Honda Accord Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 3,688 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Honda Accord across 31 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (924). The words owners use most often: “automatic transmission” (10% of reports).
- 3,688power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 124mention a crash
- 69mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $5,400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 36%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Automatic transmission: mentioned in 370 of 3,688 complaints (10%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Honda Accord at $5,400, and half of them between $4,150 and $6,350.
Based on 414 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 2,798 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 3,688 complaints, 124 mention a crash, 15 a fire, 69 an injury.
Honda Accord power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Accord | 5 | 6% | — |
| 2024 Accord | 6 | 4% | 75,000 |
| 2023 Accord | 3 | 4% | — |
| 2022 Accord | 8 | 3% | — |
| 2021 Accord | 14 | 6% | — |
| 2020 Accord | 16 | 4% | 2,833 |
| 2019 Accord | 43 | 6% | 32,500 |
| 2018 Accord | 137 | 7% | 14,110 |
| 2017 Accord | 33 | 6% | 15,814 |
| 2016 Accord | 29 | 5% | 28,750 |
| 2015 Accord | 40 | 7% | 29,000 |
| 2014 Accord | 64 | 7% | 53,314 |
| 2013 Accord | 110 | 8% | 15,500 |
| 2012 Accord | 27 | 7% | 62,000 |
| 2011 Accord | 21 | 7% | 4,700 |
| 2010 Accord | 45 | 8% | 64,121 |
| 2009 Accord | 36 | 5% | 62,175 |
| 2008 Accord | 70 | 5% | 78,150 |
| 2007 Accord | 58 | 11% | 88,306 |
| 2006 Accord | 50 | 12% | 98,640 |
| 2005 Accord | 113 | 17% | 70,000 |
| 2004 Accord | 348 | 34% | 100,000 |
| 2003 Accord | 924 | 47% | 98,000 |
| 2002 Accord | 478 | 46% | 88,000 |
| 2001 Accord | 209 | 23% | 84,500 |
| 2000 Accord | 201 | 17% | 113,006 |
| 1999 Accord | 246 | 22% | 83,000 |
| 1998 Accord | 276 | 23% | 86,000 |
| 1997 Accord | 33 | 7% | 82,500 |
| 1996 Accord | 27 | 6% | 125,000 |
| 1995 Accord | 18 | 3% | 147,323 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2013
Problem: 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.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015
Problem: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Problem: Honda is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 accord, 2007-2010 cr-v, and 2005-2008 element passenger cars manufactured from july 1, 2004, through september 3, 2010. The outer race of the secondary shaft bearing may be broken during certain driving styles. A broken outer race may cause abnormal noise, the malfunction indicator light to turn on, and allow contact between the transmission idle gear and an electronic sensor housing within the transmission.
Risk: This could result in a short circuit causing the engine to stall. Additionally, broken pieces of the outer race or ball bearing from the secondary shaft may become lodged in the parking pawl resulting in the vehicle rolling after the driver has placed the gear selector in the park position. Engine stall and unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash or personal injury to persons within the path of a rolling vehicle.
Fix: Honda will notify owners and dealers will update the automatic transmission control module software free of charge. The safety recall began on august 27, 2011. Owners may contact honda automobile customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2003, 2004
Problem: On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.
Risk: Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
Fix: On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, the dealer will inspect the transmission to identify gears that have already experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discoloration exists, the transmission will be replaced if discoloration is not present, the dealer will perform the revision to the oil cooler return line. The recall began on april 21, 2004, for pilot, odyssey, and mdx owners. Owners of the accord vehicles will start receiving letters on june 28, 2004, and on june 29, 2004, for owners of the tl and cl vehicles. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.
Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch
Model years: 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles (honda accord sedans manufactured from september 18, 1997 to january 10, 1998; coupes manufactured december 11, december 15, 1997, and january 5, 1998; acura 2.3cl manufactured october 22, 1997 through january 7, 1998). During manufacturing, the casting die caused an irregularity in the right-side transmission cover. This irregularity can limit the movement of the parking pawl actuation level and prevent adequate engagement of the parking gear pawl. This does not comply with fmvs no. 114, "theft protection."
Risk: This condition can cause the vehicle to roll down an incline when the transmission is locked in "park," increasing the risk of personal injury and/or property damage.
Fix: Dealers will install a collar on the transmission parking pawl to ensure proper movement of the actuation lever.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I bought my Accord in February of 2026 with only 79k miles (now at 93k). 3 days after purchasing all of these warning lights popped up regarding emissions, brake system, power steering, etc. I brought it back in and they said that it needed a new fuel injector on cylinder one (which didnât fix…
While driving, the front drive shaft (axle) suddenly snapped completely in half without warning. This caused an immediate loss of power to the wheels, creating a hazardous driving situation and leaving the vehicle stranded. Upon inspection, the drive shaft broke directly beneath the rubber dynamic…
I attempted to contact McConnell Honda in montgomery alabama; which is now Cannon Honda Montgomery about my 2006 Honda accord v6. To my understanding there was a recall for the power steering feed hose. I don't recall being contacted when the recall was issued. My last attempts to get my car…
While driving, the carâs engine suddenly shut off, and the brakes were barely responsive, making it extremely difficult to bring the vehicle to a complete stop despite continuously applying the brakes. This was a very serious and frightening safety issue that nearly caused me to crash into…
this is a known issue with honda. the head gasket is blown causing all the warning lights to come up on the dash. my car has not got hot, it goes up to the H but goes right back down to normal setting. i have had my local honda dealer look at my vehicle and that is what they told me was the issue…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Honda Accords have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 3,688 owner complaints about power train for the Honda Accord. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Honda Accord power train?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Honda Accord?
Owners report a typical cost of $5,400 (half paid between $4,150 and $6,350), from 414 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Honda Accord?
The most frequent phrase is “automatic transmission”, in 370 of 3,688 complaints.
Other Honda Accord problems
- Electrical System problems (3,981)
- Air Bags problems (3,915)
- Engine problems (2,241)
- Steering problems (1,606)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (1,430)
- Service Brakes problems (1,101)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,099)
- Forward Collision Avoidance problems (956)
See all Honda Accord problems.