RoadVitals

2012 Honda Odyssey Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Jun 6, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 242 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Honda Odyssey submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

SteeringTires & wheels
Filed Jun 6, 2025

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. The vehicle was taken to a tire center, where it was determined that the driver's side front tire had a shifted radial belt, and a bulge was detected. The tire was replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 79,694. The tire mileage was approximately 20,000.

NHTSA ID
11665333
Incident
Sep 1, 2024
Mileage
79,694 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Sep 20, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11433677
Incident
Aug 17, 2021
Steering
Filed Dec 1, 2019

HONDA ODYSSEY CREAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ID
11283179
Incident
Dec 1, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 11, 2019

WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT THERES A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IT ONLY HAPPENS AT SLOW SPEEDS. IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO FALL OFF.

NHTSA ID
11279450
Incident
Jan 3, 2019
Mileage
68,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 19, 2019

POPPING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING WHEEL BACK; MORE COMON AT LOWER SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID
11208501
Incident
May 1, 2019
Mileage
89,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 5, 2018

CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING. SOMETHING APPEARS TO BE LOOSE.

NHTSA ID
11133631
Incident
Sep 2, 2018
Mileage
36,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 1, 2017

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, (973) 777-1600) 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.

NHTSA ID
11051789
Incident
Jun 18, 2012
BrakesSteering
Filed Oct 31, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11041746
Incident
Oct 17, 2017
Mileage
18,000 mi
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Oct 13, 2016

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. THERE'S A POPPING SOUND WHEN I MAKE TURNS. I'VE ADDRESSED IT AND NO ONE WILL FIX IT. I DON'T THINK ITS NORMAL THAT CLICKING AND POPPING SOUND COMES WHILE STEERING.

NHTSA ID
10915766
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Mileage
15,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 22, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10821807
Incident
Oct 15, 2015
BrakesSteering
Filed Aug 7, 2015

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. THE DEALERSHIP WAS GENEROUS IN GIVING ME A DISCOUNT, (ORIGINAL COST WAS TO BE IN EXCESS OF $300) HOWEVER HONDA CORPORATION REFUSED THE COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS WHATSOEVER. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND HAVE LEARNED THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE. HONDA'S REDESIGN OF THE ROTORS AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMS THAT THERE IS A LEGITIMATE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES OF THIS VEHICLE. BRAKING AND STEERING CONTROL ARE COMPROMISED WHEN NEEDED MOST- GOING DOWN A HILL AT INTERSTATE SPEED. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS, ONGOING SAFETY CONCERN FOR THIS VEHICLE AND ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN. I WANT TO REITERATE THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAS DONE ALL THEY CAN TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, THE INACTION LIES WITH HONDA CORPORATION EXCLUSIVELY. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID
10746957
Incident
Mar 29, 2015
Mileage
27,500 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 26, 2015

WHEN I WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER MY BATTERY LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10712973
Incident
Sep 17, 2014
Mileage
45,543 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 24, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10712643
Incident
Apr 21, 2014
Mileage
22,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Nov 3, 2014

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. THIS ISSUE IS SHOWING UP FOR 3RD TIME BUT IT IS MORE SEVERE NOW. WHAT IS MY WAY FORWARD SINCE AMERICAN HONDA IS NOT COMING BACK WITH ANY RESOLUTION EVEN AFTER COMPLAINING TO THEM (IT IS MORE THAN 9 BUSINESS DAYS TODAY). I REPORTED TO AMERICAN HONDA ON 22-OCT-2014 AFTER SERVICING FROM DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10652182
Incident
Sep 21, 2013
Mileage
12,300 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Sep 29, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ID
10639867
Incident
Sep 28, 2014
Mileage
15,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Sep 15, 2014

CAR VIBRATES AND SHAKES WHEN ON HIGHWAY AND DECELERATING FROM ABOUT 65 MPH TO EVEN JUST 50 MPH, CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10633452
Incident
Sep 13, 2012
Mileage
15,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Aug 23, 2014

WHENEVER YOU PRESS THE BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES A LOT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10627686
Incident
Aug 17, 2014
BrakesSteering
Filed Jul 29, 2014

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING BEGINS TO SHAKE AS SOON AS BRAKES ARE APPLIED (EVEN LIGHTLY). THIS IS MY SECOND HONDA MINIVAN AND I DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH MY PREVIOUS ONE. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS. *JS

NHTSA ID
10617390
Incident
Jul 29, 2014
Mileage
29,229 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed May 8, 2014

STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES SEVERELY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE BRAKES WERE HOT DUE TO STEEP DESCENTS WHILE MOUNTAIN DRIVING. STEERING WAS SERIOUSLY IMPAIRED DUE TO EXTREME SHIMMYING EFFECTING THE ENTIRE FRONT END. BRAKING WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10587166
Incident
May 7, 2014
Mileage
28,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 23, 2014

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. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 6 AND 4 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR, AND I ALMOST HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE I COULD NOT COMPLETE MY TURN. I WAS YESTERDAY AT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR MY CAR'S SERVICE AGAIN, AND I MENTIONED IT TO THE SUPERVISOR AGAIN. HE SAID HE HEARD THIS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT HE COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY SOLUTION. WITH THE RAIN SEASON APPROACHING, IT IS A MATTER OF TIME FOR ME OR ANOTHER DRIVER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A FAMILY CAR, AND MOST OF THE TIMES USED TO TRANSPORT LITTLE CHILDREN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10584383
Incident
Jul 31, 2013
Mileage
16,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 23, 2013

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". *TR

NHTSA ID
10536930
Incident
Aug 23, 2013
Mileage
22,703 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data on this page last refreshed .