HondaOdyssey2012Overview/honda/odyssey/2012/base/

2012 Honda Odyssey

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Odyssey.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2012 Honda Odyssey is a van featuring a 5-speed automatic transmission and an EPA fuel economy rating of 18/27/21 mpg. Maintenance for this model requires 4.5 quarts of 0W-20 API engine oil. With five recalls and 241 total owner complaints—primarily in the service brakes area—this model year sits between the 972-complaint peak of 2002 and the single-complaint low of 1994.

Model year202620242023202220212020201920182012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque94 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/27/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length202.8 in
Overall width79.1 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase118.1 in
Curb weight4416 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 27 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Odyssey of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.3–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.30 sec — 2011 Touring Elite
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011Touring Elite 3.5L V67.30 sec15.60 sec248 hpFWD
2011Touring Elite 3.5L V67.40 sec15.80 sec248 hpFWD
2011Touring Elite 3.5L V67.40 sec15.70 sec248 hpFWD
2011Touring Elite 3.5L V67.50 sec15.90 sec248 hpFWD
2011EX-L 3.5L V67.90 sec16.10 sec248 hpFWD
2014Touring Elite 3.5L V67.50 sec15.80 sec248 hpFWD
2014Touring Elite 3.5L V67.90 sec16.10 sec248 hpFWD
2014Touring Elite 3.5L V68.00 sec16.30 sec248 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 30.0 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.6
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.3
Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts54 ft-lbs
Main Bearings11MM Bolts: 54 ft-lbs, 10MM Bolts: 36 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts94 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub242 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)740 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.54-1.65 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression135 Minimum PSI. 28 Maximum variation PSI

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket37 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle101 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.433 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 ft. lbs., step 2: 6048 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Measure the diameter of each cylinder head bolt at point A and point B. Point A = 45.00 mm from thread end and point B = 50.00 mm from thread end. If either diameter is less than 11.3 mm (0.445 in), Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

122.0.0 ft. lbs.
290 degrees90 degrees
3If using new bolts turn an additional 90 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Honda Odyssey shows 241 complaints, 5 recalls, and 133 TSBs, placing it in a period of relative stability compared to the generation's peaks. Looking at the trend, complaint volumes hovered between 199 and 307 from 2010 through 2016, with 2012 sitting squarely in this moderate range—slightly higher than 2011 (232) but lower than 2014 (307). Notably, the subsequent generation shift around 2018 brought a dramatic spike to 939 complaints and 16 recalls, making the 2012 model's era look comparatively calm. The top complaint areas—Service Brakes (38), Electrical System (19), Structure (19), and Engine (17)—include 14 crash-related complaints and 6 fire-related complaints, though the data doesn't specify root causes. Given that 2012 falls before the significant quality issues that emerged in the 2018-2019 model years, it represents a reasonably safe within-generation choice, though buyers should verify all recall and TSB work has been completed.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
133
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
241
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 241 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes38
Electrical System19
Structure19
Engine17
Seats12
Unknown Or Other9
Steering9
Power Train8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V725000Seats:Mid/Rear AssemblyReported 17/11/2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The second row outboard seats can slide sideways to one of two positions. If a seat is placed between either of the two positions… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket to the second row outboard floor strikers, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2018. Owners may contact American…

16V933000Seats:Mid/Rear AssemblyReported 27/12/2016

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2010, to October 1, 2015. The affected vehicles have second row outboard seats that have a release… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional bracket and spring to both second row outboard seats, free of charge. Interim letter has been mailed, and a second…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 133 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
APD041420229012022-04-14Trailer HitchesDealer message - On January 23, 2016, American Honda announced a product update for…
APaS022620219022021-02-26Service BrakesDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016…
APaS021020219022021-02-10Service Brakes, HydraulicDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016…
A07-0302021-01-23Equipment"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant…
APaS012220219092021-01-22Service Brakes, HydraulicDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Odyssey. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Odyssey take?

4.5 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Odyssey have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Odyssey get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined mpg.