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 2010 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While backing out of my garage, my daughter observed flames coming out from the front center of the hood. I then put the car into park, and we got out of the car. I opened the hood, and observed smoke coming out of the alternator, and flames coming from the lower engine area. I then went into my garage to get my fire extinguisher, and put out the flames. I then phoned a towing service to transport my 2010 Honda Accord to the Mobil Station at 12 mile and Farmington Roads where I normally have my Honda serviced. I then telephoned my mechanic at the Mobil station to let him know that the two truck would deliver my car to him shortly. My mechanic then recommended replacing the alternator and started, which I agreed to. The next repair was to replace the engine wiring in my Honda Accord, which did not repair the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2010 Honda Accord. The contact stated that when he drives his vehicle over 40 MPH, the check engine warning light was illuminated and the vehicle would lose power. The contact stated that the accelerator was depressed and the vehicle failed to increase in speed. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the crank sensor, spark plugs, as well as catalytic converter. The vehicle was driving normally for about a year, however, the failure reoccurred. The dealer or manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V004000 (Electrical System) however his vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 160,000
This past week I experienced a catastrophic malfunction with the vehicle, while driving it appeared to short circuit and shut down. It would not allow me to drive in any gear whatsoever. Upon taking it to a mechanic at Jiffy Lube he stated the incident is identical and experienced the same issues that Honda and the Dept of Transportation deemed a recall that could have ended in severe injury or death. That issue and recall being (see below) Powertrain:Auto Transmission Control Module (TCM,PCM). You see the mechanic at Jiffy Lube referred me to this recall due to his analysis and diagnosis being the same. Whom stated that the vin doesn't state a recall, but it being the exact same model, make, engine, year, and coupled with the fact that it has TCM and PCM catastrophic damage, I was subjected to and encountered. …
Vehicle is a 2010 Honda Accord coupe, v6 ex-l, manual transmission. 6/28/17: when started the vehicle after an appointment, the electrical warning lights appeared on the dash. Called mechanic to seek guidance. About half where there, the car filled with a loud hum sound, then abruptly went away. Warning lights on the dashboard turned off. Took car to the mechanic anyway. Alternator was failing. Replaced alternator at 60,665 miles. 9/7/17: took car to local mechanic due to persistent rocking noise that was coming from under the front side of the car when slowing/braking. Informed of a significant issue that could cause loss of steering at anytime due to a crack in the steering rack and pinon assembly. Replaced steering rack and pinon, outer tie rod ends and the motor mount by the drive belt area at 62,201 miles. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the ignition failed. Once the vehicle was started, it hesitated while driving as if it would stall. Also, the maintenance and spark plug indicators illuminated. Furthermore, the tail lights shorted out and failed to illuminate randomly. The contact was uncertain if the failures were related to NHTSA campaign numbers: 11V395000 (power train) and 11V004000 (electrical system). Crown Honda of southpoint (1001 southpoint autopark blvd, durham, nc 27713, [phone]) was contacted and indicated that an appointment needed to be scheduled to diagnose the vehicle. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall or warranty campaign. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Door lock actuators have stopped locking and unlocking the doors on three of the fours doors of the car. I have to manually lock and unlock the drivers door with the key in order to lock it. The two rear passenger doors do not unlock via the interior unlock button on the driver side and must be manually unlocked and locked by flipping the door lock itself on each door. This is ridiculous for a car that is only 7 years old .. To have all three door affected is faulty equipment and not incorrect use. This has been happening for about 5 months but we initially thought it was the battery in the electronic keys. After replacing it and the problems continuing the car was brought in for diagnostics and we were told the 3 actuators needed to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Honda Accord. While coming to a stop or applying the accelerator pedal after a complete stop, the vehicle failed to accelerate and stalled. The battery and oil warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle immediately after the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact researched the failure online and found NHTSA campaign number: 11V004000 (electrical system), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
On February 10, 2017 the car horn sounded for approximately 10 minutes, and this repeated twice before 2 am. The car was in the driveway, and no one was near it. The key was on the table. The action was spontaneous. It stopped only when I unlocked the car door. When I started the car later in the morning at least four safety warnings appeared including "brakes" on the instrument panel. This behavior was confirmed by the dealer darcars Honda in bowie maryland, where it was attributed to a fuse box which must be replaced. I am afraid to drive the car, even if it can be repaired, because of the car's safety warning.
All 4 of my lock actuators have gone out in about a 6 year period of time. They went out individually approximately a year apart. The problem started within the first 3 years of owning the car and should have been covered under the warranty. Honda did cover the first but refused to cover the other 4. I️ had asked to to have all of them replaced initially and was told no. Honda obviously bought a batch of bad lock actuators. I have owned 8 Honda's over the last 35 years and have never had a single lock actuator go out in any Honda I️ have ever owned.
The car jolts when put into gear and when transmission shifts between gears. Feels like the car is going to stall during transmission shifts during acceleration/deceleration. The check engine light is on and d light is blinking. Required the engine wiring harness and drivers under dash fuse box to be replaced. Honda says the car is not included in recall for this even though Honda has a recall for potential failure with the engine wiring harness connector for the 2010 Accord.
Related recalls
Electrical system
Honda is recalling certain model year 2010 Honda accord and cr-v vehicles. There is a potential failure with the engine wiring harness connector which May cause intermittent spark firing or the engine to stall.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and replace the ignition wiring harness connector free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before January 24, 2011. Owners May contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Electrical complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2010 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2010 Honda Accord, 6% of the model year's 581 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Honda Accord electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-004 (electrical system, Jan 6, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Honda Accord electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury 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.