Brands/Honda/Accord/9th generation

Honda Accord 9th generation (2012–2017)

Generation-specific owner insights from 28+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.

Photo: Benespit / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Should I buy a 2012–2017 Accord?

8,064

US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2012–2017

recall campaigns

electrical system

most-complained area

What owners say about this generation

Our take, from owner reports

Owners generally regard the 9th generation Accord as a reliable, well-built car that can last well beyond 200,000 miles with proper maintenance.

8 problems reported (1 very frequent, 5 recurrent, 2 isolated) · high confidence

Problems owners report

Very frequentValve cover gasket oil seepage on 4-cylinder models
Multiple owners report this as a common issue between 95,000 and 200,000 miles, with OEM gaskets recommended over aftermarket.
RecurrentVSA/ABS modulator failure
Owners report internal failure of the ABS/VSA unit on 2013-2017 models, with replacement costs around $2,800 for the part alone. Some owners report successful repairs via module rebuild services.
RecurrentTiming belt overdue on high-mileage V6 models
Multiple owners warn that neglected timing belts on V6 models are a serious risk, with the service due at 100,000 miles or 8 years.

+ 5 more issues

RecurrentV6 automatic transmission failure at high mileage
Several owners report V6 transmissions failing around 140,000 miles, often attributed to neglected fluid changes, though other owners dispute this and call the 6-speed automatic stout.
RecurrentHybrid battery degradation
Owners report hybrid batteries degrading noticeably between 100,000 and 150,000 miles, with replacement costs being a major concern.
RecurrentValve adjustment needed at 100,000 miles
Owners note this service is due and caution that it is a precision job that should not be attempted by novices without guidance.
IsolatedStarter misdiagnosis (weak battery presenting as starter failure)
One owner reported replacing a starter unnecessarily before finding a weak battery was the cause.
IsolatedRust on door corners and rear fenders
Mentioned once in the context of a 2012 model inspection checklist.

The version owners recommend

Owners most consistently recommend the 4-cylinder models for overall value, fuel economy, and lower running costs. The V6 is acknowledged as a strong engine but is repeatedly advised against for students or budget-conscious buyers due to fuel consumption, insurance costs, and the timing belt service requirement. No single trim or model year within the generation is declared a clear consensus winner, but the 2013-2017 V6 with the 6-speed automatic is noted as having a stout transmission, and the 4-cylinder CVT is reported to be reliable when maintained.

Competitors to consider

Owners compare it most often with the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Nissan Maxima and Volkswagen Jetta.

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Full owner report

Overall sentiment

Owners generally regard the 9th generation Accord as a reliable, well-built car that can last well beyond 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. The 4-cylinder models are praised for fuel economy and dependability, while the V6 is appreciated for power but criticized for higher fuel costs, higher insurance, and the expensive timing belt service. High-mileage examples draw cautious advice: owners emphasize verifying maintenance records, especially for the timing belt on V6 models and transmission fluid changes. The hybrid version is viewed with more skepticism due to battery replacement costs at higher mileage. Overall, owners recommend this generation over the 10th generation, which they describe as less reliable and harder to work on.

Positioning vs competitors

Owners frequently suggest the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla as cheaper-to-run alternatives for students or budget buyers, citing lower fuel costs, lower insurance, and cheaper maintenance. The 9th generation Accord is positioned as more reliable than the 10th generation Accord, which owners criticize for turbo engines and a messier engine bay. The Volkswagen Jetta is mentioned as a car with higher maintenance costs that would "drown you" compared to a Honda or Toyota. The Nissan Maxima is mentioned in the context of its failure-prone CVT, with owners steering buyers away from it.

Recommended configurations

Owners recommend the 4-cylinder engine for most buyers, especially students, citing better fuel economy and lower total cost of ownership. The V6 is described as having more than enough power but is only recommended for buyers who can absorb higher fuel and maintenance costs. The 2013-2017 V6's 6-speed automatic is described as "very stout" and capable of handling more than factory power. The hybrid is not recommended at high mileage due to battery replacement costs. Manual transmission 4-cylinder models are mentioned as cheaper to maintain and more fun to drive.

General recommendations

Owners advise buying this generation with a clean title and a verified service history. For V6 models, the timing belt service (due around 100,000 miles or 8 years) must be confirmed as completed, along with spark plugs and valve adjustment. Transmission fluid changes are emphasized as critical for longevity. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic or Honda dealer is strongly recommended, especially for high-mileage examples. Owners suggest avoiding salvage-title cars entirely, and recommend private-party purchases over dealerships for better pricing. For buyers on a budget, the 4-cylinder is repeatedly recommended over the V6.

Remarks

Owners strongly prefer this generation over the 10th generation, with comments like "Fuck the 10th gens" and criticism of the turbo engines and cramped engine bay. The 9th generation V6 is noted as the last V6 offered in the Accord before the switch to turbocharged engines. Some owners report their 9th generation Accords exceeding 220,000-250,000 miles with routine maintenance. The hybrid system is described as less proven than the conventional engines, with one technician saying Honda "haven't kept the ball rolling" on hybrid reliability. Owners also note that the 2012 model year (8th generation) is a different car and should not be confused with the 9th generation when discussing issues or advice. Analysis based on approximately 28 substantive owner discussions about this generation.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Most-reported area
2017	583	3	electrical system
2016	610	4	electrical system
2015	1,818	6	electrical system
2014	2,883	5	electrical system
2013	1,423	5	steering
2012	747	8	seats

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.

Recall notices for this generation

2017 · fuel system, other:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 19V060000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.

2017 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 23V858000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

2017 · air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passengercampaign 26V332000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

2016 · fuel system, other:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 19V060000

2016 · electrical system:12v/24v/48v batterycampaign 17V418000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Honda Accord vehicles. The case for the battery sensor, part of the battery management system, may allow water to get in, potentially causing an electrical short.

2016 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 23V858000

2016 · air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passengercampaign 26V332000

2015 · fuel system, other:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 19V060000

2015 · electrical system:12v/24v/48v batterycampaign 17V418000

2015 · engine and engine cooling:enginecampaign 15V121000

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured July 29, 2014, to July 31, 2014, 2015 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured August 14, 2014, to January 30, 2015, and 2015 CR-V vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to February 6, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with improperly torqued connecting rod bolts, which can cause the engine to lose power or leak oil.

2015 · power train:driveline:driveshaftcampaign 20V769000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts were assembled with a lubricant that may have degraded the drive shafts' protective coating, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.

2015 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 23V858000

11 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.

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Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.