Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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 [redacted]. I did reach out to Honda, and with no explanation other than no recalls on this VIN [[redacted] selective safety recall.
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.
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.
I purchased this vehicle in February 2015. The first thing that I had to fix was the axle ( output shaft ) seal leak which the Honda dealer did not want to repair even though the car only had 62,000. Also, it makes a loud noise in the back when I go over the speed bump which is coming from the suspension. In addition, whenever I took the vehicle to ntb for an oil change. The mechanic told me that the rear main seal needs to be replaced because it is starting to leak motor oil. And again, the Honda dealer does not want to honor the powertrain warranty on my vehicle despite the low mileage it has. Seems like I need to file a lawsuit against them.
As I was completing a left hand turn, I applied pressure to the brake and my car began to accelerate despite my foot being firmly applied to the brake. I continued to maintain pressure to the brake yet the car continued to accelerate where I hit an embankment / tree, I steered the car back onto the road and turned off the ignition. I contacted Honda though was given a report indicating that there weren't any diagnostic codes & the Honda factory engineer drove the car 5 to 6 miles without acceleration issues. I'm greatly concerned because I drove the car for over 13,000 miles prior to this without having acceleration problems and I've read roughly 18 other complaints with the 2011 Accord on this site citing various acceleration problems! Just seems to me there should be something more I should be able to do, but I can't afford to just walk away from the car!
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the transmission began to slip. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seal around the transmission was causing it to leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. ..updated 12/20/16
It seems that Honda had full knowledge of the issue with vtc actuators for years 2008-2013 being defective yet will not issue a recall. They have put out numerous service bulletins regarding the issue. They just recently came it with a replacement piece for the defectives but you are required to pay for it yourself. They should have to replace these at their expense.
I notice two problems with the 2011 Accord v6 exl automatic I just bought. 1. Without foot on the accelerator, the car rolls at 10mph speeds. While reversing out of garage this is a big problem. 2. Right around 45mph mark, the car lurches forward briefly before it picks up the acceleration. Both these are consistently reproducible in the car I have.
Wife was driving at highway speed when car began to violently shake as if engine was misfiring. Check engine light came on, then severely reduced power. She was barely able to exit and make it across the access road and into a turn lane with the accelerator to the floor. Car still shook violently as she placed it in park. Dealership cannot explain shaking. Car only has 4,700 miles and was purchased new from servicing dealer. They said oil was 1.5-2 quarts low so they topped it off. Tripped a code for a stuck solenoid in the camshaft timing system so they reprogrammed the PCM and gave the car back to us. This was an extremely dangerous situation as my wife did not have enough power to move the vehicle out of traffic. Had there been more traffic in her way or someone following closely, she would have been in an accident. …
Transmission complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Honda Accord, 7% of the model year's 296 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Honda Accord transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2011 Honda Accord, though it has 9 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 2011 Honda Accord transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 5,000 miles, and 67% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.