Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 1,419 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Honda Accord, and it carries 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 406 | 29% |
| Electrical system | 232 | 16% |
| Engine | 85 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 73 | 5% |
| Power train | 62 | 4% |
| Seats | 44 | 3% |
| Air bags | 33 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 33 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 31 | 2% |
| Steering | 23 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact's spouse owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel turned to the left independently and failed to remain straight. The contact
NHTSA complaint: Steering
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 81-20 INTERNAL CIRCUIT FAILURE. CLEARED DTC. ROAD TEST VEHICLE, 81-20 DTC RETURN REPLACE VSA MODULATOR W/BRAKE FLUSH, STARTER MOTOR INTERMITTENTLY SEIZING UP, FRONT ENGINE MOUNT LEAKING, BOTH FRON
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Whenever in park or reverse the vehicle suddenly power cycles. The vehicle also power cycles when steering and locks the wheel. This can be fatal if it happens on the public road in the middle of traffic.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The first time it happened, the power steering of the car suddenly stopped working while driving on the highway. Now it happens randomly and usually start with a quick jerking motion of the steering wheel. I've looked
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Honda Accord 9th Gen ABS/VSA Issues - DTC Code 81-20 /32-11. TPMS/ABS/VSA/Brake/Power Steering lights are on. Dealer claim is an ABS module issue and need replacement.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 troub
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I was just driving normally when, completely out of nowhere, my whole dashboard suddenly lit up with a massive cluster of warning lights all at the exact same time. The power steering light, ABS light, traction control (
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Upon taking hand off steering wheel car turns tires to the left all the way to the lock all by itself
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 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 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 No
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 f
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
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
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 incre
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 conta
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, F
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
| Reliability | 56 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 83 | excellent |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 53 | 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 1,419 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 406 of them (29%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 56/100 (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 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2013 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.