The CVT automatic transmission is leaking fluid from the transmission input shaft seal. The leak was diagnosed by Pohanka Honda of Fredericksburg, Virginia in October 2026 at approximately 99,400 miles. The dealer recommended replacing the transmission input shaft seal, a repair that requires removing the transmission, estimated at $2,990.90 plus tax. American Honda reviewed the case (Case #[XXX]) and declined goodwill assistance on [XXX]. The repair has not yet been performed. Safety concern: continued loss of transmission fluid can cause transmission failure and a loss of motive power while driving. No crash, fire, or injuries occurred. The problem is ongoing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Honda Accord transmission failure problems
1,107 of the 24,251 owner complaints about the Honda Accord describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 1,107
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,500
- typical mileage
- 90,000
By model year
Often reported together
Slipping 203Jerking 165Check engine light 93Won't shift 67Stalling 37Hesitation 34Harsh shifting 34Loss of power 22
Trouble codes mentioned
P0740 5P0741 2P0730 2P1890 1P1167 1P1166 1P0780 1P0777 1P0746 1P0706 1
What owners say
My 2018 Honda Accord EX's transmission failed after just 88,000 miles. I have owned 3 Hondas and I never had this experience. All bought a Honda World in Westminster, California. I did some research and spoke to a private transmission service company, Leon's Transmissions, and they told me that in 2018, Honda replaced the old transmission they were using with a CVT transmission. They said that clients who bought Honda Accords in 2018 have had the transmission fail on them between 80,000 - 100,000 miles. They also said that HONDA knew that the CVT in 2018 was a bad transmission but instead of alerting clients, they "chose" to work on improving the CVT transmission for future vehicles. I have taken in my Honda regularly for service which is about 3 times a year. I just had it serviced on May 29, 2026 with an oil and lube, a new air and cabin filter, and brakes. TWO MONTHS later, July 7, 2026 I discovered a "shimmy, grunting" sound when I started it. NO WARNING lamps, messages on my dashboard. I took it into my dealership that I have used since 2002. They told me the transmission had failed, that the warranty was only up to 60,000 miles and that to replace it would cost me $9000.00 dollars. NO DISCOUNTS, NO LOYALTY help, nothing. I am a retired senior and I cannot afford this cost. My dealership said that the car is NOT safe to drive, but to take it to CARMAX and see if I can get anything for the car. What nerve. I believe I should be given some compensation or a new transmission for this gross negligence on Honda. I took in my car for regular service, did not put too many miles on the car in the last 8 years (just 88,000) and feel that they should have CHECKED the transmission each time I serviced the car or alerted me via a recall about the transmission early on.
First incident, I purchased my vehicle in November 2022 in March 2023 my transmission failed. When replaced, the dealer didn't connect all hoses causing more issues and now my car struggles to shift. Dealerships made aware several time. Second incident, over the past year my infotainment system has been glitching. Switching between all settings, from the radio to the Bluetooth, screen freezing, etc. Imagine driving for hours with continuous beeping. Dealer replaced the screen and still no resolution. Dealer claims that they're investigating the issue but still hasn't.
A transmission problem occurred shortly after a CVT transmission service was performed at an authorized Honda dealership, Classic Honda of Midland in Midland, Texas. After the service, the vehicle began experiencing abnormal noise, vibration, and harsh driving conditions. The vehicle was later inspected at another authorized Honda dealership, Ocean Honda of Burlingame, California. During the inspection, technicians documented that the CVT transmission fluid had been overfilled and excess transmission fluid had to be drained. After further evaluation, internal transmission damage was identified and the dealership advised that the transmission likely needs replacement. Ocean Honda of Burlingame provided an estimated cost of $10,101.13 for transmission replacement. Attempts were made to resolve the issue directly with Classic Honda of Midland in Texas, but the dealership refused to take responsibility or provide assistance. This condition may create a safety risk due to potential loss of power and unsafe drivability while operating the vehicle.
My Honda is shifting harsh going into 5th gear and sometimes reverse is not available. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership and they are telling me I need a new transmission to the tune of $9,600. It only has 64,000 miles and the warranty recently expired. I took the car to another mechanic and he told me the same thing. There is no way that the transmission should go out at such low miles. Honda needs to step up and take care of this problem. There are many complaints about this issue but nothing is being done. I have the 7 year/100,00 mile warrany but the car is a 2018. This was the first year of the 10-speed transmission and many people are having problems. This needs to be addressed.
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact purchased the vehicle on October 27, 2025. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale by an individual who was a registered dealer. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,000. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately start. Several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that there was exposure of red wiring on the underside of the vehicle, which could be a potential safety hazard. The dealer also informed the contact of an oil leak, a previous ABS replacement, a previous transmission replacement, and that the engine was not the original engine. The dealer also informed the contact that the mileage on the vehicle was not what had been documented at the time of sale and that the actual mileage was 205,000. The contact confirmed the actual mileage as 205,000 in a Carfax Report. The failures persisted. One morning, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the flex plate had failed. The starter was replaced; however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact had spoken with the seller, who had taken possession of the vehicle but had not provided any additional repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The odometer fraud was not reported to any other Government Agencies.
I bought a used 04 v6 accord with 84,000 on it I bought it for $7500 that was in May/June 2021 he was going on and on about the air conditioner and the jbl radiothe About the time it started getting cold I noticed problems with it not wanting to go when put in drive unless it was warmed up enough didn't really think much about. in the colder months the next year it would start doing some jerking problem and then it started messing up like when you are slowing down for a red light but then it turns green and you give it the gas but it just wines like it was in neutral but it was still in drive so I would have to pull over to the side of the road coasting but once I got to a lower gear like first gear I could hear it and feel it go into gear and then when I gave it the gas it would go. Google found a 4.3 million recall on that 04 v6 tranny... mad people same problems they had transmissions replaced somewhere saying to change the transmission fluid every three months just with 3 quarts until the torque converter was flushed out and so on well I had just bought this vehicle pretty much put my savings into it. Apparently the recall was for shavings from the transmission getting in the linkage causing it to pop out of gear if not that bad it could be fixed but if it was bad transmission need replacing no recall on my car if it has same safety problem why no recall. my childhood friend told me it was a transmission it got so bad I had to park sitting 2yrs i have no one to work on it I don't have the funds to pay a garage my friend had a heart attack passed away some say shift solenoid, I know that seller knew there was a problem he spent $600 yea no revall for him he ripped me off but at such low miles there's got to be a reason for this barely used car to be such a safety hazard...my dad told me to write you guys what can it hurt he said the car has been sitting because I have no money to pay to get it fixed I live on SS. Feel free to call me please i miss my honda
Driving on I70 mm152.2 my transmission went out and I was left quickly slowing on the interstate. I was in left line and cars were passing on the right. I needed to get over because I could not pull over to the left. Thought I might get stuck stopped on the interstate but was able to get over safely. Car only had 88000 miles on it and was less than 5 years old
My 2023 Honda Accord, with about 62,000 miles has a fault transmission, that is claimed a loss and needs to be replaced for almost $8,000. The transmission is currently at the dealership, but might be returned to Honda if a new one is installed. Our safety is being put at risk because if the transmission fails while driving the vehicle will not operate accordingly. The issue has been confirmed by my local Honda dealership, as well as others online confirming same issue with Honda CVT transmissions. The vehicle and transmission has not been inspected by police, manufacture, or insurance yet. There was no warning light. I did start to hear a ticking sound at 57,000 miles. My powertrain warranty is until 60,000. However, I was told by dealer to wait to do recall and regular service at same time. Now, I am passed my warranty 2,000 miles and they do not want to cover damages. I am almost positive it is a manufacturing issue because there is no way a transmission failed at 60,000 miles. Especially on a Honda. IF my transmission is replace I also do not receive an extended warranty, so I have 0 confidence in vehicle and do not want to keep it.
The transmission on my 2015 Honda Accord failed and I was stranded on the side of the road. The engine started to accelerate on its own and soon after the gas peddle was not working and I was forced to pull over. My safety was put at risk because I had to pull over on the highway late at night and was stranded. The transmission failed and the issue code is P1890. I found details on this known issue here: There is no recall but it is a known issue, and I believe it is dangerous for Honda to allow these cars to remain on the road without new transmissions. According to the link I posted before, the only fix is a new transmission. I believe this should be issued as a recall so other Accord owners (2014-2016 years) do not face the same problem as I did. This problem was fix in 2017. There was no physical damage done to the car and the car received routine maintenance. T
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 transmission failure
Which Honda Accord years have complete transmission failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (379 complaints), 2002 (168 complaints) and 2004 (136 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the Honda Accord?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,500 (median of 304 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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