2009 Honda Accord: misfire or rough idle

Filed Jun 18, 2025 · Engine · CT

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.

Filed Nov 14, 2024 · Engine · 173,643 miles · VA

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 the federal safety agency Action Number: RQ24013 (Engine). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 173,643.

Filed Aug 21, 2024 · Transmission · 79,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that there was an engine misfire. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated; however, the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred almost every two months. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2020 · Engine · 130,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owned a 2009 honda accord. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shuddered with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was an engine misfire. Additionally, the piston rings and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximately failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Feb 12, 2020 · Engine · 91,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 honda accord. The contact stated that while driving between 65-80 MPH, shuddered and lost motive power with the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was powered off and was restarted however, the vehicle failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that cylinder number 3 misfired and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The spark plug was replaced every two to three months. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

Filed Feb 22, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · FL

2009 honda accord. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle misfiring and lights illuminated on dash. *ld

Filed Jul 17, 2018 · Engine · 56,232 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 honda accord. While driving various speeds, the vehicle misfired and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to inver grove honda (4605 s robert trail, inver grove heights, mn 55077, (651) 306-8600) where it was diagnosed that there was an oil fouled spark plug failure and the spark plugs needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure and no failure code was found. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 56,232.

Filed Apr 3, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 67,000 miles · NJ

While driving at about 55 MPH on route I-287 in morristown, nj, the car began to shake badly and the engine made a loud rumbling noise. I got the car to my local service station in morristown, where my mechanic told me that one of my spark plugs had failed to function, having been badly oil fouled. He replaced the spark plug and said the computer scanner showed code p0303 misfire cylinder #3. He also noted that honda has a service campaign for piston ring replacement initiated in 2013 to correct the problem. I brought the car to honda on monday, february 13. They replaced 3 of the 4 spark plugs in question (1 having already been replaced) and updated the car's computer program, calling that step one in solving the problem. The honda service manager explained that honda's protocol for this is to update the software and replace spark plugs and then wait to see if it happens again. (I later confirmed this protocol by phone with honda america.) lacking that, honda will not reimburse the dealership if they do the repair, but this fix seems to work about half the time. When the service campaign was initiated in 2013, I was not notified. Clearly, honda recognized that there was a problem of oil leaking into the cylinders but did not issue a recall, as I believe they should have. In my case, my engine failed while I was driving at high speed on a major highway. This is not something I would like to happen again, but my local mechanic says it definitely will happen again, because honda did not fix the problem. Replacing spark plugs is no more than a band aid. I'm left with a serious and expensive problem, and honda's intention is to skirt the real issue by risking my safety in order to avoid accountability.

Filed May 21, 2015 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 100,000 miles · KY

2009 honda accord ex v6 has numerous problems at 130k...most originating at 70-90k. Excessive oil consumption (1 qt a week)! Rough idle and acceleration, 6 lights lit up on dash, including check engine...comes on and off intermittently.....fouled spark plugs, ticking noise coming from steering wheel when turning, brakes must be replaced every 10k miles, loud ticking noise from engine, poor acceleration with missing/sputtering, smoke emits from tailpipes, vsc light stays on along with TPMS! The list goes on and on...I have been loyal to honda since 1993 having owned many, especially accords and this one takes the cake....the worst vehicle ever owned! Do not buy honda...they do not care about you and never will! I missed the class action lawsuit by a couple of months on the engine misfire deal...just recently was made aware of it. Never again honda!!!!

Filed Feb 9, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 55,000 miles · NY

I have had my honda accord 2009 v6 serviced for constant spark plug fouling and oil consumption. After a total of 10 visits, and over 40 days without my car over the course of 3 years, I had received a total of 3 spark plug sets, two oil consumption tests, lost two catalytic converters, and o2 sensors. Even with this constant spark plug replacement, it did not alleviate any issues. I kept breaking down on the side of the road with a rumbling, misfiring engine. After numerous trips to honda, they refused to acknowledge the problem. After speaking to a district rep and being referred to paragon honda in woodside, ny, they had agreed to replace my engine. They have now had it for two months. After receiving a new engine, I instantly received check engine lights stating the car was running too lean. After returning it for another week, I received it back, but this time, it would literally choke out and stall at every other red light. I returned to honda with a check engine light for too rich and a car that would not make it more then a few miles if stop signs were involved. It has now been there for two weeks, on top of the two months. Plus the 40 days, that's a total of 4 lost months. I had to fight this weekend for a loaner car, which for them, seemed like a very difficult thing to do. Honestly, I don't know how the federal safety agency has allowed honda to keep their oil consuming dangerous cars on the road, I have broke down in the left lane of a 4 lane highway, and I know this should not be happening. I am a meticulous person, who constantly checks his own oil, plugs, filters, etc.... I monitor my o2 sensors for bad fuel trims constantly, and I have never been nothing but disappointed with this hunk of junk. I've filed consumer complaints, honda complaints, to no regard.

Filed Feb 27, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 63,000 miles · TN

A federal class action lawsuit claims that 2008-2010 honda accords have a systematic design defect that enables oil to enter into the engines combustion chamber. The defect causes excessive oil consumption, premature spark plug degradation and engine malfunction. In my 2009 honda accord, this has caused cylinder misfires on the following three dates, including spark plug failure, multiple spark plug replacements and engine trouble: - june 21, 2012 - april 18, 2013 - september 17, 2013 honda has settled this lawsuit but details are still unavailable. Here are the details: http://www.topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/4946-class-action-settlement-reached-over-honda-accord-oil-defect

Filed Jul 17, 2013 · Brakes, Engine · 9,500 miles · TN

Vehicle has been consuming oil since purchased with 9,500 miles. Oil consumption has contributed to fouled spark plugs. Fouled spark plugs triggered "cylinder #3 misfire" code and extremely poor performance at highway speeds. Two different occasions the car experienced different cylinder misfire issues. Honda dealer performed engine computer software updates on two different occasions that did not remedy the oil consumption issue. No warning lights to indicate that the engine was 3 quarts low on oil. If the consumer is not aware that the vehicle is using oil, there is potential for the engine to seize causing costly repairs or to lose power in a dangerous situation. Dealer is now performing honda oil consumption test. According to honda, consuming 1 quart of oil in 1,000 miles is normal and acceptable. This burned oil is being released into the environment as evidenced by the black carbon on the tail pipes. It is hard to believe that a leading car manufacturer would deem oil consumption in a brand new vehicle as normal or acceptable. This is the first vehicle out of 12 that I have ever owned that consumed oil. Even vehicles with over 200,000 miles did not consume oil. I purchased a honda so that I did not have to worry about reliability or break downs for many years. Now I have to worry with checking the oil every week as to not get low or run out. Same vehicle has also had premature rear brake pad wear and had to be replaced at 60,000 miles. Complaint has been filed with american honda. Class action lawsuits have been filed against honda over the premature rear brake pad wear and the oil consumption issues.