Honda Accord: Common Problems, Recalls and Service Bulletins

This article applies to the Honda Accord (1990-2002).

The Honda Accord has placed in the "Ten Best Cars" list by Car and Driver twenty-six times, which is record-breaking. While that may lead you to think nothing ever goes wrong with Hondas, sadly it's not true. However, it also means that they have fewer issues and less breakdowns. For you to be aware of any potential problems regarding your soon-to-be Accord, here is a compiled list of Honda's recalls, Technical Service Bulletins, and tips to avoid any possible issues.

Recalls and Bulletins

A recall occurs when the automobile manufacturer or NHTSA (National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration) determines that a car model has a mechanical or safety related issue and does not meet specific motor vehicle safety standards. A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is the suggested procedure issued by the manufacturer when several issues of an unforeseen problem have arisen. You can think of both recalls and TSBs as a sort of automotive public service announcement, as their main goal is to provide safety to the general public. To access a database with all reported recalls and TSBs, you can visit the NHTSA website or the auto manufacturer's safety page.

Recalls

• Honda Accord 1993: The safety belts may lock-up at angles other than those required by motor vehicle safety standards.
• Honda Accord 1994: The front safety belt-buckle release buttons are prone to break.
• Honda Accord 2002: In some vehicles equipped with the V6 engine, a timing belt tensioner pulley is misaligned and could contact the bolt on the cylinder head.

Technical Service Bulletins

As already mentioned, the manufacturer may release a TSB with instructions on how to fix a particular problem, whether it's mechanical or safety related. A TSB can deal with something as simple as a door latch defect to a slight vibration from tire wear.

Here is a list of the TSB's available on the Honda Accord:

• Honda Accord 1990-1993: Front and rear tire wear
• Honda Accord 1990-1993: Rear seat belt retractor sensor
• Honda Accord 1990-1993: Difficulty opening doors or windows
• Honda Accord 1990-1997: Rear wheel bearing noise
• Honda Accord 1990-1993: Information regarding A/T slippage
• Honda Accord 1990-1993: Some vehicles may experience hesitation or stumble
• Honda Accord 1990-1993: Replacing the O2 sensor when experiencing hesitation or delay during moderate acceleration
• Honda Accord 1990-1993: Diagnosing the ceiling lights
• Honda Accord 1990-2004: Heater blower motor gets hot or blows a fuse

Related Discussion and Sites

• Technical Service Bulletins - SafeCar.gov
• Honda Recall Guide - Cars.com
• Honda Recalls and TSB's - Honda-Tech.com