Service bulletin - For any TPMS-related warranty repairs, all recorded DTCs must now be entered into the warranty claim. Make sure your repair order includes those DTCs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Honda Accord tires problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $150 · see tires across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$150
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering tires on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
HONDA: THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, POWER ON, BUT IN ACCESSORY; NEVER USE CONVENTIONAL WHEEL & TIRE ASSEMBLIES ON PAX VEHICLES; MIL ON AFTER THROTTLE BODY CLEANING OR REPLACEMENT; S/M FIX BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING, DIALOGUE FOR DVD SURROUND SOUND FROM FRONT SPEAKERS ONLY. VARIOUS MODELS AND MODEL YEARS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of this 2009 Accord report serious tire problems across multiple categories. Four narratives document sudden blowouts with complete sidewall and tread separation at speeds ranging from 30 to 75 mph, with one tire failing after only 22,364 miles. A General Altimax RT43 tire inspection revealed dry rot in the outer tread grooves despite the tire being parked 50% of the time. One Michelin Primacy tire failed with less than 3,000 miles after exposure to hot weather and highway speeds. Another narrative reports tread separation around an entire rear tire at 20 mph with 25,000 miles on it.
The TPMS warning light issue affects multiple owners. One driver reported the light came on 11 miles from the dealership on a brand new car and stayed on permanently. Others describe intermittent TPMS illumination at low speeds with no actual pressure problems—dealers blamed temperature changes or suggested nitrogen fills, but no repairs resolved it.
Additional reports include sidewall bubbling on Michelin Pilot tires and cracking on sidewalls with no apparent road hazard. One owner with dry rot affecting all four original tires had to replace them with 65% tread life remaining. A handling complaint describes the vehicle being pulled side-to-side on grooved concrete highways, though the dealer called this normal.
No owner reports identified a pattern of defective original equipment tires, though some used aftermarket replacements.
Same Honda Accord tires reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Tire Blowout — Sidewall Separation
Complete tire failure with sidewall and tread separation, typically occurring at highway speeds or moderate speed driving. Narratives #1, #3, #5, and #8 document sudden blowouts with no prior warning.
When: #1: 22,364 miles on tire (2 years 16 days); #3: <3,000 miles; #5: 25,000 miles on tire; #8: unknown mileage, recurrent issue
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loud noise at speed (30-75 mph); Loss of vehicle control or veering; Visible tread separation around entire tire; Sidewall rupture into multiple sections; Abnormal smell
Repairs/costs cited: #1: Tire shop identified dry rot in outer tread grooves; #5: Tire replaced with spare; #8: Tires replaced after three previous failures
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: #1: Notes General Altimax RT43 recall for over-curing defect (tire size 215/60R16 not listed in recall); #3: Michelin tires; #5: No manufacturer contact; #8: Manufacturer made aware, tires replaced
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light — Persistent or Intermittent
TPMS warning light illuminates at low speeds or intermittently during normal driving, persisting even after dealer inspection. Light remains on regardless of actual tire pressure or temperature.
When: #2: Within 11 miles of purchase (brand new car); #4: Early in ownership; #11: Around 5,000 miles; #12: 55,929 miles
Symptoms owners cite: TPMS warning light stays on continuously; TPMS light illuminates intermittently at various speeds above 5 mph; Light does not correlate with temperature changes; No apparent tire pressure issue identified
Repairs/costs cited: #2: Dealer suggested nitrogen but owner refused; #4: Dealer blamed air temperature, no resolution; #11: Multiple dealers unable to diagnose; #12: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: #2: Dealership would not provide service documentation; #4: Manufacturer informed TPMS was fine but suggested possible slow leak
Sidewall Bubbling and Damage
Visible bubbling and cracking on tire sidewalls, indicating internal damage or manufacturing defect. Narratives #6 and #9 report sidewall degradation independent of road hazards.
When: #6: Unknown; #9: 12,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Three-inch jagged crack on lower sidewall; Bubbling visible on front tire sidewalls; No evidence of road hazard or impact
Repairs/costs cited: #6: Shop classified damage as slice or sliver, no repair documented; #9: Tires not replaced, owner stopped driving
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: #9: Dealer referred owner to tire manufacturer; Michelin tires on vehicle
Dry Rot
Dry rot deterioration of tire rubber, causing structural weakness and safety hazard. Narratives #1 and #13 document dry rot in stored or parked vehicles.
When: #1: 22,364 miles over 2 years 16 days (garage parked 50% of time); #13: Unknown mileage, original equipment tires
Symptoms owners cite: Visible dry rot in outer tread grooves; Deterioration of all four original tires; Reduced tread life despite 65% remaining
Repairs/costs cited: #1: Tire replaced at tire shop; #13: All four tires replaced by four independent retailers
Mushy Handling and Road Groove Pickup
Tire sidewall design or inflation issues causing vehicle instability on grooved concrete highways or lane-tracking problems. Narratives #3 and #10 report handling issues distinct from blowouts.
When: #3: Throughout ownership; #10: From purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Mushy, jello-like sway in turns; Vehicle pulled side-to-side on grooved concrete roads; Loss of vehicle control on parallel-line road formations; Does not occur on plain tar roads
Repairs/costs cited: #3: Owner planned to replace all four Primacy tires immediately; #10: No repair attempted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: #10: Honda dealer stated behavior is normal
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had tires trouble with your 2009 Honda Accord?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the tires problem on the 2009 Honda Accord?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $150 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the tires typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most tires failures cluster between 32,000 and 96,810 miles, with the median around 55,929. A quarter of owners report trouble before 32,000; a quarter make it past 96,810. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $150 for tires repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to tires?
No active recalls currently cover tires issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Honda/Accord.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.