Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle had been experiencing an oil leak. The dealer diagnosed that the valve cover gasket had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the valve cover gasket was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that a hairline fracture in the engine housing had caused the oil vacuum seal to fracture and the oil to leak. The dealer replaced the engine housing. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal loud sound coming from underneath the hood, and the vehicle skipped gears and lunged forward. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH, the contact noticed a burning chemical odor. The check engine warning light was illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to three different independent mechanics; however, the mechanics were unable to determine the cause of failure. The contact was informed that the failure might be related to a faulty electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact discovered potential odometer fraud regarding a purchase off Facebook Marketplace. Following a private sale, the contact had the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic, who identified a significant mileage discrepancy. While the odometer displayed approximately 147,000 miles at the time of purchase, subsequent investigation revealed the actual mileage was 252,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts without warning. After obtaining a Carfax report, 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 52,000 and it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 148,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 92,000, and at the time of reviewing the Insurance, it was discovered that the mileage was 225,000.
Had to replace the battery. Turns out the alternator was not charging the battery. I then replaced the alternator. The alternator was contaminated with oil from the VVT. The Variable Valve Timing Solenoid Assembly that is located above the alternator needs to be replaced also. Otherwise the oil leak will damage the alternator again.
Engine surged and vehicle sped up, on it's own, when pulling into a parking lot. Vehicle collided with boulders and railroad ties causing damage to the front, rear, undercarriage, and ruptured the fuel tank. When the vehicle came to rest, people were yelling for the occupants to "get out" of the vehicle, because fuel was gushing all over the ground. Driver is 84 and passenger is 82. Both sustained injuries to their spines and driver is still in the hospital as of 3/8/2015. Needless to say, this could have been much worse.
I was driving through a neighborhood one night on my way home and my car just stopped and cut off in the middle of the street. It would not turn back on so I called aaa. Once aaa arrived, they stated that it was my battery. He then said this battery is not any good, I told him I had just bought it 6 months prior from aaa . So the driver replaced my battery for free. This would be my 3rd battery in 1.5 years. New problem, my car still would not start. Not knowing the problem, my car was towed to the mechanic. The mechanic claimed that my fuel filter had went bad, that the car was not able to receive any gas. First of all, I had never heard of a fuel filter going bad especially with the mileage on y car. Honda service states to replace the filter around 75,000. Since I was no where near 75K what is the problem. Anyway, I had the fuel filter replaced at my own expense. …
We have found that are 2009 Honda Accord has a parasitic draw we have to pull fuses so the battery does not go dead within hours. Have tried new batteries, charge batteries. Through our own research people are calling this problem a parasitic draw from the battery and its a matter of tracing wires down and pulling fuses. And if you want to use car without running battery down my husband has pulled a fuse or two but this disables several things radio, some dashboard functions. Which if it keeps going could be problematic on the function of the Honda maybe affecting lights eventually or other safety features. So would like to see how many other people are experiencing this problem and how bad it can get and how it can be fixed. Some people were disconnecting wires to remedy the problem and don't want to do that. When we bought car it had to be jump started. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle shutoff without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to racine Honda - dealer service & parts (9501 washington ave, racine, wi 53406) where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective alternator. The contact had the alternator and the head gasket replaced. Since the initial failure, the contact stated that the same failure recurred on three separate occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer each time to have the alternator replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no further assistance. The vehicle had been repaired for the fourth time. The failure mileage was 70,950.
Electrical complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Honda Accord, 6% of the model year's 727 complaints. The component named most often is instrument panel › speedometer/odometer (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Honda Accord electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2009 Honda Accord, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Honda Accord electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.