While SUV prices soar, now is an excellent time to consider a midsize sedan. And it’s tough to find a more satisfying bargain than a used Honda Accord. An icon of practicality, the 2012 Honda Accord features simplistic good looks, legendary reliability, and fuel-sipping performance that inspires confidence in any traffic. 

A most satisfying 10-year-old midsize sedan

The 2012 Honda Accord made the Consumer Reports list of Most Satisfying 10-Year-Old Midsize Sedans with an average retail price ranging from under $11,000 to $12,500 depending on trim and condition. It’s no surprise the 2012 Accord made the Consumer Reports list with its perfect reliability score, near-perfect road-test performance marks, and better-than-average reported owner satisfaction. In addition, Consumer Reports reviewers enjoyed the 2012 Accord’s “roomy interior, comfortable seats, and smooth ride.”

2012 Honda Accord specs

The front-wheel drive Accord seats five and features three engine and three transmission options. There are two versions of the 2.4-liter inline-four-cylinder engine, one with 177 horsepower and the other with 190 hp. Transmission options include either a five- or six-speed manual shift or a five-speed automatic. 

The 2012 Accord is structurally unchanged from 2009, which received an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award. The 2012 Accord also received a 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the NHTSA lists eight recalls for the 2012 Accord and 336 complaints. The most common complaint and all of the recalls involve issues with the airbag systems. In addition, there are no advanced driver-assist safety features available on the 2012 Honda Accord. 

The 2012 Honda Accord received perfect or near-perfect scores for its comfortable seats, quiet ride, accessibility, and climate control systems. However, its trunk and cargo space received the only near-average mark. 

2012 Honda Accord reliability

The 2012 Honda Accord received a perfect score on Consumer Reports reliability rating. The most common sources of owner-reported trouble spots centered around the braking system, primarily the brake calipers.

Older Honda engine versions received high praise for reliability and longevity, but the newer VTEC engine gets some criticism, with owner-reported failures occurring under 100,000 miles in some instances. 

Is 2012 a good year for the Honda Accord? 

According to Car Complaints data, a 2012 Honda Accord appears relatively trouble-free for a 10-year-old car. Interested parties should search for a 2012 Accord with low miles, preferably under 120,000, that is in good overall condition and well maintained. During the test drive, pay attention to the seating comfort, watch if the car wanders in its lane, and any hesitation when accelerating; these are the most common Car Complaints from 2012 Honda Accord owners.

Perform a simple VIN-number search on the NHTSA website to ensure all necessary recalls are complete. Or, you can do them on your time and have the brake system inspected at a trusted mechanic shop. This will bring peace of mind before considering a 2012 Accord.