Following 2011's total overhaul, the 2012 Honda Odyssey carries over unchanged. Unfortunately, an unusually high page count of driver reviews reveals very mixed sentiments toward manufacturing consistency and quality for the 2011 model, and it does not appear that Honda is doing anything to fix the myriad issues cropping up in nearly every trim.

The high-end Touring and Touring Elite seem to be the most reliable of the bunch, but every other trim has frequent complaints about Bluetooth glitches, cheap materials, poor construction, soft and defective brakes, sloppy transmission shifts, battery glitches, defective seats, safety concerns and frequent visits with the dealer to get these things fixed - most of which are being called "normal." Some drivers have reported mysterious sounds of things rolling around between the walls of the car and in the dash, and even after several dealer disassemblies the culprit cannot be found.

Usually manufacturing problems are very rare, especially for Honda, but the latest Odyssey has the majority of drivers crying lemon. As of this writing, Honda's website and other official sources show no indication of an acknowledgment of these issues, let alone a remedy. Future owners should be aware that not every Odyssey leaves the line as advertised, and current owners also note that even if an Odyssey is not a lemon, the interior materials wear quickly and are far from the quality one would expect for the price paid.

That said, the 2011 overhaul brought with it a totally new style and several improvements - including a supposed re-engineering of the brakes that has apparently backfired across the board. The sleeker styling is somewhat polarizing - drivers either love it or hate it - but the roomier interior, improved fuel economy and inclusion of new features like a climate-controlled storage box and rear seat entertainment system are rarely argued. Although some drivers note that fuel economy is still lacking - even the best possible 19 mpg city/28 highway that comes with the 6-speed automatic in the Touring and Touring Elite is not quite satisfactory for some drivers, and other drivers note a strong inconsistency with real-life driving and the advertised numbers.

However, those drivers who manage to get a well-made Odyssey cannot praise its car-like ride, good looks and technological inclusions any more. Its storage capacity, versatility and ample comfortable seating for 8 adults earn high marks all around, although defects in the center row have left some drivers frustrated with trying to access the third row. Nevertheless, its elbow room is impressive - it can even comfortably fit three bulky child seats in the center row - and technological inclusions like the wide-angle rear-view camera also grab a lot of positive attention.

Although the technology, utility and comfort are all in line to put the Odyssey well ahead of the pack, Honda seriously needs to address its manufacturing quality and consistency, not to mention customer service. No other modern car from such a prominent maker has so many complaints and drivers wishing they purchased another choice, only to be met with utter contempt by the dealer.