NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Honda Accord. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Wheel Rim split in half 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Potential for car flipping if I were on highway or driving fast. Entire tire rim collapsed and could have easily injured passenger. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, complaining to NHTSA here is first. Showed photos to VIP Auto and they said it was a manufacturer's defect and to file this report. 4. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? None
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 110,655. It was later discovered that the title mileage was 304,415. The contact discovered the discrepancy through Carfax, where it showed that, as per the last emissions test conducted on 01/29/2026, the mileage was 304,415.
Statement by American Honda Regarding Left and Right Front Drive Shaft Recalls Our 2011 Honda Accord, driven by our grandson, had experienced a possible breakage of the drive shaft, leaving him stranded on an off-ramp on the freeway. It appears Honda has had recalls for this mechanical failure on a limited number of VN numbers. I did find that there had been over 292 complaints according to NHTSA campaign number XXX. I did reach out to Honda, and with no explanation other than no recalls on this VIN [XXX [XXX] selective safety recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH with her son inside the vehicle, the driver’s side and the driver’s seat air bags deployed unexpectedly. Neither independent mechanic nor the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.
I'm having symptoms of cold startup engine rattle type clatter sound for approximately 2-3 seconds and then it goes away. Doesn't do that again unless the car sits for a period of time. If it's been started recently like within 1 hour or 2 hours it will startup with out making that metal rattle/clatter sound for 2-3 seconds. I was told it's likely the 2.4l engine VTC actuator is failing letting the engine oil drain out causing a dry start. I was told it was a common issue and even the internet is saying the same thing that this is a widely known issue. There should be a recall for this because this should not be happening My car has only 156,000 miles on it. And I've own cars with well over 200,000 miles and that's never happened never had I had an engine problem related to the timing chain or the VVT system. I'm hoping this is a recall where will be soon because it's not affordable repair bill for many people. Please let this become a recall or whatever it's called to have the manufacturer take responsibility and fix the problem. I would have not had bought this vehicle if I was aware of this issue probably because it's not a low cost repair I was told. Otherwise this car is a great car runs good drives good once it starts and runs for a few seconds. It's only when the car sets for a period of time not running and you go just start it and you hear that rattle for 2-3 seconds. When I bought the vehicle it wasn't doing this at least not when I first bought it.
On Tuesday, September 23, I was applying the brakes as I was approaching a stop sign. When I had slowed to about fifteen miles an hour the car suddenly accelerated and the brakes were not enough to stop it so I shifted into neutral and stopped. The engine continued to race in neutral. I shifted into drive and things returned to normal. I then started to move forward and the car suddenly again accelerated rapidly. I shifted into neutral and then into drive and things returned to normal. I then drove home without a further problem.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, 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 107,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 260,000.
The drivers side curtain airbag and drivers side seat belt retention airbag deployed while driving without an impact/collision. It is available for inspection. The airbags deploying while driving blocked my vision and was a completely terrifying distraction. I brought the car to my local Honda dealership for inspection and they confirmed the airbags were deployed without an impact. Honda refuses to give me the inspection report. There were no warning lights or symptoms.
I don't remember the exact days but the air bag light comes on twice
ENGINE, C1 MISFIRERS, THIS HAS OCCURED OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS AND HAS COSTS ME THOUSANDS TO FIX BUT ITS NOT A PERMANAT FIX, IT'S BEEN A BANDAID TO THIS ISSUE. ITS THE SAME ISSUE AS YOU ALL ARE INVESTAGATING WITH THE NEW MODELS, HONDA DID ACKNOLEDFGE THIS ISSUE BUT THEY SAID AFTER 2014 YOU NO LONGER CAN GET A FIX BY THEM. I PURCHASED THE CAR ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO, I NEVER KNEW OR COULD OF KNOWN THIS WAS A PREEXISTING ISSUE THAT WAS NEVER FIXED, PLEASE HELP ME I AM NOT FEELING SAFE IN MY CAR ANYMORE, IT EITHER SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY OR GIVES ME ALOT OF HESATATION. MY AUTO SHOP HAS ALL MY DETAILED RECORDS ON THIS - GULF 215 362-2223
The rack and pinion needs to be replaced with just over 63k miles. This appears to be a common occurrence amongst 2008-2012 Honda Accords but it appears Honda is ignoring the issue. I have included a forum of complaints from owners that have very low mileage. Could you please look into this? [XXX] [XXX] , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The light suddenly came on stating the side air bag is off. Meaning during a collision it won't dobiys part
Sub Frame corrosion rust out / crack(s). Control arm (s) corrosion. All verified by independent repair facility, A & B Collision Staten Island NY. This has been an issue with previous years as per driveaccord.net
I was driving on freeway and I heard an explosion. Glass rain down on me. My sunroof shattered for no reason. I was driving with no cars ahead, beside or behind me. The weather was clear. I suffered with glass in my eye and I almost lost control of my car. Honda said they won't fix it with mr having to pay 1,000.00 dollars. I want to join class action lawsuit.
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light was flashing. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating and was losing motive power. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence and later had the vehicle towed to a local independent mechanic. The contact stated that the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle, and the contact was informed that the piston rings needed to be cleaned. The mechanic replaced the spark plugs as well. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to a Class Action Lawsuit regarding the piston rings fouling the spark plugs and causing poor engine performance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT BACK IN OCT 2023. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
On [XXX], my daughter rear-ended a stopped vehicle while trying to merge. She was driving approximately 60-70mph at the time of impact. The front end of her car was completely smashed and the insurance company deemed it a total loss. Despite the force and speed at impact, her airbags did not deploy. She hit her head on the steering wheel, causing a concussion. She continues to suffer from the effects of the concussion. She is under the car of a neurologist and chiropractor. I contacted Honda to report this on 10.3.2023 and was told to "wait by the phone" because someone would be calling me back immediately as it was a high priority case. The case number is [XXX]. No one has called me. I called back on 10.6.2023 to notify them that the car insurance company was taking possession of the car and was told to take pictures. I have never received a call back for additional details. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Air bag light is on/ passenger side
I have a 2011 Honda Accord V6 coupe. At approximately 11:39 hours on 8/15/2023 my car lost all steering and brakes and spun violently multiple times across the highway. Thankfully the car did not impact another vehicle and ended up on the side of the road in soft sand. A scan tool revealed a trouble code for a failing or fault within the VSA modulator. This module controls both the brake system and stability control in one unit. At the time of the above aforementioned incident 2 warning lights were on the dash for the following: ABS and Stability control. The Arizona Department of Public Safety responded to the incident. I file this complaint because the safety of other drivers and myself were placed in serious jeopardy.
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, he shifted into drive(D) and depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The contact stated that upon accelerating, the vehicle independently decelerated at slow speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he used a code reader to diagnose the vehicle and retrieved two unknown codes for a faulty manifold air pressure sensor and mass air flow sensor. Additionally, the contact stated that he performed a tune-up and routine maintenance on the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The check engine warning light illuminated again after the tune-up. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that TSB 13-078 Warranty Extension had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,500.
Axle broke on passenger side. Broken parts unavailable. Car stopped at a busy intersection. No warning. Parking brake failed to engage at the same time.
*What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Replace both front lower ball joints with proper front alignment as advised in TSB: Replace both of the front lower ball joints with updated service parts made to address this specific symptom. If the ball joints were previously replaced, then replace both front knuckle assemblies. *How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Faulty defective front lower ball joints installed on the vehicle that is considered a safety risk according to the certified Honda service tech that inspected the vehicle. Certified Honda service technician advised ball joints could separate from the front knuckle allowing the suspension to separate from the wheel while vehicle is in motion that could result in potential injury or possible death. Safety of others may be at risk due to other owners may not be aware of the TSB bulletin and vehicle may not reproduce noise or problems due to internal/external factors. *Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, confirmed by Honda certified service technician. *Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Vehicle was first inspected by Pep boys (could not duplicate the noise and visual inspection passed. Took the vehicle to Honda service for second opinion. Service technician followed TSB procedures to duplicate the confirmed noise and diagnose the problem was related to the TSB bulletin provided by Honda. *Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warnings, messages or symptoms identified unless the vehicle is in motion during extremely hot temperatures. Visual confirmation fails due to component failure inside the defective part. Vehicle does not always duplicate the noise unless proper conditions are available.
When starting up a noise it the motor for the sencod time with 71,000 miles why
I was driving and I was at a stop light then went sounded like my car was in neutral but it wasn't.. sounds like a bad transmission, I'm not 100% sure. Started a clanking sound. Went to park and turned off the vehicle then started it up didn't make a sound until I put it in reverse then it wouldn't reverse.
Was driving and took a left hand turn and transaxle broke in half. Could not move after that. Was no warning and it looks like that transaxle was rusting and broke.
Both the passenger and driver side CV axles have a rubber vibration isolator mounted in the center of each drive axle. The rubber is cracking and showing rust heave underneath, The attachment method has deteriorated and the rubber damper is trapping moisture and salt that have seeped underneath. This has caused significant corrosion to the steel axle thereby weakening the axle and creating a safety hazard due to potential breakage. Neither axle has broken yet, but there are currently recalls on other model year Honda Accords for the same issue.
CVT actuator makes noise on cold start up.
Air bag light on, air bag recall not shown
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Accord equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Ecopia EP422 Plus, Tire Size: 235/45/R18, DOT Number: BANOO3767. The contact stated that the tire dealer had previously replaced the driver's and passenger's side front tires due to bubbles along the sidewall. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle drove over a manhole cover, causing the passenger's side front rim to cut the tire and cause a blowout. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the passenger's side front tire was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
When I start my car, I hear a rattle sound for 1-2 seconds. It only happens when the car has been off for about 3 hours. It used to happen once in awhile and now everyday. I searched online and a lot of people say it’s the “engine’s variable timing control actuator” or VTC.
THE TPMS LIGHT STAYS ON, EVEN AFTER TIRES ARE FILLED WITH THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF AIR AND THEN TIRES REPLACED . ALSO ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL THE LEATHER IS BLISTERING , CAR IS GARAGE KEPT . I AM NOT SURE THE EXACT DATE I NOTICED THIS , IM GIVING AN ESTIMATION.
No accident occurred!, seats are extremely uncomfortable and is causing me back pains when sitting for long periods of time, I can imagine in a collision these seats would be very unsafe to a persons body, they’re so stiff if would be like getting pressed against a wall if hit hard enough, it’s time Honda FIXES this problem!
The calendar reset to January of 2002 instead of 2022 and the clock is an hour ahead now. I went online and many people are having the same issue with the navigation version such as mine.
I have a 2011 Honda Accord with 70,000 miles and the power steering rack went bad and is leaking fluid. It is unsafe to drive without power steering. There was no warning when it failed.
The contact owned a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at 40 - 45 mph, a Ford pick-up truck traveling about 50 mph crashed into the her vehicle's front driver side corner then hit her rear driver side. The air bags did not deploy. No medical attention was received however, the contact stated feeling some pain now. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and was awaiting inspection from the insurance company. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
the drive shaft axle snapped when I made a left turn while driving.
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle the accelerator pedal became stuck causing the vehicle to experience unintended acceleration and crashed into a building causing the airbag to deploy. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000. Invalid VIN.
This issue is related to Honda TSB issued for faulty VTC actuator . My car makes a loud grinding sound when started from cold everyday. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/SB-10087883-2280.pdf I sent a email to Honda support on June 8th 2021, asking if this issue will cause catastrophic engine failure while driving (case id : 12274491) and can cause serious bodily injury? I never received a response. I sent a followup email on June 17th 2021 and still no response. My only worry is that this issue is so much widespread that all Accords manufactured between 2008 - 2012 are affected. Serious quality control issue. What if my car suddenly stops in the middle of a busy highway..what if Engine completely seized, break apart, due to damage happening over the period of time? I believe that Honda understand all these issues and not willing to respond over email, to avoid legal liability. With this complain i would like NHTSA to get a official statement from Honda on seriousness of this issue and if its a safety issue (if not fixed), it should fall under Recall.
I WAS PULLING SLOWLY OUT OF A DRIVE-THROUGH BANK FACILITY ONTO A ONE-WAY STREET WITH NO TRAFFIC, AND SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED TO TURN TO THE SIDE. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING AND THE CAR PING-PONGED FROM CURB TO CURB, STRIKING SEVERAL STATIONARY OBJECTS AND A PARKED CAR.
ENGINE RATTLES LOUDLY FOR ABOUT 4 SECONDS AT STARTUP WHILE STATIONARY. I BELIEVE THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING CONTROL (VTC) ACTUATOR IS DEFECTIVE.
I HAVE RESPONDED TO HONDA'S RECALL NOTICES FOR AIRBAG REPAIRS ON THIS 2011 CAR SEVERAL TIMES AND TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR WAS LEASED IN 2011 AND RETURNED TO HONDA IN 2014. I AM CONCERNED THAT WHOEVER HONDA SOLD THIS CAR TO IS NOT RECEIVING RECALL NOTICES. ON THE LAST NOTICE THAT I RECEIVED, I WROTE ON THE INFORMATION CHANGE CARD PROVIDED THAT THE CAR WAS RETURNED AT JOYCE HONDA IN DENVILLE, NJ WHEN I LEASED A 2014 HONDA. I ALSO WROTE THAT I WOULD NOTIFY NHTSA OF HONDA'S INABILITY TO CORRECT THE RECALL NOTICE. I JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTICE ON 2/15/2021. PLEASE LET HONDA KNOW WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO REALLY COMPLY WITH THE LAW.
The engine on the Honda Accord car shudders and loses power when there is a change in gears. Based on my research and after consultation with my mechanic, the Honda Odyssey had similar problems. The problem was traced to the torque converter. Supposedly Honda had to implement a software fix for the torque converter on those Odyssey's.
TL* THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND OWNED A 2011 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HIS GIRLFRIEND HAD MADE A COMPLETE STOP UPON EXITING THE HIGHWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS EXPERIENCING MINOR WHIPLASH DUE TO THE ACCIDENT, NO OTHER INJURIES WERE REPORTED AT THE SCENE AND NO MEDICAL ATTENTION NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME WHICH WAS NEAR THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
AFTER 2 YEARS OF OWNING MY NEW 2011 HONDA ACCORD, I NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND DURING COLD STARTS THAT LASTED 1-2 SECONDS AND THEN STOPS. I HAVE THE DEALERSHIP INSPECT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY QUICKLY DISMISSED AND SAID THE NOISE WAS BEING MADE BY THE VTC AND TO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE NOISE. IN ADDITION, THEY SAID THAT NO HARM WOULD BE CAUSED BY THE NOISE. NOW I HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE NOISE IS ON EVERY COLD START NO MATTER WHAT THE TEMPERATURE AND LAST FOR 2-5 SECONDS. I RECENTLY CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THAT IF THE VTC WAS THE PROBLEM (WHICH IT HAS BEEN ALL ALONG), THEN I WOULD NEED TO PAY IN FULL FOR THE REPAIR SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY.
10 HOURS AFTER THE CAR WAS LAST DRIVEN OR TOUCHED, THE DOOR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT SEEMS THE SPARK CAME FROM THE DOOR LOCKS AND POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH AREA. I HAVE VIDEO OF IT HAPPENING. IT BURNED FOR NEARLY 10 MINUTES. THE ENTIRE DOOR IS ALMOST COMPLETELY MELTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE ROOF AND DOOR FRAME AND RUBBER SEAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
THE CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN, WHEN YOU PUT IT ON P IT STAYS FULLY ACCELERATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. IN MOTION IS DOING THE SAME THING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT BECAME TANGLED AROUND HIS CHILD'S LEG. AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RELEASE THE BUCKLE, THE SEAT BELT JAMMED. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT. THE CHILD CRIED PROFUSELY, BUT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
I WAS BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND SUDDENLY MY CAR ACCELERATED. I SIDE SWIPED ONE CAR; HIT THE CEMENT BLOCK AT FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE AND THEN WENT ABOUT 10 FEET AND HIT THE SIDE OF A PICKUP AND FINALLY THE CAR STOPPED. NO ONE WAS INJURED, HOWEVER MY CAR WAS TOTALED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SENSOR (TPMS) ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE AND STATED THAT EACH TIRE HAD AIR AND WERE NOT FLAT OR LOW. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,311.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026