seat back unexpectedly reclining, collapsing rearward, or losing its locking position while driving. The airbag complaints, the second-largest group, largely involve the driver's airbag inflator, with owners reporting ruptures or abnormal deployment behavior. Steering complaints rank third, with owners describing unexpected stiffness, loss of assist, or pulling while driving. A recurring theme across multiple seat reports is the seat back giving way during normal driving rather than in a crash event, which owners say occurs without warning.
369
Total Complaints
46
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
32
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Honda Accord has 9 recalls, all involving airbags, with the most serious being a frontal passenger airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
The remaining recalls fall into two related clusters. Several filings address the same Takata-style inflator rupture concern from different angles, but the core danger is the same: the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator can explode rather than inflate normally. There are also recalls tied to replacement inflators that may have been installed incorrectly at dealerships during earlier repair attempts, meaning the airbag may not deploy properly in a crash rather than deploying too violently. On the side curtain side, both the driver and passenger curtain airbag inflators on certain vehicles may not have been built to correct specifications, and either or both can fail to deploy in a crash where they are needed.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during a previous replacement, potentially affecting its ability to deploy properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the inflator installation and replace the passenger front air bag module assembly if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement, potentially affecting its ability to deploy properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the passenger air bag and replace the module assembly if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Replacement passenger front air bag inflators may have been incorrectly installed at one dealership, potentially affecting proper deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module assembly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost when parts become available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver-side or passenger-side side curtain airbag inflator may not meet manufacturing specifications, affecting deployment reliability.
What the fix does
Honda will replace the affected side curtain airbag at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Side curtain airbag inflators may be incorrectly manufactured, causing one or both airbags to fail to deploy during a crash when they should.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the side curtain airbag assemblies and replace them if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
