2012 Honda Odyssey — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Honda Odyssey is a van/minivan powered by a 3.5L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 26 mpg (UK) / 22 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 25–26 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Honda Odyssey workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Honda Odyssey: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 26 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 5★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3.5L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 6-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Van/Minivan |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 26 combined / 23 urban / 32 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 22 combined / 19 city / 27 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 251 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,050 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2012 Honda Odyssey, all with the 3.5L 6-cyl engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 21 to 22 mpg (US), or 25 to 26 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (18/27) | 263 | $3,200 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/27) | 251 | $3,050 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Honda Odyssey
Running Costs: 2012 Honda Odyssey
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Honda Odyssey at 26 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,399 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Honda Odyssey Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Honda Odyssey (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Seats (2), Power train (1), Air bags (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Seats — campaign 17V725000, reported 17 November 2017. Risk: If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Seats — campaign 16V933000, reported 27 December 2016. Risk: An unlocked second row outboard seat increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash.
- Power train — campaign 13V143000, reported 15 April 2013. Risk: If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Air bags — campaign 13V016000, reported 18 January 2013. Risk: The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Showing the 4 most recent of 5 campaigns.
Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Odyssey. The most-reported areas are Service brakes (58), Engine (39), Electrical system (37). Complaints include 14 reported crashes, 6 reported fires, 22 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 234 complaints across the 17 Honda Odyssey model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Honda Odyssey
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Brakes (58 owner complaints) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Engine (39 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Electrical system (37 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Body structure (25 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Honda Odyssey compare to similar van/minivans? For context, van/minivans in our database average around 24 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 26 mpg figure is 2 mpg better than that average. Its 251 g/km CO₂ figure is 41 g/km lower than the 292 g/km average for van/minivans on this site. This comparison is based on 157 van/minivans in our dataset.
Honda models in our database average about 35 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Honda Odyssey's 26 mpg is 9 mpg below that make average. Its 251 g/km CO₂ figure is 54 g/km higher than the 197 g/km Honda average.
Of the 17 Honda Odyssey model years we cover, the 2012 is the most economical on its best configuration (26 mpg UK combined). See every Honda Odyssey year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Honda Odyssey
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Honda Odyssey have?
It's fitted with a 3.5L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic 6-spd transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Honda Odyssey?
The most efficient configuration returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, or 22 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 25 to 26 mpg.
How much does the 2012 Honda Odyssey cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Honda Odyssey have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 5 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Honda Odyssey have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Honda Odyssey (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Seats (2), Power train (1), Air bags (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Honda Odyssey?
Among the 245 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Service brakes (58 complaints), Engine (39 complaints), Electrical system (37 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Honda Odyssey's fuel economy good for a van/minivan?
Yes — it returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 24 mpg among the van/minivans we track.