Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Odyssey equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: CS5 Grand Touring, Tire Size: P235/65/R17, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate abnormally. The driver was able to pull over safely and became aware of a blowout of the front passenger's side tire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, there was an abnormal vibration in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a tire center where it was determined that the failure was linked to a busted tire core. The damaged tire and driver's side rear tire were replaced. The contact stated that while continuing to drive, the steering wheel and the vehicle continued to vibrate. …
When applying the brake fro my 2012 Honda Odyssey I feel my steering shaking that may cause an issue while driving on Freeway. I have done the wheel balancing on new tires again too... But still i fee the same.
While moving approximately 65 MPH down a moderate grade, I applied light to moderate braking. I immediately felt a vibration in the front end and shaking in the steering wheel. This vibration and shaking only occurred while applying the brakes. The sensation was severe enough to question stability of the vehicle so I eventually visited the dealership and they advised me that the front rotors would need to be replaced. It seems premature for the rotors to need replacement after only 29,000 miles, particularly considering that the original brake pads themselves have plenty of life left. My concern for my family's safety compelled me to spend over $200 to have the dealership replace the rotors (at their recommendation) with newly designed Honda rotors. …
There was a check engine light and upon inspection, Honda notified me that the piston ring replacement was necessary and that Honda extended the warranty to 100K miles. The problem was the timing belt and few other parts needed to be replaced because they would get damaged during this warranty repair. Honda refused to pay for the timing belt replacement and made me pay almost $800.00 in parts and labor. 2. My car stared to vibrate every time I braked from about 15K miles. I took it in and instead of making the proper repairs the service center had the front rotors re-surfaced 3 times. The problem kept on coming back because the front rotors are undersized for the vehicle. I had to buy my own front rotors from a generic maker along with pads to correct the problem. It cost me $350 for parts and $200 at Honda service center to repair it properly. 3. …
Very violent vibration when brakes applied even at relatively slow speeds, especially going downhill. Vehicle becomes hard to control. High safety concern considering it is a family vehicle and children are often present in the car. Dealerships and Honda us do not cooperate on the issue. They solution is to re surface font brake rotors or replace them with newer version. The fact that there is a newer improved version of rotors is an admission by Honda that original brake rotors are either defective or have design flaw. I hope NHTSA acts before someone gets injured in the crash.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Honda Odyssey. While driving at 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the steering wheel began to shake without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000.
I lease a Honda Odyssey year 2012. I live in south florida, and during the summer it rains daily here. Already in two different instances when driving through a shallow puddle of water the car's battery indicator lighted on and the steering wheel locked making it impossible to turn. I took the car to the dealership- autonation Honda hollywood, 1450 north state rd 7, hollywood, fl 33021- service department as soon as this happened in the summer of 2013. They told me it was probably because the belt was getting wet, and to avoid going through puddles of water, which is impossible in this region! I spoke to the supervisor and he told me they received many reports about the problem, but headquarters had not issued any recall. So, he couldn't provide any solution. …
My 2012 Honda Odyssey shakes violently when you brake at high speed including the steering wheel as if you will lose control of the vehicle. This was reported to the hamilton Honda dealer for first time in 28 sep 2013 who re-surfaced the front rotors under warranty at 12428 miles. The issue went away for about 7000 miles and reappeared at 19963 miles in July 2014. When I reported this to the same dealer they again re-surfaced both front and back rotors + balanced all wheels under warranty. However the issue came back again in 2700 miles currently at 22645 miles. The mechanic went with me for the test drive and I was able to show him how the vehicle shakes when you brake in speeds excess of 55 miles. The dealer checked and said all the rotors are within specs and cannot be further re-surfaced. I never had this kind of issue in any of my other vehicles I owned so far. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Honda Odyssey. While the vehicle was reversing or in drive, there was an abnormal noise and the econo drive warning indicator flashed. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, but the failure could not be replicated or diagnosed. In addition, the vehicle was taken to a dealer (garden state Honda, 225 river dr, passaic, nj 07055, [phone]) where the steering wheel was tightened, but the dealer did not specify a remedy and was unable to replicate the failure when the DTC was not shown. The contact later took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact was uncertain if the vehicle would be repaired by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
There is a popping noise when turning. Took it to the dealer for service and the following was reported: "heard noise coming from power steering" "compared to new unit and had same noise" "noise is from pressure being put on pump on tight turns. No issue with the system found" "no repairs to be made at this time". Feel not safe to drive.
Steering complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2012 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Honda Odyssey, 9% of the model year's 245 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Honda Odyssey steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2012 Honda Odyssey, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Honda Odyssey steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.