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.
Back over prevention, Jul 13, 2021
The backup camera display intermittently goes to all black except for the yellow guidance lines that normally overlay the image. The passenger-side camera continues to work normally as do all the other dash displays. This has been happening for a several months. It seems to be happening more frequently now. These are the same symptoms as what triggered the Accord 2018 recall to fix buggy camera software. Without the backup camera display it is difficult to determine how far you are away from objects behind you and lower height objects such as small children are completely out of sight. The rear cross traffic view is also unavailable. Yesterday my wife nearly backed up into a car behind her because the backup camera view was blacked out. The problem occurred twice today. Once while in our driveway and once while my wife was backing out of a parking space. The problem has not been reproduced as it is intermittent.
Steering, Jul 11, 2021
I pulled into store shut vehicle off and came out started it unable to turn steering wheel and warning light on. Can turn the vehicle wheel without extreme heavy force
Electrical system, Jul 9, 2021
The contact's daughter owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated her daughter was attempting to start the vehicle however, it was approximately five minutes before the vehicle started. The contact stated her daughter was not aware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Steering, Jul 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel ceased. The contact mentioned that after waiting for a few minutes the steering wheel functionality returned. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 84,900.
Steering, Jul 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and felt tight when turning in either direction. Also, while driving the vehicle would pull to the left. Later, after starting the vehicle the steering wheel erroneously turned 360 degree. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion were faulty, and the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.
Steering, Jul 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph, the steering wheel would drift to the left and it was difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel continued to spin. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the rack and pinion failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Steering, Jul 5, 2021
My EPS (electric power steering light) will randomly turn on making my vehicle incredibly difficult to return. I have taken it into a Honda dealership and have been informed that it is due to faulty EPS unit that need to be replaced. This has put my safety and the safety of others at risk because it makes my vehicle incredibly hard to turn and is unpredictable. Sometimes my EPS works and sometimes it doesn't. I was able to show this issue to a dealership representative at Car Pros Honda El Monte who witness the EPS light on and was unable to turn the steering wheel. This issue first appeared in April 2021 and has been gradually getting worse until now. I have taken this car into the dealership 3 times already, and was finally told about the faulty EPS unit on the third trip.
Steering, Jul 2, 2021
Same problem described in this article: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/honda-accords-under-investigation-for-steering-problems-a4542071576/. About two weeks ago it just started pulling dramatically to the right with no warning - no icons lit up on the dashboard. It is such an aggressive pull that I almost went into the highway median a handful of times. Once I turned the wheel a bit to the left it would lessen or stop only to reoccur a short time later. It is at my Honda dealership now and the part is ordered and they said it's under warranty. Amazingly the head technicians didn't know anything about it. I had to google it to find out how big of an issue it is. Anyway, it is real and is a major issue.
Steering, Jun 26, 2021
My car’s steering automatically wants to turn to the left. This started a while back and has continued. I have to keep both hands on the wheel firmly to be prepared at all times for it to turn on its own.
Steering, Jun 26, 2021
Car steering pulled heavily left without any warning and nearly resulted in a head-on collision with oncoming traffic. The steering wheel also turns hard left with no assistance when the ignition is turned on. This is a very serious safety risk and in need of a recall so that Honda can inspect and correct whatever engineering defect is causing this and to preemptively repair the problem before any injuries/fatalities occur
Steering, Jun 25, 2021
The power steering just gave up while I was driving. It made my car shift to one side. It was shaking. I was able to safely bring the car to a complete stop. But I really scared me. I’m glad it was not worst. According to a mechanic is the steering wheel. But they said they are not sure why it happened. I’m reporting this because is very dangerous and could eventually be a fatality. I also notice that there are other people that have had the same problem. I need this to be recall. Is very dangerous.
Steering, Jun 24, 2021
The steering will act on its own, sometimes fighting against the input of the driver. There aren’t any trouble lights on the dash or anything indicating a problem. Sometimes the steering wheel will turn fully in one direction completely on its own. If you don’t have a tight grip on the steering wheel at all times, it can push the vehicle in directions you don’t intend it to go. Has been happening regularly since it started in July 2019.
Steering, Jun 24, 2021
Loss of steering control
Steering, Jun 23, 2021
2013 Honda Accord Sport steering pulling to the right. Not pulling very hard, but am afraid condition will worsen. I understand that you are looking into numerous complaints concerning problems with electric power steering on this model year Honda Accord. I have had tires rotated, suspension and components checked for wear, alignment checked with no problems found. Hope I don't have any severe steering problems that some Accord owners have reported. My issue started about two months ago, about the same time I noticed a low whistling sound coming from the steering column. Don't know if that is related to the steering issue but unusual to have the noise happen at the same time. Thanks.
Steering, Jun 22, 2021, crash
The contact's daughter owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at unknown speeds she veered off the road, to the right for unknown reasons and crashed into a tree. The driver received medical attention however, succumbed to her injuries at the scene. There was no report of fire or air bag deployment. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
Steering, Jun 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated while slowing down to making a left turn, the steering wheel independently turned completely to the left. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the electronic power steering (EPS) gearbox to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,618.
Steering, Jun 21, 2021
The electric steering turns the vehicle without any input from the driver. The car will automatically turn to the left if the wheel is not corrected. This is not a pull left as in a bad wheel alignment. This happens even if no one is in the car and the car is stopped. It makes the car useless to drive because it is so unsafe.
Steering, Jun 20, 2021
On June 10, 2021 while pulling into my driveway the power steering went out on the Honda. The steering wheel spun around and the car made an immediate left turn. Tested car on cul de sac by my house and the steering wheel fights to go straight and pulls hard to the left resulting in immediate left hand turn. When trying to drive, the steering fights to go in any other direction than left and if and you do not have a tight grip, the car will turn left.Took Honda to my independent car repair on June 11. He was able to replicate the issue & told me it was the EPS and should be covered by Honda on extended warranty from a Federal Recall. Appointment made for June 16 at Coggin Honda Orlando and was car towed there on June 15, 2021. June 16, Honda called and said the EPS and outer tire rods were broken. The parts were the parts included in the recall and extended warranty but the car was not showing trouble codes 5301 or 5302 so car was not covered, and they would have to charge me $2,730.25 for the repair. In fact, car was showing absolutely no trouble codes or potential coeds of any kind. Service advisor Gus Ramirez & his boss Fadi Alzeideh both agree the part that is covered under the warranty is the part the needs replaced but their hands were tired due to no 5301 or 02 codes. Case started with Honda Corporate on June 17, 2021. Case number 12296417. It shouldn't matter if there are trouble codes. The steering issue wasn't fixed during the initial recall in 2015 and should be covered now. Had this happened 10 minutes earlier I would have been on the freeway during heavy traffic and people could have been seriously injured. Car was taken into Rick Roush Honda in Ohio for the initial recall on November 11, 2015. Awaiting case manager and decision on warranty coverage from Honda.
Electrical system, Jun 17, 2021
During the winter i started having issues with my car the bad battery sensor drained my battery had to buy a new one. Then i find out from Honda that i have a recall on that battery sensor still was having issues with the car going on. Finally got the battery sensor changed and now the starter is not working. This sensor is becoming costly for me first a battery and now a starter. This is ridiculous that i have to keep dishing out money for problems with my car that has to due with a faulty sensor that was recalled.
Steering, Jun 11, 2021
Steering has a mind of its own. Wanders lanes and driver has no control for several seconds. Have drifted into other lanes while trying to control / steer but no response. This lasts for just a brief time but it's extremely unnerving. Recently the car turned hard right with no notice. Luckily had both hands on the wheel and steering worked enough to pull left before I ran off road. Frankly, I am afraid to drive it. Took the car to local dealer yesterday. They ran diagnostics and test drove but found no issues with steering. I advised that I could not retrieve the vehicle late yesterday but would do so this morning. Several hours after that conversation, having heard that they found nothing wrong, the same rep called me and said "you can't drive this car". He relayed that technician was moving the car from the bay to the lot when the car took a hard right and nearly collided with another car parked in their lot. The tech brought the car back to the shop and up on the rack where they observed the car again make a hard right turn. No one was behind the wheel when this occurred. I just rcvd an estimate for repair ~ $3,700.00. Electronic power steering rack assembly accounts for $3,140.00 of this cost. Alignment & some other diagnostic costs take it up from there.
Engine, Jun 9, 2021
The 9th generation Honda Accord seemed to have a common issue with premature starter failure and excessive engine oil consumption. My starter failed at around 40k miles. I then noticed after a fresh oil change, and with 70% oil life remaining, my engine is bone dry with no oil and the only reason I checked was because of a low pressure warning light. I have complained to honda that this is not normal. There are no leaks whatsoever. To prevent engine damage, I have to fill in a quart of engine oil for every 1500 miles of driving. I have owned several honda's and never once had any issues like this. I even changed the pcv valve and that did not fix the issue. Honda knows about the excessive oil consumption and refused to issue a recall to replace the piston rings. Almost every 9th generation Honda Accord owner faces premature starter failure and excessive oil consumption. This is not normal and Honda is avoiding this issue and give customers like me the run around to perform compression test etc and adding engine oil for every 1000 miles of driving is normal. I have never heard of such thing unless you drive a high performance vehicle. I hope NHTSA will investigate and force Honda to issue a recall and compensate owners who had to pay out of pocket for premature starter failures.
Steering, Jun 7, 2021
Power steering shut down twice in two days. Orange warning light came on each time. Problem cleared after engine turned off for a minute or so, but returned after 20 further miles driving. Dealer verified there was an error code, said it would be covered under a warranty, and has kept the vehicle until repairs can be made. Dealer stated that there are many problems like this, and cannot yet give me a date when it will be repaired, or even a date by which they can give me that date!
Steering, Jun 5, 2021, crash
On a clear, rural, dry blacktop county highway at approximately 10:00AM December 19,2018 while driving at 50 miles per hour I suddenly lost steering control of my 2013 Honda Accord. This was instantaneous causing car to move to the right. When I steered to the left the car over-corrected and drove into the left ditch. My effort to straighten the car caused it to hit the frozen ditch bank parallel to left side of car. Side air bags deployed and car came to rest in adjacent hay field. My T-12 vertebra was broken, among other injuries. Cost to repair the car was $8,802.16. I always thought this was my fault, but recently I have experienced strange and unsettling steering glitches with this car. My spouse has also recently mentioned that he has noticed steering glitches while driving this Honda Accord.
Steering, Jun 4, 2021
I had called up NHTSA earlier also to report the problem but they said - report that to Honda America. Nevertheless, I'm putting it here. My 2013 Honda Accord that had ~36000 miles on it gave me a hard time; as I was driving on the highway with my family; the power steering gave up, it became super heavy and I almost lost control of the vehicle. Luckily, I was able to get off the highway and save my family. Off the highway, I turned off the engine and started it back; and now the steering was back to normal. As I was not far from home, I drove slowly and carefully back home. On reaching home, I called up American Honda and they said - they never heard of such an issue and nothing could be done as the vehicle was out of warranty. The following days, I called up nearby Honda dealers but could not get anything concrete and so took it to one of the dealers who simply changed the Power Steering Electronic Module and the issue was sorted.
Steering, Jun 2, 2021
In January 2021 we took in my 2013 Honda Accord into my local Honda dealership because the steering wheel would jolt to the left while driving. It was very unsafe. My husband found information about an extended warranty having to do with the steering. Honda said that the car was not registering the specific code to fix it under the extended warranty so we would have to pay out of pocket which was over $3,000. We had read some comments from people experiencing the same issue but their Honda's fixed the issue. Ours would not. We took it back to our local Honda again and I called the corporation, again Honda said they can only fix this safety issue with payment. We then took the vehicle to a reputable mechanic in town and they too agreed that this issue should be covered by Honda. Our Mechanic outreached to our local Honda AGAIN and a Honda 30miles away and both said they cannot do anything without payment. We were shocked by how Honda clearly knew about the safety issue and concern but still would not do anything without payment and clearly the extended warranty impacted the steering. We had no choice but to pay for the repairs. The day we got the car back from being repaired ($3,772.35 later) we see that NHTSA opened an investigation for a safety recall on the steering! I will be contacting Honda for a full refund.