2011 Honda Accord Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 8%of 296 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,140miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the engine of the 2011 Honda Accord, 8% of the 296 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,140 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I notice two problems with the 2011 Accord v6 exl automatic I just bought. 1. Without foot on the accelerator, the car rolls at 10mph speeds. While reversing out of garage this is a big problem. 2. Right around 45mph mark, the car lurches forward briefly before it picks up the acceleration. Both these are consistently reproducible in the car I have.”
NHTSA complaint #10966608, filed 2017-03, 50,200 miles“My 2011 Honda Accord makes noise on cold starts. On 10/20/15, I picked up my car from Honda service and they explained it as noise from the vtc actuator and stated in writing there is no repair yet available from Honda. I find this unacceptable and I won't buy a Honda again unless they repair this at no charge to avoid any further damage to my vehicle...I have only owned Honda accords since 1989.”
NHTSA complaint #10787206, filed 2015-10, 41,537 miles“After 2 years of owning my new 2011 Honda Accord, I noticed a grinding sound during cold starts that lasted 1-2 seconds and then stops. I have the dealership inspect the problem but they quickly dismissed and said the noise was being made by the vtc and to not worry about the noise. In addition, they said that no harm would be caused by the noise. Now I have over 100,000 miles on the car and the noise is on every cold start no matter what the temperature and last for 2-5 seconds. …”
NHTSA complaint #11354525, filed 2020-09, 10,000 miles“My engine makes a loud rattling sound for 2-3 seconds after a cold start-up, especially after the car sat overnight. After 2-3 seconds, the sound goes away. According to Honda TSB, the vtc actuator is faulty and needs to be replaced to resolve the problem. If left untreated, the timing chain can be stretched which leads to reduced fuel economy and possibly other engine problems. Up to the time of this complaint, Honda has not yet issued any recall for this problem. My Honda dealer quoted me $680 to replace the vtc actuator. …”
NHTSA complaint #11157190, filed 2018-12, 111,000 miles“I purchased this vehicle in february 2015. The first thing that I had to fix was the axle ( output shaft ) seal leak which the Honda dealer did not want to repair even though the car only had 62,000. Also, it makes a loud noise in the back when I go over the speed bump which is coming from the suspension. In addition, whenever I took the vehicle to ntb for an oil change. The mechanic told me that the rear main seal needs to be replaced because it is starting to leak motor oil. …”
NHTSA complaint #10731475, filed 2015-07, 61,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152430Dec 20, 2018"Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co…
- 10152428Dec 19, 2018"Service bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on the Piston Rings and Pistons for 2008-11 Accord L4 to 8 years from the original date of purchase or…
- 10108322Mar 31, 2017Service bulletin - american honda is extending the warranty coverage on the piston rings and pistons for 2008-11 accord l4 to 8 years from the original date of purchase or…
- 10108045Feb 25, 2017Service bulletin - at cold start-up, the engine rattles loudly for about 2 seconds. The variable valve timing control (vtc) actuator is defective.
- 10083951May 17, 2016Service bulletin - the piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling. Spark plug fouling may reuslt in rough engine idle and/or…
- 10083874Apr 20, 2016Service bulletin - sticking rings resulting in high engine oil consumption.
- 10087883Mar 17, 2016Service bulletin - replace the vtc actuator if the engine rattles loudly for 2 seconds during cold start-up.
- 10087866Mar 14, 2016Service bulletin - replace the vtc actuator if the engine rattles loudly for 2 seconds during cold start-up.
- 10100042Dec 10, 2015"techline summary article - editors note: this article replaces the one posted in september 2015 to extend that articles shelf life. The issues covered are still being…
- 10100175Nov 19, 2015Service news article - does the engine rattle at cold startup for 1 to 2 seconds when its cold outside? Chances are the vtc actuator is the culprit. Keep in mind simply…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 11 | 7% |
| 2023 | 11 | 13% |
| 2022 | 31 | 12% |
| 2021 | 38 | 16% |
| 2020 | 73 | 20% |
| 2019 | 185 | 27% |
| 2018 | 559 | 29% |
| 2017 | 62 | 12% |
| 2016 | 44 | 7% |
| 2015 | 106 | 18% |
| 2014 | 179 | 18% |
| 2013 | 179 | 13% |
| 2012 | 43 | 12% |
| 2011 | 25 | 8% |
| 2010 | 116 | 20% |
| 2009 | 111 | 15% |
| 2008 | 210 | 14% |
| 2007 | 29 | 6% |
| 2006 | 21 | 5% |
| 2005 | 29 | 4% |
| 2004 | 28 | 3% |
| 2003 | 51 | 3% |
| 2002 | 19 | 2% |
| 2001 | 14 | 2% |
| 2000 | 11 | 1% |
| 1999 | 28 | 2% |
| 1998 | 18 | 2% |
| 1997 | 10 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 0% |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 2 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2011 Honda Accord
115 complaintsSeats
38 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Honda Accord
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology