I have noticed similar problems with the 2012 Odessey headlights as described by other complaints. They do not light up the road as far as they should, there is definitely a black curtain effect as the horizontal cutoff line is far too sharp and too straight. The line does bounce around while driving, which is a distraction if you drive a lot of dark roads. Signs on the road are not well lit by these lights.
In spite of Consumer Reports rating the headlights on the 2012 Odyssey as above average, I found them to be far below what I have been use to on other new model vehicles. Much of my complaint can be attributed to them being LED lights and new light standards, but other vehicles have found a way to meet the standards and not have such a sharp horizontal cut-off line.
Consumer Reports, I think, dropped the ball here in rating these lights, as they are obviously inferior to other lights. Yes, they do an adequate job, but other car model lights do it better.
The headlights are so far my only complaint about the vehicle...aside from the ugly exterior, which you either love or hate. My wife and I did drive it at night and noticed the problem before we bought it, but were assured from the dealer it was normal. The dealer raised my headlights a bit, which did not improve the problem. They offered no other solutions other than suggesting I install fog lights (which would not address this issue) at a substantial installation cost. After a lot of research, I found no quick fix, as that is the way the lenses were designed. Different bulbs will not remedy the problem.
I expected more from a high end Honda which emphasizes safety. My suggestion is, drive the vehicle at night before you buy, and see if it is an issue for you. You may not notice it. As for me, I prefer to drive my 2006 Toyota Highlander when I plan to drive a lot at night.
I just bought the Honda Odyssey EX-L 2012 mini van from Wesley Chapel Honda in Florida. It has less that 400 miles on it. I have taken it back twice for headlight issues. When you drive at night it looks like a black curtain is coming down. If you hit a bump the black curtain effect goes up and down. The head lights are very restrictive on the road and the side of the road. This is a true safety issue.Wesley Chapel Honda cannot fix the issue as it is a design flaw. If you are considering this mini van, ask them to pull it into a totally darkened garage or drive it at night.
BTW they won't take it back, even if most of the miles on it are from driving back and forth to the dealer ship.
I wish Motor Trend would drive this van at night and provide comments. I have contacted NHTSA and Honda America about this safety problem.
- whathaveidone,
Dade City, FL, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have noticed similar problems with the 2012 Odessey headlights as described by other complaints. They do not light up the road as far as they should, there is definitely a black curtain effect as the horizontal cutoff line is far too sharp and too straight. The line does bounce around while driving, which is a distraction if you drive a lot of dark roads. Signs on the road are not well lit by these lights.
In spite of Consumer Reports rating the headlights on the 2012 Odyssey as above average, I found them to be far below what I have been use to on other new model vehicles. Much of my complaint can be attributed to them being LED lights and new light standards, but other vehicles have found a way to meet the standards and not have such a sharp horizontal cut-off line.
Consumer Reports, I think, dropped the ball here in rating these lights, as they are obviously inferior to other lights. Yes, they do an adequate job, but other car model lights do it better.
The headlights are so far my only complaint about the vehicle...aside from the ugly exterior, which you either love or hate. My wife and I did drive it at night and noticed the problem before we bought it, but were assured from the dealer it was normal. The dealer raised my headlights a bit, which did not improve the problem. They offered no other solutions other than suggesting I install fog lights (which would not address this issue) at a substantial installation cost. After a lot of research, I found no quick fix, as that is the way the lenses were designed. Different bulbs will not remedy the problem.
I expected more from a high end Honda which emphasizes safety. My suggestion is, drive the vehicle at night before you buy, and see if it is an issue for you. You may not notice it. As for me, I prefer to drive my 2006 Toyota Highlander when I plan to drive a lot at night.
- montej, Derwood, MD, US