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KLUNK
KLUNK

2009 Honda Accord

The Verdict

13 Total Klunk

The 2009 Honda Accord has 724 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are brakes (226 complaints) and electrical (185 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 13/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Honda Accord, consider the 2021 model year which has 66% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2021 has 66% fewer complaints

View the 2021 Honda Accord dashboard →

13

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200028048582102192
20011593947562196
20021873132160459
2003362161459158871
20042025736765326
2005166482938198
2006134481644344
2007161462016550
200816255449925640
200914422618514623
201013212514913433
2011105131253415
201218533776619
201365410636321886
201429411630820853
20151953720713428
2016183282957923
20171963716711127
201849322022385947
2019207797232418
202013155551148
2021992760528
20221071396434

By Category

Brakes
226
Electrical
185
Engine
146
Body
144
Transmission
23

By Severity

1
362
2
303
3
6
4
51
5
2

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2009 Honda Accord stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Electrical 4

On XXX my 2009 Honda Accord was in a multi-vehicle crash on [XXX]. No airbags deployed. There was substantial front-end and side/rear damage. The exact impact order and frontal contact have not been confirmed for this complaint; technical reconstruction is requested. APD records the driver's airbag as non-deployed and safety equipment as UNKNOWN. [XXX]'s same-day record says "No airbags" and records restraint use, reported loss of consciousness, and head/back injuries requiring hospital care. Its rear-end descriptions conflict. I am not aware of fire. Crash mileage, exact speed and pre-crash SRS warning status are UNKNOWN. A vehicle-history report repeats an XXX "Air Bag Serviced" entry at 123,157 miles in [XXX]. The work and parts are unverified. It also lists a XXX minor/right-front collision; any related airbag deployment or SRS repair is UNKNOWN. NHTSA VIN lookup checked XXX showed one open recall, [XXX] (accessory nose mask/hood latch), and no open airbag recall displayed. This does not establish completed SRS recall/repair history. Honda was notified XXX; its case number is UNKNOWN. The later cabin photo shows loose material and green covering around the wheel rim; their origin, timing and significance are unconfirmed. No crash intrusion or SRS modification is asserted. A-Tow took the vehicle; present location/availability are UNKNOWN. Written disposition/preservation requests were sent XXX. Please evaluate non-deployment, prior SRS work, available event data and any contributing defect. Redacted records are attached. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

7d ago
Body 4

I took my car for a safety inspection because it was salvage I fixed the car but won't pass inspection due to a recall that does not apply to my car. I took my car to Honda dealer for two recalls the air bag that they fixed and the nose mask they said does not apply to my car. I told them I need it taken off to pass inspection they referred me to America Honda they told me they can't do anything. I also contacted BAR they said they can't do anything. Please help me with this.

17d ago
Body 2

Since I purchased vehicle in 2008 the rubber seals around the front and rear windows leaked water at the car wash 3 days after purchase. They repaired/resealed! Less than a year later the rubber seals at bottom of driver door window started leaking water into the inside of door. Car was parked in garage, rubber not dried out or loose. Eventually all four doors started leaking and rubber started peeling up and flapping, flying off when driving! Dealership stated not a warranty issue or recall item when reported in first 3 months. Noticed online other drivers/owners of same vehicle complaining of identical problem. Vendors want approx.$500 to replace rubber window seals on all 4 doors! Its 2026 and front windshield 'rains' inside driver side at car wash and days it rains. Believe car was lemon when purchased. Dealership in Henet Ca, only sold to people with bankruptcies and bad credit!! Also, front driver seat adjusted bottom seat to raise or lower. Stopped working after first year, only weighed 140lbs. Shouldn't have been a weight issue. Also told not warranty or recall. Key fobs NEVER worked, replaced first one till I was told that year car had battery issues in FOB and no longer covered. Would cost 100-150 for new batteries or FOB. After market batteries never worked so just use key to open door.

1mo ago
Body 1

Recall for my car doesn't apply to my car. I called the Honda dealer and America Honda they aren't helping me take recall off. My car won't pass vehicle safety inspection due to this recall. I'm ready to take legal action.

1mo ago
Electrical 1

The airbag light is on likely because of a failure with the SRS module. It is available for inspection. If the light is on the airbags will not deploy. Independent service center confirmed the issue is with the module. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer. The warning light is on. This issue matches Honda TSB 16-006, safety recall for SRS module. I also verified the SRS model number is 77960-TA0-A020-M4 with date code 08.07.08. This puts the module in the affected range. My VIN is [XXX] as given above. Given the identical nature of the issue it appears the original recall was incomplete and should be expanded to include missed vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1mo ago
Transmission 1

I am submitting this complaint regarding two separate front drive shaft/axle failures involving my 2009 Honda Accord while living and driving in [XXX], a state specifically identified by American Honda as a "salt belt" state in connection with its XXX recalls involving corrosion-related front drive shaft breakage. The front passenger-side drive shaft/axle on my 2009 Honda Accord snapped in XXX. The driver-side front drive shaft/axle subsequently broke on XXX. These were two separate failures involving both front sides of my vehicle and created a serious and potentially dangerous loss of vehicle operation. I am particularly concerned because my fiancée has experienced nearly identical failures involving her 2010 Honda Accord while we have been living and driving in the same [XXX] conditions. The driver-side front drive shaft/axle on her vehicle snapped on XXX, and the passenger-side front drive shaft/axle subsequently snapped onXXX. Thus, between our two Honda Accords, both front drive shafts/axles on each vehicle have failed, resulting in four separate front drive shaft/axle failures across two vehicles in the same household. Our experience is also concerning in light of multiple publicly reported complaints involving 2009 and 2010 Honda Accords describing front axle, CV axle, or driveshaft failures, including reports attributing such failures to salt corrosion. We are attaching one such complaint involving a 2010 Honda Accord as a representative example. I recognize that another consumer's complaint does not, by itself, establish the cause of my vehicle's failures or prove the existence of a defect. Nevertheless, the existence of multiple similar reports involving these model years is significant when considered together with the two separate front drive shaft/axle failures involving my vehicle, the two similar failures involving my fiancée's 2010 Honda Accord, and American Honda's prior acknowledgment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2mo ago
Electrical 1

Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact discovered potential odometer fraud regarding a purchase off Facebook Marketplace. Following a private sale, the contact had the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic, who identified a significant mileage discrepancy. While the odometer displayed approximately 147,000 miles at the time of purchase, subsequent investigation revealed the actual mileage was 252,000.

2mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09E063000 (Equipment) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

6mo ago
Brakes 1

I installed (2) identical Advance Auto Parts Platinum rear brake rotors on my vehicle. Both rotors were installed at the same time, in the same manner, and under normal conditions. After approximately (1) mile of normal driving on of the rear brake rotors catastrophically failed by completely separating at the hat (the center mounting section). The opposite side rear rotor, installed at the same time, did not fail. The failure occurred without warning and resulted in immediate loss of braking integrity at that wheel. This type of structural failure presents a significant safety risk, including the potential for sudden brake loss, wheel lockup, or loss of vehicle control. The vehicle was not being driven aggressively, and there were no abnormal conditions prior to the failure. The failed rotor has been preserved and is available for inspection. Photographs documenting the separation are also available. A brake rotor should not experience complete structural separation under normal driving conditions, especially immediately after installation. This appears to be a manufacturing or material defect that poses a serious safety hazard. I am submitting this complaint to document the defect and to help prevent potential injury or accidents involving similar components.

9mo ago
Electrical 2

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 92,000, and at the time of reviewing the Insurance, it was discovered that the mileage was 225,000.

14mo ago
Electrical 4

Alternator caught on fire

14mo ago
Electrical 1

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts without warning. After obtaining a Carfax report, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 52,000 and it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 148,000.

15mo ago
Body 2

Vtc actuator cold start rattle

16mo ago
Engine 1

Component/System: Engine – piston ring failure; oil control issue related to VCM system. Available for inspection: Yes. My 2009 Honda Accord EX-L V6 (J35Z2 engine with VCM) has developed repeated misfires due to oil entering the combustion chamber, consistent with Honda TSB 13-078. It began around 96,000 miles with cylinder #3 fouling. At 121,000 miles, cylinder #2 also misfired. A Honda dealer confirmed the issue as piston ring failure, and oil loss was measured at ~1.5 quarts per 1,000 miles. The issue causes sudden power loss, rough running, and hesitation, especially during highway driving or acceleration. This creates a serious risk of rear-end collisions or inability to safely merge. The misfire occurs without warning; no warning lamps were active beforehand. Brandfon Honda confirmed the diagnosis in May 2025. Honda acknowledges the defect in TSBs and prior class action litigation (Soto v. Honda), but refuses to assist because my car is outside the 8-year extended warranty window—even though I was never notified of that warranty. I’ve maintained the car carefully and reported the issue to Honda through multiple channels. This is a known defect affecting many 2008–2012 Accords. It compromises driveability, increases oil consumption, and creates safety concerns due to unpredictable engine performance. I’m submitting this to ensure it is recorded as part of a broader pattern that may warrant further investigation.

16mo ago
Electrical 1

I was driving and stopped at a stop sign, I started to go and my passenger side airbag on the door exploded. There was no impact, out of nowhere this happened

16mo ago
Engine 2

Rattle noise at start up when engine is cold.

19mo ago
Body 2

Rollback odometer.

19mo ago
Engine 1

The engine is burning oil, about 2 quarts a month. The oil level consistently runs low when checked and I have to top it off with 1 qt every 2 weeks. There is no leaking under the car so the mechanic said the engine is burning the oil and I would need to replace the whole engine!. The cost of replacing the engine is more than the car is worth. I just bought it a year ago and thought Hondas were more reliable than this. The mechanic said Honda had some issues with the "rings" and tp check this website for a recall. I do not see a recall but if many other similar cars have the same problem there should be a recall that Honda should fix.

20mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the engine was previously rebuilt. The contact stated that the engine was misfiring while driving and coming into a stop. The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where cylinder #1 spark plug was replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the engine might need to be rebuilt to completely correct the failure. The vehicle was temporarily repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Action Number: RQ24013 (Engine). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 173,643.

23mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle had been experiencing an oil leak. The dealer diagnosed that the valve cover gasket had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the valve cover gasket was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that a hairline fracture in the engine housing had caused the oil vacuum seal to fracture and the oil to leak. The dealer replaced the engine housing. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal loud sound coming from underneath the hood, and the vehicle skipped gears and lunged forward. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH, the contact noticed a burning chemical odor. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned on the hazard lights. The contact then drove to the residence, where the contact opened the hood and noticed that the battery had melted. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

25mo ago

724 total

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