Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 722 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Honda Accord, and it carries 11 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 142 | 20% |
| Air bags | 122 | 17% |
| Engine | 78 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 39 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 26 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 25 | 3% |
| Seats | 23 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 21 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 20 | 3% |
| Steering | 19 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I am submitting this complaint regarding two separate front drive shaft/axle failures involving my 2009 Honda Accord while living and driving in [XXX], a state specifically identified by American Honda as a "salt belt" s
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact discovered potential odometer fraud regarding a purchase off Facebook Marketplace. Following a private sale, the contact had the vehicle inspected by an i
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09E063000 (Equipment) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer we
NHTSA complaint: Equipment
I installed (2) identical Advance Auto Parts Platinum rear brake rotors on my vehicle. Both rotors were installed at the same time, in the same manner, and under normal conditions. After approximately (1) mile of normal
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 92,000,
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts without warning. After obtaining a Carfax report, it was discovered that there was a m
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Component/System: Engine – piston ring failure; oil control issue related to VCM system. Available for inspection: Yes. My 2009 Honda Accord EX-L V6 (J35Z2 engine with VCM) has developed repeated misfires due to oil ent
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I was driving and stopped at a stop sign, I started to go and my passenger side airbag on the door exploded. There was no impact, out of nowhere this happened
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2009 Honda Accord. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or dea
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer servic
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-201
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-21
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019.
| Reliability | 49 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 83 | excellent |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 722 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 142 of them (20%). There are 11 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 49/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.