The 2005 Honda Accord has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Power steering fluid leak and hard steering.” Honda vehicles use the Maintenance Minder system — your dashboard displays a Code A (oil change) or Code B (oil change plus inspections) along with sub-codes 1-6 for additional services. Intervals adjust based on how you drive. The schedule below reflects Honda's underlying targets.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2005 Honda Accord.
STEERING
12 NHTSA complaints · 2015-11 → 2021-10
“POWER STEERING LEAKING UNDER THE HOOD”
“LOOKING FOR FORMS RELATING TO POSSIBLE POWER STEERING RECALL ON 20045 HONDA ACCORD-VERY HARD TO TURN OUT OF A DRIVEWAY-ALMOST FEELS AS IF DRIVING A MANUAL CAR”
“STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AT LOW SPEED. THIS STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO (NOVEMBER 2016) AND CONTINUES TODAY (12/22/2016)”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2020-01
“THE REAR POWER WINDOW SWITCHES ARE NOT WORKING THE WINDOWS ARE NOT GOING UP OR DOWN”
“MY FRONT PASSENGER POWER WINDOW AND THE TWO BACK WINDOWS HAVE STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. THEY CANNOT BE OPENED. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HONDA ACCORDS. IT IS DANGEROUS. THEY JUST STOPPED ONE DAY”
AIR BAGS
62 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2025-05
“AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS INTERMITTENTLY ON. THE WARNING LIGHT EITHER REMAINS ON THE ENTIRE TIME THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, OR IT LIGHTS TEMPORARILY AT START UP AND THEN GOES OUT AS NORMAL”
“"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN EVER I START ENGINE AND UNTIL I SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE, THE RED LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHTS ON”
“I CALLED HONDA SERVICE CTR IN ESCONDIDO, CA TO ASK IF MY HONDA WAS AFFECTED/INCLUDED IN THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL AND WAS TOLD IT IS NOT”
AIR BAGS
14 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2023-07
“VERIFIED WITH HONDA THAT AIRBAGS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AT A HIGH SPEED (OVER 50 MPH) ON THE HIGHWAY (AFTER THE CAR IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY) AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR PASSED PA STATE INSPECTION 3 DAYS BEFORE,”
“WHILE SLOWING DOWN ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE RAMMED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. ALL THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE AFTER THE COLLISION. DURING THE COLLISION THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL”
POWER TRAIN
13 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2023-10
“PUT CAR ON PARKED CAR KEPT MOVING ON PARKING STALL . ALSO WHEN TURNING CAR ON PUSH BREAKS AND PUT ON DRIVE JUMPS HARD AND WHEN PUSHING ON BREAKS DOES NOT BREAK ON TIME HAVE TO PUSH BREAKS TO THE FLOOR”
“WHILE DRIVING, PART OF THE BEARING BECAME LODGED IN THE PARK PRAWL (THE METAL PIECE THAT ENGAGES PARK), CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL AWAY AFTER IT'S SHIFTED INTO PARK”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND CODE P0973 WAS DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY DRIVE IN SECOND GEAR WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
13 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2023-11
“WHEN I TURN ON MY CAR IT'S LIKE SOME IS PRESSING THE GAS ON ITS OWN AND IT'S HARDER TO BREAK ALSO WHEN I'M ON IDLE. BUT WHEN LET GO OF THE BREAK THE CAR LAUNCHES IN FRONT AS IF I WAS PRESSING THE GAS WEN I'M ONLY LETTING GO OF THE GAS PEDAL”
“AUTO EXPERIENCED "STICKY ACCELERATOR"/"SUDDEN ACCELERATION" PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WHEN ENGINE COLD. NECESSARY TO APPLY EXCESS PRESSURE ON ACCELERATOR TO GET CAR ROLLING FROM STATIONARY. IN ONE INCIDENT, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED PUSHING THE WHEEL OVER A PARKING SPACE WHEEL STOP AND”
“MY POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE IS LEAKING, ALSO RESERVOIR LEAKS AND STEERING ALWAYS WHINES AND ITS FULL OF FLUID. LEAKS ON MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN ITS STATIONARY IT LEAKS AND WHEN IN MOTION IT WHINES”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter. The Maintenance Minder triggers Code A between 7,500 and 10,000 miles depending on driving conditions.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires front-to-back to even out wear. Honda triggers Sub-code 1 alongside every other oil change.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake. Code B includes a multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and fluids.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture absorption and corrosion of ABS components.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace ATF or CVT fluid. Honda CVT models (Civic, HR-V, Accord LX) use Honda HCF-2 — do not substitute. The Maintenance Minder triggers earlier under heavy stop-and-go.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
AWD CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline: replace rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles, sooner if towing.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.
Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Honda uses a long-life cellulose element on most port-injected engines.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Honda uses iridium-tipped plugs rated for 100,000+ miles. Replace at 105,000 miles or whenever Sub-code 6 displays.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Honda Long-Life Type 2 (blue) coolant: first change at 120,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles. Do not mix with other coolant types.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace the cabin air filter — accessible behind the glove box on most Hondas. Honda recommends 15,000 miles in dusty conditions, longer in clean climates.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Inspect and adjust valve clearances at 105,000 miles. Critical on K-series and L-series engines to prevent valve recession.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$495–$535
Shop
~$345–$375
DIY
Pro only
Mechanical-bucket valvetrains (many Honda 4-cyls, older Toyotas) need this. Hydraulic lifters don't. Shop work — feeler-gauge precision required.
Modern Honda engines (K-series, L-series, R-series, plus all Earth Dreams 1.5T and 2.0T) use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Pro only
Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
709 crashes 1990–2024
How the 709 occupant deaths break down
520
driver deaths
189
passenger deaths
709
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2004 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
96
complaints mentioning a crash
11
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2005 Honda Accord reflects Honda's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.