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2013 Honda Accord

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Accord years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Honda Accord are substantially higher than the model-year median of 356.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

882 reports with mileage · 538 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 499 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 414 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 179 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

67 crash reports9 fire reports42 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,420 reports
9,205 miles · Aug 4, 2015
Power Train

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN FINE UP TO 9,205 MILES. WE HAVE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BACK THREE TIMES TO OUR HONDA DEALER INCLUDING THIS ORIGINAL DATE FOR SHUTTERING, JERKING, VIBRATION,LAGGING AND LOSS OF POWER 0-25 M.P.H. WORSE WITH A/C OR ECON BUTTON ON AS WELL. ALSO WHILE DRIVING, TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF GEAR THEN REVS OUT THEN GOES…

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THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN FINE UP TO 9,205 MILES. WE HAVE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BACK THREE TIMES TO OUR HONDA DEALER INCLUDING THIS ORIGINAL DATE FOR SHUTTERING, JERKING, VIBRATION,LAGGING AND LOSS OF POWER 0-25 M.P.H. WORSE WITH A/C OR ECON BUTTON ON AS WELL. ALSO WHILE DRIVING, TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF GEAR THEN REVS OUT THEN GOES BACK INTO GEAR, THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED ONCE ON DECELERATION INTO A RESIDENTIAL TURN. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER OUR LAST VISIT TO DEALER IN JULY 2015. VIBRATION SEEMS FROM DRIVE LINE IN GEAR AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL BY DEALER. THESE ISSUES I FEEL ARE NOT NORMAL. THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR IN TRAFFIC AND ARE UNSETTLING BECAUSE WE ARE JUST WAITING FOR THE DAY FOR THE CAR NOT TO RESPOND CORRECTLY WHEN THROTTLE IS PUSHED AND A REAR END COLLISION TO OCCUR OR CROSSING AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE OF THROTTLE RESPONSE, SHUTTERING, JERKING AND LAGGING IN POWER OR EVEN HAVE AN ISSUE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION.AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 55 M.P.H PROBLEMS WITH SHUTTERING AND LAGGING NOT PRESENT. ON 8-8-2014 THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WAS MADE TO MY HONDA DEALER FOR THESE ISSUES. WE WERE TOLD BY DEALER ON THAT DATE THAT AN UPDATE HAD TO BE PERFORMED FOR TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY, P.C.M UPDATE, AND NEW C.V.T FLUID, THE UPDATE WAS TSB-013-053. WE RESCHEDULED FOR 9-6-2014 AND THE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED( MILEAGE AT THAT TIME 10,031). THIS UPDATE REALLY NEVER SOLVED THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE IT IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND THAT HONDA DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO RESOLVE IT. SEEMS LIKE SERVICE ADVISERS (WHO HAVE BEEN COURTEOUS) ARE BEING COACHED IN WHAT TO SAY TO CUSTOMERS WITH THEIR UNDERLYING ISSUES SO THAT THE PROBLEMS CAN BE PUT OFF POSSIBLY PAST WARRANTY SO THAT THEY CAN CONTEND WITH OTHER MAJOR COST INDUCING RECALLS OR T.S.B'S LIKE AIR BAGS TO CONTEND WITH.

NHTSA ODI #10746148

26,000 miles · Aug 4, 2015
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10746052

36,000 miles · Aug 3, 2015
Steering

DRIVING DOWN HOUSTON FREEWAY WHEN OUT OF NOWHERE MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME TOO HARD TO MOVE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LIGHT ON DASH FOR STEERING WHEEL CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MAKE MY WAY TO FAR RIGHT LANE WHERE I WAS ABLE TO EXIT. ONCE I EXITED I TURNED OFF VEHICLE RESTARTED AND BOTH STEERING AND LIGHT WERE BACK TO NORMAL. I D…

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DRIVING DOWN HOUSTON FREEWAY WHEN OUT OF NOWHERE MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME TOO HARD TO MOVE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LIGHT ON DASH FOR STEERING WHEEL CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MAKE MY WAY TO FAR RIGHT LANE WHERE I WAS ABLE TO EXIT. ONCE I EXITED I TURNED OFF VEHICLE RESTARTED AND BOTH STEERING AND LIGHT WERE BACK TO NORMAL. I DROVE DOWN MAYBE 4-5 MILES GOING 30 (I DIDN'T GET BACK ON FREEWAY) AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN! ONCE AGAIN I STOPPED CAR AND RESTARTED WITH SAME RESULTS. I HAD ALREADY CONTACTED DEALER SINCE IT HAPPENED TO ME ONCE BEFORE BUT AT NIGHT IN A BACK COUNTRY ROAD. THEY INFORMED ME THEY COULD DO A DIAGNOSTICS TEST FOR A FEE. (THEY HAVE DONE THIS TEST BEFORE BUT FOR 2 OTHER PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE THE KEY LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND THE REAR CAMERA SCREEN KEPT GOING BLACK) I REMEMBER THEN THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I AM SO GLAD MY LITTLE ONES WERE NOT IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE ITS UNBELIEVABLE THAT WITH ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REMEDY SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #10745735

46,091 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

DRIVING THROUGH TOWN APPROXIMATELY 30MPH AND 3 YELLOW LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. THE PRESSURE ,AIR TIRELIGHT, SKID LIGHT, AND THR POWER STEERING PER THE GUIDE BOOK. MY STEERING REMAINED OK, LIGHT STAYED ON. PICKED MY SISTER UP, ALL 3 LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. WE SWITCHED CARS AND DROVE HERS. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN HER DRIVEWAY UNTIL…

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DRIVING THROUGH TOWN APPROXIMATELY 30MPH AND 3 YELLOW LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. THE PRESSURE ,AIR TIRELIGHT, SKID LIGHT, AND THR POWER STEERING PER THE GUIDE BOOK. MY STEERING REMAINED OK, LIGHT STAYED ON. PICKED MY SISTER UP, ALL 3 LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. WE SWITCHED CARS AND DROVE HERS. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN HER DRIVEWAY UNTIL 3;00PM I HAD LEFT IT THERE AT 6;00AM.. AT 3;00 STARTED CAR, POWER LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, STEERING STILL OK, LIGHT WENT OFF A MINUTE LATER AND HAS REMAINED OFF. MY HUSBAND IS WORKING THE NIGHT SHIFT TONIGHT SO HE IS TAKING MY CAR, I AM TOO FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE IT, SEEING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS AND ACCIDENTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS! WHY IS TAKING THIS LONG FOR A RECALL? SO DANGEROUS FOR THE DRIVER AS WELL AS THE OTHERS ON THE ROAD!

NHTSA ODI #10744817

36,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
Steering

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD I STOPPED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, AS SOON AS I MADE THE RIGHT TURN THE STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED UP TOT HE POINT WHERE I COULD NOT TURN PROPERLY. AS SOON AS I TRIED TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WANTED TO TURN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTI…

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WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD I STOPPED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, AS SOON AS I MADE THE RIGHT TURN THE STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED UP TOT HE POINT WHERE I COULD NOT TURN PROPERLY. AS SOON AS I TRIED TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WANTED TO TURN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE TO A GAS STATION AND TURNED OFF CAR. ONCE IT WAS SHUT DOWN WE CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT WAS FULL. CHECKED FOR ANY LEAKS COULD NOT FIND ANY. LEFT VEHICLE TURNED OFF FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES THEN RESTARTED. THE LIGHT DID NOT STAY ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME MANAGEABLE. WILL CONTACT DEALER TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING THEY CAN DO. I DOUBT IT THOUGH, NOT UNLESS THEY CAN REPLICATE THE INCIDENT THEMSELVES.

NHTSA ODI #10743717

58,000 miles · Jul 24, 2015
Steering

WHEN DRIVING THE 2013 HONDA ACCORD THIS MORNING AT 60 MPH FOR SEVERAL MILES, THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM LIGHT LIT ON THE DASH AND IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER TO TURN THE STEERING. AFTER ANOTHER MILE OR SO, AND BARELY BEING ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THIS MUST HAVE RESET THE COMPONENT AS T…

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WHEN DRIVING THE 2013 HONDA ACCORD THIS MORNING AT 60 MPH FOR SEVERAL MILES, THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM LIGHT LIT ON THE DASH AND IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER TO TURN THE STEERING. AFTER ANOTHER MILE OR SO, AND BARELY BEING ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THIS MUST HAVE RESET THE COMPONENT AS THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS NOT IN A TURN WHEN THIS OCCURRED AS IT MAY HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. 2 HOURS LATER, I WAS AT THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD CHANGE OUT THE RACK FOR $1700. THIS PART HAS A 3 YEAR / 36K WARRANTY. MY CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD BUT WITH 58K MILES (HIGHWAY). A RACK SHOULD LAST FAR LONGER THAN 2 YEARS, PLUS WITH THE NEW TECHNOLOGY, HONDA SHOULD BE WILLING TO FIX IT TO LEARN TO KEEP IT FROM HAPPENING ON FUTURE MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #10743407

41,800 miles · Jul 24, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AFTER THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,800.

NHTSA ODI #10743354

10,000 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V297000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #10735762

27,000 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

DRIVERS WINDOW WOULD GO HALF WAY UP STOP ON IT'S OWN THEN GO BACK DOWN AND STICK, DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUT. COULD NOT GET OUT OF CAR, HAD TO CRAWL OVER TO PASS. SIDE AND GET OUT. PASSENGER SIDE DOOR STARTED EXHIBITING THE SAME BEHAVIOR, STILL NOT RESOLVED. DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT DOES H…

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DRIVERS WINDOW WOULD GO HALF WAY UP STOP ON IT'S OWN THEN GO BACK DOWN AND STICK, DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUT. COULD NOT GET OUT OF CAR, HAD TO CRAWL OVER TO PASS. SIDE AND GET OUT. PASSENGER SIDE DOOR STARTED EXHIBITING THE SAME BEHAVIOR, STILL NOT RESOLVED. DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT DOES HAPPEN, SAFETY ISSUE. BACK UP CAMERA WENT BLACK, THEY REPLACED CAMERA, STILL THE COLOR IS OFF AT TIMES, OTHER TIMES IT IS BLACK OR BECOMES DISTORTED, COLOR AT NIGHT IS IN NEGATIVE AT TIMES. SHOWED THEM THE PICS. AND I WAS TOLD IT DOES WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW, IT SHOULDN'T HAVE THESE PROB. THE DOOR IS THE MOST CONCERNING PART, IF MY CHILD IS IN THE PASS. SIDE SEAT AND I HAVE TO GET THEM OUT, AND THE DOOR DECIDES IT DOESN'T WANT TO OPEN, THEN WE HAVE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP 8 TO 10 TIMES SINCE FEB. 2015, I HAVE CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY DON'T SEEM TO HELP, I AM OUT OF OPTIONS. THIS IS ONLY JULY 2015, I NEED HELP IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER WITH THE DOOR, I CAN LIVE WITH THE CAMERA EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI #10735721

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2015
Service Brakes

I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. THERE ARE 35,000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND THIS IS MY 3RD SET OF BRAKES, AND SECOND SET OF ROTORS TO BE REPLACED. I'VE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE ISSUE LOOKED AT, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I BROUGHT IT INTO A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE CEN…

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I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. THERE ARE 35,000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND THIS IS MY 3RD SET OF BRAKES, AND SECOND SET OF ROTORS TO BE REPLACED. I'VE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE ISSUE LOOKED AT, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I BROUGHT IT INTO A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE CENTER FOR A SECOND LOOK, AS THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING, AND FELT LIKE WOBBLING WHEN SLOWING. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKES AND THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT ROTOR. THERE WAS A LITTLE WOBBLING AND SQUEALING AFTER THE REPAIR, BUT THE GRINDING STOPPED. I BROUGHT IT UP TO THE MECHANIC, AND HE SAID IT WAS EXPECTED FROM NEW BRAKES. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP 6 MONTHS LATER BECAUSE THE WOBBLING STARTED GETTING WORSE, AND THE GRINDING STARTED AGAIN. THIS TIME, THE BRAKES WERE WORN COMPLETELY ON BOTH SIDES IN THE FRONT, AND THE ROTORS WERE GOUGED.

NHTSA ODI #10735595

Official recalls

5

25V422000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Jun 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Dec 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

20V769000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Dec 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

17V418000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Jun 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

13V297000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Jul 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An insufficent seal may led to a fuel leak which increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

5

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA21001 · Loss Of Direction Control

Opened May 6, 2021 · Closed Aug 25, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

On May 6, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA21-001) to assess a sudden loss of steering control, in Model Year (MY) 2013-2015 Honda Accord vehicles. Consumers alleged while driving the steering wheel would pull to the left or the right independently. Steering pull may pose a risk of loss of directional control. Honda stated that they believed the inadvertent steering input was caused by a loose magnet located within the electronic power steering (EPS) system. Due to poor formulation of the adhesive, this magnet can become loose and move up to 2 degrees around the steering column. When the magnet moves, the torque sensor generates a signal that results in unwanted steering in either direction. Honda stated the steering force required to maintain directional control with a loose magnet is a maximum of 3-pound feet. The maximum force of the unwanted steering input can be overcome by the driver and is similar to driving on grooved pavement.The Vehicle Research Test Center (VRTC) sent over 4,000 questionnaires to 2013-2015 Honda Accord vehicle owners. Of the 637 responses, 58 consumers experienced unwanted steering. Consumers experiencing unwanted steering did not report difficulties maintaining directional control. There were no crashes or injuries reported to VRTC. Testing done by VRTC was not able to reproduce the allegations. Analysis of all relevant data indicates that the subject condition has a relatively low failure rate. The poor adhesive formulation was addressed by the supplier with three (3) counter measures in the manufacturing process.There has been a declining trend in consumer complaints to NHTSA which indicates possible exhaustion of parts prone to failure. In view of the low rate, declining complaint trend, the nature of failure, and resolution of the adhesive formulation, this Engineering Analysis is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 11538714, 11528538, 11528008, 11522953, 11496557, 11495837, 11494328, 11478680, 11477167, 11476758, 11476263, 11471198, 11470001, 11467026, 11466561, 11466016, 11465626, 11464143, 11463558, 11462759, 11461500, 11460777, 11460191, 11455540, 11454334, 11452198, 11448114, 11447666, 11444888, 11444823, 11444172, 11443324, 11443243, 11443105, 11441374, 11439520, 11438345, 11437261, 11436824, 11436350, 11435994, 11435079, 11434969, 11434545, 11434442, 11434381, 11433824, 11433745, 11433555, 11433368, 11433176, 11431206, 11430465, 11430253, 11430009, 11429253, 11428301, 11427449, 11426841, 11426340, 11425928, 11425261, 11425230, 11423611, 11423245, 11422445, 11422395, 11422351, 11422220, 11422138, 11422069, 11421683, 11421589, 11421540, 11420573, 11419338, 11419270, 11418147, 11418143, 11417768, 11417742, 11417570, 11417437, 11416804, 11416699, 11416401, 11416378, 11416375, 11416155, 11416117, 11416084, 11416051, 11416032, 11416028, 11416024, 11416000, 11415933, 11415915, 11414105, 11406220, 11398736 ,11387075, 11387049, 11375580, 11364698, 11361125, 11351660, 11349961, 11327909, 11327170, 11301957, 11289067, 11282525, 11277659, 11258017, 11256914, 11218752, 11208077, 11196050, 11194358, 11189901, 11165075, 11163481, 11154891

DP20005 · Loss Of Direction Control

Opened Nov 23, 2020 · Closed May 7, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition dated October 19, 2020 requesting an investigation of an alleged defect in the steering system in Model Year (MY) 2013 Honda Accord vehicles. The petitioner alleges that MY2013 Honda accord vehicles are experiencing a sudden loss of steering control as the vehicle veers from its intended path of travel. The petitioner further alleges that this deviation from the intended path of travel occurs without warning or driver input while operating the vehicle under normal driving conditions. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11349961.On November 23, 2020, ODI opened a Defect Petition (DP20-005) to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. ODI sent two Information Request (IR) letters to Honda requesting information on steering anomalies in MY2013 Honda Accord vehicles and later MY2014-2015 Honda Accord vehicles.ODI performed extensive analysis on the information obtained from Honda as well as information in NHTSA's database.Based on ODI's review of the applicable materials, including responses to the IR letters sent to Honda, Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) and Early Warning Reporting data, NHTSA has decided to grant the petition. ODI has opened an Engineering Analysis (EA21-001) to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety related consequences of the alleged defect, a sudden loss of steering control.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers:11414105, 11406220, 11398736, 11387462 ,11387075, 11387049, 11375580, 11364698 ,11361125, 11351660, 11349961, 11327909, 11327170, 11324181, 11306112, 11301957, 11289067, 11282525, 11278511, 11277659, 11258017, 11256914, 11218752, 11208077, 11196050, 11194358, 11189901, 11165075, 11163481, 11156378, 11154891, 11131050

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE14033 · Electric Power Steering Failure

Opened Nov 4, 2014 · Closed Oct 6, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-033 to investigate 24 complaints alleging loss of power steering while driving in model year (MY) 2013 Honda Accord vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS).Analysis of service data for the original 24 complaints and 33 additional complaints received after PE14-033 was opened found that 85 percent of the vehicles with diagnostic trouble codes available to identify the faulty component had a code indicating torque sensor failure (DTC 53).In its response to ODI's information request letter for PE14-033, Honda identified two manufacturing process conditions that may have affected the quality of some early production torque sensors.Analysis of warranty returns and manufacturing processes determined that a relatively small number of torque sensors were potentially affected by the conditions, which were corrected by the supplier (Bourns) relatively early in production.Analysis of warranty data indicates that both conditions were early-life failure concerns and most of the affected sensors have already failed, resulting in a cumulative failure rate of less than 0.2 percent.Of the 20 VOQ's that appear to be related to torque sensor failure, 6 reported failure dates in 2013, 12 in 2014, and just 2 to date in 2015.ODI's analysis identified 2 minor crashes with no injuries that may have been related to torque sensor failure in the subject vehicles.This investigation is closed because the low failure rate and a declining trend indicate that failures are rare.The closing of this preliminary evaluation does not constitute a determination that no defect exists or that power steering failures do not present an unreasonable risk to safety. The VOQ's referenced in this resume are:10515618, 10515696, 10537336, 10542360, 10545177, 10563724, 10588425, 10595068, 10605909, 10627926, 10629629, 10630852, 10644762, 10654768, 10661240, 10664234, 10667364, 10672452, 10676256, and 10695191

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