2013-17 Honda Accord highlighted by refined powertrain highlights
Model: 2013-17 Honda Accord Vehicle type: Sedan
History/description: The allnew Honda Accord has arrived, meaning that the ninth-generation unit, which arrived in 2012, has moved fully into used car territory.
This ninth-generation Accord hit the Canadian market with a bang, winning the Canadian Car of the Year award in 2013. Featured were Honda’s new EarthDreams engine family, advanced safety equipment, and the availability of both coupe and sedan body styles. Look for plenty of space for passengers and gear, appealing fuel efficiency and an award-winning safety story.
Features included a backup camera, navigation, Bluetooth, heated leather, sunroof, automatic lights and climate control, and push-button start. A 2016 model-year update saw the Accord’s styling and feature content tweaked, more safety systems added and the suspension revised for improved ride quality. Key competitors included the Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion.
Most used Accords from this generation will run a 2.4-litre VTEC four-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower. A 3.5-litre V6 was available on higher-end models, with nearly 280 snarly horsepower. She scoots. Transmission options were a six-speed manual, continually variable transmission (CVT) or six-speed automatic, depending on the engine and body style. All units were front-wheel drive.
What owners like: Refined powertrains, plenty of on-board storage, easy-to-use features and a generous trunk were reported by owners. Decent rear seat space, good fuel mileage and an overall pleasant-to-drive experience round out the package.
What owners dislike: Common complaints from owners of this generation Accord centre around a huge turning radius, bland interior styling and some low-budget plastics trimming the cabin. Some owners also wish for more comfy seats.
The test drive: Focus on the electronics, confirming all steering-wheel mounted controls, hard-buttons near the central screen, and all functions within the central interface, including Bluetooth, navigation and audio playback from multiple sources, are working properly.
Some owners report issues with the central command system and associated functions, which can even cause the system to crash entirely, requiring the vehicle to be turned off and restarted. If you detect issues like this, the likely fix is a software update or hard reset of the central interface.
Check the heated seats and their motorized adjustments, confirm that the backup camera works properly, and confirm that the engine fires up quickly via the engine start button, using each available keyfob.
Work with a Honda dealer to determine if the Accord you’re considering qualifies for a new ignition switch, which may be covered under a recall. This recall may prevent you from being stranded with a Honda Accord that won’t start.
Apply moderate to hard braking from cruising speeds, where appropriate, and be on the lookout for signs of vibration throughout the vehicle’s body and front end. If any are noted, the brake rotors are likely warped and require replacement.
When decelerating from speed in a four-cylinder model with the CVT transmission, listen for a whining or whistling noise from beneath the vehicle. The sound may also be apparent during acceleration and is largely considered normal. If detected, have a Honda technician investigate, to confirm that it’s not a different, more serious issue.
Work with a Honda dealer to be sure all applicable software updates have been applied to the transmission computer of the model you’re considering. Because of what appears to be a bad batch of internal parts, many owners advise avoiding a 2013 Accord with the CVT transmission.
A defective or badly moulded piece of weather stripping may result in a whistling sound, or detectable movement of air through the cabin, from the front edge of the driver’s window. Honda issued a technical service bulletin (number TSB 15-087), which involves inspecting, adjusting or replacing the offending parts on certain models.
Finally, always be aware of your Honda Accord’s oil level. All vehicles consume some engine oil, some more than others. In the context of this era of Honda Accord, some have reported excessive oil consumption, and some report none. Your best defence as an owner is to monitor your oil levels weekly and to bring any concerns to your dealer service department as soon as possible, confirming that they’re recorded, in case a warranty claim is eventually required.
The verdict: The ninth-generation Accord’s most frequently reported issues are electronics-related in nature and should be relatively easy to spot and address before your purchase. A simple pre-purchase inspection by a Honda dealer should be all that’s required for maximum peace of mind, provided the CVT transmission on the unit you’re considering is healthy and well maintained.