The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The RPM was elevated above 2,000 RPM, but the engine shuddered, and the vehicle lost motive power. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a blown head gasket. The contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinders #2 and #3. The contact was informed that there was coolant mixed into the engine oil. In addition, the contact was informed that the head gasket and the engine needed further diagnostic tests. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Honda Accord shudder problems
92 of the 24,251 owner complaints about the Honda Accord describe shudder or vibration when accelerating, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 92
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 54,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 11Check engine light 11Slipping 7Misfire 7Jerking 7Overheating 5Harsh shifting 5Fuel pump 5
What owners say
I am formally reporting a catastrophic engine failure involving the 1.5L turbocharged engine in the current-generation Honda Accord. As a professional high-mileage driver, I am exposing a severe design defect that poses immediate safety risks. While driving on the highway, the vehicle suddenly exhibited severe engine shuddering, a sudden loss of acceleration, and a dashboard overheating warning. A certified Honda dealership inspection revealed a severe head gasket failure, confirming that engine coolant is actively leaking into cylinders 1 and 3, causing critical engine misfires. This is an inherent manufacturing defect, not normal wear. The engine runs under extremely high thermal pressures, and the factory head bolts fail to maintain a proper seal, allowing coolant to breach the combustion chamber. The safety implications are critical. A sudden loss of power and engine stalling at highway speeds forces drivers into high-risk emergency situations, drastically increasing the likelihood of collisions. Furthermore, the constant loss of coolant leads to sudden engine overheating, creating a severe fire hazard. This exact issue plagued the previous 10th-generation Accord, and it is now clear that Honda failed to implement a permanent engineering fix for the current generation. Representatives from Honda Corporate have explicitly acknowledged to me that a manufacturer recall for this exact engine defect is currently under internal consideration. Because high-mileage vehicles reach the structural threshold of this component much faster than the average consumer, this case represents an early warning sign of a widespread, recurring failure. the federal safety agency must initiate an immediate safety defect investigation into the current Honda 1.5T engine powertrain to prevent catastrophic highway accidents and protect the public.
Frequently when maneuvering at very slow speeds to park in a tight spot, the steering wheel shudders significantly when turning the wheel all the way. This is different from the standard, variable resistance the steering provides at different speeds.
Coolant leaking into head gasket which now needs to be replaced as it’s causing the whole car to shudder when acclerating and when not letting off the gas the check engine light will come on and the car will not drive anymore. It then needs to be turned off and on again to go away and won’t fix the issue with the studdering.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and several unknown warning lights illuminated; the vehicle continued to shudder. The contact was able to drive the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to exceed 12 MPH. The contact activated the hazard lights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with head gasket failure, causing coolant intrusion into the cylinders and damage to the timing chain. The dealer replaced the head gasket and the timing chain. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Accord. The contact stated that occasionally, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle took an abnormally long time to start. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a light shudder before losing automotive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and shuddered. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs, and air filters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle intermittently stalled, and the contact stated that after waiting several minutes for the engine to cool down, the vehicle returned to normal operation; however, the vehicle was shuddering. No warning light was illuminated; however, the "VSC System Failure" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the throttle control system needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic made the contact aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 20V769000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and 23V158000 (SEAT BELTS); and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that unless the vehicle experienced a failure, the vehicle could continue to be driven. The contact stated that while driving in a parking lot and attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle started shuddering. The contact pumped the accelerator pedal and the vehicle returned to normal operation. After the vehicle was parked and restarted, the vehicle resumed to normal. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving with his wife and a child occupant and attempting to make a left turn at an intersection, the failure recurred. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal several times and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the check engine, ABS, and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle experienced a rough idle and shuddered. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle skipped and was running rough. Additionally, the vehicle experienced excessive fuel consumption and lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs and the turbo needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the parts; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
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 shudder
Which Honda Accord years have shudder or vibration when accelerating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (13 complaints), 2018 (13 complaints) and 2006 (8 complaints).
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