Honda Accord 2013–2017

9th generation · CR2/CR3 sedan, CT1/CT2 coupe · 5,738 complaints, 3,156 with mileage

When failures happen

What fails, and when

By model year

Which systems, and when

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 40,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The electrical system accounts for 23.9% of complaints (1,372 reports, 777 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 48,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 28,135 and 69,000 miles.

The steering accounts for 13.4% of complaints (770 reports, 385 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 49,450 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,826 and 80,000 miles.

Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 10.5% of complaints (604 reports, 270 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 41,692 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,000 and 65,000 miles.

The engine accounts for 9.9% of complaints (569 reports, 369 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 46,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 17,500 and 69,000 miles.

The brakes account for 5.7% of complaints (326 reports, 122 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 30,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 7,590 and 70,000 miles.

The transmission and driveline accounts for 4.8% of complaints (276 reports, 172 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 29,250 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 5,517 and 69,382 miles.

Differences between model years

Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2013 model year drew the most — 1,892 complaints — while 2017 drew the fewest at 767. The median year sits at 825.

That makes 2013 an outlier: roughly 2.3 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.

Recalls and what they cover

NHTSA records 8 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (2), the fuel system (2), the airbag system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Reported severity

Of the 5,738 complaints filed against this generation, 351 reported a crash; 64 reported a fire; 309 reported an injury; 6 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 6.1% of the total.

These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.

What this means if you are buying one

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 12,000 and 66,000 miles, with a median of 40,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the electrical system and the steering are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 48,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

Documented problems

Recalls (8)

What owners reported

Other generations

• Honda Accord 1994–1997
• Honda Accord 1998–2002
• Honda Accord 2003–2007
• Honda Accord 2008–2012
• Honda Accord 2018–2022
• Honda Accord 2023–2025