Excessive oil consumption / oil entering combustion chamber
burning oil faster than normal, developing into repeated misfires as it progresses
Check engine light: On
This is the dominant engine complaint we found for this generation, and it's well enough documented that it's covered by Honda TSB 13-078: oil finds its way into the combustion chamber, and as it worsens the engine starts misfiring — that's also why we've marked the check engine light as typically on for this one, since a misfire from oil intrusion is exactly the kind of thing that trips a code. Reports concentrate around 68,000–80,000 miles but keep showing up as far out as 189,000+ miles, so this isn't a narrow window you age out of. Cost is genuinely hard to pin down: most repairs in this generation's overall engine category run under $500, but the severe end — piston-ring work or a full engine replacement — has been reported at $3,000 or more, without a documented ceiling.
68,000–80,000 mi (concentration), recurring through 189,000+ mi
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VCM cold-start rattle (V6 models)
a rattling noise on cold start, tied to the Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system
Check engine light: On
V6 models on this generation use Honda's Variable Cylinder Management system, and a recurring complaint pattern is a rattle on cold start tied to the VTC actuator and timing chain components. VTC actuator issues commonly set a camshaft-position code, which is why we've marked the check engine light as typically on for this one. We want to be careful here: this issue has a documented litigation history (referred to in the available data as the 'Honda VCM lawsuit'), and we don't have confirmed, current information on settlement terms or what recourse affected owners may already have. We're not going to speculate on legal specifics we haven't verified — if this sounds like your car, it's worth asking a dealer or doing your own research on the current status of that litigation, in addition to getting the mechanical issue looked at.
has a documented litigation history — we're deliberately not speculating on settlement terms or legal recourse we haven't verified.
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No-start due to ignition switch failure
Car won't start, key turns but nothing happens
Check engine light: Off
The most frequently reported problem for this generation is a failed ignition switch preventing the car from starting at all.
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Check engine and D4 lights flashing
Check engine light and D4 (transmission) light flashing together
Check engine light: On
A well-known Honda/Acura pattern on this generation: the check engine light and D4 transmission-mode light flash together, generally tied to the Variable Cylinder Management system. This is a warning-light pattern rather than the VCM cold-start rattle.
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Radio and climate control display issues
Radio/climate display goes dark, or radio has no sound despite powering on
Check engine light: Off
Two related complaints: the radio/climate control display going dark, and separately the radio powering on with no sound (sometimes with popping noises).
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Door lock, latch, and remote lock/unlock failures
Power door locks activate on their own, door won't latch, or remote lock/unlock stops working
Check engine light: Off
A cluster of related door-hardware complaints: a faulty door lock actuator causing power locks to activate intermittently on their own, a driver's door latch assembly breaking internally, and a separate remote lock/unlock failure affecting the driver's door.
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Warped front brake rotors
Vibration when braking
Check engine light: Off
Warped front brake rotors are a commonly reported cause of braking vibration on this generation.
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Air conditioning blowing warm air
AC blows warm instead of cold
Check engine light: Off
A commonly reported AC performance complaint on this generation.
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Front compliance bushings may crack
Clunking or looseness in the front suspension
Check engine light: Off
The front compliance bushings are reported to crack on this generation, causing suspension noise or looseness.
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Porous engine block casting oil leaks
Oil leak traced to the engine block casting itself, not a gasket
Check engine light: Off
A less common oil-leak cause on this generation is a porous engine block casting, rather than oil entering the combustion chamber via the VCM/piston-ring system.
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Bad engine mounts causing vibration
Vibration, roughness, or rattle from the engine
Check engine light: Off
Worn engine mounts are reported to cause vibration, roughness, and rattle on this generation.
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Problems shifting into 3rd gear
Hesitation or difficulty shifting into 3rd gear
Check engine light: Off
A distinct transmission complaint from the D4-flashing item above — specifically difficulty shifting into 3rd gear.
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Bad rear hub/bearing unit
Noise from the rear wheel area, especially at speed
Check engine light: Off
A rear hub/bearing unit failure is reported to cause noise from the rear wheel area on this generation.
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Clock light may burn out
Dashboard clock display goes dark
Check engine light: Off
A minor, low-cost cosmetic complaint: the dashboard clock's backlight burning out.
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The most notable non-recall issue on this generation is excessive oil consumption from oil entering the combustion chamber (Honda TSB 13-078), which shows up as repeated misfires and, in severe cases, has been reported to cost $3,000 or more for piston-ring work or an engine replacement — though we don't yet have a firm ceiling on that figure. If you're seeing this generation's Accord burn oil faster than expected, it's worth having it checked before it progresses to misfiring.