Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the key was in the on position, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was able to start after another attempt and the vehicle drove forward independently. In addition, the brakes failed to respond and the steering wheel locked warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle drove over the sidewalk and crashed into a building. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,447.
I was driving and made a turn on a city street and suddenly the car auto-accelerated to a high speed and the brakes did not stop it nor the hand-brake. It only stopped when it hit against another car. I bought the car 3 months ago from the Honda dealership and it was a certified Honda vehicle.
On April 23, 2014 at about 4:40 p. M. My son was driving 30 MPH which is 5 miles under the posted speed limit for that area where he lives. The road leading to the back entrance of his housing complex is a single one-way lane with a wide bicycle lane. This roadway curves slightly to the left leading into the entrance of his housing complex. On approaching the end of the road my son took his foot of the gas to slow down the vehicle, turn the steering wheel to the left (as the road curves naturally to the left) the vehicle suddenly accelerated and steered to the right. My son tried very hard to pull the steering wheel to the left to correct the steering but it would not turn. …
This letter is to inform you about a severe malfunction that caused an accident. I was traumatized by a sudden unintended acceleration with my 2013 Honda Civic. Luckily no one got hurt in this event, but I?m hoping that this fact will not reduce the attention from this severe malfunction. Following is a brief summary of the event that happened on May 10, 2014 at 6:30 pm: I was driving slowly, under 5 miles per hour, approaching a parking near the sideways. There was one car already parked, and I was going to park behind it. I was about to complete my parking, and my leg was gently applying the brakes (I was almost at a complete halt). Suddenly, the car made a very loud noise as if someone pressed on the gas all the way (it was an awful noise), and then it shot itself forward at a crazy speed. …
On numerous occasions my manual transmission 2013 Honda Civic has accelerated on its own in 2nd and 3rd gears. It occurs much more often in 3rd gear and happened twice just today; it has never done this in 1st, 4th, or 5th gears. I don't use cruise control so, unless the cruise control is kicking in on its own somehow, that is not the cause. When the car starts accelerating on its own, I am unable to easily move the gear shift from 2nd or 3rd into neutral and have to either apply alot of pressure to move it into neutral or use the clutch. Breaking will sometimes stop the acceleration but not always and sometimes even when I use the brake, when I take my foot off the brake the car will continue accelerating on its own. This has occurred most often at speeds between 25 and 35. The car was purchased new from the dealer.
I have noticed that my Honda Civic sometimes feels as if you were driving standard. You press on the gas peddal and it hesistates to go and then goes immediately which makes it feel as if you are shifting gears. (used to drive standard). It does this all the time. I noticed that it does it more often when the econ button is on and less when the econ button is off but it does do it all the time. It does this while driving on regular streets and on highways. The car shakes a lot when the ac is on. You turn the ac off and it stops shaking. The cars engine is full of rust thanks to Honda for using cheap parts to make this car. I have searched this and there are several hondas with the same issue of several engine parts being rusted.
Wthile driving and slowing to make a left turn at a flashing yellow light intersection and being an automatic transmission, I drive two footed, for quicker response time. Upon stepping on accelerator the vehicle hesitates for 3-4 seconds before picking up speed. When taken to the dealer, I am told it is a 2 footed driver issue and nothing they can be done. I have left it 24 hours and been told, 'no problem found'. I have had to change my habits to allow for it. It is intermittent, and if it is a 2 footed issue, why intermittent? I have not have not changed to 1 foot driving? Should be always. I am highly considering getting a different brand vehicle. I do not feel safe in this one.
The car would cut out while in motion during a turn. (it looks like I'm stalling). Other times I will be driving straight and feel the care losing power the more I pushed on the gas. Once I let my foot off it would have power to go again. This happens more often while on city streets then highway speeds. In March, when I went to start car the car dashboard went mad flashing and the car wouldn't start. I was able to jump start the car. I changed the battery and it continues to stall. I notice that the newer vehicles are doing the same thing and wonder if its the same issue that needs addressing.
My 2013 Honda Civic hesitates when I attempt to accelerate suddenly. This is dangerous when trying to make a left hand turn in front of oncoming traffic, or merge at a freeway entry and accelerate to highway speeds. The electronic fuel injection, computer control or the engine or cv transmission May be the cause. I suspect the computer control, as the car is equipped with "eco mode". But the problem occurs whether "eco mode" is on or off. This has happened repeatedly, but I will only list the most recent issue below.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. On several occasions, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the accelerator pedal took three to four seconds to accelerate and then stalled without warning. The dealer stated that the vehicle was functioning as desired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,000. Updated 07/13/17
Acceleration complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2013 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2013 Honda Civic, 6% of the model year's 319 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Honda Civic acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2013 Honda Civic. 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 Civic acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 6,000 miles, and 74% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.