Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
ABS (Automated Breaking System) is impacted and turns on lights on my dashboard failing the following while driving (Forward Collision Warning, Tire Pressure Light, Lane Departure Warning, Anti-skid system) It is avaliable for testing on request. Car does not stop as it is supposed to in urgent breaking due to ABS failure and puts driver and others on risk. My spouse already got in an accident due to this. Yes, after months of system failure on and off, I finally got my car inspected at a independent service center. Honda dealership costs more and are not ready to even look at it without paying, even though this seems to me a problem discussed online in many forums/sites. I called and emailed manufacturer and was turned down by requesting me to go to the Honda dealership repair which charge way more only to inspect only one issue. No other than the independent service center. …
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the Lane Departure, Forward Collision Avoidance, traction control, and power steering warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the ABS modulator was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the warning lights remained illuminated and over time, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle due to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle started jerking upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine, the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), the electric power steering, TPMS, Forward Collision Avoidance, and the Lane Departure warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.
On 1/24/24, we were driving at about 65 mph. With no warning, FCW, LDW, ABS, Tire Pressure and check engine lights as well as FCW System Failure reported on dash. The car slowed to about 20-25mph and sounded rough. Cars behind were going with speed of traffic (about 65) and had to break behind us and were honking their horns at us despite emergency flashers on. We pulled over and turned off engine for a few minutes. We turn engine back on and warning lights were off and we could drive normally again. We thought it was a glitch. About three weeks later on 2/21/24, we were on a highway pass over mountain traveling about 65mph. The lights came on again and car slowed again to about 25mph. This was very dangerous on a pass with many cars accelerating around us on the uphill part of the pass. We had to pull over again. We turned engine back on but FCW and LDW lights remained on. …
While driving my 2013 Honda Accord sedan on the turnpike, I experienced a critical failure of the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) modulator, which was later inspected and confirmed to be malfunctioning by a Honda service technician at South Motors Honda. This component is available for inspection upon request. As I was traveling at approximately 65 mph, the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) malfunctioned, causing the brakes to lock up when I attempted to slow down for traffic ahead. This sudden loss of braking control put my safety and the safety of others at significant risk, as I nearly collided with the vehicle in front of me. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by an independent service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. …
My Honda Accord is now difficult to drive due to tendency of steering wheel to cycle to the right at sporadic or random intervals. On more than three occasions, simply starting the car resulted in the steering wheel spinning to the right more than one full turn on it's own without my touching the steering wheel. The uncontrolled steering is more prevalent at lower speeds under 25 or 30 MPH and is even more challenging in close parking situations. Although I have driven the car without this problem for approximately 8 years, with the sudden onset of issues last month, the Honda dealer claims this recall is not covered on my VIN number due to the car being repossessed from the former owner who inflicted significant interior damage which totaled the car. By the time I purchased the car the interior was in pristine and newly repaired condition with a salvage title. …
The ABS/VSA Module failure: Tire pressure, traction control, steering, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) dash lights come on; the vehicle is available for inspection upon request, pending recall or private repair. The safety of the driver, passengers, and outside parties is at risk in case of brake failure or brake locking in a situation where the LDW or FCW has failed to alert the driver of a pending collision. The dealer conducted a diagnostic service on the morning of 07/01/2024 indicating ABS Module and Brake Flush, codes 81.19 and 81.20, with a repair cost of $2,385.49 for the ABS Module part and labor of 4.95 ($3335.49) and Brake Flush labor of .8 ($179.95) for a total cost of $3,575.44. The vehicle or parts have not been inspected by police, insurance representatives, or others, although Galpin Honda performed the above diagnostic. …
Honda Service has reported I need a VSA Modulator Assembly replaced and they want me to order this part now which is on backorder for at least 2-3 months. Car had 87,000 miles at time of inspection. I have tried to source this assembly from various Honda dealers and parts distributors to no avail. Cost will be $2,800 to replace. There are many other Honda owners experiencing this same problem but Honda will not cover the costs and seem to have no way to expedite the parts. They have started a VSA recall in newer Honda models on a limited basis. The VSA modulator is a safety feature on the car and I notice a difference in the stability and braking of the car. I am sure if I have an accident, the fact that the lights are on the dashboard will negate my insurance coverage if it can be related specifically to the VSA modulator. …
The ABS Modulator has failed. It is available for inspection for $120 at the dealer which does not go towards the repair. I went to an independent shop and was told that they can't figure out the problem because of the complex computer system in Hondas. I then had it inspected at Honda and was told I need to replace the modulator for $1650 parts and labor. The ABS system including the front collision warning and lane departure warning are no longer reliable. If I put off the repair I am at risk of the antilock brake system failing and the brakes locking up, the stability and traction control not working, and the brake pedal may become unresponsive over time. There are 5 warning lights that come on intermittently. This has been happening for the last year. This is a defective part and an ongoing problem for 2013-2015 Honda owners with many forums discussing the issue. …
The backup camera display intermittently goes to all black except for the yellow guidance lines that normally overlay the image. The passenger-side camera continues to work normally as do all the other dash displays. This has been happening for a several months. It seems to be happening more frequently now. These are the same symptoms as what triggered the Accord 2018 recall to fix buggy camera software. Without the backup camera display it is difficult to determine how far you are away from objects behind you and lower height objects such as small children are completely out of sight. The rear cross traffic view is also unavailable. Yesterday my wife nearly backed up into a car behind her because the backup camera view was blacked out. The problem occurred twice today. Once while in our driveway and once while my wife was backing out of a parking space. …
Collision Avoidance complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are collision avoidance problems on the 2013 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2013 Honda Accord, 4% of the model year's 1,426 complaints. The component named most often is warnings (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Honda Accord collision avoidance problems?
No. NHTSA lists no driver assistance recall for the 2013 Honda Accord, though it has 5 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 2013 Honda Accord collision avoidance problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 136,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to driver assistance 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.