The 2011 Honda Accord comes with nine recalls–and eight of them relate to the infamous Takata airbag recall. Other reported problems include poorly designed seats, engine rattling noises, structural leaks, and sudden loss of power.
Key Points
- The 2011 Honda Accord has nine recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, covering two main issues: faulty airbag inflators and improperly-tightened suspension components.
- Five recalls deal with malfunctioning front passenger airbag inflators, while another three cover the incorrectly installed replacement inflator.
- A different recall addresses improperly fastened front suspension bolts and spindle nuts.
- Out of the 261 registered complaints, several consumers report airbag issues, while others experience excessive engine rattling, sudden loss of power, poorly designed seats, structural leaks, and power steering failure.
2011 Honda Accord has Multiple Recalls for Malfunctioning and Improperly Installed Airbags, Part of the Massive Takata Recall
Out of the nine recalls issued for the 2011 Honda Accord, eight deal with faulty and improperly installed front passenger airbag inflators. Per the NHTSA, the issue is due to long-term exposure to high heat and humidity. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants and resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda suspects around 20,000 Accords have new airbag inflators that may have been installed incorrectly. As a result, the automaker recommends avoiding the use of the front passenger seat until proper repairs are done.
The very first recall the 2011 Honda Accord received was not over airbags but instead focused on front suspension damper bolts and spindle nuts that may not have been properly tightened, which can lead to a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
The infamous Takata airbag issue has unfortunately led to several serious injuries and even deaths, reports Car and Driver.
Several 2011 Accord Owners Complain of Excessive Engine Rattling and Unexpected Loss of Power, Resulting in a Lawsuit
Out of the 261 complaints registered with the NHTSA, a total of 41 are against the 2011 Accord’s engine and powertrain. The majority of the complaints involve the engine’s variable timing control actuator, citing 2011 Accords with the 2.4L inline-four engine making a rattling noise, especially during cold starts. The fix costs between $700 and $900 and could lead to engine failure if not done.
Another set of complaints involve the Accord’s variable cylinder management. The issue, however, is exclusive to the 3.5-liter V6 models and has affected nearly 1.9 million units. Per one 2011 Honda Civic owner, it causes an unexpected loss of power, and then the engine hesitates to accelerate.
A class-action lawsuit was filed against the Japanese automaker alleging engine misfire, premature spark plug failure, and excessive oil burning. Honda agreed to settle by offering a warranty extension.
As for the powertrain, some owners report rough shifting in Accords fitted with the torque converter automatic. One driver noticed the transmission slipping and leaking fluid, others report the car exhibiting choppy gear changes when downshifting.
2011 Honda Accord Reportedly has Poorly Designed Seats that can Lead to Back and Neck Pain
Several owners reported having back pain due to the Accord’s poorly designed driver’s seat, saying they found the lumbar support to be overly protruding, causing discomfort.
The front passenger seat has also been cited as a source of discomfort that has caused back and neck pain in some drivers. There are also reports of the headrests causing problems due to their lack of adjustment.
One owner reports, “My neck gets stiff after about 30 minutes, there is no adjustment allowed on the headrest, and the only relief is to recline the backrest.”
Some 2011 Accords Have Complaints Lodged Over Structural Leaks and Power Steering Failure
The NHTSA has received a total of 36 complaints regarding structural leaks and steering failure, with the majority of the structural issues involving a problem with water ingress. During inclement weather, water seeps in, destroying the headliner and soaking the side curtain airbags.
Several complainants have replaced the windshield, only to find that it wasn’t causing the problem. However, one 2011 Accord owner diagnosed the cause to be the weather stripping clogging up near the car’s roof. Other structural complaints include paint chipping, and injuries caused by the trunk lid not staying up and closing unexpectedly.
As for the steering failure, reports of the 2011 Accord’s power steering leaking have been registered. This leads to a sudden loss of control and increases the risk of an accident.
Additionally, a few owners have had issues with excessive steering vibration. The root cause is yet to be determined, and only a handful of complaints have been registered. Although the NHTSA has a couple of cases of the car unintentionally accelerating, there aren’t any crashes or injuries reported.
Despite Airbag Issues and Seats that can be a Pain in the Neck, the 2011 Honda Accord is a Reliable Sedan
The Honda Accord is a very popular and reliable midsize sedan. And its reputation has been pretty solid and unshakable since it began production in 1976. The 2011 model is no exception despite the fact that it has nine recalls and over 260 consumer complaints.
When you look at the big picture, you’ll see the 2011 Honda Accord is still a pretty good car when you consider that eight of the nine recalls are related to the same Takata airbag issue that affected multiple automakers. And for a vehicle to have just over 260 complaints and zero investigations after being on the road for over a decade, it is a good sign of a well-made midsize vehicle.
Plus, many of those complaints relate to the airbags. So, despite these issues, the 2011 Honda Accord is a decent buy on the used car market.
Photos: Honda
