Three years after the Civic’s debut, Honda introduced a roomier sedan in 1976 dubbed the Accord. The Honda Accord became famous throughout the generations for being a hassle-free and affordable family hauler.

The new 2022 Accord dominates the midsize sedan segment as one of the most reliable, fuel-efficient, and affordable cars on the market. However, due to their excellent reliability and longevity, used Honda Accords are extremely popular for buyers on a tight budget.

No car has a perfect record, and the Honda Accord no an exception. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the Japanese sedan’s problematic years, its longevity, and everything else you need to know before finalizing your purchase.

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The Used Accord Models To Avoid And Why

Red Honda Accord Type R
Honda UK
 

According to the Car Complaints website, 2008 is one of the most problematic model years of the Honda Accord. More than 1,200 owners have filed complaints about the brakes wearing way sooner than expected. “I almost change rear breaks every year. It is really frustrating and costly. I tried to call the dealer and Honda. But they have no answer,” quoted one owner in their post on Car Complaints.

Another frequently reported problem with the 2008 Accord is excessive oil consumption around the 60,000-mile mark. According to the reports, many owners say the engine starts consuming too much oil without any previous problem. Excessive oil consumption can do detrimental damage to the powertrain, leaving owners with no choice but to swap the engine with a new one.

This issue also plagues the 2010 model year. “The oil change should last for at least 4-5K miles, but in this car, just after 1-2K miles after the oil change, the red low oil indicator comes up, and I had to add more oil,” said a 2010 Accord owner in July 2015.

At least 70 owners have complained about the seats being incredibly uncomfortable in the 2010 Honda Accord. Owners have mentioned dealing with painful legs, back, and neck aches after driving an Accord for less than half an hour.

Problems plagued the 2013 model of the Honda Accord as well. Over a hundred owners have complained about the vehicle’s starter going out of order. The average mileage for this issue sits at 54,100 miles, but some owners have had to change the starter after putting out only 9,000 miles on the odometer.

Last but not least, another common problem with the 2013 Honda Accord pertains to its transmission. Many owners have noticed the transmission hesitating and slipping on gears upon acceleration in relatively low mileages. Hopefully, owners have managed to deal with this issue by using 89 octane fuel a few times, using a fuel system cleaner, and swapping out the spark plugs.

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The Best Way To Maintain A High Mileage Accord

2016 Honda Accord Coupe
Honda Newsroom

Based on various reputable auto websites, it is not unrealistic to expect a Honda Accord to reach 200,000 without any expensive overhauls. However, if you are the third or the fourth owner of an Accord, it is a safer bet to expect engine and transmission problems around 150,000 miles.

If you want to boast 200,000 and more on the odometer, following Honda’s suggested maintenance routine is critical.

Some essential services include:

  • Every 7,500 miles: change the oil, inspect all other fluids, rotate tires, and lubricate throttle linkage.
  • Every 15,000 miles: lubricate the chassis and hinges, replace windshield wipers, and replace the spark plugs.
  • Every 30,000 miles: lubricate propeller shaft, change differential oil, and clean battery cables.

According to the RepairPal website, the Honda Accord costs $400 to own annually on average. The average cost of ownership for all midsize sedans sits at $526, $126 higher than the Accord.

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Avoid These Problematic Accord Model Years

2022-honda-accord-front
Via: Honda

The Accord is one of the best-selling midsize sedans on the market. And though a couple of hundreds of complaints in some model years may seem negligible, it is best to steer away from the Accord’s problematic years.

Car Complaints dubs the 2003 model as the worst of the bunch due to expensive transmission problems. On the other hand, the 2008 model has the most overall complaints. 2010 and 2013 Honda Accord models also suffer from alarming issues, such as excessive oil consumption and rough shifts.

Regardless of the model year you’re going for, make sure a trusted mechanic inspects the vehicle, especially the engine and the transmission system.