One of the worst Accord years
Owners filed about 2.3 times as many complaints as a typical Accord year. The main thing to watch is the steering, which half of owners reported by about 50,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2012, 2020 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Accord years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 1,427 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Honda Accord. The most reported problem area is the steering (499, 35% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the engine and cooling. That ranks 2nd of 13 Accord years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 5 recalls.
7 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2013 Honda Accord before you buy.
Steering
499 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 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.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
417 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that a mileage discrepancy was discovered after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle's mileage was 120,000. It was later discovered upon checking Carfax, that the mileage was 209,000.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 209,000 miles
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.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 224,000 miles
Engine and cooling
186 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
I have a Honda accord ex sedan then driving in the rain and down pouring the car lights would flicker like no power to drive. When I stop it goes off. This has happen to me 2 times. I seen there might of been a recall on my car so I thought I would check to see. I have a [XXX] son always like to make sure I don't have an issue. Thanks…Owner complaint, filed 2025
2013 honda accord. Consumer stated that vehicle failed to start after pushing the auto start button. The consumer had to pay almost $700 to replace relay box in the vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Brakes and stability control
147 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
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.…Owner complaint, filed 2026
To: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) I am writing to formally submit a safety complaint regarding a serious issue I have encountered with the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) manifold on my 2013 Honda Accord EX-L. This issue raises significant safety concerns and may warrant investigation for a potential recall.…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Transmission and drivetrain
110 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving, the front drive shaft (axle) suddenly snapped completely in half without warning. This caused an immediate loss of power to the wheels, creating a hazardous driving situation and leaving the vehicle stranded. Upon inspection, the drive shaft broke directly beneath the rubber dynamic damper (vibration damper). The area…Owner complaint, filed 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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 50,965 miles
Driver assist systems
53 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 136,000 miles. Parts named most: Warnings (33), Warning (18), Automatic emergency braking (15).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
2013 Honda Accord experiencing a VSA modulator failure. The VSA modulator controls the Anti-lock Braking System, which is now not working on my vehicle. The local Honda Dealers have told me this is a common failure (I checked with two different Dealers). The repair cost for parts and labor is approximately $2500, with no guarantee it…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Honda Service has reported I need a VSA Modulator Assembly replaced and they want me to order this part now which is on backorder for at least 2-3 months. Car had 87,000 miles at time of inspection. I have tried to source this assembly from various Honda dealers and parts distributors to no avail. Cost will be $2,800 to replace. There…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Lights, wipers and visibility
52 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 6,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 115,000 miles
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…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Cruise control and acceleration
51 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while slowly pulling into a parking spot at approximately 2 MPH, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated and crashed into the rear end of another parked and unoccupied vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle sustained front grill, fenders, headlights, and bumpers damaged…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 95,000 miles
My 2013 honda accord coupe has had severe steering problems for the past year, the steering does not want to respond where i cant even drive my car anymoreOwner complaint, filed 2022
Air bags
51 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
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.Owner complaint, filed 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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Seats and seat belts
50 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 1,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2023
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…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 80,000 miles
Fuel system
45 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 31,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 162,000 miles
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…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Wheels and tires
31 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 17,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
I purchased this car from Trickett Honda in June 2013. The mileage on 9/11/23 was 23,602 (the day of the rear wheel hub bearing repair). This car was used primarily by my wife and driven mostly in town for short trips (14 to 25 miles round trip to and from home), seldom trips to Nashville and back. My wife started complaining about what…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Driver's side rear wheel bearing hub assemply failed at 66,000 miles on the odometer. This was the original honda part when I bought the car new. Whirring noise was increasingly worse when I was driving, prompting me to have it evaluated by my independent mechanic where he showed me the noise made when the one wheel was turned with the…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 66,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
27 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (21).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
Paint is flackying from car. Visible areas that can be seeing where paint is peeling away and primer is exposed. I have asked if I could drive car in or send pictures to ensure that this is not do to lack of care. My vehicle looks and runs excellent. Large areas of peeling paint that can easily be seen.I have made several attempts at…Owner complaint, filed 2019
The white paint has begun peeling in the rain channel of the back glass. I am uncertain if this affects the integrity of the back glass. The primer is exposed in several places.Owner complaint, filed 2019
Suspension
14 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
I had my passenger drive shaft broken in May 2025, and there's a recall for the same issue for my model announced in June 2025. I had to change my shaft with an aftermarket part due to emergency during that time. Now, after the recall was announced I went to McCarthy Honda overland park for replacement. But the service personnel said…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle was pulling to the left while driving, making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or covered for repair. The contact stated…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 100,000 miles
Honda Accord complaints by year
Compare the 2013 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2013 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Honda Accord | Among the worst years | 5 |
| 2013 Toyota Camry | About average | 2 |
| 2013 Hyundai Sonata | Among the worst years | 9 |
| 2013 Kia Optima | Among the worst years | 9 |
2013 Honda Accord recalls
Transmission and drivetrain Driveshaft
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft assemblies as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain Driveshaft
- Risk
- A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing both the left and right drive shafts, if necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system 12V / 24v / 48v battery
- Risk
- An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensor, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system
- Risk
- An insufficent seal may led to a fuel leak which increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, nut and O-ring gasket free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
2013 Honda Accord questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Honda Accord?
The most reported problem areas on the 2013 Honda Accord are the steering (499 complaints), the electrical system (417 complaints) and the engine and cooling (186 complaints).
Is the 2013 Honda Accord a good year to buy?
One of the worst Accord years. Owners filed about 2.3 times as many complaints as a typical Accord year. The main thing to watch is the steering, which half of owners reported by about 50,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2012, 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Accord years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2013 Honda Accord have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 Honda Accord. The most recent, from Jun 2025, covers the driveshaft. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2013 Honda Accord problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the steering gave a mileage of about 50,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 50,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Honda Accord years should I avoid?
The Accord years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013 and 2018. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2012, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2013 Honda Accord?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
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