Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
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 contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front tire and the steering wheel were vibrating abnormally. Additionally, there was a burning odor coming from the front tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) module. The contact was informed that the VSA module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the VSA module had failed. The contact was informed that the VSA module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, he became aware that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and waited for a few minutes before restarting the vehicle. The warning lights disappeared, and the contact continued driving to his residence however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) modulator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts being on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there were unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed. The contact was involved that the vehicle stability assist (VSA) module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 146,870.
My 2013 Honda Accord touring (29,262 miles) will not crank nor start. There has been no previous problems/warnings, just wouldn't start one morning. It's parked in my garage. I put a new battery in the key fob although the other one was working to see if that was the problem. When I press it the car unlocks as normal. The interior & exterior lights comes on and the directions of how to start the car still show. The car is in park, I put my foot on the brakes & press the start/stop button. There is a slight beeping sound and a few lights showing in the dash, but it won't start. When I press the button again the accessory mode comes on as normal. The radio plays, my phone connects, the navigation system works, lights works fine, etc. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. Approximately three months after the contact purchased the vehicle, it started to stall. On several occasions, after the vehicle stalled, the contact would have to jumpstart the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V418000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to brickell Honda (690 sw 8th st, miami, fl 33130, [phone]) where the battery sensor was replaced. The contact was unsure if the battery sensor was replaced or if adhesive was applied to the battery case to prevent water intrusion. The contact stated that the failure recurred and the battery had to be recharged three times after the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that all of the warning indicators illuminated on and off. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Had gotten back in my car after a stop at a retail store. When I turned the car on the tire pressure light was blinking, the electric power steering light was on, and the vehicle stability assist light was on. I pulled over at another store within a half mile. I got out and checked the tires for a possible flat - no problem. Turned car back on and same scenario with the 3 lights on. Only difference was the tire pressure light stopped flashing but stayed on continuously. I looked in car manual, page 6 of Honda technology reference guide, under the heading of malfunction indicators and it said, "if an indicator remains on, there May be a problem; see your dealer". I will call my car dealer in the morning. I want to state that I still had full control of my power steering. I read of others losing the power steering but mine was okay. …
Went for lunch, and parked my car on the street. After finishing lunch, about half an hour later, got into the car and proceeded to start it. Everything worked, but the car immediately shut off (radio and ac would stay on however). Tried again, but the same thing happened. Followed by a check engine light warning, and tire pressure warning. Took key out of ignition, waited a minute, before trying again. This time, turned off radio and ac. Car immediately shut off still. Tried 2-3 more times, and car finally started, all with a total of 4 warning lights. Check engine, tire pressure, power steering, and another one I cannot recall. Took it the dealer immediately, and waited 2-4hrs for them to tell me, the throttle body needs replacing. They advised it wouldn't be safe for me to drive the car home, so they gave me a free rental until it can be fixed.
To begin with I've had to change my battery atleast 4 times(one time it exploded with battery acid)in the last 2 years. Also 6 different lights in the panel are on(brake/ABS/tire pressure/a steering wheel with an !/maintenance/power steering. I recently purchased 4 new tires from Firestone and got the car aligned the mechanic said he tried to reset the notification on the dashboard but it wouldn't turn off. I also had a family mechanic put it under the computer which diagnosed an electrical issue. Another issue the car is having is it short circuits my head lights when it rain, which means I'm replacing them almost monthly. The car tends to shake when its stopped but only if the ac is on. So in conclusion after reading this recall in credit karma I am sure my car needs to be repaired
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a stand still at her residence, the forward collision avoidance and lane departure warning lights illuminated. The contact stated two weeks later the tire pressure measuring system, electronic power steering and ABS warning lights illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to local dealer nelson Honda located at 2500 greensboro rd, martinsville, va 24112, [phone], where it was diagnosed with needing vsa (vehicle stability assist) module to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Car was in drive of home, started car and all warning lights stayed on. Would not clear. Drove vehicle to dealership, brakes were barley operable, car was sluggish and power steering almost non-existent. Could have been very dangerous had this happened on the freeway. Dealership first replaced the battery, clearing the codes for a few minutes, the next day they are replacing a bad vsa module that control the ABS and other safety functions of the car. The Accord only has 67K miles and these sensors are 1700 plus dollars. Researching, I have found a great deal of these failing -usually when the Honda is in motion. I was fortunate mine was stationary at the time.
Traction Control complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2013 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2013 Honda Accord, 2% of the model year's 1,426 complaints. The component named most often is control module (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Honda Accord traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.