Honda Accord common problems: what to check before you buy
Credov's researched list of the 19 faults the Honda Accord is known for (2007–2015), 18 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
Known problems on the Honda Accord
Compulsory Takata airbag recall
Safety risk
2001–2012 · Paperwork
What to look for: Check the plate on the NZTA Takata lookup and ask for paperwork showing the airbag inflator was replaced.
Why it matters: The NZ Government made the Alpha recall compulsory on 4 April 2018. An unrepaired car fails its warrant of fitness and a trader cannot legally sell it, so an open Alpha recall makes the car unsaleable until Honda replaces the inflator - which Honda still does at no cost. Buy one unchecked and you own a car you cannot retail.
What to look for: Check the VIN on the NZTA Takata pages, look for a Japanese recall certificate, and ask if an airbag was replaced.
Why it matters: Honda's non-Alpha inflator campaigns run across a wide slice of the models NZ buyers see, and a Japanese import will not have been chased by a NZ owner letter. From 1 November 2018 non-Alpha recalls are flagged at the NZ border and an open recall means the vehicle is rejected for entry certification until the manufacturer's evidence of replacement is produced.
What to look for: Look for fresh oil drips under the engine, and listen at cold start for a deep knock that quietens.
Why it matters: Honda recalled specific 2014-2015 Accord L4 and 2015 CR-V builds for connecting rod bolts that may not have been torqued correctly, which can cause loss of engine power or an oil leak onto hot exhaust components. Honda's own remedy was a replacement short block, so this is not a small repair to inherit.
What to look for: Ask for invoices showing when the timing belt and water pump were last replaced.
Why it matters: Honda recalled certain V6 vehicles because a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump was misaligned and could let the belt contact a bolt on the cylinder head, eventually damaging the belt until it fails; NHTSA's stated consequence is that the engine stalls, increasing crash risk. The remedy was to inspect the water pump and, if it is one of the defective pumps, replace the pump and belt.
What to look for: Ask for the fuel pump recall paperwork, and listen for a long crank when restarting hot after ten minutes.
Why it matters: Honda's fuel pump recall spans model years 2013 to 2023 across most of the models NZ dealers stock, though each model has its own band, and the failure mode is an engine stall while driving. A Japanese import in this range is very unlikely to have had a NZ owner letter, so the campaign status is worth confirming before the car goes on your yard.
What to look for: Listen for a whine or rumble that changes with road speed, and check the car holds in Park on a slope.
Why it matters: Honda recalled 2005-2010 Accord and 2007-2010 CR-V because the outer race of the secondary shaft bearing may break under certain driving styles, producing abnormal noise and a warning lamp, and letting the transmission idle gear contact an electronic sensor housing.
What to look for: Look for metal glitter on the gearbox dipstick, and listen for growl or clatter around second gear on the drive.
Why it matters: Honda recalled certain minivans, SUVs and passenger vehicles because certain operating conditions can build heat between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage; NHTSA's stated consequence is transmission lockup and a crash.
What to look for: Look along the power steering hose for wet joints or swelling, and check the ground for fresh drips.
Why it matters: Honda recalled 2007-2008 Acura TL in May 2012 and in September 2012 added 573,147 more vehicles including 2003-2007 Accord V6, for a total of 625,762. Prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures may make the hose deteriorate prematurely, cracking and leaking; NHTSA's stated consequence is fluid onto a hot catalytic converter, smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.
What to look for: Ask a Honda dealer to check the replacement airbag fitted under an earlier recall isn't itself under a later recall.
Why it matters: Honda Japan filed notification 4528 specifically against replacement driver-side inflators - the parts fitted to fix an earlier campaign - because the propellant in them can degrade with repeated temperature and humidity cycling in the same way. Notification 4527 does the same on the passenger side and lists the earlier campaign numbers it supersedes, including 3141, 3375, 3493, 3568, 3582 and 3638.
What to look for: Look underneath with a torch for rust, flaking or pitting on both front driveshafts and split CV boots.
Why it matters: Honda recalled 2013-2015 four-cylinder CVT Accords because the driveshafts were assembled with a lubricant that degraded their protective coating, leaving them open to damage from road salt and able to break. A broken driveshaft means sudden loss of drive, and the car can roll away if the park brake was not set.
What to look for: Check both front belts click in cleanly and release first time, buckling each one ten times.
Why it matters: Honda recalled 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey and 2019 Insight for a manufacturing issue where the front seat belt buckle channel can interfere with the release button and prevent the buckle latching. It takes a minute to test on the forecourt, and an unlatched belt cannot restrain an occupant in a crash.
What to look for: Check lights, wipers, camera, screens, locks and windows all work properly, and watch for warning lights that appear or stay on.
Why it matters: Honda recalled 2018-2020 Accord Sedan and Accord Hybrid and 2019-2020 Insight because a software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in communication between the body control module and other components. Chasing an intermittent network fault after you have retailed the car is the kind of job that eats a whole margin.
What to look for: Check both mirrors fold and adjust properly eight times over, and ask if one has ever folded while driving.
Why it matters: The notification records 122 cases. Poor plating on the moving contact inside the mirror switch generates wear debris; the debris builds up, oxidises, contact resistance rises and the mirror can fold in while the car is moving or standing. A mirror that folds itself at speed takes away the driver's rear view without warning.
What to look for: Pull the dipstick cold and check for a low level, sooty tailpipes or a blue smoke puff after idling.
Why it matters: Left unchecked the oil level can run low enough to starve bearings, and fouled plugs cause misfires; the only real fix is new pistons and rings, an engine-out job. No recall or warranty extension applies in New Zealand, so the repair bill sits entirely with the buyer.
Typical repair: NZ$3,500–NZ$7,000 in New Zealand · A$3,610–A$7,210 in Australia
What to look for: Check the oil level, cruise gently feeling for a shudder as cylinders switch, and look for heavy soot on the tailpipes.
Why it matters: A misfiring, oil-fouled V6 can go on to damage its catalytic converters, turning a plug-and-oil problem into a multi-thousand-dollar exhaust repair; the VCM disabler fix many owners fit also changes how the car drives.
Typical repair: NZ$500–NZ$7,000 in New Zealand · A$520–A$7,210 in Australia
What to look for: On the drive feel for flare between gears, a flashing D light, and slow engagement into Drive or Reverse.
Why it matters: Once the third clutch pack has worn and debris has entered the filter, the gearbox is on a path to losing drive altogether; a rebuild or replacement unit is one of the most expensive repairs this car can need.
Typical repair: NZ$3,500–NZ$6,500 in New Zealand · A$3,610–A$6,700 in Australia
What to look for: With the engine cold, check coolant level and look for white, sweet-smelling smoke at start-up.
Why it matters: Coolant getting into the cylinders is a progressive engine fault: left alone it can wreck the turbo as well as the head gasket, and the repair is a head-off job or a replacement engine, not a quick fix.
Typical repair: NZ$3,000–NZ$6,000 in New Zealand · A$3,090–A$6,180 in Australia
2005–2018 · J30A, J35A, J35Z2, J35Y1 · petrol · Engine
What to look for: Look for a timing-belt change sticker or receipt; with none past 100,000 km, budget for the job.
Why it matters: A belt that snaps or jumps on this interference V6 bends valves and can wreck the engine; doing the belt proactively costs roughly a tenth of what a snapped belt costs to fix.
Typical repair: NZ$700–NZ$2,200 in New Zealand · A$720–A$2,270 in Australia
What to look for: Check the driver seat bolster, both front door armrests and the console lid for splits, peeling or a crazed finish.
Why it matters: Once the leather starts splitting it keeps spreading, and a full retrim or a recoloured armrest both add real cost on a car that is otherwise cheap to buy - useful as a price negotiation point.
Typical repair: NZ$200–NZ$1,800 in New Zealand · A$210–A$1,850 in Australia
Got a question about a Honda Accord? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
Also check on every car
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.