2013 Honda Accord Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 179about this part
- Share
- 13%of 1,427 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 179 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Honda Accord, 13% of the 1,427 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,500 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Starter failed, and we were stranded at the new market post office for an hour. The battery is good, but Honda mechanic said the starter is failing. We replaced the starter engine, and the car starts up good every time. It cost $515 to replace starter engine. Honda refused to pay for defect, because the car is past warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11076211, filed 2018-03, 48,000 miles“I've own my car for for 1 and 1/2 years and it's dead for the 4th time I had the battery replaced a month after buying the car and am still having problems with it I don't know if it is the starter? It was parked at work for 4 hours then I moved parking spots and shut it off turned back on 10 minutes later to close windows and it's dead.”
NHTSA complaint #10992586, filed 2017-05, 50 miles“Oct 11, 2016, I drove the kids to school and parked the vehicle on the street. After walked then class, I returned to the vehicle. The car did not start on the first try, second try, but it started on third try. Since purchased, I replaced battery twice due to the above reasons. I had battery checked and it's still good. Please investigate.”
NHTSA complaint #10915411, filed 2016-10, 53,000 miles“Takata recall. I was checking under the hood of my Honda and I checked my oil level and there was not a drop of oil in the engine. I didnt know why this was so I changed the oil fast to prevent the engine from damaging. Now 1400 miles after my oil change the engine is half way dry of oil. My car is a 2013 Honda Accord with only 42000 miles on it, it should not be burning oil.”
NHTSA complaint #11032170, filed 2017-10, 41,600 miles“My 2013 Honda Accord ex started experiencing problems with intermittent starting around 45,000 miles. The dealership is aware of the starter problem, but charged me over $800 to repair it with a new starter button. I was told without repair this problem would get worse till the car would not start at all.”
NHTSA complaint #11043194, filed 2017-11, 45,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10158740Apr 6, 2019Service Bulletin - The engine will not start and sets DTC P2101 (electronic throttle control system [ETCS] malfunction).
- 10133019Mar 14, 2018Service bulletin - Engine oil consumption exceeds customer expectations. The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ability to…
- 10132995Mar 2, 2018Service bulletin - Engine oil consumption exceeds customer expectations. The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ability to…
- 10128891Feb 8, 2018Service bulletin - The oil control rings may become clogged with carbon deposits. These deposits restrict the ability to scrape and return oil from the cylinder walls to the…
- 10130034Jan 10, 2018Servicenews article - Does the engine rattle at startup for about 1 to 3 seconds? What?s happening is the lock pin inside the VTC actuator isn?t holding the actuator properly…
- 10127348Jan 10, 2018Servicenews article - Does the engine rattle at startup for about 1 to 3 seconds? What?s happening is the lock pin inside the VTC actuator isn?t holding the actuator properly…
- 10118005Sep 15, 2017Service bulletin - The water pump seized or the drive belt shredded. The water pump bearing is out of specification.
- 10115764Aug 2, 2017Tech line summary article - Does the engine rattle at startup for about 1 to 3 seconds? What?s happening is the lock pin inside the VTC actuator isn?t holding the actuator…
- 10108324Mar 31, 2017Service bulletin - there is a slapping or clicking from the engine area at idle. Debris may be restricting oil flow to the cam chain auto-tensioner.
- 10108091Mar 2, 2017Techline summary article - does the engine rattle at startup for about 1 to 3 seconds? Whats happening is the lock pin inside the vtc actuator isnt holding the actuator…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 11 | 7% |
| 2023 | 11 | 13% |
| 2022 | 32 | 12% |
| 2021 | 38 | 16% |
| 2020 | 73 | 20% |
| 2019 | 185 | 27% |
| 2018 | 559 | 29% |
| 2017 | 62 | 11% |
| 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 2013 Honda Accord
499 complaintsElectrical system
417 complaintsOther or unknown
123 complaintsBrakes
118 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
110 complaintsAir bags
51 complaintsVehicle speed control
51 complaintsSeats
47 complaintsForward collision avoidance
46 complaintsFuel system
45 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
37 complaintsElectronic stability control
31 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Honda Accord
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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