Honda Accord Reliability Problems

Accord owners have made 12,261 complaints over 31 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it dead last in overall reliability, with significant transmission and brakes concerns.

16 Common Honda Accord Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Accord owners have to deal with.

  2. Dead Battery in Accord and CR-V

    Certain generations of Accord and CR-V vehicles chew through batteries. Leave one of these sitting a couple days and there's a good chance it won't start due to an underpowered battery, parasitic drains, and an ineffective battery charging …

    Continue reading article "Dead Battery in Accord and CR-V" An overhead view of a car's fuse box with various colored fuses

  3. Denso Fuel Pump Failure

    The impellers inside of Denso branded fuel pumps may have been excessively exposed to a drying agent during manufacturing. This leads to them cracking, absorbing fuel, and deforming so badly that they stop sending fuel to the engine. Honda …

    Continue reading article "Denso Fuel Pump Failure"

  4. Honda Sensing Problems

    Honda sensing is a group of safety systems to help drivers monitor changing road conditions. However there are growing concerns about malfunctions in the system that cause the auto-brakes to engage randomly, the radar to get confused on sun…

    Continue reading article "Honda Sensing Problems" An illustrated CR-V with blue triangles beaming out from various parts of the car where there are sensors

  5. Power Steering Whine

    One of the more common complaints about Honda's power steering is how it can whine or groan everytime you turn the wheel. Turns out all that noise is due to air getting into the power steering system because of two, old O-rings. There's no …

    Continue reading article "Power Steering Whine"

  6. Starter Failure for Accord and Crosstour

    The starter system in the 2013-2015 Honda Accord and Crosstour has a defect that makes starting the engine completely unreliable. The starter motor grinds and whines but the engine never starts. Honda denies any out-of-warranty claims on th…

    Continue reading article "Starter Failure for Accord and Crosstour"

  9. Accord's LED Daytime Headlights Burn Out

    LED headlights are supposed to be a more efficient and cost-effective choice. Heck, theoretically they might even last longer than you own or lease your car. Unless it’s a 2016-2018 Honda Accord we’re talking about, because those cars have …

    Continue reading article "Accord's LED Daytime Headlights Burn Out"

  10. TPMS Warning Light

    TPMS, or tire pressure monitoring systems, are a mildly controversial feature of some modern cars. While it's nice to have quick access to the current PSI readings of your tires from the comfort of your driver's seat, some manufacturers (he…

    Continue reading article "TPMS Warning Light"

  11. Honda's Extremely Uncomfortable Seats

    An alarming number of people have complained that their late-model Honda has the most uncomfortable seats of any car they've ever owned. The problem seems to affect the 2008-2014 model years with a particular, back-crippling emphasis on the…

    Continue reading article "Honda's Extremely Uncomfortable Seats"

  12. Rodents Chew Soy Wiring

    Honda switched to a soy-based coating for their wiring that is more biodegradable. It sounds like a pro-Earth move by the automaker, but the real reason is probably a little less triumphant: the coating costs less than plastic. Still, less …

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Soy Wiring"

  13. Peeling Paint and Clear Coat

    Is your Honda shedding clearcoat and peeling off paint at an alarming rate? You're not alone. Far from it actually. Even the most ardent, wax-happy, electric car polisher wielding owner can find their paint tearing off in sheets. So what gi…

    Continue reading article "Peeling Paint and Clear Coat"

  14. Automatic Transmission Failure

    If you own a Honda released between 1999-2004 and haven't had any issues with your automatic transmission, may I suggest you go to your nearest conevnience store and play the lottery? 'Cause you're one lucky son-of-a-gun.

    Continue reading article "Automatic Transmission Failure"

  15. Excessive Oil Consumption

    One of the top complaints about the latest generation of Honda vehicles is how the V6 engines burn through an excessive amounts of oil. Mechanics did their best to place the blame on the owner's driving and maintenance habits, but it was cl…

    Continue reading article "Excessive Oil Consumption"

  16. Accord Premature Brake Wear

    The Accord is one of the most popular sedans on the road based on its reputation for dependability over the years. However owners of 2008 2009 Accords (and a small number of 2010 models) are up in arms over premature brake wear that is wide…

    Continue reading article "Accord Premature Brake Wear"

What Accord Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Accord Generations

The Accord has 7 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 7th generation (2003–2007).

Accord Key Numbers

  1. 12,261 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 1,423 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 80 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Accord Class-Action Lawsuits

The Accord has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Recalled

    L. Hand vs. DENSO International America, Inc., et al.

    1. Recalled

      A Honda fuel pump recall has been issued for more than 708,000 vehicles because the impellers in the pumps may be defective.

    2. Case Filed

      The plaintiff who sued claims the vehicles place occupants at risk of injuries and death because of the fuel pump failures. The Quebec fuel pump recalls allegedly didn't include all the Honda vehicles affected by the DENSO pumps.

    Problem
    Denso Fuel Pump Failure
    Class Vehicles
    • 2015-2019 Accord
    • 2018-2019 Civic Hatchback
    • 2018-2019 Civic Type R
    • 2019 Fit
    • 2018-2019 HR-V
    • 2019-2020 Insight
    Class Members
    Quebec Residents
    Location
    Quebec
  • Recalled

    Cummings, et al., v. Honda Motor Company Limited, et al.

    1. Recalled

      A Honda fuel pump recall has been issued for more than 708,000 vehicles because the impellers in the pumps may be defective.

    2. Case Filed

      A Honda fuel pump recall allegedly didn't include all the affected New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with DENSO low-pressure fuel pumps and fuel pump assemblies, including pumps that begin with part number 17045-T.

    Problem
    Denso Fuel Pump Failure
    Class Vehicles
    • 2018-2019 Accord
    • 2018-2019 Civic Hatchback
    • 2018-2019 Civic Type R
    • 2019 Fit
    • 2018-2019 HR-V
    • 2019-2020 Insight
    Class Members
    Owners and Lesees in NJ,NY,and PA
    Location
    New Jersey
  • Recalled

    Atwal v. Denso Corporation, et al.

    1. Recalled

      A Honda fuel pump recall has been issued for more than 708,000 vehicles because the impellers in the pumps may be defective.

    2. Case Filed

      The plaintiff who sued claims the vehicles place occupants at risk of injuries and death because of the fuel pump failures. The Canadian fuel pump recalls allegedly didn't include all the Honda vehicles affected by the DENSO pumps.

    Problem
    Denso Fuel Pump Failure
    Class Vehicles
    • 2015-2017 Accord
    Class Members
    All Canadian Provinces Except Quebec
    Location
    Canada
  • Settlement

    Case, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

    1. Settlement

      A Honda 5-speed transmission class action settlement has been reached for consumers residing in California who were the original owners of any of the following vehicles with 5-speed automatic transmissions and continued being the owner as of December 7, 2015.

    2. Case Filed

      The Honda transmission lawsuit says the automaker created a secret warranty program which expanded or extended the warranty "beyond its stated limits and/or offered to pay for all of or part of the cost of repairing or replacing the transmission system in Class Vehicles."

    Class Vehicles
    • 2003-2004 Accord
    • 2002-2004 Odyssey
    • 2003-2004 Pilot
    Location
    California
  • Motion to dismiss

    Cadena, et al., v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

    1. Motion to dismiss

      Honda says the lawsuit should be dismissed because the owners don't plausibly allege a defect and fail to allege an alternative design to the features of the Sensing systems.

    2. Case Filed

      A Honda Sensing lawsuit alleges the driver-assist systems are defective in 2017 Honda CR-V models, including the EX, EX-L and the CR-V Touring.

Recent Accord News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  5. Honda wants to settle up a decade-old lawsuit about downshifting transmissions

    with an offer so low it's borderline insulting. A 2009 lawsuit says 5-speed automatic transmissions in some 2002-2004 Honda and Acura vehicles have a defect in the 3rd clutch. That defect can cause the transmission to suddenly downshift from 5th to 2nd gear. That's one way to reach your heart rate goal on your FitBit.

    Honda has continually denied the allegations but are ready to put this whole ordeal behind them with a ... checks notes ... $25 credit towards the future purcahse of Honda parts. And you must live in California. Oh I'm sorry, should I have told you to sit down first?…

    keep reading article "Honda Settles 5-Speed Transmission Lawsuit With California Owners"

  6. Software mistakes in over 770,000 Honda cars can suddenly disable the power windows, turn signals, windshield wipers, defroster, and rearview cameras.

    That's a lot of very important things. Honda has issued a recall after discovering electrical disruptions in the body control module's controller area network or CAN. Although I guess in this case it's more like a CAN'T, amirite?…

    keep reading article "Honda Announces Large Body Control Module Recall for the Accord, Accord Hybrid, and Insight"

See All Accord News

What Owners Say About Their Accord

2013-2015 Accord Investigated For Steering That Suddenly Pulls to One Side

After a couple hundred miles ... I noticed this car pulls hard to the left on the highway and on a lot of local roadways. Brought it in to the dealer where it was purchased and they re-did the alignment after finding the steering wheel was misaligned causing the vehicle to pull hard left ... Told me they test drove the vehicle and the alignment was within Honda's standard. Left the dealership and after a few longer highway trips and a lot of local roadways the vehicle still pulls hard left.

2015 Accord Owner

2013-2015 Accord Investigated For Steering That Suddenly Pulls to One Side

Since new, my Accord has pulled to the left signifigantly at highway speeds. Most of my driving is on the interstate to and from work 5 days a week (about 20 miles each way). I didn't notice it at first but then I started wondering why my left wrist was always hurting. Finally it dawned on me, I was fighting the damn steering wheel!

2015 Accord Owner

What's the Deal with Honda's Extrememly Uncomfortable Seats?

The driver's seat sucks. This 2008 Honda Accord is by far our best car for long trips, in terms of long term reliability of the car and gas mileage, but we still choose to drive our older car that has had some mechanical problems because the driver's seat in the Accord is so unbearable and leaves your back in pain for days.

2008 Accord Owner in SC

1999-2004 Honda Automatic Transmission Failures

I kept this vehicle running in tip top shape for years, really a dream car for the most part. Then the trans starts slipping and nothing I can really do about it. Not worth replacing as the trans cost a fortune and because it's poorly engineered it only happen again.

2003 Accord Owner in CO

What's the Deal with Honda's Extrememly Uncomfortable Seats?

Just few minutes driving causes EXTREMELY painful legs, back, neck. The pain is unbelievable and feels like those very hard knife stabbing type sharp pains. After driving the car I am pretty much laid up for days!

2010 Accord Owner in NC

Grinding Starter Problems in 2013-2015 Accord and Crosstour Leave Owners Stranded

[Starter problems happened] rarely at first, but then more frequently now - like every 3rd start - the auxiliary power comes on but the engine doesn't turn over. Sometimes the starter makes a horrible sound like maybe I'm trying to start the car but the engine is already on, but it definitely isn't. I can't reproduce this at will, so I figure there's little point taking it to a mechanic until I have to tow it in.

2013 Accord Owner in NJ

Grinding Starter Problems in 2013-2015 Accord and Crosstour Leave Owners Stranded

Just like many others on here, I started having intermittent issues with the car not starting. It started happening near the 90k mark about every 20ish or so starts. Turning the key would activate the dash power/electrical but I would only hear a click from under the hood, the car would usually start the 2nd/3rd time.

2014 Accord Owner in WA

What's the Deal with Honda's Extrememly Uncomfortable Seats?

I have a love, hate relationship with my 2009 Accord EXL V6. As long as I am not traveling more than 50 miles round trip, I love to drive this car, any thing over 50 miles is Chiropractor time. It's not just the drivers seat, the passengers seat is even worse.

2009 Accord Owner in FL

Other Honda Models