Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Accord.
The 2012 Honda Accord is a passenger car serviced with 4.2 quarts of 0W-20 API engine oil. Reliability records show 378 owner complaints for this model year, with seats representing the top complaint area, alongside 8 recalls. Across the nameplate’s 1990–2022 complaint history, volume peaked at 2,013 in 2003 and bottomed at 213 in 2022. Against that spread, the 2012 model sits well below the high-water mark, indicating a comparatively moderate track record for owner-reported problems.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 190.9 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.9 in |
| Curb weight | 3287 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 62.2 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 61/39 |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Accord of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | EX-L Sedan 2.4L I-4 | 8.20 sec | 16.20 sec | 190 hp | FWD |
| 2011 | EX-L V-6 Coupe 3.5L V6 | 6.20 sec | 14.80 sec | 271 hp | FWD |
| 2011 | EX-L V-6 Sedan 3.5L V6 | 6.60 sec | 15.20 sec | 271 hp | FWD |
| 2010 | Crosstour EX-L V-6 Hatchback 3.5L V6 | 7.20 sec | 15.60 sec | 271 hp | FWD |
| 2010 | Crosstour EX-L V-6 Hatchback 3.5l V6 | 7.20 sec | 15.60 sec | 271 hp | AWD |
| 2010 | Crosstour EX-L V-6 Hatchback 3.5L V6 | 7.30 sec | 15.60 sec | 271 hp | AWD |
| 2010 | EX Sedan 2.4L I-4 | 8.90 sec | 16.60 sec | 190 hp | FWD |
| 2009 | EX-L Sedan 2.4L I-4 | 7.50 sec | 15.90 sec | 190 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.2 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.6 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.5 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.3 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 · API |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 55 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 54 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | in three steps: 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | in three steps: 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | AT: 800, MT: 780 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 650 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | 700 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load) | 50 rpm |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.10-1.17 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 3.45 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24F |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 550 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 35 - Canada and California |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 48.0 |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0 |
| Engine Compression | 135 Minimum PSI. 28 Maximum variation PSI |
| Engine Compression | 135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI. |
| Brake Application | WITH AKEBONO CALIPER |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 17 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| Brake Application | WITH NISSIN CALIPER |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 37 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 37 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs, Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 36 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 | 36 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 48 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 | 48 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22.0.0 ft. lbs. | |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | If using new bolts turn an additional 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2012 Honda Accord posts 378 complaints, 8 recalls, 1 investigation, and 51 TSBs, placing it in a relatively quiet pocket between the more troubled 2010 model (579 complaints, 13 recalls) and the dramatic 2013 spike (1,418 complaints, 5 investigations) that immediately follows it. Within the surrounding five-year arc of 2008–2014, 2012 is one of the cleanest entries: only 2011 (295 complaints) registers lower, while 2013's complaint volume is nearly four times higher, suggesting the 2012 model year largely avoided whatever issues drove the 2013 surge. The dominant complaint areas — Seats (62), Air Bags (44), Steering (27), and Engine (21) — reflect largely component-specific concerns rather than systemic safety defects, and the 47 crash-related and 4 fire-related complaints are modest in absolute terms for a high-volume sedan. Recall and TSB counts are likewise at the lower end of the generation's range, reinforcing that this is a post-launch, design-settled year rather than one still working through early-build teething problems. **Bottom line: the 2012 Accord is a defensible used buy within this generation — it sits in the calmest stretch of the curve and is meaningfully cleaner than the 2013 model year that follows it, though a pre-purchase inspection focused on the seat, airbag, and steering systems referenced in the federal file is still advisable.**
All 378 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners…
Showing 5 of 51 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A21120A | 2023-06-13 | Electrical System | Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS… |
| A21120A | 2022-01-25 | Equipment | ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited… |
| APP05122020 | 2020-05-12 | Equipment | Dealer Message - The May episode of Tech2Tech is now posted. We've got some valuable… |
| A20-016 | 2020-03-10 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
| A20-023 | 2020-03-05 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Service Bulletin - The front rocker arm oil control valve is leaking. |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.2 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.