Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1994 Honda Accord submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 86 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 86, in the owner's own words
TAMARA RECALL , I BOUGHT THE C A E FROM BIRTHDAY AUTO AUCTION AND I HAD IT FOR 2\1 MONTHS AND IT'S STARTED MAKING A STRUGGLING SOUND AND WOULD TAKE LONGER TO START UP THEN AFTER THAT THE WHOLE ENGUIN STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE THERMOMETER WENT OUT THEN IT WOULDN'T SPEED UP PAST 25 MILES FROM THAT POINT I HAVEN'T BEEN DRIVING IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 HONDA ACCORD. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S RPMS LOWERED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN IGNITION OUTPUT SIGNAL MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND NOTICED BLUE AND BLACK SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE HOOD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND DETECTED NO FLAMES. THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE CAM SHAFT SEALS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED WITH NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE OIL LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. THE CONSUMER DROVE HOME TO DISCOVER THAT THE ENGINE WAS DRY OF OIL. THE OIL HAD DRIPPED OUT THROUGH THE HEAD GASKET. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. *PH
RE: HONDA BALANCER SHAFT DEFECTIVE OIL SEAL AND BLOWOUT PROBLEM. I RECENTLY AND SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH 94 HONDA ACCORD. MY FAMILY AND I HAD BEEN ON A TRIP TO L.A. AND BACK ON SEVERAL FREEWAYS, THE SEAL BLEWOUT AND THE OIL WAS DRAINED WITHIN MINUTES. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FREEZE UP AND CREATED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY HAD A VERY INDIFFERENT ATTITUDE, THEY SAID THEY MADE A PUBLIC OFFER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT THAT OFFER HAS NOW "EXPIRED". "IT WASN'T OFFICALLY A RECALL SO WE DON'T HAVE TO FIX ANYTHING". "IT WASN'T OFFICALLY PEGGED AS A SAFETY ISSUE, SO NO RECALL WAS IMPOSED." TRUST ME, LOSING YOUR OIL SUDDENLY AT HIGH SPEEDS CAN VERY EASILY BECOME A' SAFETY ' ISSUE! I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE N.H.T.S.A. TO RECONSIDER THE PROBLEM AND MAKE IT A RECALL ! LET'S TAKE THE INDIFFERENT ATTITUDE AWAY FROM SMUGG AUTOMAKERS THAT ARE VERY AWARE OF "SAFETY" PROBLEMS, THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT WERE NOT CORRECTED. A $5 RETAINER (THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE ) WOULD AVOID THIS PROBLEM! PLEASE ENFORCE A RECALL ON HONDA AND MAKE THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ERROR IN DESIGN. THANK YOU, TOM ROSS. *AK
BROUGHT CAR TO MIKE PIAZZA LANGHORNE PA HONDA DEALER (1908 E. LINCOLN HWY - 215-702-1500 / ) - REFUSED TO FIX DEFECT UNLESS I PAID $68 IN THE EVENT THAT THE DEALERSHIP MAY BREAK AN AFTERMARKET IGNITION WIRE WHILE CONDUCTING THEIR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I ELECTED NOT TO HAVE THE DEFECT FIXED AT THAT TIME BECAUSE THEY WANTED ME TO PAY ADDITIONAL MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEFECT OCCURRED OUT OF MY CONTROL. MY QUESTION, AM I LIABLE FOR THIS OCCURRENCE UNDER A MFG RECALL? ISN'T A MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE TO FIX DEFECTIVE PRODUCT FREE OF CHARGE? IS THIS HOW THEY GO ABOUT MAKING MONEY ON RECALLS? A DEFECTIVE PART - IS A DEFECTIVE PART. IT SHOULD BE CORRECTED NO MATTER WHAT EXPENSE IS TO COME TO THE MANUFACTURER. WHAT ARE THE QUALITY CONTROLS METHODS GOING ON AT HONDA MFG PLANT TO ELIMINATE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT? THIS LANGHORNE DEALERSHIP IS LOOKING FOR $68 IF THEY BREAK A PART TO GET TO THE DEFECTIVE PART. I WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT REGARDING CONSUMER RELATED PROBLEMS WITH MANUFACTURERS. WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS TO INNOCENT CONSUMERS FACED WITH RECALL PROBLEMS. I WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM THE PARTIES INVOLVED AND HOW WE CAN RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. DT
CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A SEAL THAT HOLDS OIL IN CAR, SEAL MAY POP AND COME OUT, CAUSING ALL OIL TO COME OUT AT ONE TIME. CONSUMER FEEL THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF ALL OF THE OIL COMES OUT AT ONCE, VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN, COULD BE ON A HIGHWAY, OR BUSY STREET COULD CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
BALANCER SHAFT OIL SEAL POPPED OUT DUMPING THE ENTIRE ENGINE'S OIL ONTO MY DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO NEWPORT, RI ($80) THEN THERE WERE EXTENSIVE DAMAGES INCURRED BY THE LEAKING OIL WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERAL BELTS BECOMING CONTAMINATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ($574 TOTAL REPAIR COST). I JUST RECENTLY (11/27/02) RECEIVED NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE RECALL OF THIS PART AND AM FURIOUS THAT HONDA'S NEGLIGENCE RESULTED IN A LARGE REPAIR BILL AND THANK GOODENSS THAT MY ENGINE DIDN'T SEIZE BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING IT WHEN IT HAPPENED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING OIL BLEW OUT OF OIL SEAL ONTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING HEAVY SMOKE TO COME FROM ENGINE. CONSUMER'S VISION WAS TEMPORARILY IMPAIRED, VEHICLE SHUT OFF/ LOST POWER STEERING. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS - TOOK CARE IN FOR REPAIR OF OIL LEAK AND DISCOVERED MAIN SEAL PROBLEM. *AK
MY BALANCER SHAFT OIL SEAL FAILED, AND PUMPED OUT ALL THE OIL IN MY ENGINE. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS PART OF AN ON GOING PRODUCT UPDATE. HONDA AMERICA AGREED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR TO THE SEAL, BUT THE TIMING BELT ALSO NEEDS REPLACEMENT DUE TO OIL SATURATION FROM THE FAILED OIL SEAL. THEY STATE THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THIS, AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $410 FOR THIS REPAIR! IN THE HONDA CAMPAIN, IT MANDATES A CHANGE OF THE TIMING BELT. I WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS, AND IF THE TIMING BELT FAILS DUE TO THE OIL, WILL HONDA BE LIABLE FOR ANY ACCIDENTS, DAMAGE, OR INJURY THIS MAY CAUSE? IF THE TIMING BELT SNAPS, I BELIEVE THAT I WOULD LOSE ANY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD DIE.*AK
THE SEAL WENT BAD CAUSING OIL TO LEAK OUT OF THE ENGINE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 98V-231. NLM
MASSIVE OIL LEAK DUE TO FAILURE OF BALANCER SHAFT OIL SEAL. $1,700 PERIPHERAL ENGINE DAMAGE. ITEM RECALLED, BUT HONDA WILL NOT HONOR MAJORITY OF REPAIR COST. VERY LATE RECALL; 1.2 MILLION VEHICLES INVOLVED ACCORDING TO HONDA.
11-7-2000 INCURRED AN EXPENSE OF $827.93 RESULTING FROM A BLOWN OUT BALANCE SHAFT SEAL. 11-29-2000 MAILED TO HONDA A REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WITH: THE PROCARE INVOICE FOR 827.93, COPY OF THE RECEIPT, AND CENTURY HONDA INVOICE CONFIRMING INSPECTION OF BALANCE SHAFT SEAL CORRECTION. 1-13-2001 RECEIVED POSTCARD FROM HONDA CONFIRMING RECEIPT OF CLAIM. THEY CLAIMED THE DID NOT RECEIVE THE CENTURY HONDA INVOICE. 1-23-2001 AFTER DAYS, YES DAYS, OF BUSY SIGNALS I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO FAX THE INVOICE THEY SAID THEY DID NOT RECEIVE. ALL PHONE CALLS IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF THIS ORDEAL HAVE RESULTED IN BUSY SIGNALS OR BEING PUT ON HOLD. I HAVE PUT THE PHONE ON SPEAKER AT WORK AND WAITED AS LONG AS AN HOUR BEFORE GIVING UP. HONDA HAS BASICALLY MADE THEIRSELVES INACCESIBLE. 3-2-2001 TO DATE NO RESPONSE FROM HONDA EXCEPT PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED POSTCARD.HAVE
A/C RECALL - COOLING SYSTEM NEVER WORKS PROPERLY. DEFROST DOESN'T CLEAR WINDOWS ON LEFT SIDE. ENGINE STARTED LEAKING OIL PROFUSELY (PART RECALL?) ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WENT OUT. LIGHTING SWITCH WENT OUT & ALL LIGHTS BLEW. ANTENNA DOES'NT WORK PROPERLY. WINDOWS ARE COMING DOWN SLOWER AND SLOWER. SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION MIGHT BE THE NEXT TO GO. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL CASE OF MURPHY'S LAW.*AK
HONDA IS NOW GIVING ME THE RUN-AROUND ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT. THEY HAVE SET UP A SERIES OF HOOPS THAT ARE GOING TO COST ME TIME, MONEY AND THE USE OF MY CAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
WHILE INTERSTATE DRIVING, CAR (ENGINE) SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN . NOTICED RPM DROPS TO 0 AT THE INSTANT OF THE SHUTDOWN. LOST STEERING CAPABILITY (STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION), LOST ACCELERATION POWER. HAD TO DRIFT OFF TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY. LUCKILY NO TRAFFIC IMMEDIATELY BEHIND. CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER DETERMINED IGNITOR COIL, IGNITOR U AND ENGINE OIL SEAL ALL FAILED. LOST ALL OIL FROM ENGINE. DEALER REPLACED COIL IGNITOR, IGNITOR U, T-BELTS, OIL SEALS, WATER PUMP, COOLANT AND RUBBER, ACCORDING TO PARTS LISTING ON INVOICE. DAMAGE AMOUNTED TO $837.33. HONDA NOW RECALLING AND REPAIRING OIL SEAL BUT WILL NOT REIMBURSE FOR WATER PUMP, EXTERIOR BELTS OR THE TWO IGNITION/IGNITOR PARTS REPLACED. THIS WAS A MAJOR FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH ON THE INTERSTATE. IF HONDA RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF A PART TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURE AS IN THE CASE OF THE WATER PUMP, THEN HONDA SHOULD REIMBURSE FOR SAME. *AK
OIL PAN GASKET SUDDENLY BLEW, SPRAYING HOT OIL ALL OVER ENGINE, DESTROYING NEW TIMING BELT, ALL OTHER ENGINE BELTS AND HOSES. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 1800 RPM, THERE IS A BUZZ IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *SLC
BALANCER SHAFT SEAL POPPED OUT. ALL ENGINE OIL QUICKLY LOST. CAMSHAFT FROZE IN HEAD. CRANKSHAFT CONTINUED TO TURN, STRIPPING TEETH OFF OF TIMING BELT. OIL SOAKED BRAKE PADS, TIRES AND BELTS. MECHANIC SAID ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT, DAMAGE IRREPAIRABLE. HEAD, CRANKSHAFT, AND PISTONS DAMAGED. REPAIR COSTS $2000 -$4000. CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WAS STRANDED IN THE ROAD, COULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENT. IF I HAD TO STOP IN A HURRY, COULD HAVE CRASHED DUE TO OIL SOAKED BRAKES. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLANTS ON THIS SAME FAULTY OIL SEAL. *AK
BALANCER SEAL FAILED, ENGINE LOST OIL NOW ENGINE BLOCK IS CRACKED. *AK
VEHICLE BEGAN POURING OUT OIL FROM WITHIN THE TIMING COVER. ENDED UP REPLACING ALL BELTS INCLUDING TIMING BELT DUE TO OIL HAVING COVERED EVERYTHING. ALSO REPLACED WATER PUMP WHILE UNIT WAS OPEN. MECHANIC SAID BALANCE SHAFT SEAL WAS CAUSE OF PROBLEM - SAID IT WAS THE 4TH HE HAD SEEN IN ABOUT THE LAST WEEK THAT INVOLVED AN ACCORD. RESEARCHED RECALL INFO ON INTERNET AND DISCOVERED IN USA TODAY SEPT 19,2000 THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN OHIO MANUFACTERED CARS AND THOSE WERE BEING RECALLED FOR WHAT APPEARS AS THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN HOWEVER. MADE A CALL TO HONDA MOTOR CO., SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE IN PARTICULAR BUT THAT THEY RECEIVED THEIR INFO FROM NHTSA AND COULD NOT HELP ME SINCE THERE WAS NO EXISTING RECALL. SEEMS A HONDA SHOULD GO MORE THAT 50,000 WITHOUT MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR WORK. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!*AK
FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. IF FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WILL OCCUR WITH HIGH POTENTIAL FOR FIRE.
BALANCE SHAFT SEAL FELL OUT CAUSING A MAJOR LOSS OF OIL. *SLC
ENGINE OIL SEAL RETAINER WAS OMITTED BY FACTORY. HONDA SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL, AS THEREHAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF DEFECT. SEAL RUPTURED WHILE I WAS DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE AND I SAW OIL POURING FROM ENGINE WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. DEFECT COULD HAVE CAUSED ENGINE TO RUN DRY OF OIL AND RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC FIRE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH TO OCCUOPANTS. HONDA REDUCED COST OF REPAIR TO $332 , BUT SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL.*AK
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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