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Honda Accord (9th Gen)

13-17 · Honda Accord

87out of 100

The 9th gen introduced the CVT and a new 2.4L, gaining fuel economy and losing a bit of the K-series simplicity that made earlier Accords legendary for repairability.

Score breakdown

80/ 100Reliability×2.583/ 100True Annual Cost×3.095/ 100Safety×2.089/ 100Practicality×1.5100/ 100Repairability×1.0

Our take

What it really is

A polished but slightly more complex Accord. The K24W4 is still chain-driven and reliable but the CVT transmission (on 4-cylinder CVT trims) is less proven long-term than the earlier automatics. 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic trims remain excellent. Some early 4-cylinder models had an oil dilution issue, gasoline contaminating engine oil, on cold-climate short-trip driving.

Why it's on this list

Strong safety scores, good fuel economy, and competitive pricing. The 6-speed automatic or manual trims avoid CVT concerns entirely. A 15-17 EX is one of the best sub-$15k midsize buys available.

The honest trade-offs

The CVT oil dilution issue on early 4-cylinder models is real. Honda issued a software fix but early examples may have already suffered wear. Infotainment systems are dated by 2017. V6 AWD models are rare and complex.

What to buy and what to avoid

15-17 EX with the 6-speed automatic (avoid CVT if possible). If buying a CVT model, verify the software update was applied and check for evidence of oil dilution.

Annual cost of ownership

Fuel (12k mi)
$1,320 (USD)[5]
Maintenance
$400 (USD)[1]
Tires (prorated)
$193 (USD)
Insurance (25yr male)
$2,000 (USD)[8]
Insurance (40yr female)
$1,540 (USD)[8]
Total (25yr male)
$2,593 (USD)
Total (40yr female)
$2,133 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined
30[5]
MPG city / hwy
27 / 36[5]
Engine
2.4L 4-cyl (K24W4)
Horsepower
185 hp
Torque
181 lb-ft
Seats
5
Cargo max
15.8 cu ft
Stock tires
225/50R17
Body
Sedan (trunk)
Rear seats
60/40 split

Also available in coupe. The score reflects the primary body style listed above.

Safety

NHTSA overall
5/5 ★[2]
Rollover risk
16%[2]
IIHS rating
Good[4]
ESC standard
Yes

Rust vulnerability

Overall severity
Minimal
Frame rust risk
Low

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost
$400 (USD)[1]
Industry avg annual cost
$652 (USD)[1]
RepairPal rating
4/5[1]
Unscheduled visits/yr
0.5[1]
Severe issue probability
11%[1]
250k-mile survival
58%[7]

Repairability

Headlight type
Halogen
DIY replacement cost
$20 (USD)
At major retailer
Yes
Headlight benchmark
10/10

References

Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.

  1. [1]dataset
    RepairPal

    Annual repair cost, visit frequency, and severe issue probability. Used in the reliability formula.

  2. [2]government
    NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

    Federal crash test star ratings and rollover percentages. Used in the safety formula.

  3. [3]government
    NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins

    Manufacturer-issued service bulletins flagging known defects. Used in the PPI checklist generator.

  4. [4]dataset
    IIHS Safety Ratings

    Insurance Institute crash test ratings (small overlap, side, headlight quality). Used in the safety formula and the repairability headlight benchmark.

  5. [5]government
    EPA Fuel Economy Guide

    Official combined/city/highway MPG figures. Used in the true annual cost formula.

  6. [6]forum thread
    CarComplaints

    Owner-reported defect patterns by mileage and year. Used in the known-issues list and PPI checklist.

  7. [7]dataset
    iSeeCars Long-Term Reliability

    Probability of reaching 250,000 miles by make and model. Used in the reliability formula.

  8. [8]publication
    Bankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates

    Full-coverage insurance estimates by driver profile (25M, 40F). Used in the true annual cost formula.

Before you buy

Looking to buy a Honda Accord?

Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.

Get the checklist

Modernize this car

CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.

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