2013 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 2013 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
- Steering49728.7%
- Electrical41323.9%
- Engine18610.8%
- Driver assistance1247.2%
- Brakes1156.6%
- Powertrain (other)1066.1%
- Airbags512.9%
- Interior & seats482.8%
- Fuel system452.6%
- Visibility372.1%
- Other / unspecified311.8%
- Body & structure251.4%
- Exterior lighting150.9%
- Suspension140.8%
- Tires & wheels110.6%
- Seat belts70.4%
- Transmission30.2%
- Heating & air conditioning20.1%
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
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Whenever in park or reverse the vehicle suddenly power cycles. The vehicle also power cycles when steering and locks the wheel. This can be fatal if it happens on the public road in the middle of traffic.
The first time it happened, the power steering of the car suddenly stopped working while driving on the highway. Now it happens randomly and usually start with a quick jerking motion of the steering wheel. I've looked into this and lot of Honda Accord owners had this issue before. I want to file a complains on this and see if the NHTSA can do anything to have Honda address/fix this issue for me. Thanks,
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 81-20 INTERNAL CIRCUIT FAILURE. CLEARED DTC. ROAD TEST VEHICLE, 81-20 DTC RETURN REPLACE VSA MODULATOR W/BRAKE FLUSH, STARTER MOTOR INTERMITTENTLY SEIZING UP, FRONT ENGINE MOUNT LEAKING, BOTH FRONT SWAY BAR END LINKS LEAKING GREASE, VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING. HIGH MILEAGE AND NO HISTORY. RECOMMEND VALVE ADJUSTMENT, SPARKPLUGS AND VALVE COVER GASKET, RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT WORN, VTC ACTUATOR FAULTY, RATTLE NOISE AT START UP.
Whenever in park or reverse the vehicle suddenly power cycles. The vehicle also power cycles when steering and locks the wheel. This can be fatal if it happens on the public road in the middle of traffic.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 81-20 INTERNAL CIRCUIT FAILURE. CLEARED DTC. ROAD TEST VEHICLE, 81-20 DTC RETURN REPLACE VSA MODULATOR W/BRAKE FLUSH, STARTER MOTOR INTERMITTENTLY SEIZING UP, FRONT ENGINE MOUNT LEAKING, BOTH FRONT SWAY BAR END LINKS LEAKING GREASE, VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING. HIGH MILEAGE AND NO HISTORY. RECOMMEND VALVE ADJUSTMENT, SPARKPLUGS AND VALVE COVER GASKET, RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT WORN, VTC ACTUATOR FAULTY, RATTLE NOISE AT START UP.
Starter grind and not starting
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Whenever in park or reverse the vehicle suddenly power cycles. The vehicle also power cycles when steering and locks the wheel. This can be fatal if it happens on the public road in the middle of traffic.
Honda Accord 9th Gen ABS/VSA Issues - DTC Code 81-20 /32-11. TPMS/ABS/VSA/Brake/Power Steering lights are on. Dealer claim is an ABS module issue and need replacement.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Honda Accord 9th Gen ABS/VSA Issues - DTC Code 81-20 /32-11. TPMS/ABS/VSA/Brake/Power Steering lights are on. Dealer claim is an ABS module issue and need replacement.
I was just driving normally when, completely out of nowhere, my whole dashboard suddenly lit up with a massive cluster of warning lights all at the exact same time. The power steering light, ABS light, traction control (VSA), tire pressure light, and the main brake light all popped up instantly. The most confusing part is that my steering and brakes actually feel completely fine. There is mechanically nothing wrong with how the steering turns or how the brakes stop, but the car is flashing these major warnings anyway. It feels like a total electronic malfunction or a computer glitch where the car is falsely screaming that there's a catastrophic failure when everything is physically working fine.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The stated that the vehicle was taken for the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number 25V422000 (Power Train). The contact stated that after the recall repair was completed, the vehicle was not apart of the recall. The dealer advised the the when alignment was not apart of the recall repair and would be at the owners expense. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and informed that the alignment was part of the recall. The contact stated that while driving after the repair, the vehicle began to swerve uncontrollably, the vehicle felt loose and an adjustment has to be made while driving to straighten the steering wheel. The vehicle was not returned again to the dealer however the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as being severely misaligned. The contact believed that the recall repair was not properly repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,965
Honda issued a recall for the protective coating for the driveshaft. Months prior to this recall, our axle failed. We paid for the replacement. Honda's recall letter clearly states that we can apply for reimbursement if we paid for the repair which we did. Honda refuses to reimburse us for the repair. The local Honda dealer has verified that we deserve reimubursement. And according to the Honda dealer, another Honda representative verified this. We are asking for $676.77, the cost of the repair. Honda's case # is 15782176.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving approximately 60mph on highway this morning. There was no potholes, debris, or collision. Driver curtain airbag and seat airbag deployed. The front steering wheel did not. There were no dash lights on or indications that something was wrong.
While driving at approximately 70 mph., my passenger side airbags suddenly deployed for no apparent reason. Thankfully no one was in passenger seat or hurt, but the excruciating noise was deafening and this put me at risk since it sounded like an explosion and zero visibility out side window. I had to pull over on side of road and puncture the bags and gain composure and visibility to continue my trip. I have called the recall center and found there were no active recalls but I see that this has been an issue in the past with other 2013 Honda Accords. I have been waiting for the caseworker to have an adjuster look at the vehicle but they are already setting me up for the denial to fix the issue and replace airbags. There were no warning lights to give a signal that this might happen. Case worker is supposed to send me to adjuster to get the vehicle inspected but 2 months have gone by. I am afraid that other airbags might deploy and cause a wreck or fatality if it impairs vision. I have to have the car to drive…and am getting zero cooperation from Honda
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The head restraints cause back pain and injury because they are so far forward. When we confronted Honda about these, they said they are required by you to make them miserable and uncomfortable. Are there any car manufacturers that have found a way around this regulation? Maybe cars manufactured before the regulation took effect? Can you reconsider that maybe this regulation is written to cause more injury than assistance and rescind it or revise it to allow manufacturers to fix YOUR problem?
BOUGHT THE HONDA ACCORD IN NOVEMBER, 2012. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000 MILES ON IT AND THE SEAT MOTOR HAS FAILED. IT MAKES NOISE. SEAT CANNOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED BY MOTOR. OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED AND SAID SEAT COULD COLLAPSE DOWN AND THAT IS DANGEROUS. THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR INVOLVING REPLACING ENTIRE FRONT SEAT.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no diagnostic trouble codes were retrieved. The dealer replaced the air intake hose, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.
The high pressure fuel pump is failing. Had a diagnostic ran with the help of Autozone technicians. Advised to replace it. Looked up recalls for my vehicle and found the same issue. I was driving the vehicle home from work when the vehicle was struggling to move. It is available for inspection. No lights on prior to the fuel pump failure. These lights came on after the incident: check engine light, steering wheel with the exclamation mark, traction control, and the tire pressure light blinks then remains on.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH in the rain, the windshield wipers stopped operating as needed. The contact was able to continue driving at slower speeds. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
The driver's side sun visor will not stay in the upright position, sometimes blocking my view of traffic signals or other items, even those below the level of the rear-view mirror. Honda wants $150 for the part. There are may YouTube videos about the problem caused by a failure of a cheap piece of plastic that is prone to breaking. It seems to me that Honda should fix this safety feature as part of a recall.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I would like to report a potential safety concern involving the Evenflo Revolve360 Slim 2-in-1 Rotational Car Seat. My child is [XXX] old and is able to independently press the harness release/loosening button located between her legs while seated in the car seat during normal vehicle operation. Once she presses the button, she is able to lean forward, loosen the harness straps significantly, and climb out of the seat on her own while the vehicle is in motion. This has happened repeatedly during everyday use and not during a crash. My concern is that the harness release mechanism is too accessible to a young child and allows the child to defeat the restraint system while riding in the vehicle. I am concerned that if this occurred during a collision or sudden stop, my child could be seriously injured or ejected from the seat due to the loosened harness. The seat has been used according to manufacturer instructions to the best of my knowledge. I believe this may represent a design or safety issue that should be reviewed further. I am submitting this complaint because I believe other caregivers may experience the same issue, and I am concerned about the risk of injury associated with a child being able to loosen the harness independently during normal travel. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My vehicle was taken to Matt Burne Honda on at [XXX] for recall work on driveshafts since I got my vehicle back I have been having issue after issue. My vehicle was in there twice. He diagnosed the issue as a speed sensor from sitting in my passenger seat never even took on highway to see what the problem really was. My car has been unsafe for the road since I got it back. Brand new tires are now destroyed my car has a horrible death wobble. Did not do this prior to bringing it there INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
In the past 2–3 months, multiple door lock actuators/latches on my 2013 Honda Accord have failed. Both rear doors will not reliably lock or unlock, and the front driver door actuator is intermittent. This means that three of the four doors cannot be secured or opened normally. This is a serious safety and security issue. The car cannot be locked to prevent theft or unauthorized entry. Children or passengers in the rear may not be able to exit safely in an emergency. I am also concerned that the failure could compromise crash safety if doors cannot be unlocked quickly after a collision. Performance Kings Honda (Cincinnati, OH) inspected the vehicle, confirmed the failures, and diagnosed both rear door latch/actuator assemblies as faulty. They provided an estimate of $1,000+ for repairs. I have an open case with American Honda. Honda acknowledges there is no recall, but this appears to be a systemic defect rather than normal wear, since multiple actuators have failed simultaneously. There were no warning lights or messages. The issue developed gradually, starting with difficulty locking/unlocking one door, followed by failure of the others. The vehicle remains available for inspection at the Honda dealership.
sun roof exploded while parked in my driveway
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
Abs module is a common issue on these vehicles I think it’s ridiculous that owners have to come out of pocket 2600$ for a part that should be recalled ! The part is on back order and has been for almost a year now and it’s impossible to get it anywhere else . Please do something about this as I love Honda but have never delt with something like this before . I would hate to have to switch to a different car at another company !
HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS ACCUMULATING MOISTURE CONDENSATION INSIDE OF IT.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 81-20 INTERNAL CIRCUIT FAILURE. CLEARED DTC. ROAD TEST VEHICLE, 81-20 DTC RETURN REPLACE VSA MODULATOR W/BRAKE FLUSH, STARTER MOTOR INTERMITTENTLY SEIZING UP, FRONT ENGINE MOUNT LEAKING, BOTH FRONT SWAY BAR END LINKS LEAKING GREASE, VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING. HIGH MILEAGE AND NO HISTORY. RECOMMEND VALVE ADJUSTMENT, SPARKPLUGS AND VALVE COVER GASKET, RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT WORN, VTC ACTUATOR FAULTY, RATTLE NOISE AT START UP.
Reporting severe dealer negligence and physical structural damage during secondary repairs for Federal Safety Recall 20V-769 / Campaign W9F at Darcars Honda (Fairfax, VA). The technician severely violated Honda TSB 20-125 protocols, physically mushrooming the steel on the left lower control arm (LCA) boss. This blunt-force mechanical damage compromises the structural integrity of the suspension and creates a high probability of out-of-spec ovality in the steering knuckle/mating bore, creating an ongoing dynamic safety hazard. Please see the attached formal documentation and photographic evidence for full details.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS IN THE RAIN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STOP AND UNSTABLE. THE BRAKE, TPMS, AND VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALSH HONDA (2056 EISENHOWER PKWY, MACON, GA 31206, (478) 788-4510) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE WRONG PART WAS PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000. INVALID VIN.
I BOUGHT 60,000 MILE MICHELIN TIRES ON JUNE 5. 2013 AND NOW JUST AT 30,000 THEY NEED TO BE CHANGED OUT.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The seat belt buckle in the back seat on the right side just easily came right out. If I were to have gotten in an accident whoever was sitting there could have been badly hurt due to the seat belt buckle malfunction. I still have yet to get if fixed because it is such a serious safety issue I’m unsure of who to trust to fix it to where it is as safe as it was supposed to have been
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEADREST CAUSED HER NECK PAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
All warning lights on the dashboard suddenly lit up one day. The car is in excellent condition with all recommended maintenance up-to-date and no accidents. Honda dealer said the VSA modulator needed to be replaced and quoted $1756 + tax for the repair. Parts are unavailable, so repairs cannot be made. Dealer admits this is a very common problem with Honda vehicles and suggests I do not worry about it and just keep driving the vehicle - even though safety features are all disabled and the car may not be safe to operate. An online search reveals this is a VERY common and known issue that Honda USA has failed to address.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE START BUTTON HAD TO BE PUSHED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE ENGINE WOULD FINALLY START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (SUNSET HONDA, 12250 LOS SOSO VALLEY RD, LUIS OBISPO, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE ROTATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S TSB NUMBER: 16-002 WAS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
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
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that after parking and returning to the vehicle 30-minutes later, there was an abnormal burning odor inside the cabin of vehicle. The contact discovered a small burn mark on the center of the front passenger’s side seat. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.
2013 HONDA ACCORD CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT A/C CONDENSER BEING VULNERABLE FOR DAMAGE *CN THE CONSUMER STATED A ROCK DAMAGED THE A/C CONDENSER. *JB
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 .