I am submitting this complaint regarding an ongoing safety concern with my 2021 Honda Accord. Multiple lights indicate engine system problems which includes, check engine light, car jerks at acceleration, seat sensor recall. I took my vehicle to multiple shops including the Honda Dealership. However, they were unsuccessful to identify the cause. Multiple problems such as Turbo, belt, fuel system problem constantly comes up. I have attempted to take my vehicle for the recall, which was scheduled, however after waiting 4hrs, the dealership stated they did not have the parts. I am concerned about the potential risk to myself, my daughter and my passengers and believe these issues warrant further investigation to help prevent possible accident or injury.
Honda Accord jerking problems
849 of the 24,246 owner complaints about the Honda Accord describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 849
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,500
- typical mileage
- 89,233
By model year
Often reported together
Transmission failure 165Slipping 122Check engine light 102Stalling 58Hesitation 51Won't shift 35Loss of power 29Harsh shifting 27
Trouble codes mentioned
P0740 5P0741 4P0700 2P0302 2U0416 1U0401 1P2563 1P2138 1P1167 1P1166 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the Collision Mitigation Braking System unexpectedly engaged, causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop, and the vehicle jerked while there was no other vehicle or obstacle nearby. The local dealer was contacted by phone and advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 82,605.
I am reporting multiple recurring safety concerns involving my 2025 Honda Accord, including apparent electronic parking brake malfunctions, Auto Brake Hold failures, electrical system warnings, violent engine restarts, and a possible battery or charging-system defect. While stopped in traffic, particularly when the Auto Idle Stop system shuts off and restarts the engine, my vehicle sometimes experiences an unusually violent shaking or jerking motion. The restart can feel like a sudden, forceful kick. During these episodes, the electronic parking brake appears to engage unexpectedly without my manually activating it. Multiple dashboard warning lights and messages intermittently illuminate, including Brake System Problem, Brake Hold warnings, and other braking-related alerts. I have also experienced braking-related warnings or abnormal operation when traveling on inclines. The warning indicators sometimes disappear afterward, but the problems recur. I am concerned that these malfunctions could interfere with normal braking, acceleration, or vehicle control, particularly in traffic or on hills, creating a collision risk. Additionally, an AAA roadside assistance technician advised me that my vehicle’s battery appeared to be leaking fluid and needed replacement. A subsequent battery check at an auto parts store did not identify the same concern. I have repeatedly noticed a strong rotten-egg, sulfur, or sewage-like odor near the front of the vehicle and entering the passenger compartment through the air-conditioning vents. Another occupant independently noticed the foul odor. I am concerned about possible battery overheating, charging-system malfunction, electrical faults, and potentially hazardous fumes entering the cabin. The exact cause of these recurring problems has not been determined. I am requesting that these braking, electrical, engine restart, and ventilation-related safety concerns be investigated. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
When driving at any speed, the steering will feel like it sticks or jerk when making small adjustments.
Roughly a month or two after purchasing my 2024 Honda accord hybrid sport, I noticed a chirping noise when driving and a slight steering problem. I took the car in, and they told me that it was the steering rack and they replaced it. About 4 months after that, I noticed that there was a slight steering issue, where I would be in a turn and the wheel would get stuck in that position slightly when turning. I ignored it for a bit, as I was busy with school. A few months went by and it got much worse, to the point where I could let go of the wheel and the car would maintain the wheel. It also pulls and can jerk the car randomly. I got an alignment thinking that would fix it, and that changed nothing. I took the vehicle back to the dealer and was notified that if it was the steering rack again, it would be past its part warranty, which is crazy because a steering rack shouldn’t need replaced in a year.
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. The Brake System, TPMS, Power Steering, and Check Engine warning lights were illuminated. The message “Reduce Speed” was displayed with an audible beeping alert. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,309.
Unknown of actual issue. Experiencing persistent hard excessive jerking when accelerating. Extended warranty was placed for most Hondas due to head gasket issue but not for 2.0T
My engine started to jerk while going over 2,000 RPM. I took my car into Firestone and they claimed they fixed the issue. Unclogging the fuel, nail in the tire and other issues that were unrelated. I drove for about a week and the issue came back with my check engine light coming on and my car not being able to accelerate past 2,000 rpm. I took the car back to Firestone and they replaced the spark plugs and claimed that the car was "good as new" once again about a week later I found myself on the side of the road with a check engine light. Thankfully I was able to make it home, after doing that I finally took my car to the dealership. After the diagnosis was done, the repair costed around 8,000 $ to replace. The issue was a head gasket replacement and a fuel injector as needing to be replaced because of the leakage of coolant into the cylinder. Due to some research, it turns out that their is a lawsuit against Honda for this exact issue with the same Make and Model car I have. I asked the Manager of Honda to file a Goodwill request and they declined it. No reason why, just declined it. Now I'm currently in the process of getting my car fixed at another shop getting my car fixed for half the price.
In June of 2026 I was merging onto a busy high way trying to accelerate on while in the middle of the high way my car completely starts decelerating while next to two semis and not being able to do anything as I finally get to the side of the high way I turn my car off and back on all of my lights started coming on and appearing on my dash while this was all happening I start the car again and it is doing the same thing not accelerating and while trying it is jerking this could have killed me or others due to my faulty head gasket Honda wants me to pay $4,000 to replace this head gasket I am a college student with no money and still having to pay my car payment I have a 2018 Honda accord 1.5L turbo engine and still have not been able to drive my care due to this I have a 118,00 miles and it started acting weird before I even hit 100k miles this is not okay this could have harmed others due to these faulty issues I see it is a wide spread concern and something needs to be change and I was also denied the goodwill act due to this I start school next week 45 min away and can’t even go to my class for nursing I’m disappointed in Honda this was supposed to be a long term car
While driving, the vehicle suddenly jerks or “jumps,” followed immediately by a noticeable loss of power. Shortly after this occurs, the multi-information display shows a series of warnings that include: Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem – See Your Dealer Adaptive Cruise Control System Problem – See Your Dealer Road Departure Mitigation System Problem – See Your Dealer Auto High-Beam Problem – Manual Controls Available – See Your Dealer Brake System warning light A “Systems Initializing… Continue Driving” message also appears. I have photographic documentation of these dashboard messages. This sequence creates a significant safety concern. The sudden jerk and power loss can occur while the vehicle is in motion, and the subsequent disabling of the Honda Sensing systems (Collision Mitigation Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Road Departure Mitigation) leaves the vehicle without those critical driver-assistance features. Because this involves sudden power loss and the disabling of safety systems, I consider the issue urgent and ask that it be prioritized.
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 jerking
Which Honda Accord years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (150 complaints), 2003 (134 complaints) and 2018 (73 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix jerking or lurching on the Honda Accord?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,500 (median of 129 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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