Vehicles / Honda / Accord / 2013

2013 Honda AccordUNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION

1,418 federal complaints (1,892 component records) · 5 recall campaigns on file · 5 federal investigations · 142 service bulletins · 4 Canadian recalls
See all 46 model years of the Honda Accord →
Engine
2.4L 4-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
FWD
EPA economy
26 city / 34 hwy
Federal complaints
1,418
Recall campaigns
5
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Steering
498
Electrical system
417
Engine & cooling
186
Other
120
Brakes
115
Power train
110
Driver assistance
75
Air bags
51
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Steering

498 complaint records1 fire report21 crash reports
"WHEN TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING MY ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND RESTARTS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse steering parts in the directory →

Electrical system

417 complaint records6 fire reports9 crash reports
"STARTER FAILURE, STARTER JUST CLICKS. I HAVE THE SAME STARTER PROBLEM AS ALL THE OTHER COMPLIANTS FOR A 2013 HONDA ACCORD...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →

Engine & cooling

186 complaint records2 fire reports5 crash reports
"ENGINE KNOCKS ON START UP, KNOCKS ONLY ON FIRST START UP OR WHEN SITTING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, AFTER THAT NO KNOCK'..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
EA21002
opened Sep 2021
OPENAir BagsDesiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
EA21001
opened May 2021
closed Aug 2023SteeringLoss of Direction Control
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.
DP20005
opened Nov 2020
closed May 2021SteeringLoss of Direction Control
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.
EA19001
opened Apr 2019
closed Sep 2024Air BagsElectrical overstress - led to recall 20V024
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.
PE14033
opened Nov 2014
closed Oct 2015SteeringElectric Power Steering Failure
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...

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
25V422000Power TrainHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Honda Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission.Normally free
23V858000Fuel System, GasolineHonda (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...Normally free
20V769000Power TrainHonda (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,...Normally free
17V418000Electrical SystemHonda (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...Normally free
13V297000Fuel System, GasolineAmerican 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.Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2025340
2025-06-19
Powertrain7,110Issue: On certain vehicles, the paint on the front axle shafts could become damaged. As a result, the axle shaft(s) could corrode. If this happens, the axle shaft(s) could break and cause a loss of power to the wheels.
2020609
2020-12-10
Powertrain20,711Issue: On certain vehicles, the paint on the front axle shafts could delaminate or become damaged by road debris. As a result the axle shaft could corrode.
2017327
2017-06-30
Electrical51,995On certain vehicles, the case for the battery sensor may have been improperly manufactured with gaps that could allow for moisture intrusion.
2013240
2013-07-05
Fuel System36On certain vehicles, the fuel tank may have been manufactured incorrectly and could leak. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
APaS11292021
Nov 2021
SteeringDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain HEALTHY 2013 Accord which fit the criteria listed below.
APaS11162021902
Nov 2021
SteeringDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain HEALTHY 2013 Accord which fit the criteria listed below.
APaS11032021901
Nov 2021
Power TrainDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain HEALTHY 2013 Accord which fit the criteria listed below.
APaS10142021
Oct 2021
SteeringDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain HEALTHY 2013 Accord which fit the criteria listed below.
AHPa08262021
Aug 2021
SteeringDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain HEALTHY 2013 Accord which fit the criteria listed below.
A15-055
May 2021
Electrical SystemService Bulletin - When a failure is detected, the EPS control unit goes into back-up mode. The new software provides partial assist during back-up mode.
A19-029
Jan 2020
SeatsService Bulletin - There is a loud buzzing or whining when adjusting the driver's or front passenger's seat forward and backward. The flex cable in the seat adjustment mechanism is not correctly lubricated.
A19-029
Dec 2019
SeatsService Bulletin - There is a loud buzzing or whining when adjusting the driver's or front passenger's seat forward and backward. The flex cable in the seat adjustment mechanism is not correctly lubricated.
A19-029 (v2)
Nov 2019
SeatsService Bulletin - There is a loud buzzing or whining when adjusting the driver's or front passenger's seat forward and backward. The flex cable in the seat adjustment mechanism is not correctly lubricated.
A19-029
Nov 2019
SeatsService Bulletin - There is a loud buzzing or whining when adjusting the driver's or front passenger's seat forward and backward. The flex cable in the seat adjustment mechanism is not correctly lubricated.
A19050B
May 2019
SteeringServiceNews Article - When removing and installing a cable reel, you need to keep both the cable reel and the steering angle sensor in position. If you don't , the VSA indicator may come on along with one or more VSA DTCs.
A19-034
Apr 2019
EngineService Bulletin - The engine will not start and sets DTC P2101 (electronic throttle control system [ETCS] malfunction).
CL_JT6_12202018
Dec 2018
SteeringCustomer letter - The Electric Power Steering (EPS) torque sensor in a small number of 2013–14 Accord, 2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid, and the 2014 Accord Hybrid vehicles may contain a manufacturing defect.
A15-055
Sep 2018
Electrical SystemService bulletin - When a failure is detected, the EPS control unit goes into back-up mode. The new software provides partial assist during back-up mode.
A15-056
Sep 2018
SteeringService bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on all electric power steering torque sensors to 13 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limit.
ABOM09282018901
Sep 2018
SteeringDealer message - Today, American Honda is announcing a product update campaign and warranty extension affecting 28,934 model year 2013-2014 Accord, Accord Hybrid and Accord Plug-in Hybrids.
A18070
Aug 2018
Engine And Engine CoolingService bulletin - Emission certification labels that were replaced on a small number of vehicles may have been replaced with a label listing incorrect information.
ABOM08092018901
Aug 2018
EquipmentDealer message - Today, American Honda is notifying dealers of a voluntary noncompliance recall for a small number of Honda vehicles due to an error on the replacement (service part) underhood emissions labels. American Honda previously notified CARB and the EPA for this action.
A15011
Aug 2018
StructureService bulletin - There is a noticeable wind noise at ear level from either the driver?s or the front passenger?s window. The wind noise is caused by a gap between the run channel and the inner sash or the run channel and the sash trim.
A15087
Aug 2018
StructureService bulletin - There is a noticeable wind noise at ear level from either the driver's or the front passenger's window. The wind noise is caused by a gap between the run channel and the inner sash or the run channel and the sash trim.
A18045
Aug 2018
StructureService bulletin - There is a noticeable wind noise at ear level from either the driver's or the front passenger's window. The wind noise is caused by a gap between the run channel and the inner sash or the run channel and the sash trim.
A18070B
Jul 2018
EquipmentServicenews article - If the On Demand Multi-Use Display? (ODMD) isn't responding to touch or is freezing up, the reason could be there's debris lodged in the gap between the touch screen and the bezel.
A18-060
Jun 2018
Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
A17-089
Mar 2018
Engine And Engine CoolingService bulletin - Engine oil consumption exceeds customer expectations. The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ability to scrape and return oil from the cylinder walls to the crankcase.
A17-017
Feb 2018
Power TrainService bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter.
A17-018
Feb 2018
Power TrainService bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter.
ATS180205
Feb 2018
Electrical SystemTech line summary article - We?re currently looking at an issue that when connected to Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® using an iPhone with iOS 11, there?s no phonebook showing up on the On Demand Multi-Use Display? (ODMD).
AVE02142018901
Feb 2018
Power TrainDealer message - Every Service Bulletin requires you to take an HDS snap shot and use the job aid or Tech2Tech to confirm the judder/shudder is coming from the torque converter.
ATS180203
Feb 2018
Electrical SystemTech line summary article - If the On Demand Multi-Use Display? (ODMD) isn?t responding to touch or is freezing up, the reason could be there?s debris lodged in the gap between the touch screen and the bezel.
A17-089
Feb 2018
EngineService bulletin - The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ability to scrape and return oil from the cylinder walls to the crankcase.

Showing 30 of 142 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
  2. Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
  3. Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 5 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Honda Accord →