Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
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).
The head restraints cause back pain and injury because they are so far forward. When we confronted Honda about these, they said they are required by you to make them miserable and uncomfortable. Are there any car manufacturers that have found a way around this regulation? Maybe cars manufactured before the regulation took effect? Can you reconsider that maybe this regulation is written to cause more injury than assistance and rescind it or revise it to allow manufacturers to fix YOUR problem?
The headrests cause nevk pain. The headrests push your head forward in an unnatural way almost pushing your chin into your chest. I started having neckpain shortly after purchasing. So intense it went down my arm and caused numbess in my fingers. Spent serval days goung to doctors and mris injections etc. This summer my 13 tear old started complaining. We noticed when switching to my summer 35z the pain got better and returned when driving the Honda. The seats are also part of the issue I noticed after 15 minutes of driving hard to get comfortable. My neck spine and lower back all affecyed. I finallt traded my vehicle July 11 of 2015 because I could no longer tolerate the pain. Im very disturbed by this and the pain because I usually keep my vehicles a long time. .. Updated 09/30/15
Accord v6 coupe bought new (and spotless) and never in accident, 33,000 miles and 47 months old- car was parked in the parking lot and when I returned to the car the driver's seat back was completely flaccid. The driver's seat was essentially in the full reclined position resting against the backseat. It could be moved up and down easily to the touch with absolutely no locking mechanism (ie if it wasn't being manually held up it would fall back). I took it into the Honda dealer and they said that "the seat frame had failed." I called Honda to tell them and, given that it is not under warranty, will call me back if they will cover it. Again, driver's seat frame failed and seatback completely flaccid and can offer no back support.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. While driving various speeds, the contact attempted to elevate the front driver's seat. The seat made a clicking noise and failed to elevate. Whenever the seat was elevated, it would fall out of position, which made it difficult for the contact to drive. In addition, the front driver's side window failed to close completely. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified about the failures and opened case number: 08428126. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.
I'm in my early 20's and recently developed a searing pain in my lower back that would strike even when I am lying motionless. I still wouldn't have a clue about why it was hurting until another Honda Accord owner (2015) told me he had the same issue and figured out it was the seats! I bought the sacro ease seat adapter from relax the back ($269) and it fixed my problem immediately. Honda should notify the public of the health risks, replace both the driver and passenger seat, and pay for some sort of therapy.
The vehicle was stationary. The drivers side seat back was moved forward to allow access to the back seat. Then the drivers side seat back would not lock in an upright position. With no seat back in its upright position, it was near impossible to drive. I took it to a Honda dealership. The weld on the seat frame that allowed the back to be locked in its upright position was broken. The dealer replaced the broken seat frame. He frame cost $1320 and labor was $409.
The head restraint causes serious neck pain. The seat design is improper and does not allow for comfortable seating. My legs go numb which can lead to invalid response in braking. Stiff neck pain can cause me to miss blind spots or have reaction time neccessary to avoid dangerous collisions. These seats have not been corrected and should be replaced immediately. Multiple positions do not help. Driving for extended amount of time cause neck to leg pain.
After about 2 and a half hours of driving, my butt (right side) and leg would hurt unbearably, to the point of me twisting and turning to get comfortable. I would pull over at a rest stop, walk around for 10 - 15 mins, but about 90mins of driving later the pain is back again. This happens in both front seats. I dont know about the back seats as yet. I like the car, but this is terrible.
Bought the Honda Accord in November, 2012. I am the only driver. Car has approximately 14,000 miles on it and the seat motor has failed. It makes noise. Seat cannot be properly adjusted by motor. Others have complained and said seat could collapse down and that is dangerous. This is a costly repair involving replacing entire front seat.
The headrest of this vehicle is so poorly designed that after an hour of so of highway driving my neck and shoulders became stiff and uncomfortable. The only solution was to remove the headrest. I felt this was a safety hazard, so I reinstalled the headrest. Shortly thereafter my neck and shoulder stiffness returned.
Seat complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2013 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the seats of the 2013 Honda Accord, 3% of the model year's 1,426 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › head restraint (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Honda Accord seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats 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 seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 1,000 miles, and 88% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 11 injuries to seats 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.