2013 Honda Accord
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,421 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 25 Accord model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 67 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 59 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, driveline, driveshaftJun 19, 2025
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Honda Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission. The affected vehicles were originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The driveshaft may corrode and break, due to damage from road salt or other contaminants.
A broken driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power, or a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is OM2. This recall expands previous recall number 20V769.
Campaign 25V422000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftDec 10, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts were assembled with a lubricant that may have degraded the drive shafts' protective coating, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.
A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing both the left and right drive shafts, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 20V769000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v batteryJun 29, 2017
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Honda Accord vehicles. The case for the battery sensor, part of the battery management system, may allow water to get in, potentially causing an electrical short.
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensor, free of charge. Dealers will perform an interim remedy of applying adhesive to the case to prevent water intrusion. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact American Honda Customer Support Center at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KG0.
Campaign 17V418000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineJul 8, 2013
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2013 Accord vehicles that are Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) II rated that were manufactured January 15, 2013, through April 5, 2013. The fuel tank neck may be out of specification causing the fuel pump to not properly seal to the fuel tank.
An insufficent seal may led to a fuel leak which increases the risk of a fire.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, nut and O-ring gasket free of charge. The recall began during August 2013. Honda's recall number is JA9. Owners may contact Honda at 1-310-783-2000.
Campaign 13V297000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
1,421 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Sep 21, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was an independent dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 113,000. It was later discovered after checking the Carfax report that the mileage was 224,000.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2026
Honda of Nanuet declined to fix the recall issue on my 2013 honda accord sport. a recall in regards to "A corroded drive shaft could break under high torque applications" They did not notify me of the issue until after the expiration date of the time standard for the recall notice. I took the vehicle into the service center to fix the recall. They stated they would not work on the vehicle unless they were authorized to fix a different part that they claimed needed to be removed to access the drive shaft. That fixing the different part would cost approximately $1500 and that they would not address the recall issue unless i paid the estimated amount on the different part. I have since contacted Honda My Garage to get the issue resolved as i received another notice to recall the part. they have not responded to me in regards to fixing the recall. Instead I have only received a letter from honda of nanuet to buy my car. THey are avoiding fixing the recall.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 3, 2026
The contact's spouse owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel turned to the left independently and failed to remain straight. The contact stated that while turning the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with charging system failure and determined that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Suspension, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 10, 2026
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 4, 2026
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.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 1, 2026
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.
Steering, Jul 1, 2026
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,
Steering, Jun 21, 2026
Sudden and total loss of Electronic Power Steering (EPS) while driving. The EPS light came on and the steering wheel became too heavy to safely steer, creating an immediate crash hazard. The dealer found diagnostic trouble code 34-05.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 9, 2026
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.
Steering, Jun 6, 2026
Upon taking hand off steering wheel car turns tires to the left all the way to the lock all by itself
Steering, Suspension, May 21, 2026
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.
Power train, May 21, 2026
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
Chest clip, Buckle, Harness, May 17, 2026
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)
Steering, May 8, 2026
Steering mechanisms stopped functioning properly. Steering wheel was very loosely turning to the left and very difficult to turn to the right. Car would veer to one direction when driving unless I was holding the wheel steady. Driving the car was dangerous and I pulled over immediately when I noticed the difference. Carefully brought it immediately to a mechanic and did not want it on the road. Driving the car put myself at risk, my children and husband and other drivers on the road. Luckily, I noticed it right away. There were no warning signs, no lights on the dashboard and all exterior looked normal. It happened spontaneously and was very scary. The vehicle has been inspected and driven by my local mechanic and he said the driving was crazy and is showing signs of a faulty steering rack.
Service brakes, Apr 23, 2026
The ABS/Brake warning lights have lighted up on my instrument panel. It appears that the ABS/VSA module is bad. I do not see a recall for this from Honda but after doing further research, I have learned that this is a known problem for 9th generation Honda Accords. This leaves the vehicle without the anti-lock brake system working. Brakes still engage, but no ABS. This puts driver and any passengers at risk. The dealer acknowledges the known issue but wants over $3k for the repair. Faulty ABS modules are a great liability and put drivers and their passenger at risk of injury and/or death. I am asking that the NHTSA seriously look into this matter and make Honda take accountability for this know issue they are fully aware of.
Electrical system, Apr 22, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda Accord. 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 141,000, and at the time that the vehicle was brought in for inspection it was discovered that the actual mileage was approximately 290,000. The contact filed a Police report with the Police Department. The contact stated that the title was dated March 31st, 2026 with a mileage of approximately 141,000.
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Mar 21, 2026
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)
Steering, Mar 11, 2026
While the vehicle is in motion. The steering wheel will turn by itself without input from the driver. As of right now, the steering is stiff while making a left turn, and will free wheel back to right turn Without input from driver. This will occur on and off while driving. If you are not attentive, it will easily cause an accident. This first happened 19FEB2026. No warning lights present in the dashboard. Took it to the local Honda dealership and was told to have the whole steering rack and pinion assembly replaced without any explanation or diagnosis. The dealership also mentioned that there are no DTC code present or stored.
Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2026
I purchased this car earlier in the year with very low mileage. Car belonged to one owner and well taken care of. Driving home from work 2 hr drive several days felt something was off shimmy noise. Got home noticed rims & tires were damaged. Purchased new tires & rims 8/18/25 $1387.43 from Tire Rack online. car bought several months earlier with low mileage. Car stayed in driveway until delivery of tires On 8/21 took to Mr. Tire in Hammonton NJ to mount rims tires. he called that the driveshaft and parts fell apart in his hands. A several hundred dollar job turned into three days costing $1409.64. Several weeks later I received the Honda recall for the exact parts I had repaired. I sent the invoice from Mr. Tire, along with the Tire Rack invoice & told to get the car inspected by a Honda dealer. 11/1 Boardwalk Honda inspected and was approved by Honda for reimbursement. I emailed to ask how much was being reimbursed. No response. I called in January and was told $670 was approved. wheel hub, axle assembly and ab sensor. All part of drive shaft failure from my research. also tires and rims get damaged as well. I asked for something in writing. Was told they do not do that. I called on 2/12/26 and several weeks ago and both times told me it would be sent to a care specialist for expediting since it has been months since approval. Well, never a response from anyone. It is now 5 months on 3/1 that repairs were approved and still no check. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. They have a duty to make repairs at no cost or to reimburse if repairs were made and paid for the by the owner. I’d really like to get all of what I am out of pocket. I mean the entire Mr. Tire invoice should be reimbursed. Had I been driving when the parts fell apart I would be dead as I drive the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway 2 hours each way.
Air bags, Feb 27, 2026
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.
Electrical system, Feb 25, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact purchased the vehicle on October 27, 2025. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale by an individual who was a registered dealer. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,000. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately start. Several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that there was exposure of red wiring on the underside of the vehicle, which could be a potential safety hazard. The dealer also informed the contact of an oil leak, a previous ABS replacement, a previous transmission replacement, and that the engine was not the original engine. The dealer also informed the contact that the mileage on the vehicle was not what had been documented at the time of sale and that the actual mileage was 205,000. The contact confirmed the actual mileage as 205,000 in a Carfax Report. The failures persisted. One morning, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the flex plate had failed. The starter was replaced; however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact had spoken with the seller, who had taken possession of the vehicle but had not provided any additional repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The odometer fraud was not reported to any other Government Agencies.
Power train, Feb 23, 2026
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.
Air bags, Feb 11, 2026
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
Service brakes, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 11, 2026
So I am just driving and all these lights come on my dashboard about front collision warning failing and land departure failing and no traction control or power steering. It caused my car to slip in the rain since there is no ABS without traction control. I skid for a bit till I regained control and pulled over. This is such a common problem in this generation of cars there are 100 of YouTube videos and forums complaining about the ABS module failing this is a danger to others lives. How has this not been recalled as the brakes are so crucial?
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 31, 2026
Starter grind and not starting