2013 Honda Accord engine problems
179 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2013 Honda Accord — 13% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Diagnostic trouble code 81-20 internal circuit failure. Cleared dtc. Road test vehicle, 81-20 dtc return replace vsa modulator w/brake flush, starter motor intermittently seizing up, front engine mount leaking, both front sway bar end links leaking grease, valve cover gasket leaking. High mileage…”
filed Jul 10, 2026
“2013 Honda Accord with proper Maintenance and oil changes on time burns oil since few years despite its a low mileage car with total 69000 miles. I see online a lot people facing same issues with Honda oil burning complaints in 2013 to 2017 Accords and others. But never recieved any Recall or…”
filed Jan 23, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain HEALTHY 2013 Accord which fit the criteria listed below.
APaS11032021901 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 3, 2021
Engine problems in other Accord years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Accord | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 Accord | 10 | 8% |
| 2023 Accord | 12 | 15% |
| 2022 Accord | 29 | 13% |
| 2021 Accord | 30 | 14% |
| 2020 Accord | 67 | 19% |
| 2019 Accord | 163 | 25% |
| 2018 Accord | 521 | 29% |
| 2017 Accord | 62 | 12% |
| 2016 Accord | 44 | 7% |
| 2015 Accord | 105 | 18% |
| 2014 Accord | 179 | 18% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2013 Honda Accord
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.