417 of the
1,892 complaints about the 2013 Honda Accord are about the
electrical system — 22% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
50,000 miles.
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 81-20 INTERNAL CIRCUIT FAILURE. CLEARED DTC. ROAD TEST VEHICLE, 81-20 DTC RETURN REPLACE VSA MODULATOR W/BRAKE FLUSH, STARTER MOTOR INTERMITTENTLY SEIZING UP, FRONT ENGINE MOUNT LEAKING, BOTH FRONT SWAY BAR END LINKS LEAKING GREASE, VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING. HIGH MILEAGE AND NO HISTORY. RECOMMEND VALVE ADJUSTMENT, SPARKPLUGS AND VALVE COVER GASKET, RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT WORN, VTC ACTUATOR FAULTY, RATTLE NOISE AT START UP.
NHTSA complaint #11749462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Whenever in park or reverse the vehicle suddenly power cycles. The vehicle also power cycles when steering and locks the wheel. This can be fatal if it happens on the public road in the middle of traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11748251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Honda Accord 9th Gen ABS/VSA Issues - DTC Code 81-20 /32-11. TPMS/ABS/VSA/Brake/Power Steering lights are on. Dealer claim is an ABS module issue and need replacement.
NHTSA complaint #11747825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was just driving normally when, completely out of nowhere, my whole dashboard suddenly lit up with a massive cluster of warning lights all at the exact same time. The power steering light, ABS light, traction control (VSA), tire pressure light, and the main brake light all popped up instantly. The most confusing part is that my steering and brakes actually feel completely fine. There is mechanically nothing wrong with how the steering turns or how the brakes stop, but the car is flashing these major warnings anyway. It feels like a total electronic malfunction or a computer glitch where the car is falsely screaming that there's a catastrophic failure when everything is physically working fine.
NHTSA complaint #11743076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda Accord. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 141,000, and at the time that the vehicle was brought in for inspection it was discovered that the actual mileage was approximately 290,000. The contact filed a Police report with the Police Department. The contact stated that the title was dated March 31st, 2026 with a mileage of approximately 141,000.
NHTSA complaint #11733015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 205,000 milesSpring Valley, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact purchased the vehicle on October 27, 2025. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale by an individual who was a registered dealer. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,000. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately start. Several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that there was exposure of red wiring on the underside of the vehicle, which could be a potential safety hazard. The dealer also informed the contact of an oil leak, a previous ABS replacement, a previous transmission replacement, and that the engine was not the original engine. The dealer also informed the contact that the mileage on the vehicle was not what had been documented at the time of sale and that the actual mileage was 205,000. The contact confirmed the actual mileage as 205,000 in a Carfax Report. The failures persisted. One morning, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the flex plate had failed. The starter was replaced; however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact had spoken with the seller, who had taken possession of the vehicle but had not provided any additional repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The odometer fraud was not reported to any other Government Agencies.
NHTSA complaint #11720392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact purchased the vehicle on October 27, 2025. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale by an individual who was a registered dealer. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,000. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately start. Several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that there was exposure of red wiring on the underside of the vehicle, which could be a potential safety hazard. The dealer also informed the contact of an oil leak, a previous ABS replacement, a previous transmission replacement, and that the engine was not the original engine. The dealer also informed the contact that the mileage on the vehicle was not what had been documented at the time of sale and that the actual mileage was 205,000. The contact confirmed the actual mileage as 205,000 in a Carfax Report. The failures persisted. One morning, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the flex plate had failed. The starter was replaced; however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact had spoken with the seller, who had taken possession of the vehicle but had not provided any additional repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The odometer fraud was not reported to any other Government Agencies.
NHTSA complaint #11720392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Litchfield, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
No accident occurred. I just believe that the symptoms our car has are the exact same issues that caused a recall. I’m just relaying information to help set the parameters of the recall. Secondly I am curious why the service manager didn’t mention about a recall possibly concerning our car. Even though it isn’t in the window of the recall ( but shows all symptoms). Guess I’m feeling a little jaded with the way the service manager conveniently left out they didn’t have any parts for our car and they would have to order them. Anyway they knew I was driving the car home and they only had 6 hours to mess with it.
NHTSA complaint #11710549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase of the vehicle. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 100,900. It was later discovered upon checking Google that the mileage was 260,000.
NHTSA complaint #11706564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
No Start condition. Car takes minutes to start due to faulty push button start. This is a well documented condition by the public. The safety concern is that repeated attempts to start will drain the battery and cause degradation of the starter, which in case of an emergency or an occupant in an unsafe environment, or on a public roadway, puts the driver, occupants at risk. Honda is well aware of this problem but rejects any liability.
NHTSA complaint #11693352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rutherford, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Started car and dashboard light came on then off showing steering wheel and exclamation point. Then re-started and drove normally. A few days later, when starting the steering wheel unable was unable to be turned. Dashboard light show steering wheel and exclamation point. Required towing. Dealer determined diagnostic code DTC 34-05 Power Relay Stuck OFF I found multiple reports of power steering failure in this model Honda Accord 2013. Since there is no RECALL, it should be an extended warranty until next year. I’m asking if the power relay is covered by the extended warranty. Is there going to be a recall since this is so dangerous?
NHTSA complaint #11692337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westmont, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dash board lights indicated ABS system module malfunction, per Illinois Honda dealership diagnosis. ABS module failure also causes failure of forward collision warning system and lane departure warning system.
NHTSA complaint #11689460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Mitchell, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
In the past 2–3 months, multiple door lock actuators/latches on my 2013 Honda Accord have failed. Both rear doors will not reliably lock or unlock, and the front driver door actuator is intermittent. This means that three of the four doors cannot be secured or opened normally. This is a serious safety and security issue. The car cannot be locked to prevent theft or unauthorized entry. Children or passengers in the rear may not be able to exit safely in an emergency. I am also concerned that the failure could compromise crash safety if doors cannot be unlocked quickly after a collision. Performance Kings Honda (Cincinnati, OH) inspected the vehicle, confirmed the failures, and diagnosed both rear door latch/actuator assemblies as faulty. They provided an estimate of $1,000+ for repairs. I have an open case with American Honda. Honda acknowledges there is no recall, but this appears to be a systemic defect rather than normal wear, since multiple actuators have failed simultaneously. There were no warning lights or messages. The issue developed gradually, starting with difficulty locking/unlocking one door, followed by failure of the others. The vehicle remains available for inspection at the Honda dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11687918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have been having problems with many dashboard lights coming on at once. I got it checked out and I got ABS code 123 - 11 and code 81 - 20. This has been going on since the beginning of August 2025. This could lead to dangerous malfunctions, And is one of the most expensive things to repair. It is my understanding that many many vehicles between 2013 and 2017 in the Honda range I've been experiencing this to the point of where we need a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11684272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact purchased a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the advertisement and the odometer indicated that the mileage was 156,000. The contact stated that upon test driving the vehicle, the odometer became inoperable. The dealer took the vehicle into the service department, and after resetting the odometer, the vehicle was purchased by the contact. The vehicle was a used car dealer sale. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to purchase and replace the battery. The contact stated that after the new battery was installed, the odometer indicated that the mileage was 453,000. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the discrepancy. The contact stated that upon researching, the contact noticed that the dealer had changed the mileage on the original advertisement.
NHTSA complaint #11681950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewis Center, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
After a driveshaft recall repair was performed on July 10, 2025, at Germain Honda of Dublin, my 2013 Honda Accord EX-L immediately began showing multiple safety system warning lights, including ABS, VSA, traction control, and check engine. These lights had never appeared prior to the repair. Diagnostic codes included: •VSA Solenoid Valve Malfunction •Modulator Control Unit Power Source Circuit (IG) Low Voltage These point directly to the ABS/VSA modulator, which is located near where the driveshaft repair was done. Despite the timing, Honda has refused to cover the repair, quoting me nearly $3,000. The dealer also cleared the codes before I arrived and then claimed they were “historic” with no documentation. I’ve confirmed my battery and alternator are in good condition, ruling out the common causes of voltage errors. I believe something was disturbed or left improperly connected during the recall service, resulting in a dangerous condition involving the vehicle’s braking and stability systems. This is a potential safety risk that arose after a manufacturer-issued recall repair, and I am requesting a formal investigation into similar cases if reported.
NHTSA complaint #11677781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tigard, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car has starting issues where it takes up to 20 attempts at the start button to get the car to start. This is a safety issue, since a person can get stranded in the middle of nowhere. I now leave my car engine on all the time (wasting gas, adding CO to the atmosphere, overheating the car) while I run errands, as I don't want to get stranded.
NHTSA complaint #11677055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yonkers, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The ABS pump/motor, ABS modulator needs to be replaced. This is a pretty common issue with the Honda Accord from 2008-2017. Fixing this problem is expensive at the dealer. I believe Honda motors should have a recall about this situation because how pricy this is. Looking online for information and videos on youtube many people have been quoted 2,800 dollars and up to replace it. I just replace the ABS sensor driver side and ABS, Brake, Steering Wheel came out. These are coming on and off. Please I would like to get some help with this situation.
NHTSA complaint #11674383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N Branford, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle included in 2017 Battery sensor recall, repaired promptly upon notice. This is a separate issue/sensor. ***Electrical Safety Hazard impacting EPS, ABS, TPMS*** *** All other electrical components involved *** Car has had electrical issues since the day I purchased it in 2016, with no codes indicating an issue. Car would fail to start, testing would indicate starter or battery failure. For the last three months, voltage would drop to unacceptable levels whenever the headlights were off (6 week old, brand new, not reman alternator unit maintained 14 amps with lights on, dropped to 12.1 with them off). On July 11, 2025 (4 days ago as of this report), while driving approximately 47 mph, the plug in voltmeter on the car abruptly started plummeting on a road with sharp angles and no shoulder to pull onto, despite lights being on. No improvement after shutting off lights, climate control, and radio displays, continues lowering to 11.8. Turned climate control back on, headlights back on, briefly alternator reached 12.2 amps, before rapidly dropping to unsustainable levels (I was aware of this because of my plug in voltmeter. The car's built in electrical system didn't alert until the voltage hit 8.8). Still nowhere to pull over safely. Electronic power steering cuts out abruptly, followed by abs, tpms, traction control. Turning the car into the first available lot to get out of traffic, on my left took an inordinate amount of strength, and I barely coasted to a stop when every single electronic component on the car blinked out and the entire car shut down. The car is exclusively maintained by a licensed, accredited automotive repair facility's owner, who is a master automotive technician and able to provide proof of all of the above, including previous electrical repairs listed below. The issue is the vehicle's ELD sensor. One small part has cost me nearly 7 figures in repairs Car has gone through 4 starters, 8 batteries, and is now waiting on a 3rd alternator
NHTSA complaint #11673756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dillsburg, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving the car the power steering light comes on and power steering goes out then. No warning just goes off and power to steering wheel is not working. This has happened going 55 mph. Very dangerous. I feel this should be investigated. I did read this was a problem with this car. WHY NO RECALL??!! ALSO WAS CHECKED BY MECHANIC. This has happened more than once before today
NHTSA complaint #11672988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nokesville, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VSA ABS FCW EPS warning lights, according to Honda dealership it needs a VSA ABS module, these are thousands of dollars and there’s thousands and thousands of pissed off customers. This should be warranted. It looks like honda of Europe did warranty it. I’m not sure what’s going on in honda North America. It can cause the brake pedal to go soft, and is definitely a safety hazard
NHTSA complaint #11663799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that upon having the vehicle appraised to sell the vehicle, a Carfax report discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 120,000; however, according to the Carfax report, as of October 2024, the vehicle mileage was approximately 217,000.
NHTSA complaint #11656051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Failure to start problems began about 3 years ago. Initially we had to push the start button several times to get the car started. It got progressively worse. We paid $810. to replace the starter with a remanufactured starter part. The dealership said they used the remanufactured part because it had a 3 year warranty while a new starter would have only a 1 year warranty. It worked for 3 or 4 months and then started to act up again. The dealership replaced the starter again with another remanufactured starter part in November of "24. Now it is March of "25 and my wife is marking the calendar again on the days the starter malfunctions which has been several days in the past month. We have been left stranded and I fear this could result in a serious safety problem if it happended in heavy traffic or some other vulnerable situation. There are many Honda starter complaints on the internet! Why hasn't there been a recall?
NHTSA complaint #11650335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,722 milesStevenson, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start. The contacted stated that the battery was replaced several times; however, the failure recurred approximately 3-4 months later. The vehicle was jumpstarted and was towed to a Toyota dealer, where the battery, the alternator and alternator belt were replaced; however, the failure recurred the following morning. Additionally, the contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V418000 (Electrical System); which the contact related to the failure; however, the contact had not received a recall notification from the manufacturer. The Honda dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 70,722.
NHTSA complaint #11645532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forestville, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2013 Honda Accord touring with 110,000 miles all of a sudden all the lights on the dash came on. I took it to the dealer. The dealer told me that the electronic control module or the vehicle stability control module was bad. At that time, the dealer could not get the part and at that time, the part was $1400so a year later. when I had the money I went to get the car fixed at that point the part was $2600. It cost me $3500 to get the vehicle repaired. It was not under warranty. There was no recall and I was left holding the bag I have found there are many cases of the same part going bad and Honda refuses to accept responsibility, leaving us owners out in the cold.
NHTSA complaint #11640595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baytown, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car has keyless entry and push button to start. Recently I noticed the car was not able to start correctly when pushing the push button. Sometimes it can start but it needs the keyfob to be very close to the push button. 3 days ago the car wont start at all no matter how I tried it. Testes battery and starter all are at working condition. I suspected the keyless push start button is faulty.
NHTSA complaint #11638705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orem, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On December 10, 2024, while driving at approximately 45 mph on State Street, my vehicle suddenly lost all power and stalled. The dashboard lights went out, and there were no prior warning indicators. Thankfully, I was able to coast safely off the road and restart the vehicle after it stalled. Before this incident, I had experienced multiple occasions when my car took unusually long to start. When pressing the gas pedal, the vehicle struggled to accelerate, feeling like it had no power. On December 26, 2024, I received an email stating that certain 2013–2023 Honda Accords might be subject to a recall due to a faulty fuel pump. However, after checking my specific VIN, I found no active recalls listed for my vehicle. Given the issues I have been experiencing over the past year—including stalling and power loss—I believe my vehicle may be affected by the same faulty fuel pump issue. I am filing this complaint to document that the identified fuel pump issue may affect more vehicles from these model years.
NHTSA complaint #11632399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving my 2013 Honda Accord sedan on the turnpike, I experienced a critical failure of the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) modulator, which was later inspected and confirmed to be malfunctioning by a Honda service technician at South Motors Honda. This component is available for inspection upon request. As I was traveling at approximately 65 mph, the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) malfunctioned, causing the brakes to lock up when I attempted to slow down for traffic ahead. This sudden loss of braking control put my safety and the safety of others at significant risk, as I nearly collided with the vehicle in front of me. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by an independent service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Prior to the failure, several warning lamps, including the VSA, ABS, and BRAKE lights, illuminated on the dashboard. These warning lights first appeared about a week before the incident, but I was unable to get the vehicle serviced immediately due to scheduling constraints. Additionally, the Front Collision Warning system was not functioning, which further compromised my ability to avoid a potential accident. This malfunction was particularly concerning as it failed to alert me to the rapidly approaching vehicle ahead, exacerbating the dangerous situation caused by the ABS failure.
NHTSA complaint #11632487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hatboro, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2013 Honda Accord EX-L V6 2 Separate Malfunctions Loss of all Power Steering Faulty VSA Module effecting Dashboard Indicators Broken VSA (Vehicle Stability Assistance) Module causes the ABS, FCW, LDW VSA, Steering, and Tire Gauge Warnings to light up solid. Causing the driver to be unaware if anything is wrong with the vehicle. Also leaving the car without working safety features promised by Honda such as the (FCW) Forward Collision Warning and (LDW) Lane Departure Warning Due to the Faulty VSA Module I did not receive a warning at my loss of power steering. I was able to maneuver myself off the main road and take it to a local mechanic who after scanning and checking was confused and suggested that it would most likely need an entire steering rack replacement. Still haven't gone to an Official Honda Dealership. I did not receive any warning from the vehicle when my power steering went out. Due to the faulty VSA module affecting the lights on my dashboard that included the one that would indicate faulty Power Steering. This is the first year of the model to incorporate ESA. NHSTA has had a open investigation into the faulty Power Steering but was eventually closed due to lack of reports. Many people have been reporting similar issues with this model and it has caused accidents and allegedly some deaths. At this current time there is no safety recall by Honda to fix either the Broken VSA Module or more importantly the Power Steering. VSA Modules have been recalled and replaced by Honda in different countries but not in the United States. The Faulty VSA Module puts drivers at risk by leaving the driver unaware of any potential issues with their vehicle until the problem already happens and leaves mechanics confused as to what the issue actually is. I implore NHTSA to take action against this very dangerous issue with both the loss of Power Steering and the VSA module with this year and model of Honda.
NHTSA complaint #11629112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 159,000 milesSan Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start while depressing the Push-to-Start button, with an abnormal grinding sound coming from under the hood. No warning light was illuminated. The contact who is an independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulleting: 16-002; however, the vehicle was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.
NHTSA complaint #11628558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.