2011 Honda Accord Owner Complaints

At only 61,083 miles, the rack and pinion on my 2011 Honda Accord was diagnosed as leaking by Baierl Honda in Wexford, PA. The dealership documented the issue as: “FOUND RACK AND PINION LEAKING; PARTS/LABOR (INCLUDING ALIGNMENT AND POWER STEERING FLUID) $2,777 PLUS TAX.” This is a major steering component that should last well over 150,000 miles under normal conditions, yet mine failed extremely early. A leaking rack and pinion creates a serious safety concern. Prior to diagnosis, I experienced increased steering effort and inconsistent steering feel, especially during low‑speed turns and parking maneuvers. Loss of hydraulic pressure in the steering system can lead to sudden difficulty steering, which poses a risk during highway driving or emergency situations. This failure is part of a known pattern affecting 2008–2012 Honda Accords. Numerous owners have reported premature rack and pinion leaks and failures at relatively low mileage, suggesting a defect in the internal seals or manufacturing tolerances. Despite the frequency of complaints, Honda has not issued a recall or service bulletin addressing the problem. Given the safety implications and the documented pattern of premature failures, I believe this issue warrants investigation.

NHTSA ID

11753909

Incident

Aug 21, 2024

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Wheel Rim split in half 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Potential for car flipping if I were on highway or driving fast. Entire tire rim collapsed and could have easily injured passenger. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, complaining to NHTSA here is first. Showed photos to VIP Auto and they said it was a manufacturer's defect and to file this report. 4. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? None

NHTSA ID

11722263

Incident

Feb 28, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 110,655. It was later discovered that the title mileage was 304,415. The contact discovered the discrepancy through Carfax, where it showed that, as per the last emissions test conducted on 01/29/2026, the mileage was 304,415.

NHTSA ID

11718636

Incident

Feb 16, 2026

Mileage

304,415 mi

Statement by American Honda Regarding Left and Right Front Drive Shaft Recalls Our 2011 Honda Accord, driven by our grandson, had experienced a possible breakage of the drive shaft, leaving him stranded on an off-ramp on the freeway. It appears Honda has had recalls for this mechanical failure on a limited number of VN numbers. I did find that there had been over 292 complaints according to NHTSA campaign number XXX. I did reach out to Honda, and with no explanation other than no recalls on this VIN [XXX [XXX] selective safety recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11716666

Incident

Feb 7, 2026

I'm having symptoms of cold startup engine rattle type clatter sound for approximately 2-3 seconds and then it goes away. Doesn't do that again unless the car sits for a period of time. If it's been started recently like within 1 hour or 2 hours it will startup with out making that metal rattle/clatter sound for 2-3 seconds. I was told it's likely the 2.4l engine VTC actuator is failing letting the engine oil drain out causing a dry start. I was told it was a common issue and even the internet is saying the same thing that this is a widely known issue. There should be a recall for this because this should not be happening My car has only 156,000 miles on it. And I've own cars with well over 200,000 miles and that's never happened never had I had an engine problem related to the timing chain or the VVT system. I'm hoping this is a recall where will be soon because it's not affordable repair bill for many people. Please let this become a recall or whatever it's called to have the manufacturer take responsibility and fix the problem. I would have not had bought this vehicle if I was aware of this issue probably because it's not a low cost repair I was told. Otherwise this car is a great car runs good drives good once it starts and runs for a few seconds. It's only when the car sets for a period of time not running and you go just start it and you hear that rattle for 2-3 seconds. When I bought the vehicle it wasn't doing this at least not when I first bought it.

NHTSA ID

11713516

Incident

Jan 4, 2026

The contact owns a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH with her son inside the vehicle, the driver’s side and the driver’s seat air bags deployed unexpectedly. Neither independent mechanic nor the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.

NHTSA ID

11712528

Incident

Jan 21, 2026

Mileage

172,000 mi

On Tuesday, September 23, I was applying the brakes as I was approaching a stop sign. When I had slowed to about fifteen miles an hour the car suddenly accelerated and the brakes were not enough to stop it so I shifted into neutral and stopped. The engine continued to race in neutral. I shifted into drive and things returned to normal. I then started to move forward and the car suddenly again accelerated rapidly. I shifted into neutral and then into drive and things returned to normal. I then drove home without a further problem.

NHTSA ID

11689591

Incident

Sep 23, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 107,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 260,000.

NHTSA ID

11669233

Incident

Jun 4, 2025

Mileage

260,000 mi

The drivers side curtain airbag and drivers side seat belt retention airbag deployed while driving without an impact/collision. It is available for inspection. The airbags deploying while driving blocked my vision and was a completely terrifying distraction. I brought the car to my local Honda dealership for inspection and they confirmed the airbags were deployed without an impact. Honda refuses to give me the inspection report. There were no warning lights or symptoms.

NHTSA ID

11665495

Incident

May 30, 2025

I don't remember the exact days but the air bag light comes on twice

NHTSA ID

11637295

Incident

Dec 10, 2024

The rack and pinion needs to be replaced with just over 63k miles. This appears to be a common occurrence amongst 2008-2012 Honda Accords but it appears Honda is ignoring the issue. I have included a forum of complaints from owners that have very low mileage. Could you please look into this? [XXX] [XXX] , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11631879

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

ENGINE, C1 MISFIRERS, THIS HAS OCCURED OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS AND HAS COSTS ME THOUSANDS TO FIX BUT ITS NOT A PERMANAT FIX, IT'S BEEN A BANDAID TO THIS ISSUE. ITS THE SAME ISSUE AS YOU ALL ARE INVESTAGATING WITH THE NEW MODELS, HONDA DID ACKNOLEDFGE THIS ISSUE BUT THEY SAID AFTER 2014 YOU NO LONGER CAN GET A FIX BY THEM. I PURCHASED THE CAR ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO, I NEVER KNEW OR COULD OF KNOWN THIS WAS A PREEXISTING ISSUE THAT WAS NEVER FIXED, PLEASE HELP ME I AM NOT FEELING SAFE IN MY CAR ANYMORE, IT EITHER SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY OR GIVES ME ALOT OF HESATATION. MY AUTO SHOP HAS ALL MY DETAILED RECORDS ON THIS - GULF 215 362-2223

NHTSA ID

11625340

Incident

Oct 26, 2024

The light suddenly came on stating the side air bag is off. Meaning during a collision it won't dobiys part

NHTSA ID

11595181

Incident

Jun 18, 2024

Sub Frame corrosion rust out / crack(s). Control arm (s) corrosion. All verified by independent repair facility, A & B Collision Staten Island NY. This has been an issue with previous years as per driveaccord.net

NHTSA ID

11593878

Incident

Jun 12, 2024

I was driving on freeway and I heard an explosion. Glass rain down on me. My sunroof shattered for no reason. I was driving with no cars ahead, beside or behind me. The weather was clear. I suffered with glass in my eye and I almost lost control of my car. Honda said they won't fix it with mr having to pay 1,000.00 dollars. I want to join class action lawsuit.

NHTSA ID

11587347

Incident

May 5, 2024

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT BACK IN OCT 2023. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID

11582357

Incident

Oct 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light was flashing. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating and was losing motive power. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence and later had the vehicle towed to a local independent mechanic. The contact stated that the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle, and the contact was informed that the piston rings needed to be cleaned. The mechanic replaced the spark plugs as well. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to a Class Action Lawsuit regarding the piston rings fouling the spark plugs and causing poor engine performance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11560847

Incident

Dec 14, 2023

Mileage

120,000 mi

On [XXX], my daughter rear-ended a stopped vehicle while trying to merge. She was driving approximately 60-70mph at the time of impact. The front end of her car was completely smashed and the insurance company deemed it a total loss. Despite the force and speed at impact, her airbags did not deploy. She hit her head on the steering wheel, causing a concussion. She continues to suffer from the effects of the concussion. She is under the car of a neurologist and chiropractor. I contacted Honda to report this on 10.3.2023 and was told to "wait by the phone" because someone would be calling me back immediately as it was a high priority case. The case number is [XXX]. No one has called me. I called back on 10.6.2023 to notify them that the car insurance company was taking possession of the car and was told to take pictures. I have never received a call back for additional details. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11556457

Incident

Sep 28, 2023

Air bag light is on/ passenger side

NHTSA ID

11554059

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

When I start my car, I hear a rattle sound for 1-2 seconds. It only happens when the car has been off for about 3 hours. It used to happen once in awhile and now everyday. I searched online and a lot of people say it’s the “engine’s variable timing control actuator” or VTC.

NHTSA ID

11549878

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

I have a 2011 Honda Accord V6 coupe. At approximately 11:39 hours on 8/15/2023 my car lost all steering and brakes and spun violently multiple times across the highway. Thankfully the car did not impact another vehicle and ended up on the side of the road in soft sand. A scan tool revealed a trouble code for a failing or fault within the VSA modulator. This module controls both the brake system and stability control in one unit. At the time of the above aforementioned incident 2 warning lights were on the dash for the following: ABS and Stability control. The Arizona Department of Public Safety responded to the incident. I file this complaint because the safety of other drivers and myself were placed in serious jeopardy.

NHTSA ID

11542018

Incident

Aug 15, 2023

*What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Replace both front lower ball joints with proper front alignment as advised in TSB: Replace both of the front lower ball joints with updated service parts made to address this specific symptom. If the ball joints were previously replaced, then replace both front knuckle assemblies. *How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Faulty defective front lower ball joints installed on the vehicle that is considered a safety risk according to the certified Honda service tech that inspected the vehicle. Certified Honda service technician advised ball joints could separate from the front knuckle allowing the suspension to separate from the wheel while vehicle is in motion that could result in potential injury or possible death. Safety of others may be at risk due to other owners may not be aware of the TSB bulletin and vehicle may not reproduce noise or problems due to internal/external factors. *Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, confirmed by Honda certified service technician. *Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Vehicle was first inspected by Pep boys (could not duplicate the noise and visual inspection passed. Took the vehicle to Honda service for second opinion. Service technician followed TSB procedures to duplicate the confirmed noise and diagnose the problem was related to the TSB bulletin provided by Honda. *Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warnings, messages or symptoms identified unless the vehicle is in motion during extremely hot temperatures. Visual confirmation fails due to component failure inside the defective part. Vehicle does not always duplicate the noise unless proper conditions are available.

NHTSA ID

11541967

Incident

May 18, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, he shifted into drive(D) and depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The contact stated that upon accelerating, the vehicle independently decelerated at slow speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he used a code reader to diagnose the vehicle and retrieved two unknown codes for a faulty manifold air pressure sensor and mass air flow sensor. Additionally, the contact stated that he performed a tune-up and routine maintenance on the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The check engine warning light illuminated again after the tune-up. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that TSB 13-078 Warranty Extension had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,500.

NHTSA ID

11538842

Incident

Aug 13, 2023

Mileage

135,500 mi

Axle broke on passenger side. Broken parts unavailable. Car stopped at a busy intersection. No warning. Parking brake failed to engage at the same time.

NHTSA ID

11526385

Incident

Jun 4, 2023

When starting up a noise it the motor for the sencod time with 71,000 miles why

NHTSA ID

11519661

Incident

Apr 30, 2023