2013 Honda Accord Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2013 Honda Accord carries 5 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering 12v/24v/48v battery and fuel system, gasoline. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Push-button starter no-start or repeated crank.” 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.

5 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Campaign #17V418000 · Jun 29, 2017

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Campaign #13V297000 · Aug 7, 2013

Issue: 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.

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. The recall began during August 2013. Honda's recall number is JA9. Owners may contact Honda at 1-310-783-2000.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Campaign #20V769000 · Oct 12, 2020

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

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. The recall began February 4, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign #23V858000 · Dec 18, 2023

Issue: 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.

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. 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.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Campaign #25V422000 · Jun 19, 2025

Issue: 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.

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. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 Honda Accord.

2 active NHTSA investigations

Source: NHTSA
  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    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 200…

    View on NHTSA →

  • HEADLAMP WIRING

    Action #SQ99002 · opened Jan 25, 1999

    HONDA HAS APPARENTLY ISSUED A REPAIR KIT FOR HEADLAMP WIRING FOR THE HONDA ACCORD WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE A SET OF INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOW THE WORK IS TO BE COMPLETED.THE PRODUCT NUMBER FOR THIS REPAIR KIT IS 06200-SEO-306 WITH COMPONENT PART NUMBERS 32119-SEO-3050 0060-1 AND 32109-S…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Push-button starter no-start or repeated crank

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 NHTSA complaints · 2024-01 → 2026-01

Starter grind and not starting
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11714740
The starter in our 2013 Honda accord exl, has got repaired then about three weeks later had to get repaired again, now three more weeks later is having problems again
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11692906
No Start condition. Car takes minutes to start due to faulty push button start. This is a well documented condition by the public
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11693352

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Odometer mileage discrepancy after private sale

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2025-04 → 2026-04

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda Accord. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11733015
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase of the vehicle. The vehicle was a private sale
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11706564
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that upon having the vehicle appraised to sell the vehicle, a Carfax report discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11656051

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Electric power steering loss or self-steering

STEERING

63 NHTSA complaints · 2023-12 → 2026-07

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 report, NHTSA ODI #11745479
Steering mechanisms stopped functioning properly. Steering wheel was very loosely turning to the left and very difficult to turn to the right. Car would veer to one direction when driving unless I was holding the wheel steady
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11736524
While driving on [XXX] in Selden, NY on [XXX] @ the speed of approximately 45-50 mph my 2013 Honda Accord Sport (sedan) abruptly, unexpectedly and violently lurched to the left on it's own while I was holding the wheel with my fingers
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11665917

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ABS/VSA modulator failure with multiple warning lights

SERVICE BRAKES

64 NHTSA complaints · 2023-11 → 2026-07

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
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11733283
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
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11683422
Dash board lights indicated ABS system module malfunction, per Illinois Honda dealership diagnosis. ABS module failure also causes failure of forward collision warning system and lane departure warning system
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11689460

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Driveshaft and CV axle fracture

POWER TRAIN

19 NHTSA complaints · 2024-04 → 2026-05

My driver side cv axle snapped in half as I was reversing my vehicle onto my parking pad, as a result of a failure from manufacturing, the roads were treated in my area from snow we had gotten a day prior
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11708425
I believe my vehicle should be included in a recall (Safety Recall: 2013-15 Accord Driveshaft Inspection) that it is not currently included in. This is a major safety concern that the recall may not include all affected vehicles including mine
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11629318
On [XXX], my CV axle broke. I was stopped at a stoplight and when the light turned green, I stepped on the accelerator, then heard a VERY loud “clunk” and my car didn’t move
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11609567

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Fuel pump failure causing stalling

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2024-03 → 2025-06

The high pressure fuel pump is failing. Had a diagnostic ran with the help of Autozone technicians. Advised to replace it
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11658715
I’ve been to many auto shops including the Honda dealer and they all say my vehicle needs to have the fuel pump replaced. I’ve replaced it more than 5 times
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11601264
My car meets all the issues explained in recall from nhtsa [XXX]. the gas tank and the fuel service neck are not well connected and gas leaks out causing the engine light to stay on
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11578027

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Airbag deployment without collision or impact

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2024-06 → 2026-02

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 report, NHTSA ODI #11720922
While driving at approximately 70 mph., my passenger side airbags suddenly deployed for no apparent reason
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11717293
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the driver's side curtain air bags and the front driver's seat air bags deployed without impact. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11593009

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Note: NHTSA also opened 4 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Code A)

Every 7,500 mi

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.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

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.

Brake Inspection (Code B)

Every 15,000 mi

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.

Brake Fluid (Sub-code 5)

Every 45,000 mi

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.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission / CVT Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

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.

Rear Differential Fluid (AWD models, Sub-code 5)

Every 30,000 mi

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.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 4)

Every 30,000 mi

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.

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

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.

Engine Coolant (Sub-code 5)

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 3)

Every 15,000 mi

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.

Valve Clearance Adjustment (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

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.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

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.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

251 crashes 2010–2024

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

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.

67

complaints mentioning a crash

9

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

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 2013 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.