2005 Honda Accord Problems & Complaints

Average28% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Accord at the same age

Owners have filed 656 complaints about the 2005 Honda Accord with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Accord at the same age. The most reported problem area is the air bags (209 complaints, typically around 83,000 miles). 15 recalls cover this model year.

656complaints
15recalls
92crashes
11fires
92injuries
3deaths

Most common 2005 Honda Accord problems

Share of the 656 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Honda Accord complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’265434724601.2k1.1k1.2k9221.1k2.0k1.0k6564335241.5k7275812963731.4k9826016105391.9k698364245261861539212
Owner complaints per model year, Honda Accord. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Accord years: 2023, 2011, 2012. Years to avoid: 2018, 2013, 2019, 2014, 2003. Compare all years →

2005 Honda Accord recalls (15)

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-501 · Jun 27, 2019 · 1,657,752 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-499 · Jun 27, 2019 · 3,947 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-182 · Mar 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011…

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-268 · Apr 26, 2018 · 1,335 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-178 · Mar 30, 2016 · 11,602 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Accord vehicles manufactured October 1, 2003, to August 17, 2007. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with an incorrect passenger frontal air bag module that does not comply with the advanced air bag requirements.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 15V-370 · Jun 15, 2015 · 3,498,481 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007…

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Show 9 more recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 15V-320 · May 28, 2015 · 6,281,043 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 14V-700 · Nov 4, 2014

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated…

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 14V-353 · Jun 20, 2014 · 133,207 vehicles

American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped…

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections

NHTSA recall 12V-222 · May 17, 2012 · 625,762 vehicles

Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles may obtain the free remedy.

Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)

NHTSA recall 11V-395 · Aug 4, 2011 · 1,512,107 vehicles

Honda is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 accord, 2007-2010 cr-v, and 2005-2008 element passenger cars manufactured from July 1, 2004, through September 3, 2010. The outer race of the secondary shaft bearing May be broken during certain driving styles.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and dealers will update the automatic transmission control module software free of charge. The safety recall began on August 27, 2011.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 07V-097 · Mar 14, 2007 · 166,561 vehicles

On certain vehicles, a coil wire inside the fuel pump relay May break, causing the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine May not start.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump relay free of charge. The recall began on April 2, 2007. Owners May contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA recall 07V-001 · Jan 3, 2007 · 81,000 vehicles

On certain vehicles, the seat position sensor (sps) detects the driver's seating position and adjusts the air bag inflation pressure accordingly. The wiring harness for the sps was attached to the seat frame in the wrong location and May have been over tightened.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat position sensor wiring subharness. The recall will begin on or about February 8, 2007. Owners May contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers

NHTSA recall 05V-132 · Apr 5, 2005 · 1,923 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles, a loose terminal in the main fuse box May cause the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine May not start.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the entire fuse box free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2005. Owners May contact Honda at 800-999-1009 or Acura at 1-800-382-2238.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 04V-551 · Nov 18, 2004 · 257,616 vehicles

On certain sedans, a tear in the fabric of the driver's front air bag occurred after apparent contact with the inside surface of the air bag cover during deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will install a protective fabric flap between the air bag module cover and the inner module. The recall began on November 30, 2004. Owners should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2005 Honda Accord:

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation PE14016 · opened Jun 11, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015 · led to recall 13V-172

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA15001 · opened Feb 24, 2015 · open · led to recall 14V-668

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…

Braking Performance

NHTSA investigation DP10004 · opened Nov 18, 2010 · closed Dec 14, 2011

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition requesting that it open an investigation and recall MY 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles for a possible safety defect related to braking performance.The petitioner in a defect petition letter and in a complaint filed with ODI under Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) 10329383 alleging ineffective braking performance of the Honda Accord Hybrid vehicle…

What 2005 Honda Accord owners say

Air bags all 209 →

The contact owned a 2005 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and attempting to pass a vehicle on the right lane of the road, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and pulled to the left side of the road and towards the median. The contact did not recall whether a warning light was illuminated. The vehicle crashed into the pole of a traffic sign, and the traffic sign broke the windshield. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belts pretensioners failed to engage, causing the contact to hit her head against the windshield. The shattered pieces of the windshield were propelled to the contact. The contact stated that she was unconscious for an hour. The contact was transported to the hospital by emergency unit. The contact sustained severe headaches and was advised to follow up with a neurologist. …

230,000 miles · Jul 2023 · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Accord. The contact stated while entering a parking lot the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact stated he noticed several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact desperately pressed on the brake pedal, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The front driver-side air bag deployed without any warning obstructive the contact's view and causing him to crash into a building and causing the other air bags in the vehicle to deploy. The contact's daughter stuffed minor injuries but did not seek medical attention. The front end of the vehicle was damaged. The vehicle was not towed, but the contact was able to drive the vehicle home. A police report was not filed. The dealer was contacted but the dealer stated that there were no open recalls under the VIN. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 315,986.

316,000 miles · Apr 2023 · crash · 1 injury

Transmission & drivetrain all 113 →

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Accord. The contact stated while entering a parking lot the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact stated he noticed several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact desperately pressed on the brake pedal, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The front driver-side air bag deployed without any warning obstructive the contact's view and causing him to crash into a building and causing the other air bags in the vehicle to deploy. The contact's daughter stuffed minor injuries but did not seek medical attention. The front end of the vehicle was damaged. The vehicle was not towed, but the contact was able to drive the vehicle home. A police report was not filed. The dealer was contacted but the dealer stated that there were no open recalls under the VIN. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 315,986.

316,000 miles · Apr 2023 · crash · 1 injury

AFRAID CAR MIGHT KILL ME! Hello, I have reported this issue before but am getting zero help. My car has a problem where it is burning through the oil, I've had numerous mechanics try to figure out what is causing it but, nothing. I would get an oil change today and before the month is out, I would have to continue checking and putting oil in the car because it would be completely dry. No leaks ever detected... I've change the oil to full synthetic and still have the problem. The vehicle continuously losses power when driving uphill, My check engine light stays on and the light in the glove compartment does not go off while driving. I'm worried my engine will blow up if the problem persist. I am the original and only owner of this vehicle. …

Jan 2020

Electrical system all 96 →

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the ignition switch was replaced by an independent mechanic in 2015. The contact stated that the vehicle recently failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle restarted the following day; however, the failure recurred increasingly. The contact purchased a new programmed key for the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the that the failure was not related to the ignition key. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Ignition · 55,000 miles · Feb 2015

When I put key in to start car it does not start I let it sit and will do it two to three times before it will turn over. Car stereo had to take fuse out it would not shut of I was told it was electrical and may be my starter also my abs light is constantly on and only the abs works when it wants .also have had battery replaced but problem still persists only has 104,000 miles on her problems started a few years back asked honda about the problem and they said no recalls on these problems

Nov 2019

2005 Honda Accord engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.0L 6-cyl hybrid5-speed automaticFWD25 / 33 / 28
2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manualFWD23 / 31 / 26
2.4L 4-cyl5-speed automaticFWD21 / 31 / 24
3.0L 6-cyl5-speed automaticFWD19 / 28 / 22
3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manualFWD18 / 27 / 21

EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Honda Accord a good car?

Based on 656 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Accord rates average: 28% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Accord at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Honda Accord?

The air bags — 209 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (113) and electrical system (96).

How many recalls does the 2005 Honda Accord have?

There are 15 recalls for the 2005 Honda Accord, the most recent from June 27, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Honda Accord?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2011 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2013, 2019, 2014 and 2003. See the full Honda Accord years comparison.

At what mileage do 2005 Honda Accord problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 73,000 miles; 32% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.