2013–2017 9th generation
2013–2017 Honda Accord Common Problems and Years to Avoid
5 documented problems with the 2013–2017 Honda Accord, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 4 carry a recall or TSB number.
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2013–2017 Honda Accord recalls and service bulletins
| Recall / TSB | Issue | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Honda TSB 16-061 / A17-017 / A17-018 | CVT torque-converter judder / shudder | moderate |
| Honda TSB A16-002; class actions filed 2017 (no NHTSA recall) | Starter grinds at startup / early starter failure | moderate |
| Honda TSB A18-010 and related bulletins | VTC actuator rattle at cold start | minor |
| Honda TSB A15-056 (warranty extension) | Electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor, warranty extension | moderate |
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding on your specific vehicle, a recall listed here may already have been performed.
CVT torque-converter judder / shudder
moderateCVT-equipped 2.4L cars can shudder or judder under light throttle at roughly 20–60 mph as the torque-converter lock-up clutch engages, usually from degraded fluid or lock-up control logic. Honda's fix is a software update plus an HCF-2 fluid change, with torque converter replacement if judder persists (TSB 16-061, superseded by A17-017/A17-018). Fresh HCF-2 fluid every 25–30k is cheap insurance.
Starter grinds at startup / early starter failure
moderateStarters on 2013–2015 Accords can grind at start-up due to inadequate clearance between the starter gear and the torque-converter ring gear, and outright starter failures well before 100k mi drew multiple class-action suits. Honda issued TSB A16-002 for the grinding; failed units are replaced with an updated starter. Intermittent no-crank with a good battery is the classic symptom.
VTC actuator rattle at cold start
minorA 1–3 second grinding rattle at cold start on the 2.4L is the K24's well-known VTC (variable timing control) actuator lock-pin not holding. It is annoying more than destructive, but Honda revised the actuator and covered many replacements under TSBs. Fix is a new actuator. Labor-heavy because the timing chain must come off.
Electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor, warranty extension
moderateA manufacturing defect in the EPS torque sensor can trigger the EPS warning light and loss of power assist (steering still works, just heavy). Honda extended the torque-sensor warranty to 13 years with no mileage limit on affected 2013–2015 cars and notified owners in late 2018. If the EPS light is on, have a dealer check coverage before paying for a rack.
Hybrid: dead 12V auxiliary battery strands the car
minorThe small trunk-area 12V battery on Accord Hybrids commonly dies around the 4–5 year mark, and the car will not 'READY' even though the high-voltage pack is fine, symptoms look like total electrical failure. Jump-starting at the under-hood jump terminal wakes it up; the cure is a new AGM battery of the same size. Keep the 12V tested after year three.
Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2013–2017 Honda Accord. Not every vehicle will experience these issues.
Which Honda Accord model years does this cover?
These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Honda Accord built from 2013 through 2017 — the 9th generation, mid-size sedan and coupe. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.
What changed during the 2013–2017 Honda Accord
- 2013Generation launch; Earth Dreams engines, CVT replaces the old 5AT on 4-cylinders
- 2014Accord Hybrid (196 hp i-MMD) and Accord Plug-In launch; Plug-In sold in limited states for 2014 only
- 2016–2017Facelift: new fascias, Honda Sensing widely available, Sport/Touring move to 19-in wheels, electronic parking brake, LED headlights on upper trims. Hybrid skips 2016, returns for 2017 at 212 hp (built in Japan)
2013–2017 Honda Accord problems and recalls: common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013–2017 Honda Accord?
- The recurring ones are: cvt torque-converter judder / shudder; starter grinds at startup / early starter failure; vtc actuator rattle at cold start; electric power steering (eps) torque sensor, warranty extension; hybrid: dead 12v auxiliary battery strands the car. Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost.
Are there recalls on the 2013–2017 Honda Accord?
- 4 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: Honda TSB 16-061 / A17-017 / A17-018 (cvt torque-converter judder / shudder), Honda TSB A16-002; class actions filed 2017 (no NHTSA recall) (starter grinds at startup / early starter failure), Honda TSB A18-010 and related bulletins (vtc actuator rattle at cold start), Honda TSB A15-056 (warranty extension) (electric power steering (eps) torque sensor, warranty extension). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding.
How much do 2013–2017 Honda Accord repairs typically cost?
- Typical figures for the issues above: cvt torque-converter judder / shudder, $120–$250 (software + fluid); $1,500–$3,000 if the torque converter or valve body is replaced out of warranty; starter grinds at startup / early starter failure, $450–$800 parts and labor out of warranty; vtc actuator rattle at cold start, $600–$1,100 out of warranty; electric power steering (eps) torque sensor, warranty extension, Free under the warranty extension; $1,100–$1,800 for a rack/column repair otherwise.
Sources
- AutoZone fitment, 2015 Accord Group 51R battery
- Goodyear fitment, 2013 Accord tire sizes by trim
- AMSOIL lookup, 2013 Accord 2.4L K24W1 oil capacity
- AMSOIL lookup, 2013 Accord 3.5L J35Y1 oil capacity
- CarComplaints, 2014 Accord TSB index (CVT judder A17-017, starter A16-002, VTC, EPS A15-056)
- CarComplaints, Accord/Crosstour starter motor lawsuit (TSB A16-002)
- Honda parts catalog, 17220-5A2-A00 air filter (2.4L)
- Honda parts, spark plug 12290-R71-L01 (NGK DILZKR7A11G)
- Oil filter cross-reference, Honda 15400-PLM-A02 equivalents