Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 296 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Honda Accord, and it carries 9 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 105 | 35% |
| Seats | 38 | 13% |
| Engine | 17 | 6% |
| Power train | 14 | 5% |
| Structure | 12 | 4% |
| Steering | 11 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 2% |
| Suspension | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
At only 61,083 miles, the rack and pinion on my 2011 Honda Accord was diagnosed as leaking by Baierl Honda in Wexford, PA. The dealership documented the issue as: “FOUND RACK AND PINION LEAKING; PARTS/LABOR (INCLUDING AL
NHTSA complaint: Steering
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Wheel Rim split in half 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Potential for car flipping if I
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 110,655. It was
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Statement by American Honda Regarding Left and Right Front Drive Shaft Recalls Our 2011 Honda Accord, driven by our grandson, had experienced a possible breakage of the drive shaft, leaving him stranded on an off-ramp o
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I'm having symptoms of cold startup engine rattle type clatter sound for approximately 2-3 seconds and then it goes away. Doesn't do that again unless the car sits for a period of time. If it's been started recently lik
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH with her son inside the vehicle, the driver’s side and the driver’s seat air bags deployed unexpectedly. Neither independen
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
On Tuesday, September 23, I was applying the brakes as I was approaching a stop sign. When I had slowed to about fifteen miles an hour the car suddenly accelerated and the brakes were not enough to stop it so I shifted
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2011 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 certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississipp
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 November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-21
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 | 58 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 83 | excellent |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
| Safety | 100 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 296 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 105 of them (35%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 58/100 (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 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. 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.