2009 Honda Accord Engine Problems

Component/System: Engine – piston ring failure; oil control issue related to VCM system. Available for inspection: Yes. My 2009 Honda Accord EX-L V6 (J35Z2 engine with VCM) has developed repeated misfires due to oil entering the combustion chamber, consistent with Honda TSB 13-078. It began around 96,000 miles with cylinder #3 fouling. At 121,000 miles, cylinder #2 also misfired. A Honda dealer confirmed the issue as piston ring failure, and oil loss was measured at ~1.5 quarts per 1,000 miles. The issue causes sudden power loss, rough running, and hesitation, especially during highway driving or acceleration. This creates a serious risk of rear-end collisions or inability to safely merge. The misfire occurs without warning; no warning lamps were active beforehand. Brandfon Honda confirmed the diagnosis in May 2025. Honda acknowledges the defect in TSBs and prior class action litigation (Soto v. Honda), but refuses to assist because my car is outside the 8-year extended warranty window—even though I was never notified of that warranty. I’ve maintained the car carefully and reported the issue to Honda through multiple channels. This is a known defect affecting many 2008–2012 Accords. It compromises driveability, increases oil consumption, and creates safety concerns due to unpredictable engine performance. I’m submitting this to ensure it is recorded as part of a broader pattern that may warrant further investigation.

NHTSA ID

11667801

Incident

Oct 9, 2021

Rattle noise at start up when engine is cold.

NHTSA ID

11649132

Incident

Oct 20, 2012

The engine is burning oil, about 2 quarts a month. The oil level consistently runs low when checked and I have to top it off with 1 qt every 2 weeks. There is no leaking under the car so the mechanic said the engine is burning the oil and I would need to replace the whole engine!. The cost of replacing the engine is more than the car is worth. I just bought it a year ago and thought Hondas were more reliable than this. The mechanic said Honda had some issues with the "rings" and tp check this website for a recall. I do not see a recall but if many other similar cars have the same problem there should be a recall that Honda should fix.

NHTSA ID

11641363

Incident

Feb 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the engine was previously rebuilt. The contact stated that the engine was misfiring while driving and coming into a stop. The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where cylinder #1 spark plug was replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the engine might need to be rebuilt to completely correct the failure. The vehicle was temporarily repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Action Number: RQ24013 (Engine). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 173,643.

NHTSA ID

11625148

Incident

Aug 27, 2024

Mileage

173,643 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle had been experiencing an oil leak. The dealer diagnosed that the valve cover gasket had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the valve cover gasket was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that a hairline fracture in the engine housing had caused the oil vacuum seal to fracture and the oil to leak. The dealer replaced the engine housing. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal loud sound coming from underneath the hood, and the vehicle skipped gears and lunged forward. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH, the contact noticed a burning chemical odor. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned on the hazard lights. The contact then drove to the residence, where the contact opened the hood and noticed that the battery had melted. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

NHTSA ID

11617179

Incident

Sep 30, 2024

Mileage

84,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, noticed the vehicle loosing motive power. The contact stated the check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, however, it was no diagnosed since the contact refused to pay for it. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, however no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.

NHTSA ID

11589113

Incident

Apr 16, 2018

Mileage

146,000 mi

Burns oil due to bad piston rings. They are notorious for it and everyone that has a 8th generation Honda Accord (2008-2012) knows this is one of the biggest problems with the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11521082

Incident

May 8, 2023

The bolt that secures the Serpentine Belt tensioner broke off at the engine block. This disables the power steering and the alternator. This is the third time this has happened. Fortunately for me it has happened when I could stop the car without wrecking it. Without power steering it is all most impossible to steer. I have learned that this is a problem with several Honda models. The tensioner is hydraulic and is secured with one bolt. Honda has issued service bulletins about the problem, but they still break. If mine had gone out at road speed or in traffic I may have been seriously hurt or killed. Some other Honda models come with a spring tensioner, and apparently work OK. I have found a lot of information about this problem on Honda forums. Arlington Car Care, in Upper Arlington, Ohio has been great to me in researching the problem and fixing mine 3 times at their expense. I feel Honda should recall cars with this tensioner and replace it with a spring tensioner that is safe. I wonder if the hydraulic unit is affected by cold weather, making the tension too strong and overpowering the single bolt. The shop has been able to get the broken bolt out of the block so far but it has been problem getting it out. Honda recommends bleeding the tensioner 3 times at installation and oiling the bolt and using a washer between the tensioner and the block. In my opinion tensioner was under designed and needs a fix.

NHTSA ID

11451030

Incident

Feb 2, 2022

I took my Honda in regarding a rattling noise coming from the engine while driving. It has become more noticeable in the cold and during acceleration. After taking it to the dealer I was told the engine is burning oil. Keep in mind my 2009 Honda Accord has 42k miles on it and is regularly maintained. I was told there is a large amount of carbon build up and it would require a number of this needing repair. Piston Rings, Actuator, Timing Chain, gaskets, seals and the list goes on. The alternative was bring the car in every 3k miles for oil changes because of this issue and monitor the oil consumption. Baffled by how this is possible with carbon build up and using premium fuel. Now I come home and search the internet and find out Honda has an issue with the 2.4 liter Engines in 2009 Honda accords. Apparently a service bulletin was issued but I was never made aware of this issue. Clearly this is a manufacture defect and there should have been a recall. The technician heard the issue and explained the engine would require this major repair or I would be forced to bring the car in for oil changes every 3k miles. The alternative was $6k in repairs total, $2k in parts to replace what they have identified as the issue. There was never any indication that the oil levels were low. And when the vehicle was brought in for oil changes they would note they would change the oil and top it off it was low but never checked why and what the underlying issue was for any lower oil levels. It's really disappointing when you follow all the maintenance protocols to find out they are hiding behind a bigger mechanical issue that can/will have escalating impact on the engine life of my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11449742

Incident

Jan 17, 2022

My Honda vehicle’s engine grinds or rattles at cold start-up. Honda dealerships or manufacturer (Honda) are not cooperating and not able to fix it with the reason that my vehicle is out of warranty. I have complained several times since several years however Honda / Honda dealerships have been under playing and rejecting my complaints. This is clearly a manufacturing defect. Please do something about it.

NHTSA ID

11447275

Incident

Jul 5, 2012

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering inadvertently and the oil warning light, the tire warning light, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road and she was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine had thrown two pistons and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

NHTSA ID

11439991

Incident

Nov 6, 2021

Mileage

94,000 mi

1st the check engine light continues to come on, when it does it makes loud noise and seems to either speed up like idling to fast or loss of power, continues the normal maintained, already replaced the head gaskets and belts it burns through so much oil when we do test on car they say catalytic convertor and then it will stop and work and some thing over and over again, I have 157000 on my car the leather in the car it is forming hard spots on seats front and back I don't have other passengers its like the seats are superglued . I have heard Honda is aware of these problems and with this amt of complaints why is not Honda heard accountable, in park city a fire started due to faulty catalytic convertor I don't want that to happen to me

NHTSA ID

11429523

Incident

Aug 16, 2021

Continuing “ignition coils failure”, leading to lost acceleration, putting car in dangerous situations, stalling, back firing. Coil failure high, expensive.

NHTSA ID

11418696

Incident

May 21, 2021

MY NAME IS [XXX]. BETWEEN MY MOTHER AND I WE OWN 4 HONDA VEHICLES. 2 ACCORDS AND 2 CIVICS. THE TWO ACCORDS ARE MODEL YEARS 2009 AND 2016. 2009 HONDA ACCORD LX-S 242K MILES 2016 HONDA ACCORD SPORT 47K MILES I HAVE NOTICED BOTH OF THESE CARS TO HAVE A ISSUE WITH OIL AT STARTUP. THE 2009 MAKES MORE NOISE THAN THE 2016. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE VCT ACTUATOR ON THE CAR. THIS IS JUST AN ISSUE AT STATIONARY STARTUP. WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION THERE IS NO ISSUES. I DID A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH TO SEE AND I PULLED PAGES AND PAGES OF INFO ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. IT EVEN SHOWS THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THEY SENT OUT SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THIS BUT AS TO WHY THE OWNERS ARE STILL HAVING TO PAY FOR THIS IS NOT RIGHT. THIS IS A VIDEO OF THE ISSUE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=8GMJAS9CUWG THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT A ONE TIME DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE ON THE ACCORDS. MY CIVICS DO NOT HAVE ANY NOISE AT START UP, THEY ARE 2009 AND 2014 YEAR MODELS. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11372810

Incident

Nov 3, 2020

Mileage

47,000 mi

LOUD ENGINE RATTLING NOISE WITH COLD START UP. HAPPENS EVERY TIME NOW

NHTSA ID

11361005

Incident

Sep 24, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO RACINE HONDA - DEALER SERVICE & PARTS (9501 WASHINGTON AVE, RACINE, WI 53406) WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR. THE CONTACT HAD THE ALTERNATOR AND THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED. SINCE THE INITIAL FAILURE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER EACH TIME TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE FOURTH TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,950.

NHTSA ID

11348611

Incident

Sep 20, 2014

Mileage

70,950 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE MISFIRE. ADDITIONALLY, THE PISTON RINGS AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11320526

Incident

Mar 18, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-80 MPH, SHUDDERED AND LOST MOTIVE POWER WITH THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT CYLINDER NUMBER 3 MISFIRED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE SPARK PLUG WAS REPLACED EVERY TWO TO THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000.

NHTSA ID

11308812

Incident

Nov 14, 2017

Mileage

91,000 mi

TENSION BOLT SNAPPED CAUSING THE BELT TO LOOSEN AND NO POWER STEERING WHILE I WAS DRIVING, ALL THIS HAPPEND WHILE I WAS ON A HIGHWAY WAS THE SCARIEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE HAVING NO STEERING POWER! ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON FEW MONTHS AGO ISSUE WITH OXYGEN SENSOR. I TAUGHT HONDA IS SUCH A GOOD CAR, THIS WILL BE MY LAST TIME BUYING A HONDA. THIS CAR HAS COST ME SO MUCH MONEY AND TOWING ITS REDICULOS. I READ THAT PEOPLE HAD ISSUE WITH THIS AND HONDA ONLY MADE THAT BRACKET 2 YEARS BECUASE OF ISSUES WHY WAS THERE NEVER A RECALL ON THIS?

NHTSA ID

11298445

Incident

Jan 8, 2020

Mileage

142,000 mi

CAR HAS BEEN WITH MECHANICS FOR DAY 3 NOW THEY THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS AT 1ST TIMING BELT WENT TO REPLACED IT FOUND OUT IT WAS NOT THAT ISSUE THOUGHT IT WAS A SENSOR WAS NOT THAT AS WELL NOW TOLD BY HONDA THAT IT IS CAMSHAFT, I'VE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY VEHICLES AND OIL CHANGES ONLY A 150000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. THIS IS EXTREMELY STRESSFUL I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM DEAN HONDA IN 2017

NHTSA ID

11289340

Incident

Dec 11, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

WE HAVE FOUND THAT ARE 2009 HONDA ACCORD HAS A PARASITIC DRAW WE HAVE TO PULL FUSES SO THE BATTERY DOES NOT GO DEAD WITHIN HOURS. HAVE TRIED NEW BATTERIES, CHARGE BATTERIES. THROUGH OUR OWN RESEARCH PEOPLE ARE CALLING THIS PROBLEM A PARASITIC DRAW FROM THE BATTERY AND ITS A MATTER OF TRACING WIRES DOWN AND PULLING FUSES. AND IF YOU WANT TO USE CAR WITHOUT RUNNING BATTERY DOWN MY HUSBAND HAS PULLED A FUSE OR TWO BUT THIS DISABLES SEVERAL THINGS RADIO, SOME DASHBOARD FUNCTIONS. WHICH IF IT KEEPS GOING COULD BE PROBLEMATIC ON THE FUNCTION OF THE HONDA MAYBE AFFECTING LIGHTS EVENTUALLY OR OTHER SAFETY FEATURES. SO WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AND HOW BAD IT CAN GET AND HOW IT CAN BE FIXED. SOME PEOPLE WERE DISCONNECTING WIRES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM AND DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. WHEN WE BOUGHT CAR IT HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. SO THE PROBLEM HAS ONLY INCREASED AS TIME HAS PASSED.

NHTSA ID

11287520

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

Mileage

144,000 mi

OIL IS ENTERING COMBUSTION CHAMBER CAUSE BLUE SMOKE TO COME OUT OF EXHAUST AT TIMES. SEEING OIL CONSUMPTION UNDER 1000 MILES OF TRAVEL AT LEAST 1QT OF OIL CONSUMPTION.

NHTSA ID

11286832

Incident

Dec 4, 2019

Mileage

158,000 mi

MY CAR HAS A HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM, WHICH IS CAUSING RATTLING SOUND TO COME FROM THE ENGINE. I'M AFRAID THAT MY ENGINE MIGHT CATCH FILE BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL AS WELL. I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TO THE HONDA DEALER FROM PAST TWO YEARS, BUT THEY NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL AND WERE ASKING ME MONEY IN THE RANGE OF $3000-$4000 TO FIX IT. NOW WHEN I KNOW THAT IT WAS PART OF THE RECALL, THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I'VE TO PAY EVERYTHING FROM MY POCKET. HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2016/SB-10083874-2280.PDF I FEEL THE HONDA DEALERS ARE CHEATING THEIR CUSTOMERS, NOT INFORMING THEM ABOUT THE POTENTIAL ISSUES, AND TRYING TO GOUGE THEM THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR FIXING THEIR CARS. WE, AS A CONSUMER, DO NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE VEHICLE INTERNAL WORKINGS, SO HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO AGREE TO WHATEVER THEY ASK TO CHARGE.

NHTSA ID

11267755

Incident

Sep 27, 2019

Mileage

86,000 mi

RECENLY PURCHACED THIS 09ACCORD EX COUPE AUTOMATIC 5SPEED 4 CYLINDER FROM A USED DEALERSHIP WITH NO WARRENTY. 3 OR 4 DAYS LATERI NOTICED A BRIEF BUT LOUD RATTLE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONLY ON COLD START UP. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF POSTS ON THIS ISSUE AND I DEFINETLY CAN BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFTY ISSUE IF THE ENGINE BECOMES DAMAGED WHILD DRIVING WITH THIS ISSUE WITH THE VTC ACTUATOR. I SHOULDNT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AS THERE IS A TSB ON THE ISSUE THAT CLEARLY STARES IT AS A DEFECT.

NHTSA ID

11256300

Incident

Sep 17, 2019

Mileage

112,900 mi

THE CAR HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION (0.75 Q PER 1000 MILES) BASED ON A RECENT OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. EVERY 2100 MILES OR SO THE LOW OIL WARNING LIGHT LIT. HONDA REFUSES TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11192248

Incident

Feb 1, 2017

Mileage

95,000 mi