UPON START OF I HEARD A RATTLE AND IT STOPPED AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS. I GOT ONLINE AND SEE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY HONDA THE VTC ACTUATOR GOES OUT FREQUENTLY.
2012 honda Accord engine problems
moderate 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I AM EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE OUTLINED IN HONDA TSB 09-010, AT COLD START-UP, THE ENGINE RATTLES LOUDLY FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS. NOTICE ISSUE AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE 95,000 MILES. WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE DEALERSHIP CHECK THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING IDLE IN THE COLD FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. PLUS VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT. NOW THAT EXTENDED WARRENTY HAS EXPIRED, WONDERING IF…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CALLED BURNS HONDA (325 NJ-73, MARLTON, NJ 08053, 1-888-667-2937) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,0…
VTC ACUATOR IS FAULTY. FOR 2 YEARS NOW I'VE HAD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I START THE CAR AND NO CAR SHOP HAS BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG UP UNTIL YESTERDAY I FOUND OUT IT'S THE VTC ACTUATOR THAT'S MAKING THE GRINDING SOUND AND IT'S BEEN DRAINING MY OIL. I CALL AMERICA HONDA TO SEE IF IT HAS A RECALL FOR THIS FAULTY PART AND ALL I AM TOLD IS THAT IF I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS OR U…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 honda Accord?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 26 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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