CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013-2014 Honda Accord is showing signs of an electrical problem with the starter failing soon after the 36K mile warranty expires. It's compounded by reports that the OEM battery doesn't have sufficient amps to start the V6 reliably after a year or two.

For now we are rating this problem with the "Beware" seal because it's occurring so soon after the 36K mile warranty expires. The upshot is when your Accord won't start, that's never good, but especially bad when it's just a few years old.

Also once again, owners are complaining that the 2013 Honda Accord seats are uncomfortable. Uncomfortable seats has been a significant complaint with the Accord since the 2008 model year.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,137 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Honda Accord engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 3 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #132

Nov 012019

Accord

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Along several others, I began having the intermittent starting problems on my 2013 2.4 L Accord at around 60,000 miles. This type of starter uses a solenoid to move the starter motor's pinion gear forward to mesh with the flywheel's ring gear while simultaneously pulling the plunger and its copper contact disc onto the battery contact and the starter motor contact to complete the circuit from the battery to the starter motor. When functioning properly, turning the ignition key or starter button should mesh starter's pinion gear with the flywheel and turn the starter motor to crank the engine. The problem with these starters is that the battery-side contact and the battery-side of the plunger contact erode excessively due to arcing and consequent pitting. This intermittently prevents the plunger's contact from contacting the battery-side contact to complete the circuit between the battery and starter motor. When this happens the pinion gear meshes with the flywheel but the starter motor doesn't turn. Note that the pinion gear engaging and disengaging the flywheel is the clicking sound heard from under the car during a failed start. This problem was fixed by replacing the contacts which are included in Honda brush holder (Honda part number: 31210-5A2-A01) which cost me $45 at my local Honda dealer. I believe 2013 through 2017 2.4 L Accord use this part which suggests that they will, or are, experiencing the intermittent starting problem. One would think Honda would have had a recall to fix this problem.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #131

Jan 012018

Accord

  • 36,555 miles
I purchased new a 2013 Honda Accord 4 cyl in August 2013 which had the battery sensor replaced at 26,010 miles in October 2017. Shortly thereafter, I started experiencing an intermittent starting problem. When I turn the key, the dash lights turn on as normal, but the engine does not turn over or even crank. While this does not happen all the time, it happens frequently and it can take between 2-6 tries before it finally starts at home or anywhere I traveled. Aaa jumped me once too. Dealer said to switch keys as it may be the immobilizer sensor in my key. Then December 2018 at 32,935 miles, dealer recommended I replace the battery which I did, but issue continued, July 2019 at 36,555 miles, dealer performed diagnostics stating the starter was bad but there wasn't a recall and it's more than 36 months so out of warranty. Dealer does not apply the cost of the diagnostics against the repair. Total cost for diagnostics, starter and tax was $889.47. Plus the dealer sold me a refurbished starter with a 3 yr/36,000 mile warranty stating a new starter only carries a 12 month warranty. Almost $1K is a lot of money for one repair for a senior citizen for a car with 36K miles. Appears this is a common issue so Honda motor co should recall the starter and provide reimbursement to those who had to have it replaced to avoid being stranded.

- Eden Prairie, MN, USA

problem #130

Sep 012019

Accord

  • miles
When I turn key ignition car doesnt start, I have to turn key back and forth for it to start

- Swansea, MA, USA

problem #129

Sep 042019

Accord

  • 126,005 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled and there was an abnormal burning odor emerging from the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to flow Honda (2600 peters creek pkwy, winston-salem, nc 27127, (336) 785-3380)where transmission fluid was added and the battery was jumped. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 126,005.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #128

Aug 152018

Accord

  • 70,000 miles
Takata recall. Nothing has been resolved. Additionally, vtc actuator. Honda has repaired Accord's from 2008-2012 but not 2013-2016 which have the same issue. Various forums and my own vehicle has the issue. I have videos and sound to prove the same issue that Honda is repairing on Accord's from 2008-2012 on the service bulletin. The vehicle is stationary. When turning on the vehicle, the vehicle starts with a loud start-up and sometimes when the weather is really cold, the engine won't start. Honda does have a recall for the same issue but for older cars.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #127

Jul 132019

Accord

  • miles
I think this might be my 3rd complaint, I love Honda and have had Honda cars for years, but this has really tested my patience. For the last 4 years I have gone through 3 starters and 2 alternators, every time I contact Honda they tell me to drop the car off so they can test it, I pay them $130 so they can tell me what they already know. My problem is that starter issue is very common, and there is no long term fix for this issue. So the issue is back, I end up getting stranded in places for hours at a time, and sometimes even end up being late to work, due to my starter spinning away until I can get it to catch eventually. I took it to get appraised the other day, and it wouldn't start ofcourse, the dealer refused to look at the vehicle ofcourse, because no one wants to sell a lemon. At this point, I am either looking for Honda to buy my car off me, replace it, or come up with a permanent fix. If you go on youtube and type in Honda starter issue you will find plenty of videos, and I also have reciepts for all the trips my car took to the dealer. I am not going to install a 4th starter, that is that rediculouse, I refuse to go to a Honda dealership again for them to tell me what I already know.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #126

Mar 012019

Accord

  • 112,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In early 2019, after my Honda dealer replaced my vehicle's water pump, I began experiencing problems with the push button start feature on my 2013 Honda Accord. Sometimes, my car starts right away. But more often, it takes several attempts before my car will start using the push button start feature. When repeated attempts are necessary to start my car, I hear a 'clicking' type noise when I press the start button, but my car does not turn over. After several attempts pushing the 'start' button, my car eventually starts (sometimes after a few seconds and a few attempts, sometimes after many attempts and two or three minutes). The problem occurs randomly, when the car is cold and warm. I never experienced this problem until Honda replaced the water pump on my car earlier this year. Based on other web posts, this sounds like a common problem with the push button start feature in 2013 Honda Accord. Once my car starts, it runs well. At this present time, I have no other mechanical problems other than the push button start feature. However, my car's failure to start is a safety issue in itself if a car fails to start in a situation where a quick get away is necessary (for example, flood, wild fire, or other natural or other disaster that may require that my car start without delay).

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #125

Aug 222018

Accord

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. While the key was in the ignition, the vehicle stalled without warning. After twenty minutes, the vehicle returned to normal. The vehicle was towed by aaa to balise Honda of West warwick (509 quaker ln, West warwick, ri 02893, (401) 822-2000) to be diagnosed, but no failure was found. The failure recurred. The dealer installed a new battery and starter. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Cumberland, RI, USA

problem #124

Apr 282019

Accord

  • 50 miles
Hen attempting to start engine of parked vehicle, nothing happened when key was turned. Took several attempts to start car each time.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #123

Feb 012014

Accord

  • 37,000 miles
Honda refuses to take responsibility for defective torque converters problem. The car will not start (major safety issue) or as they put it in the tsb starter grinds. There is probably only a small amount of defective torque converters that may or may not issue a recall

- Fresh Meadows, NY, USA

problem #122

May 052015

Accord

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine knocks on start up, knocks only on first start up or when sitting for long periods of time, after that no knock'

- Woodstock, IL, USA

problem #121

Jan 022019

Accord

  • 70,000 miles
Upon start up, all the lights on the dashboard lit up. Fcw failure noted on the digital display. Acceleration non existent in this state. Several restarts (34 was the max), no lights on the dash. Car ran fine. Dealer diagnosed it as a timing chain that had expanded. Seems to be fixed. (only been two days). I think it is a major safety issue because the lack of power could manifest itself at any time. Imagine getting on a highway with no power to accelerate.

- Portland, ME, USA

problem #120

Jul 082017

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owned a 2013 Honda Accord. While the contact was at the doctor's office, she was alerted that her vehicle was on fire in the parking lot. The contact was unsure if a police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the local police department. The contact's insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled after the police inspection. There were no injuries. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The VIN was unknown. Consumer stated she received a recall for a battery part that could cause fire. Consumer took the vehicle for an oil change to Honda dealer but part was not replaced. Consumer states while in the doctors office, car started a fire in the parking lot. Fire was extensive but manufacturer claims it is not their problem.

- Highland Park, IL, USA

problem #119

Dec 232018

Accord

  • 106,000 miles
Vehicle has excessive oil consumption which has caused the vehicle to run out of oil in between oil changes. This has now damaged other vehicle parts like catalytic converter.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #118

Oct 022017

Accord

  • 54,000 miles
Starter is bad will not start brought car to a mechanic. He recommended me to get a new starter. Checked battery and alternator well within working parameters.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #117

Nov 262018

Accord

  • 124,000 miles
Two nights ago I was driving on I-75 back home from work, I was going speed limit 70-75 mph and the car suddenly started "bogging down", didn't want to go above 30 mph and a number of dash lights were on: Service engine, power steering, tire pressure and maybe traction control. I turn off the car, turn it back on, and the lights still on. I drive short distance home at 25-30 mph. The following morning I looked at the car, didn't see anything wrong I felted very unsafe from car suddenly slow in the middle of hwy I-75 going from 70-75 mph to 25-30 mph, this happened with out any warning or enough time to pull over the shoulder, definitely a bad accident would happened here.

- Ranger, GA, USA

problem #116

Oct 012018

Accord

  • 20,000 miles
Takata recall starter motor (mitsuba) (V6) starter grinds or spin at startup

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #115

Nov 202018

Accord

  • 0 miles
Had to replace the starter as it started going out with just over 51,000 miles on the car

- Idaho Falls, ID, USA

problem #114

Mar 072018

Accord

  • 54,000 miles
I have 2013 Accord LX 55K miles, and had intermittent starting problem from last few months, doesn't matter if it's cold or hot, sometimes it just doesn't start. I leave it alont for about a min or two with key out and then it'll start, sometimes longer. Battery is not the problem and I've already taken to the dealership to have them check the battery and the starting system. Checked out ok, they couldn't duplicate. Anybody else have this problem" now it won't start at all. I found the recall is for V6 models only. What should I do at this point"

- Dublin, CA, USA

problem #113

Oct 092018

Accord

  • 28,786 miles
When attempting to start engine of parked vehicle, nothing happened when key was turned. Took several attempts to start car each time. Starter had failed and was replaced.

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

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