1. The service center diagnosed the BCM as faulty. I do not have the faulty part available as it was replaced. Service center work notes: Vehicle no start confirmed, battery voltage is at 12.4V. Vehicle has message on dash to touch key to ignition start stop button, with no success. Proceeded to inspect all main fuses to under hood fuse box, found all fuses are good main 175 amp fuse is ok, along with all four multi fuses. Proceeded to follow troubleshooting for message displayed on dash, tested key fob for unlock and lock functions, tested start stop button functions with no issues. Checked fuses that power is at each supply pin, pin 1 on connector a has 12.2v and pin 18 12.3v. Used the ground from connector pin 51 while testing voltage on previous pins to confirm ground is good. It is suspected that bcm has a internal failure and will need to be checked with known good unit, reprogrammed and retest to confirm vehicle will start. 2. The car in the faulty condition had no noticeable difference from one with a low battery so I tried to jump start the vehicle per the owners manual. This put me at a significant fire risk of over charging the battery. 3. Unknown if the manufacturer, insurance or police inspected it. 4. No warning lamps prior to failure. Dash was entirely blank other than aforementioned instruction about the key fob.
Honda Accord key fob problems
128 of the 24,251 owner complaints about the Honda Accord describe key fob or push-button start problems, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 128
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical repair cost reported
- $693
- typical mileage
- 50,000
By model year
Often reported together
Won't start 47Door locks 12Grinding brakes 8Warning lights 7Stalling 3Collision warning 3Adaptive cruise 3Headlights 2
What owners say
Attempted to turn car on and it did not turn on. It asked me to place my key fob on my “push to start” button. After doing this nothing happened. I went and grabbed my spare key fob and still it did nothing. Eventually got it towed in and dealer confirmed it was a bad body control module. There was no warning light or message prior to this
UNKNOWN- My speedometer is off by 5 miles per hour. Think I'm going the correct speed in a school zone and find out it's not reading correctly. Got a device to check it and sure enough it's off. ELECTRICAL- This is the second time my GPS screen/radio has been replaced due to the fact that I am a Realtor and I use this a lot to find the homes my clients want to see. The screen goes dark, the music goes loud, you can't turn it down, screen freezes etc. Or using the GPS and I receive a phone call and the screen goes black. So I find it hard to believe it was the radio when the new one is doing the exact same thing. The first time this happened I believe was around Dec 2025 and now it's doing it again. It started again this year but I unfortunately broke my ankle and this car situation was not my top priority.. I have contacted the dealer and plan on bringing it back to them when Pete from Clear Lake Honda gets back from out of town but again, it wasn't a faulty radio and it wasn't a gum wrapper if I have a new radio doing the exact same thing as well as the electrical doing the exact same thing. ELECTRICAL- This is the second time my electrical went out. The first time and the second time are the same. Automatic lights don't come on at night and I learned that the hard way. Key fobs don't work to unlock and lock the doors, anything with the electrical system. I was told the first time, oh, it was a gum wrapper in the fuse box area. There has been nobody under the hood of my car so I highly doubt it was a gum wrapper if the same thing is happening again.
Since I purchased vehicle in 2008 the rubber seals around the front and rear windows leaked water at the car wash 3 days after purchase. They repaired/resealed! Less than a year later the rubber seals at bottom of driver door window started leaking water into the inside of door. Car was parked in garage, rubber not dried out or loose. Eventually all four doors started leaking and rubber started peeling up and flapping, flying off when driving! Dealership stated not a warranty issue or recall item when reported in first 3 months. Noticed online other drivers/owners of same vehicle complaining of identical problem. Vendors want approx.$500 to replace rubber window seals on all 4 doors! Its 2026 and front windshield 'rains' inside driver side at car wash and days it rains. Believe car was lemon when purchased. Dealership in Henet Ca, only sold to people with bankruptcies and bad credit!! Also, front driver seat adjusted bottom seat to raise or lower. Stopped working after first year, only weighed 140lbs. Shouldn't have been a weight issue. Also told not warranty or recall. Key fobs NEVER worked, replaced first one till I was told that year car had battery issues in FOB and no longer covered. Would cost 100-150 for new batteries or FOB. After market batteries never worked so just use key to open door.
Door locks alternate not locking/unlocking with either the door buttons or key fob buttons (battery is good). Available for inspection. Vehicle has not been inspected. No warnings prior. This has happened on and off for about 2 years and now seems like it’s 24/7 a thing with multiple doors at a time now.
No Start condition. Car takes minutes to start due to faulty push button start. This is a well documented condition by the public. The safety concern is that repeated attempts to start will drain the battery and cause degradation of the starter, which in case of an emergency or an occupant in an unsafe environment, or on a public roadway, puts the driver, occupants at risk. Honda is well aware of this problem but rejects any liability.
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to lock while the key fob was not inside the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that messages pertaining to the braking system failure, the EPS failure, the Collision Mitigation Braking System failure, and other unknown messages were displayed, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,200.
My car is beinbtg locked remotely. I do not have a working key fob so it is not anything I am doing. I am having difficulty opening the lock ad well on my car doors. This is very recent
I continue getting a message Supplemental Restraint System Problem. See Your Dealer. Also, many times not all my doors lock and I have replaced the battery for key fob numerous times and no luck still while driving I hear a noise as if the doors are locking or unlocking on its own.
I have a 2014 Honda Accord EX-L with not even 62,000 miles. When we purchased the car we got the extended warranty, thinking Honda would stand by their product. Not true. After the first month we had to have the battery replaced. Fast forward a few years and we were told we needed a new battery”wire harness” at a cost of over $2,000. Now it is 2025 and the backup camera only works when the turn signal is used; it remains a black screen when put into reverse. Add to that what is apparently a major problem with other Honda owners. When we go to start the car, we get nothing. The CAR DOESN’T START. Thinking that the key fob needed a battery, we replaced them with new batteries. It continues to be a problem. I have a fear I will be out one day and it will not start completely. I see that I am not the only person complaining of this and feel that Honda should issue a recall for the Accord addressing this problem. I feel that I may become stranded one day and this seems to be a SAFETY ISSUE.
Related recalls
Electrical system: body control module: software
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles. A software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in communication between the Body Control Module (BCM) and other components. This may result in malfunctions of various systems such as the windshield wipers and defroster, rearview camera, exterior lights, audible warning of a stopped vehicle, and power window operation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems" and number 111, "Rear Visibility" as well as FMVSS numbers 104, 108, 114, 118, and 305.
- Risk
- Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is X95.
Recall number 20V771000 · Recall details
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Honda Accord vehicles. The case for the battery sensor, part of the battery management system, may allow water to get in, potentially causing an electrical short.
- Risk
- An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensor, free of charge. Dealers will perform an interim remedy of applying adhesive to the case to prevent water intrusion. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact American Honda Customer Support Center at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is KG0.
Recall number 17V418000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2010 honda accord and cr-v vehicles. There is a potential failure with the engine wiring harness connector which may cause intermittent spark firing or the engine to stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall will increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealer will inspect and replace the ignition wiring harness connector free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 24, 2011. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 11V004000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 honda accord, civic two and four door, and model year 2003-2004 honda element vehicles. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may unexpectedly deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
- Risk
- Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove the original interlock pin and lever within the ignition switch, and replace them with new, designed components. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 7, 2010. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 10V364000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, a loose terminal in the main fuse box may cause the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump loses power while driving the engine could stall without warning which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the entire fuse box free of charge. The recall began on april 13, 2005. Owners may contact honda at 800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 05V132000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the interlock operation of the ignition switch may not function properly, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to park.
- Risk
- If the driver does not shift to park before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that confirms interlock function. Vehicles will be updated with a redesigned interlock lever free of charge. The recall began on march 7, 2005. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 05V025000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles and mini vans, the ignition switch may wear excessively and prevent proper interlock operation, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to "park."
- Risk
- If the vehicle operator does not shift to "park" before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that determines the amount of cylinder body wear. If significant wear is indicated, the dealer will replace the cylinder body, collar, and latch plate. If no signs of wear are indicated, dealers will replace the latch plate with a redesigned part. Owner notification began december 8, 2003. Owners should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 03V423000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
- Risk
- Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began june 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 02V120000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sedan, coupe and wagon passenger vehicles except the dx model and models with v6 engines. The factory installed air conditioner wire harness was improperly routed allowing some wires to rub against each other, eventually causing a short circuit.
- Risk
- The short circuit canpossibly cause the underhood wireing to overheat and smoke, causing a fire in the engine compartment. A short circuit can also result in a blown fuse or dead battery.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the vehicles for proper routing of these wires. Any harness improperly routed will be inspected for damage and the routing will be corrected. If any insulation is worn through and the copper wires are exposed, the harness will be replaced. Dealers will also install plastic tubing to protect the harness.
Recall number 98V231000 · Recall details
Questions about the Honda Accord key fob
Which Honda Accord years have key fob or push-button start problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (43 complaints), 2014 (28 complaints) and 2015 (16 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix key fob or push-button start problems on the Honda Accord?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $693 (median of 17 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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