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 2013 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact received an NHTSA recall email alert for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V422000 (POWER TRAIN). After contacting the dealer, who confirmed the VIN inclusion in the recall, an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, upon inspection, the dealer determined that the driveshaft did not require replacement. The contact disagreed with the assessment, stating that the driveshaft was visibly corroded. The contact had taken pictures both before and after the appointment. Despite waiting at the dealer for over two hours, no work was performed on the vehicle. The contact notified the manufacturer about the decision of the dealer not to replace the driveshaft. The manufacturer opened a case and stated that a regional technician would be contacted. …
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while attempting to complete a left turn, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to coast into a nearby parking lot, where the failure persisted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with failures with the driveshaft and steering gearbox. The driveshaft was repaired at that time. The contact stated that while leaving the independent mechanic at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly veered to the left, prompting the contact to immediately return the vehicle to the independent mechanic. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the steering gearbox. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The stated that the vehicle was taken for the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number 25V422000 (Power Train). The contact stated that after the recall repair was completed, the vehicle was not apart of the recall. The dealer advised the the when alignment was not apart of the recall repair and would be at the owners expense. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and informed that the alignment was part of the recall. The contact stated that while driving after the repair, the vehicle began to swerve uncontrollably, the vehicle felt loose and an adjustment has to be made while driving to straighten the steering wheel. The vehicle was not returned again to the dealer however the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as being severely misaligned. The contact believed that the recall repair was not properly repaired. …
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that after parking and exiting the vehicle to open a gate, the vehicle unexpectedly began to move. While attempting to open the driver's side door, the owner fell, and her left foot became trapped under the vehicle. The rear tire rolled over her foot, but she managed to free herself by wiggling her foot out of her sock and shoe. The owner then drove herself to the hospital, where she received medical treatment for knee and heel injuries. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V422000 (Power Train). The contact did not contact the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was also not informed of the incident. The failure occurred at approximately 90,126 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle to drive with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle suddenly jolted forward. Later, while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to decelerate, the vehicle suddenly downshifted, losing motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was able to diagnose the failure, but the contact was unable to recall the diagnostic result. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated while at a stop sign, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated while the brake pedal was depressed; the contact had to shut the vehicle off for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the failure cause was unidentifiable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
I believe that my vehicle, a 2013 Honda Accord Sport CVT, should be included in this recent safety recall in regards to CV Axles that are at risk of excess rust/corrosion which left untreated could lead to a crash or injury. Safety recall in question (Service bulletin 20-125) - https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCRIT-20V769-5506.pdf Honda of America refuses to look at my case because my VIN is not a part of the original recall. My local Honda dealership did let me know that this recall was issued only for vehicles sold in the Midwest because they are more susceptible to rust and corrosion. I originally purchased the vehicle in Florida (I'm the original owner) in October of 2012. I moved to Iowa in 2015 and am now experiencing the same problems as the safety recall in question. …
On [redacted], my CV axle broke. I was stopped at a stoplight and when the light turned green, I stepped on the accelerator, then heard a VERY loud "clunk" and my car didn't move. I shifted into all of the other gears, but it didn't move. I shifted it into Park and called AAA. They dispatched a tow truck driver, who arrived about 45 minutes later. He engaged the emergency brake, after checking under the car and informing me that the driver's side CV axle had broken, which prevents the car from actually being able to shift into Park. He towed the car to an independent mechanic. Both the tow truck driver and the mechanic said it's quite uncommon for a CV axle to break. I was about 1/2 mile from getting on the freeway and luckily I didn't make it that far, because it could have been much worse during rush hour traffic. As it was, I was blocking a lane of traffic at the stoplight. …
I believe my vehicle should be included in a recall (Safety Recall: 2013-15 Accord Driveshaft Inspection) that it is not currently included in. This is a major safety concern that the recall may not include all affected vehicles including mine. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Right driveshaft snapped while I was driving rendering the vehicle without propulsion, as well as allowing the vehicle to roll while in Park How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This occurred while I was driving and I lost the ability to move the vehicle. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes the Honda dealership confirmed the driveshaft snapped. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? …
Related recalls
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Honda Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission. The affected vehicles were originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,…
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing both the left and right drive shafts, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2021.
Transmission complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2013 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 110 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2013 Honda Accord, 8% of the model year's 1,426 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Honda Accord transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 25V-422 (driveshaft, Jun 19, 2025); NHTSA recall 20V-769 (driveshaft, Dec 10, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Honda Accord transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 18,000 miles, and 51% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.