1996 Honda Accord Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Honda Accord, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags10920.5%
- Engine9718.2%
- Brakes8215.4%
- Electrical438.1%
- Driver assistance295.4%
- Visibility224.1%
- Seat belts213.9%
- Transmission213.9%
- Tires & wheels213.9%
- Body & structure193.6%
- Interior & seats183.4%
- Steering132.4%
- Fuel system112.1%
- Suspension112.1%
- Powertrain (other)61.1%
- Heating & air conditioning50.9%
- Exterior lighting30.6%
- Other / unspecified20.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 1996 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the SRS air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the SRS unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,100.
SRS My safety and other person in my car in case of accident worries no air bag protection in case of accident.. YES. Diamond Valley Honda code 7-2 need to start with replacing SRS unit, 2 to 3 wks. to repair meanwhile no transportation. Who knows what els entails. NO not that I know of. It’s in the hands of Diamond Valley Honda Hemet, CA YES warning light yesterday 7/13/2022 coming from my doctor office Wildomar, CA.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE STATIONARY AND DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT RECORD THE PROPER SPEED/MILEAGE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THE BATTERY LIFE OF THE VEHICLE LASTED SIX MONTHS OR LESS. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 185,736.
AS I PREPARED TO SLOW TO A STOP IN A RELATIVES CIRCULAR DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV UP WITH A HIGH PITCHED WHINE. I TURNED THE WHEEL TO AVOID HITTING A PARKED CAR IN HOPES OF STOPPING THE CAR BUT IT CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED AND ENDED UP HITTING A PICKUP IN THE SAME CIRCULAR DRIVEWAY. THE BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO FUNCTION AS THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
AS I PREPARED TO SLOW TO A STOP IN A RELATIVES CIRCULAR DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV UP WITH A HIGH PITCHED WHINE. I TURNED THE WHEEL TO AVOID HITTING A PARKED CAR IN HOPES OF STOPPING THE CAR BUT IT CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED AND ENDED UP HITTING A PICKUP IN THE SAME CIRCULAR DRIVEWAY. THE BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO FUNCTION AS THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED.
1996 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER STATES BRAKE FAILURE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WAS VERY HARD AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT APPEARED THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE ABS RESERVOIR. *JB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
SRS My safety and other person in my car in case of accident worries no air bag protection in case of accident.. YES. Diamond Valley Honda code 7-2 need to start with replacing SRS unit, 2 to 3 wks. to repair meanwhile no transportation. Who knows what els entails. NO not that I know of. It’s in the hands of Diamond Valley Honda Hemet, CA YES warning light yesterday 7/13/2022 coming from my doctor office Wildomar, CA.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE STATIONARY AND DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT RECORD THE PROPER SPEED/MILEAGE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THE BATTERY LIFE OF THE VEHICLE LASTED SIX MONTHS OR LESS. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 185,736.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
AS I PREPARED TO SLOW TO A STOP IN A RELATIVES CIRCULAR DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV UP WITH A HIGH PITCHED WHINE. I TURNED THE WHEEL TO AVOID HITTING A PARKED CAR IN HOPES OF STOPPING THE CAR BUT IT CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED AND ENDED UP HITTING A PICKUP IN THE SAME CIRCULAR DRIVEWAY. THE BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO FUNCTION AS THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 192,000. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY ALTERNATOR IS NOT CHARGING MY BATTERY. MY WIRE HARNESS IS HAVING A FAULTY AND I CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT
GOOD AFTERNOON, I HAVE A 1996 HONDA ACCORD LX 4 DOORS. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW USE TO WORK FINE, AND AS TIME WENT BY, IT BEGAN TO ROLL UP VERY SLOWLY, ABOUT 10 SECONDS. NOW, IT WOULDN'T ROLL UP ANYMORE. MY WINDOW IS STILL DOWN RIGHT NOW. I BELIEVE IT WORKS FINE ROLLING DOWN, BUT IT CANT ROLL BACK UP. I'VE SEARCHED ONLINE FOR WHAT THE POSSIBLE REASONS ARE, AND I CAME UPON SEVERAL FORUMS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ON THIS WINDOW PROBLEM SOON. *AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SRS My safety and other person in my car in case of accident worries no air bag protection in case of accident.. YES. Diamond Valley Honda code 7-2 need to start with replacing SRS unit, 2 to 3 wks. to repair meanwhile no transportation. Who knows what els entails. NO not that I know of. It’s in the hands of Diamond Valley Honda Hemet, CA YES warning light yesterday 7/13/2022 coming from my doctor office Wildomar, CA.
TAKATA INFLATORS & SAFETY BELT FAILED ON IMPACT IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
96 HONDA ACCORD LX 2.2L TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 79,758 MILES. A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED ON 11/28/08 DUE TO TRANSMISSION CONSTANTLY SLIPPING AND ACTUALLY LEAVING MY 23 YR OLD SON, AWAY AT SCHOOL STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT MANY HONDA ACCORD OWNERS HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AS WELL. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT AMERICAN HONDA NEVER CONTACTED US REF TO THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY BEING EXTENDED TO 14 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES [BULLETIN 98-081 HTTP://WWW.EPA.GOV/OTAQ/CERT/RECALL/FR33394.HTM ]. WE FOUND OUT OURSELVES WHILE ON THE INTERNET LAST MONTH DOING RESEARCH ON HONDA TRANSMISSIONS. THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION REPLACED 11/28/08 FAILED US AGAIN WHEN OUR SON WAS RETURNING TO ORLANDO. WE HAD TO GO AND TOW THE CAR BACK TO MIAMI FOR ADDITIONAL TRANSMISSION REPAIRS. THIS TIME IT WAS DUE TO A TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE NJ TURNPIKE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION UNEXPECTEDLY SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL (SLIPPED FROM D4 TO NEUTRAL). ENGINE REVVED TO RED LINE BEFORE I PULLED OVER. JUST NARROWLY MISSED GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRIDGESTONE WEATHERFORCE PLUS TIRES SIZE P185/65R15 INSTALLED ON 1996 HONDA ACCORD. TIRE MILEAGE ONLY 14,368. I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 64MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE BACK END OF MY CAR BEGAN TO WIGGLE AND PULL TO THE LEFT. NEXT, I HEARD LOUD "FLUB-BUDDY" SOUNDS. I IMMEDIATELY EASED OFF THE ACCELERATOR, PUNCHED THE EMERGENCY BLINKING LIGHTS AND MADE MY WAY OVER TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER. THE SIDEWALL OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS SHREDDED AND THE STEM VALVE WAS PARTIALLY TORN FROM THE TIRE. PEOPLE WHO HELPED ME FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT MENTIONED THAT THE TIRE MAY HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK UP THE MATTER WITH SEARS WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE TIRES, BUT THE MANAGER THERE PUT IT DOWN TO "ROAD HAZARD", AND SINCE I DID NOT PURCHASE "RH" INSURANCE WHEN I GOT THE TIRES, HE COULDN'T/WOULDN'T HELP ME AND SUGGESTED I TAKE UP THE MATTER WITH BRIDGESTONE. IF THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY ROAD HAZARD, WHY WEREN'T OTHER CARS AROUND ME AFFECTED? SINCE THEN, I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED OTHER DRIVERS WHO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH EITHER THIS BRAND NAME AND/OR THIS TIRE LINE. I WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE LANE TO MY LEFT WHEN THE TIRE MALFUNCTIONED. I HIT NO ONE NOR WAS I HIT BY EITHER THE CARS BEHIND ME OR IN THE LANE TO MY RIGHT AS I MADE MY WAY OVER TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER. IT IS TO BE HOPED THAT OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TIRES BE AS FORTUNATE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HONDA ACCORD. THE VEHICLE HAS PEP BOYS DEFINITY EX600 TIRES, SIZE P215/60R15. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE TIRES AND NOTICED A BULGE NEAR THE TREAD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE BULGE WAS THE SIZE OF A GOLF BALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES WHILE DRIVING PRIOR TO NOTICING THE BULGE. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,590.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER DOOR LOCKS HAVE BEEN MAKING A LOUD NOISE WHEN LOCKED FOR THE PAST YEAR. TWO WEEKS AGO THE REAR HATCH BACK LOCK OPENS AND THEN CLOSES ON ITS OWN MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE HATCH. EVEN IF THE BUTTON IS HELD UP MANUALLY THE HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. ALL OTHER FOUR DOORS WORK PROPERLY. *TR
A METAL ROD THAT SUPPORTS THE TRUNK HAD SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE TRUNK TO FALL DOWN. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANALYSIS, WHERE THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE METAL ROD NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO A WORN OUT PART.*AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER DOOR LOCKS HAVE BEEN MAKING A LOUD NOISE WHEN LOCKED FOR THE PAST YEAR. TWO WEEKS AGO THE REAR HATCH BACK LOCK OPENS AND THEN CLOSES ON ITS OWN MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE HATCH. EVEN IF THE BUTTON IS HELD UP MANUALLY THE HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. ALL OTHER FOUR DOORS WORK PROPERLY. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK/UNLOCK USING THE REMOTE LOCKING DEVICE IT MUST BE PERFORMED MANUALLY. THIS BEGAN AS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT GRADUALLY GOT WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPDATED 05/16/2006. *AK *NM
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. *AK
VEHICLE/STEERING VIBRATES/RATTLES WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY ALTERNATOR IS NOT CHARGING MY BATTERY. MY WIRE HARNESS IS HAVING A FAULTY AND I CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT
1996 HONDA ACCORD BRAKE LINES UNDER CAR RUSTED THRU TO FAILURE WHERE PLASTIC CLAMPS HOLD THEM IN PLACE. BRAKES FAILED CANNOT SEE CORROSION WITH OUT REMOVING PLASTIC COVER. FUEL LINE ALSO SEVERLY RUSTED IN SAME LOCATION WHERE CLAMPED. *TR
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, WITH DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS AND SRS SYSTEMS WHEEL ALIGNMENT BRAKE PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS YES , PARTS WERE REPLACED, REPAIRED BUT I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, AFTER SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. *NM
BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS CRACKED IN HALF, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE AXLE. THE CONSUMER REPLACED BOTH BALL JOINTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
ONE DAY JUST LIKE THAT I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND I CAME TO A RED LIGHT SO AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN MY CAR WAS ON IN DRIVE AND I ACCELERATED AND THE CAR JUST WOULDN'T MOVE. GOT IT TOWED AND I GOT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODES AND IT WAS P0401 AND P0108 SO I CLEANED THE EGR VALVE AND BOUGHT A NEW MAP SENSOR AND INSTALLED IT. THE CAR HAD A NEW BATTERY, THE TRANSMISSION OIL WAS FULL AND WITH NO VISIBLE BLACK COLOR OR SMELL, THE CAR STARTED BUT WOULD NOT GET INTO GEAR AND JUST WOULDN'T MOVE. CALLED A SPECIALIST MECHANIC AND HE BROUGHT HIS TOOL TO CHECK THE WHOLE COMPUTER PART OF THE CAR WICH IS THE NEXT BEST THING TO TOWING IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP, THE RESULT CAME BACK INCONCLUSIVE WITH ALMOST CERTAIN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. AFTER CORONA A LOST OF VEHICLE AND JOB I AM JUDT ABOUT TO SELL IT AS IS CUT MY LOSSES AND MAYBE BUY A BICYCLE FOR NOW. I JUST NEED TO LEAVE ABOUT ONE HOUR BEFORE WORK AND BUY A GOOD AXE BODY SHOWER SPRAY AND ATTACH LIFE ONES AGAIN.
WAS MAKING A TURN AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. PULLED OVER AND NOTICED ENTIRE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HAD SEPARATED. CONTACTED A TOW COMPANY, AND WAS INFORMED AFTER ARRIVAL THAT THE CV JOINT HAD BROKEN. *AK *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA PLACE 3 TIMES TO BE REPAIRED. AFTER THEY DYE TESTED IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE IS A LEAK IN THE EVAPORATOR. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS OFTEN HAPPENS WITH THIS YEAR VEHICLE*AK
MOLD IN A/C, CAR SHOOK WHEN TURNING (PS LINE PINCHED), POWER WINDOWS (2) FELL OFF TRACK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. ELECTRICAL-HEADLIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS-DRIVER SIDE FAILED. *AK
MY COMPLAINT IS NOT WITH MY CAR, BUT WITH HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS IN GENERAL. I AM VERY ALARMED AT THE BLINDING LIGHT THEY PUT OUT AND BELIEVE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVERS OF ONCOMING CARS. PLEASE RESPOND ABOUT SAFETY TESTS THAT WERE DONE TO ALLOW THEM TO BE USED. THANK YOU.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
GOOD AFTERNOON, I HAVE A 1996 HONDA ACCORD LX 4 DOORS. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW USE TO WORK FINE, AND AS TIME WENT BY, IT BEGAN TO ROLL UP VERY SLOWLY, ABOUT 10 SECONDS. NOW, IT WOULDN'T ROLL UP ANYMORE. MY WINDOW IS STILL DOWN RIGHT NOW. I BELIEVE IT WORKS FINE ROLLING DOWN, BUT IT CANT ROLL BACK UP. I'VE SEARCHED ONLINE FOR WHAT THE POSSIBLE REASONS ARE, AND I CAME UPON SEVERAL FORUMS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ON THIS WINDOW PROBLEM SOON. *AK
HIT SMALL POT HOLE AND TIRE EXPLODED DUE TO WHEEL FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .