2023 Honda Accord: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 199 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, brakes, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023- Owner complaints
- 199
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes reported
- 8
- 7 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 Honda Accord: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/4
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Accord is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Honda Accord. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cylGas | FWD | 32 mpg |
| 2.0L 4-cylHybrid | FWD | 48 mpg |
- The 2023 Honda Accord was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Accord that averages well under the EPA 32 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Sudden power loss, brake warning
850–30,000 miles
Steering rack noise when turning
29,540–60,440 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Honda Accord, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical481 crash
Sudden loss of drive power is the main complaint. The car stalls or drops into limp mode at speeds from a crawl to highway pace. The dash fills with warnings, and a "Brake System Problem" message often stays on after restart. Most drivers have to coast to the side and restart once or twice to clear it. Dealers often cannot reproduce the fault. Reported fixes include software updates and, in one case, a new 12-volt battery. Reports begin in the first few hundred miles and continue past 29,200 miles. One filing involves a rear-end bump after a highway stall.
Brakes222 crashes
Two patterns stand out. In the first, automatic emergency braking slams on with nothing ahead, at speeds of 25 to 40 mph. Reports describe whiplash, a hand injury, and near rear-end collisions. In the second, the car loses power, the dash lights up, and a "Brake System Problem" warning remains after restart. One crash report says the brakes would not hold the car on a slight incline. Dealers often find nothing. One mechanic blamed a brake light switch that was installed wrong at the factory. Some failures appear within weeks of purchase, one at 248 miles.
Transmission21No crashes
Propulsion cuts out without warning. The accelerator stops working while the dash shows brake, tire pressure, and stability warnings, and a restart or two brings the car back. Federal recall 25V785 covers control module software that can cause loss of drive power. Service Bulletin 25-017 adds a PCM update. One dealer would not do the recall until the owner paid to replace the audio unit. Separate CVT complaints describe the engine revving with no movement, vibration above 55 mph, and a ticking noise that ended in a transmission quote near $8,000 at about 62,000 miles.
Steering201 crash
Clicking, clunking, or creaking from the steering rack area while turning is the most common steering complaint. Dealers have tried lubrication, a tie rod, and an alignment, and some say the rack itself needs replacing. One out-of-warranty quote reached $4,000. Other reports describe steering that sticks near center, returns slowly after turns, or feels heavy at 50 mph and above. Steering seized at highway speed in one case. In another, it stuck after a turn and the car hit a curb. Power steering assist also drops out during the power-loss events.
Fuel system17No crashes
Two issues dominate. The first is power loss with an emissions warning saying power may be reduced, which held one car to 30 to 40 mph on a 55 mph road. Dealers often found nothing wrong. The second is recall 24V-763 for the high-pressure fuel pump, where cracks can form in the pump. Owners report waiting long periods for parts, in one case 18 months, with no repair date and no loaner. One driver describes the car jerking when slowing down.
Nearly every report concerns recall 24V763000 on the gasoline fuel system and the parts shortage that delays the repair. Owners received the notice, but dealers confirmed the part was unavailable, and owners say the wait is unreasonable. Most had no failure. One reports a strong fuel odor at about 23,000 miles while still waiting for the repair. Another says a dealer was selling a car with the recall still open while claiming it had been fixed.
Automatic emergency braking91 crash
The collision braking system brakes hard when nothing is ahead. Triggers named in reports include heavy rain, passing semi-trucks, and empty lanes, and drivers describe nearly being rear-ended. In one crash report, adaptive cruise stopped detecting the car ahead after the turn signal went on and sped up. Other complaints describe messages saying emergency braking, lane keeping, and adaptive cruise have shut off, sometimes clearing only after a dealer recalibration. One owner reports idle stop turning itself back on.
Acceleration and cruise control61 crash
Speed drops suddenly into limp mode with a "Brake System Problem" warning. In some reports the car slows to as little as 2 mph in traffic and will not accelerate. One crash report describes the car accelerating on its own during parking with the brake pressed. It hit a pole while showing an "Initializing Driving" message. Other complaints describe adaptive cruise braking on an open road several times per trip, and a shoe catching between the accelerator and the console trim.
Airbags21 crash
Only two complaints are filed, so no clear pattern exists. In one, the front airbags did not deploy in a frontal crash that totaled the car, and the driver was hurt hitting the steering wheel. The other says the front passenger seat sits so low that a deploying airbag could strike the passenger's face. According to that owner, the dealer would not address it under warranty.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Accord owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
I was driving the car on I four east toward Orlando going towards Disney World. Just bought the car two days ago and had 10 miles on it. It’s a Honda accord hybrid sport, the engine start shaking smoking while I’m in the middle lane going 70 miles an hour the whole car shuts off and it has every single code known to man come up on HondaLink and I feel like a dealer is making me keep his car.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2023
Honda accord 2023 touring 11600 miles driven When i was driving, "break system probem please contact the dealer" appears on the screen. The car acceleration stops, Engine light and all the other lights show up. Even when i accelerate, the car doesn't move. I turned off the car, restarted it and then did it twice then it started working again. Car acceleration reduces even when i driving.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
I was driving on the Freeway doing about 65 to 70 MPH and all of a sudden on the Dashboard a large orange brake light came on and the vehicle hit the brakes automatically almost causing an accident. I took it to the dealership and all they did was reset some computer board but said they couldn’t find anything wrong with it. If they couldn’t find anything wrong with the vehicle then why reset the computer board.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2026
My car makes a weird sound when it gets to a full stop. The dealerships identified the issue but need help fixing it. I and the dealership have contacted Hoda customer service, but they are not willing to fix the problem. This may be a safety threat. I have 3 technician report backing the same and attaching the last one only. No fix done so far.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
On 6/25/2023, my vehicle’s gas pedal and acceleration system completely stopped working mid-drive without warning. The car coasted to a stop. After shutting off the car and restarting, the gas pedal worked again. I brought the car to my dealer, Bernardi Honda in Natick. They found “loss of communication codes,” but since they couldn’t replicate the issue, no repairs were made and I was given the car back.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2024
I was pulling out of a parking lot when suddenly the car reported a problem with the braking system along with a number of other warnings. I lost all acceleration as I entered an intersection. I power cycled the car a couple of times before it returned to normal, and I was able to continue driving.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
The steering wheel of my Honda Accord Hybrid model 2023 is sticky. When driving at about 50 miles per hour or more, the steering wheel is sticky, and when rotating, it suddenly becomes stuck. I need to correct the steering wheel all the time, which greatly affects my safety
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
Steering rack making noise when turning steering wheel either direction. Something is not right! The steering rack should be recalled. My vehicle is too new to be having issues. Actually, so many people are having issues with this. This should be recalled ASAP. Definitely a SAFETY issue.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
How the 2023 compares with other Accord years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks sixth for owner complaints among 8 Accord years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical4869
- Brakes2242
- Transmission2125
- Steering2029
- Fuel system1759
- Automatic emergency braking957
Where the 2023 fits in the Accord's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the first model year of the Accord's 11th generation (2023–2023). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Honda fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recalls to confirm (7)
Recall repairs are free at any Honda dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
26V054000SeatsJan 2026
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, and 2024 HR-V, Pilot, and Acura Integra vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in a loose seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems.".
Risk: A loose driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 9, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are ONC, KND, BNE and ZNF. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 5, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V859.
25V785000ElectricalNov 2025
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 18, 2025.
24V859000SeatsNov 2024
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems.".
Risk: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
24V763000Fuel systemOct 2024
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, 2023-2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid, and 2025 Honda Civic and Civic Hybrid vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may crack and leak fuel.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the high-pressure fuel pump as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 20, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PJW.
23V858000Fuel systemDec 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
23V782000Seat beltsNov 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Accord and HR-V vehicles. The front seat belt pretensioners may be missing the rivet that secures the quick connector and wire plate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," 209, "Seat Belt Assembles," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.".
Risk: A seat belt pretensioner missing a rivet will not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt pretensioner assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are MG7 and NG5.
23V588000TransmissionAug 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 CR-V Hybrid and Accord Hybrid vehicles. The electronic transmission may have been improperly manufactured, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 11, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are NFG and HFF.
Also looking at these instead of a Accord?
Cars shoppers compare with the Honda Accord, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
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- Kia K581
- Hyundai Sonata87
- 2023 Honda Accord199
