Honda Accords typically run on a six-speed manual transmission, and with that transmission, you’re going to have all of the same problems you would have with any car’s transmission. But drivers also have the option of a CVT, which brings a bunch of other problems.
What transmission problems do Honda Accord owners have to worry about?
To list some of the big ones:
- Transmission may slip and jerk
- Erratic down-shifting
- Unexpected acceleration
Next, we’ll cover how a CVT works, we’ll go into detail about the issues listed above, and we’ll let you know if there’s anything you can do to fix it. Read on.
What is a CVT?
A manual six-speed transmission works kind of like the gears on a six-speed bicycle. When you switch gears, the transmission literally swaps over to a different gear to achieve the desired speed. A CVT uses a set of moving cones, instead. These cones can be moved to adjust the belt diameter.
This is how Continuously Variable Transmissions are able to achieve such a smooth ride with no skip from gear to gear, just a single flowing run from zero to sixty. But CVTs also have a lot of problems that you don’t experience with conventional transmissions.
3 Common Honda Accord Transmission Problems
Transmission May Slip and Jerk
You’re going to see these problems with just about any model equipped with a CVT. Thankfully complaints of slipping transmission have been fewer with the Honda Accord than they have been with a number of other CVT-based vehicles.
In many instances, all you can do about slipping transmission is replace the whole thing. You can check for recalls at NHTSA or see if your warranty covers it. You may be able to prevent this by making sure that you change your transmission fluid every 50,000 miles.
Erratic Down-Shifting
Honda Accords have been known to down-shift erratically, sort of jumping and skipping into place. In some cases, the car may even come to a complete stop out of nowhere. These problems usually start to pop up after 100,000 miles on manual-transmission Accords.
Once again, you’re looking at transmission failure. Once these problems start there’s not much you can do but start thinking about having the transmission replaced. Check your warranty, check for recalls, and hope that you’re covered.
Vehicle May Accelerate Without Warning
A number of Accord owners have reported their vehicle suddenly accelerates without warning, often hitting another car, fence, tree or wall. While these problems are usually reported as having to do with the transmission, the good news is that it’s probably something much less serious: Floor mats.
Honda Accord gas pedals have a tendency to get snagged on non-standard floor mats and other aftermarket interior features. You can request a free test at your dealer to make sure, but generally, if you make sure that your pedal is unobstructed, you probably won’t have this issue.
