Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Honda Accord airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Honda Accord have filed 39 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 57,647 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Accord | 138 |
| 2010 Accord | 131 |
| 2011 Accord | 112 |
| 2012 Accord | 56 |
| 2013 Accord (this page) | 39 |
| 2014 Accord | 29 |
| 2015 Accord | 21 |
| 2016 Accord | 13 |
| 2017 Accord | 21 |
14crashes
10injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 39 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Honda Accord, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 39 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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.
"DEALER MESSAGE - AMERICAN HONDA (AHM) IS INVESTIGATING CERTAIN 2013-2014 ACCORDS & 2013 CIVIC SEDANS WITH A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF SRS LIGHT ON WITH THE DTC 82-11 (INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGERS WEIGHT SENSOR FRONT INNER SIDE), 82-21 (INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGERS WEIGHT SENSOR REAR INNER SIDE), 83-31 (INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGERS WEIGHT SENSOR FRONT OUTER SIDE) AND/OR 83-41 (INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGERS WEIGHT SENSOR REAR OUTER SIDE) STORED. TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF THIS CONDITION, AHM WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE IN A SPECIFIC CONDITION PRIOR TO YOU ATTEMPTING A REPAIR OF ANY KIND"
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"ENGINEERING REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION - AMERICAN HONDA (AHM) IS INVESTIGATING CERTAIN 2013-2014 ACCORDS & 2013 CIVIC SEDANS WITH A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF SRS LIGHT ON WITH THE DTC 82-11 (INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGERS WEIGHT SENSOR FRONT INNER SIDE), 82-21 (INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGERS WEIGHT SENSOR REAR INNER SIDE), 83-31 (INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGERS WEIGHT SENSOR FRONT OUTER SIDE) AND/OR 83-41 (INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGERS WEIGHT SENSOR REAR OUTER SIDE) STORED. TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF THIS CONDITION, AHM WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE IN A SPECIFIC CONDITION PRIOR TO YOU ATTEMPTING A REPAIR OF ANY KIND."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"DEALER MESSAGE - AMERICAN HONDA (AHM)IS INVESTIGATING CERTAIN 2013-2014ACCORDS & 2013CIVIC SEDANS WITH A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF SRS LIGHT ON WITH THE DTC 82-11 (INTERNAL FAILURE OFTHE FRONT PASSENGERS W EIGHT SENSOR FRONT INNER SIDE), 82-21 (INTERNAL FAILURE OFTHE FRONT PASSENGERS W EIGHT SENSOR REAR INNER SIDE), 83-31 (INTERNAL FAILURE OFTHE FRONT PASSENGERS W EIGHT SENSOR FRONT OUTER SIDE)AND/OR 83-41 (INTERNAL FAILURE OFTHE FRONT PASSENGERS W EIGHT SENSOR REAR OUTER SIDE)STORED. TO FULLYUNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OFTHIS CONDITION, AHM WOULD LIKE TO COLLECT CERTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE VEHICLE IN A SPECIFIC CONDITION PRIOR TO YOUATTEMPTING A REPAIR OFANYKIND."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"DEALER MESSAGE - AMERICAN HONDA (AHM) IS INVESTIGATING CERTAIN 2013-2014ACCORDS & 2013 CIVIC SEDANS WITH A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF SRS LIGHT ON WITH THE DTC 82-11 (INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGERS WEIGHT SENSOR FRONT INNER SIDE), 82-21 (INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGERS WEIGHT SENSOR REAR INNER SIDE), 83-31 (INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGERS WEIGHT SENSOR FRONT OUTER SIDE) AND/OR 83-41 (INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGERS WEIGHT SENSOR REAR OUTER SIDE) STORED. TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF THIS CONDITION, AHM WOULD LIKE TO COLLECT CERTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE VEHICLE IN A SPECIFIC CONDITION PRIOR TO YOU ATTEMPTING A REPAIR OF ANY KIND."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report three main categories of airbag problems:
Unintended Deployments: Airbags deploying without impact or collision—some while driving at highway speeds, some parked overnight, others during minor steering wheel movements or after going over bumps. One owner reported passenger-side airbags deploying in the middle of the night with no accident; another reported both driver and passenger curtain bags deploying at 35 mph with zero impact or warning light.
Failure to Deploy: Airbags not deploying during crashes—including high-impact collisions at 50+ mph, T-bones, rear-end impacts, and strikes into stationary objects. Owners sustained injuries (broken nose, head trauma, chest damage from seatbelt alone, knee contusions) that protective airbags should have prevented. Some saw warning lights come on but no deployment.
Takata Recall Delays and Parts Shortages: Owners received Takata recall notices but dealerships had no parts available, with no firm timeline for repair. Some owners couldn't trade or sell their vehicles due to known airbag defects. A few reported they never received recall notices at all despite being identified in bankruptcy proceedings. One owner bought a brand-new 2013 with a failed steering-wheel airbag; the part wasn't released until June, leaving the car undrivable for weeks.
Wiring and Sensor Issues: Persistent clicking or squeaking from the steering wheel requiring cable-reel replacement; same issue recurring within months. Airbag warning lights illuminating on new cars or without cause, with dealerships unable to diagnose root problems. One owner reported faulty wiring requiring the whole airbag unit replacement.
Same Honda Accord airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended airbag deployment
Airbags deploying with no impact, collision, or warning light—some while driving at highway speed, some parked stationary. Owners report passenger-side bags deploying overnight, both curtain bags deploying during normal driving, and bags deploying after minor steering wheel movement.
When: Various mileage and driving conditions; some at highway speeds (35 mph, 60 mph), some parked or stationary
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger or driver airbags deploying without collision or impact; Curtain airbags deploying without warning light; Airbags deploying after going over bumps or steering wheel movement; No visible or felt impact preceding deployment; Airbags deploying while vehicle stationary or parked
Repairs/costs cited: Owners paid for repairs ranging from $2,984.60 (full airbag replacement after improper deployment). Some replacements needed but costs not specified.
Failure to deploy in crashes
Airbags failing to deploy during significant collisions—rear-end impacts, T-bones, hits at 50+ mph, head-on strikes into poles and trees. Drivers sustained injuries (broken nose, head trauma, chest/seatbelt injuries, neck injuries, concussions) that should have been cushioned by airbags.
When: During crashes at various speeds (35 mph rear-end, 50 mph pole strike, 70 mph multi-car, unknown highway speed). Mileage ranging 24,000 to 127,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during high-impact collision; Partial deployment (only some airbags deploy in multi-occupant vehicle); Delayed deployment (deployed only after owner tried to exit vehicle); Warning light illuminated but no deployment; Driver-side airbag did not deploy while passenger-side did, or vice versa
Codes mentioned: EA19001 (mentioned by one owner as possible related action number)
Repairs/costs cited: Sensors replaced. One estimate cited $10,000 for repair after failure-to-deploy accident. No deployment during crashes—vehicles often totaled or severely damaged.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in some cases but offered no assistance. Insurance companies sometimes denied claims, stating airbag failure was not a covered accident.
Takata airbag recall—parts unavailable and delays
Owners received Takata recall notices but parts were not supplied to dealers for extended periods. Manufacturers provided no firm repair timeline. Some owners identified in Takata bankruptcy but never received official recall notice. One brand-new 2013 had failed steering-wheel airbag; part not released until June, months after purchase.
When: Recall issued 2017–2018 era for some; parts-shortage complaints spanning 2013–2019. One new car (purchased 2013) required part unavailable until June of that year.
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but dealer has no parts; No firm timeline provided for parts availability; Owner identified in Takata bankruptcy but no recall notice received; Vehicle cannot be traded or sold due to known airbag defect; Brand-new vehicle with failed steering-wheel airbag unit on delivery
Repairs/costs cited: Steering-wheel airbag unit replacement. Delayed weeks to months awaiting parts. One owner left in rental car while waiting for parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued (NHTSA Campaign 16V344000 mentioned). Honda advised avoiding front-passenger seating until repair. However, parts supplied slowly or not at all; no projected repair dates given to owners.
Airbag cable-reel or steering-wheel clicking/squeaking
Clicking or squeaking noise from steering wheel when turning left or right. Dealership diagnostics identified defective airbag cable reel requiring replacement. Same failure recurred within months of initial repair.
When: First reported 08/20/2013. Same issue recurred 2 months later (12/26/2013) after initial repair. Approximately 5,484 miles on vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise from steering wheel when turning left or right; Squeaking noise during steering wheel rotation; Dealership disassembled steering console to access cable reel
Repairs/costs cited: Cable reel for airbag replaced. Same failure occurred again within 5,484 miles; dealership noted they would report to American Honda as possible engineering/recall issue if third failure occurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer supplied replacement part; dealership replaced per manufacturer instructions.
Airbag warning light—faulty wiring or sensor
Red airbag warning light illuminating on dashboard, persisting intermittently or constantly. Brand-new vehicles displayed the light at delivery. Dealership diagnostics attributed to faulty wiring or failed airbag unit requiring replacement. Some warning lights could not be diagnosed.
When: From time of purchase (some brand-new vehicles); also reported intermittently or after sitting parked. One instance reported with ~67K miles after VSA module failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Red airbag warning light on or intermittent on dashboard; Warning light persists at startup on brand-new vehicles; Light sometimes on, sometimes off; Light cannot be cleared with diagnostics; All warning lights stay on (in one case linked to VSA/ABS module failure)
Repairs/costs cited: Faulty wiring replaced; airbag unit replacement needed. One case cited VSA module ($1,700+) failure at 67K miles affecting multiple safety functions.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships performed diagnostics and parts replacement. One owner asked Honda about inspection; told they would have to pay for inspection in regional recall areas.
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
After hearing a noise coming from the steering wheel (such as a clicking noise or squeaking), turning it left and/or right, I took it to the Honda dealership on 08/20/2013. The dealership removed the steering wheel and determined that the cable reel for the air bag was defective and needed to be replaced. The dealership did not return the vehicle to me for "safety" until the part was to be…
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 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 airbags problem on the 2013 Honda Accord?
It's a meaningful issue. 39 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 20,400 and 72,500 miles, with the median around 57,647. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,400; a quarter make it past 72,500. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2013/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.