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.

8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$750
Average Mileage:
55,800 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. replace starter (2 reports)
2013 Honda Accord engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #8

Jun 212019

Accord EX-L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

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

I went out of my way to find an Accord with leather seats in 2016. I found the Honda Accord 2013, EX -L. I purchased the car with an extended warranty so I wasn't concerned when my car first started to have issues with starting. At first I dismissed it as human error. I thought I was causing the problem by not pushing the brake hard enough and then pushing the button to start. I waited 5 minutes to try it again because I thought it was again, human error on my part. After 5 minutes, it still wouldn't start. Then I waited 15 minutes and the same thing again, no start. There was only slight ticking sound.

I contacted Honda Roadside assistance and then waited the dreaded 90 minutes for the roadside assistance. Once they arrived they connected one of the hand held battery devices to the battery and asked me to try and start the engine. At first on the first try it didn't start, but then on the second try it started. He removed his small hand held battery from my car, I then signed off on the service and went home. The next next morning, I went out to the garage and tried to start it, and sure enough, the car started. I connected a battery charger and put it on slow charge and the battery was fully charged within an hour. That proves to me that it's not a battery issues.

Needless to say I had my car checked by the dealer 2 months prior to this incident, so it was given a clean bill of health and therefore had no reason to think I would have any problems. Unfortunately for Honda, I am a first time Honda consumer and this will be the last. There is so much hype about Hondas being reliable, durable and years of longevity. The determining factor of a manufacturer is how they react to problems, and so far this problem hasn't been addressed by many who are having the exact same problem I'm having.

- Ricky L., CHICAGO, IL, US

problem #7

Sep 012016

Accord EX 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 30,000 miles

This is seriously embarrassing. I usually park the car in the garage and never had problems starting the car in the morning. Every time I park outside, it hardly starts. It does not get super cold in Southern California, lows perhaps in the 30s during peak winter. I was wondering if it was the cold weather, but come summer, the same problem. Took it to Spreen Honda in Loma Linda, they kept the car for 2 days and couldn't reproduce the problem (what luck). They said they suspect it was the starter and would cost $1,200 to replace it, but would not back their work if the problem persisted again.

If Honda dealer can't figure it out, whom am I supposed to go to?

During a rainy day, the car stalled at Costco while I was waiting in line to fill up gas. The associate there kindly pushed it to the parking lot. Called AAA who said the battery looks good, but recommended replacing it. I decided to get it done. Few days later, same problem - it wouldn't start when parked outside. Found a local Honda specialist, who replaced the starter for $600. They also confirmed that the battery and alternator were good. Worked for about 6 months, and I had to park the car outside the last few days. Damn thing won't start. It is frustrating when you are not able to start the car - and it f** up the day when you can't get out. Don't know what to do. Any suggestions??

Update from Mar 1, 2022: An update.. the local Honda specialist figured there was some interference with the security alarm system. After some rewiring, I have not noticed the issue. Fingers crossed...

- Srinivas S., Redlands, CA, US

problem #6

Aug 132018

Accord EXL V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I'm not buying Honda again.. Starter stopped working after 60,000 miles only. It had starting issues at 40,000 but somehow managed to work 60,000 miles. It dies whenever it likes - so I'm stuck nowhere. Got it towed twice to dealer - it worked right away. Dealer can not confirm the issue, just because its starting there. What a joke!!

Dealer said -they can only if it breaks down and then I tow it to them.

Thank you Honda for the cheap piece of junk.. Thank you for not recalling even after multiple complaints from customers. Thank you for addressing the issue as well.. No Honda for me EVER!!

- mikeypikey, Waltham, US

problem #5

Nov 152017

Accord EX-L 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,391 miles

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

Car would not start upon pushing the start button. Lights on panel indicating ignition however when pressing on brakes or releasing car into drive unable to, frozen. Thinking there was an issue I had the car towed to the dealer. They of course found not a problem, car started fine. The service department head had the nerve to mention that sometimes people do not push on the starter button correctly. In three years of driving this car I am to assume I don't know how to push the start button correctly! Thereafter I started researching the problem and tracking the non-starts on my phone. As soon as you enter 2013 Honda Accord non-starts the search page is full of the same complaints, full! Started tracking on my phone what the lights on the dash display every time and it is the same, Starter System Indicator light. Every time! I took the information back to the dealer, including the photo, and print outs of the problem a short time later. I gathered his card and said I would be back after tracking over time and I wanted him to do his own research so that when I return it could be repaired. That was in mid November. Since then I have been tracking on my phone by photo. I have surpassed 60 non-starts, with the problem currently worsening at 5 plus attempts before startup every day every time. Now it is February and after researching again I see that there was a class action lawsuit against Honda for the problem with a dismissal by the judge. It is definitely a defect by Honda not assuming responsibility. I will be going to the dealership on Monday to address the issue and hopefully receive a repair. Which I will have to fully pay for. We will never buy a Honda again and would not recommend one to others. The once reliable car manufacturer failed it's following.

- Kim S., Catlin, US

problem #4

Nov 162017

Accord EX-L 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,525 miles

Does not start sometimes, second time usually works

- vlad m, Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #3

May 012017

Accord LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Bought a Honda Accord Coupe V6 last year because I thought a Honda would be reliable. Not reliable at all! It will take the car two or three times to actually start! It will make a loud grinding noise which sounds to be the starter not functioning correctly. I had the battery replaced and the starter replaced by a very reputable dealer, but it still will not start on occasion! It is very annoying and unreliable! I am very shocked that Honda has not recalled this issue yet being that there are so many other complaints about this same issue. If Honda is not willing to reimburse me and fix the issue, then I will for sure be buying a Toyota RAV4 for my wife instead of a CRV in the near future, and getting rid of my Honda and getting anything else but Honda for myself. Very disappointed!!!

- Phil P., Plantsville, US

problem #2

Apr 022017

Accord Sport 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles

In 2013 I bought a brand new Honda Accord expecting to have no issues with it. After 3 years i had small issues with sensors but nothing major, in the past 6 to 7 months i had noticed that the starting engine had a strong unusual start but I was not worried because my car was new. Last Sunday while stopping for gas my car would not start, initially i though it was an electrical issue but once I towed it to the dealer the news came up. It was the starter engine the cause of the issues, it`s almost 700 dollars to fix this part, I've always has been on top of my car with the routines checks at the dealership and never face any major issues. As I research in the matter, I realized this issue is happening very frequently on the same model car, mileage etc.. so I start wondering if this a defect that Honda Accord have from fabric?

- Ramon C., Philadelphia, US

problem #1

Nov 302015

Accord EX 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,252 miles

The engine stalled immediately after starting. At least 4 dashboard warning lights stayed lit. Tried 6 times with the same result. Tried again, and engine started and stayed running. Drove to Honda dealer, service rep saw the warning lights still lit. Tried starting again, and started without problem. Tested battery and was at 75%. Left overnight and systems checked the next day. They found nothing wrong! They charged up the battery and apologized they couldn't find any problem. Honda Care warranty covered the diagnostic and rental car, but the problem is now in the back of my mind with every start up. I am also fearful the engine may just stop in freeway traffic.

- wolf007, REDONDO BEACH, CA, US

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