"While driving, the front driver's side driveshaft snapped due to an active safety recall. The vehicle was towed to a dealership for the recall repair. Immediately after the new driveshaft was installed, the car began shaking violently under braking and driving. The dealership inspected it and diagnosed a broken tie rod caused by the snapping driveshaft, but the dealer is refusing to cover the consequential damage or towing reimbursement, leaving an unsafe vehicle undriveable on their lot the incident happened "While stopped at a traffic light at [XXX] and [XXX] taking a left turn, I pressed the gas to go through the intersection. The vehicle made a loud clunk sound and completely lost all drive power (driveshaft snapped). I had to manually push the car ('Flintstone it') out of the intersection to safety.". After losing all power during a left turn at [XXX] and [XXX], I coasted down and up a hill. Because the broken axle severed the transmission connection, the vehicle would not hold in Park, causing it to roll and end up facing the wrong direction on the wrong side of the street while waiting for a tow. The car was subsequently towed to the dealership for the recall repair." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Honda Accord harsh shifting problems
177 of the 24,251 owner complaints about the Honda Accord describe harsh or hard shifting, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 177
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,000
- typical mileage
- 88,573
By model year
Often reported together
Transmission failure 34Jerking 27Slipping 25Grinding brakes 11Steering noise 10Hesitation 9Check engine light 9Ball joint 7
Trouble codes mentioned
C0277 1
What owners say
The steering rack is clicking and clunking at low speed turns or even when the car is parked or still and you turn the wheel, any alignment that’s done to the car goes bad right away because the rack box is messed up, it has play and it vibrates the steering wheel when driving, I called the dealership and they won’t help me or fix the issue because there is no recall on the part but many other Honda owners are experiencing that same issue, the safety issue is that my steering wheel has play and it will turn at anytime, it’s been inspected and the rack is the issue, no warning lamps or messages.
The vehicle repeatedly has creaking, sticky steering/issues with steering, and clunking sounds when driving. Sound is more prominent at low speeds and when cornering. The vehicle's steering rack has already been replaced twice within 3 years. The vehicle is model year 2024, and to have an unrepaired defect like this is ridiculous. This is a major safety issue for vehicle operation, and it appears that replacement parts carry the same design defect. The problem (defective steering rack due to worm gear swelling) has already been identified and reproduced by two different Honda dealers. There are no warning lamps, messages, or codes thrown by the vehicle. The symptoms include the obvious noises and the abnormal steering feel.
2019 honda accord, the transmission is failing, Slipping Gears, Delayed or Harsh Shifting, Unusual Noises, Warning Lights on, Transmission or check engine light illuminate, signaling potential issues, Fluid Leaks I have a 2019 honda accord, the fuel pump failed and the honda service center in miami charged me $1308.00 and it was supposed to be a free recall. I need help, the car is falling apart. Thanks
- The steering system appears to be malfunctioning. The steering wheel becomes sticky or feels like it catches while turning, and there is a clunking and grinding noise when the steering wheel is turned. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection upon request. - The steering issue creates a potential safety risk because the steering wheel may not turn smoothly or respond as expected. The sticking sensation and grinding/clunking noises could affect my ability to safely control the vehicle, especially while turning, parking, or avoiding a hazard. - Not yet. The problem has been experienced while operating the vehicle and needs to be inspected and diagnosed by a qualified service center. -Not yet.The vehicle has not yet been inspected regarding this specific issue. -There were no warning lamps or messages displayed, if applicable. The symptoms include sticky or catching steering, along with clunking and grinding noises when turning. The symptoms first appeared recently and occur while turning the steering wheel.
I am the owner of a 2024 Honda Accord Sport Hybrid. When driving at very low speeds, especially while parking or turning the steering wheel in tight maneuvers, the steering system produces a noticeable knocking and clunking noise. The noise can also be felt through the steering wheel. The vehicle was previously inspected by an authorized Honda dealer, and the steering gearbox (steering rack) was replaced under the factory warranty due to this issue. After approximately 20,000 miles, the exact same problem has returned. The condition is most noticeable at low speeds and during parking maneuvers when turning the steering wheel left or right. There are no warning lights or messages on the dashboard. The issue has been confirmed previously by a Honda dealer through the original warranty repair. Because the same steering-related problem has reappeared after replacement of a major steering component, I am concerned about the durability and safety of the steering system. I am submitting this complaint so that the federal safety agency can investigate whether the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid may have a recurring defect in the steering gearbox or related steering components.
Rough downshifting and upshifting in low gears. Will slam into gears 2-3 often seems as though at slower speeds and cause driver and passengers to lurch forward. Will cause very rough acceleration at times and causes a danger in traffic given the speed becomes unpredictable. Transmission does not know what gear to be in. The ATF type 2.0 fluid change following dealer procedure after complaint has done nothing to change this lurching. This is putting me and other drivers at risk because I cannot control my speed when transmission is slamming in between gears. No warning lamps, undetected by cars TCU.
Transmission started bucking at 50k miles, the problem has gotten substantially worse at 60k miles. Rough downshifting and upshifting in low gears. Will slam into gears 2-3 often and cause driver and passengers to lurch forward. Will cause very rough acceleration at times and causes a danger in traffic given the speed becomes unpredictable. Transmission does not know what gear to be in even after ATF type 2.0 fluid change following dealer procedure. This is putting me and other drivers at risk because I cannot control my speed when transmission is slamming in between gears. No warning lamps, undetected by cars TCU.
There has been a growing number of people, including myself that are experiencing sticky steering wheels, steering rack issues and clunking when turning the steering wheel in 2023-2025 Honda Accords. A recall has only came out for Civics and Integras, but none for Honda Accords. I had the issue arise earlier this year in January. It was not as consistent and noticeable until the end of January. I made an appointment, I was told the sound couldn’t be recreated and sent home. I brought it right back and was given a piece of paper noting the issue for Civics and that there was nothing to be done and it won’t get worse. It did get worse and I brought it in a few days later just to be told someone from somewhere is coming to fix it. They regreased the gearbox and the noise was gone in February. The noise has since returned as of 12/25/2025, accompanies with a sticky steering wheel when driving at highway speeds. This issue continues to be brushed off and told it is safe to drive when no one should have to drive with a steering concern regardless if it is not bad “yet”. Consumers all over are stating the steering racks are replaced and other things but the issue just returns so it is not just a isolated situation, several people are dealing with this and it’s being ignored. Individuals personal experience can be found all over reddit including videos proof of the noise that is being made. This is my 2nd report!
The vehicle's suspension is excessively stiff and harsh since new, transmitting all road imperfections, bumps, and irregularities directly to the driver and passengers, causing discomfort and fatigue. Additionally, there is abnormal noise (clunking/rattling/creaking/popping) from the steering rack area, especially when turning the steering wheel at low speeds, over bumps, or when stationary. The suspension components and steering rack assembly are available for inspection upon request. This condition affects safety by causing driver fatigue, reduced comfort/control on uneven roads, and potential distraction from steering noise indicating a possible developing failure in the steering system. The problems have been inspected and repair attempted by authorized Honda dealers on multiple occasions, but the issues persist and have not been resolved. The vehicle or component has been inspected by dealer service centers.
Related recalls
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Honda Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission. The affected vehicles were originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The driveshaft may corrode and break, due to damage from road salt or other contaminants.
- Risk
- A broken driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power, or a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is OM2. This recall expands previous recall number 20V769.
Recall number 25V422000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts were assembled with a lubricant that may have degraded the drive shafts' protective coating, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.
- Risk
- A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing both the left and right drive shafts, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138.
Recall number 20V769000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 accord, 2007-2010 cr-v, and 2005-2008 element passenger cars manufactured from july 1, 2004, through september 3, 2010. The outer race of the secondary shaft bearing may be broken during certain driving styles. A broken outer race may cause abnormal noise, the malfunction indicator light to turn on, and allow contact between the transmission idle gear and an electronic sensor housing within the transmission.
- Risk
- This could result in a short circuit causing the engine to stall. Additionally, broken pieces of the outer race or ball bearing from the secondary shaft may become lodged in the parking pawl resulting in the vehicle rolling after the driver has placed the gear selector in the park position. Engine stall and unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash or personal injury to persons within the path of a rolling vehicle.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners and dealers will update the automatic transmission control module software free of charge. The safety recall began on august 27, 2011. Owners may contact honda automobile customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 11V395000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.
- Risk
- Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, the dealer will inspect the transmission to identify gears that have already experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discoloration exists, the transmission will be replaced if discoloration is not present, the dealer will perform the revision to the oil cooler return line. The recall began on april 21, 2004, for pilot, odyssey, and mdx owners. Owners of the accord vehicles will start receiving letters on june 28, 2004, and on june 29, 2004, for owners of the tl and cl vehicles. Owners should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 04V176000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles (honda accord sedans manufactured from september 18, 1997 to january 10, 1998; coupes manufactured december 11, december 15, 1997, and january 5, 1998; acura 2.3cl manufactured october 22, 1997 through january 7, 1998). During manufacturing, the casting die caused an irregularity in the right-side transmission cover. This irregularity can limit the movement of the parking pawl actuation level and prevent adequate engagement of the parking gear pawl. This does not comply with fmvs no. 114, "theft protection."
- Risk
- This condition can cause the vehicle to roll down an incline when the transmission is locked in "park," increasing the risk of personal injury and/or property damage.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a collar on the transmission parking pawl to ensure proper movement of the actuation lever.
Recall number 98V018000 · Recall details
Questions about the Honda Accord harsh shifting
Which Honda Accord years have harsh or hard shifting problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (28 complaints), 2003 (24 complaints) and 2000 (19 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix harsh or hard shifting on the Honda Accord?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 28 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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