Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter. American Honda investigated the judder and found that the torque converter was not causing the judder and the transmission is not damaged by this judder.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Honda Accord powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Honda Accord have filed 58 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 65,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
58
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Accord | 38 |
| 2011 Accord | 17 |
| 2012 Accord | 26 |
| 2013 Accord | 100 |
| 2014 Accord (this page) | 58 |
| 2015 Accord | 36 |
| 2016 Accord | 25 |
| 2017 Accord | 31 |
| 2018 Accord | 128 |
2crashes
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 58 powertrain complaints filed for the 2014 Honda Accord, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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 58 powertrain 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 powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 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 powertrain 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.
Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter. American Honda investigated the judder and found that the torque converter was not causing the judder and the transmission is not damaged by this judder
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter. American Honda investigated the judder and found that the torque converter was not causing the judder and the transmission is not damaged by this judder
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - The water pump seized or the drive belt shredded. The water pump bearing is out of specification.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - During assembly of the short block, some connecting rod bolts may not have been properly torqued. If a connecting rod bolt was not torqued properly, the engine may rattle/knock, leak oil, or lose power, increasing the risk of a crash.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Honda Accord powertrain has a documented pattern of multiple critical failures. The most common complaint is CVT transmission failure: owners describe sudden violent shuddering, complete loss of power mid-highway, inability to re-engage gear, and catastrophic disengagement even with no prior warning lights. Transmission replacement costs $4,000–$6,000, with some owners on their third unit.
Driveshaft corrosion and fracture is widespread, leading to total loss of motive power without warning. Honda's recall 20V769 covers only 21 specific salt-belt states, but owners report identical failures in states like Nebraska, South Dakota, and Massachusetts. Even within recall regions, some owners face $1,500+ parts charges or discover replacement shafts fail due to poor casting quality.
Engine problems include misfire codes and violent jerking during acceleration, often undetectable by dealership diagnostics. Excessive oil consumption (1 quart per 1,000–3,000 miles) and black soot in tailpipes are common. Honda service bulletins reference bad piston rings but offer no permanent fix.
Starter failures occur as early as 24,000 miles—far shorter than typical life. Accelerator sensor failures cause sudden loss of power and recur after replacement. Shift lock failures allow vehicles to roll away from park. Dealers frequently cannot replicate problems or refuse to diagnose, citing warranty expirations or stating failures cannot be found.
Same Honda Accord powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Driveshaft corrosion and fracture
Front driveshafts develop premature corrosion in salt-belt climates, leading to fracture and complete loss of motive power. Owners report corrosion visible on axles even in non-salt-belt states. Honda recall 20V769 covers the issue but with geographical restrictions that owners dispute.
When: Various mileages from 62,000 to 200,000 miles; some at low speeds (8 mph turning), others on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle unable to move forward or reverse despite engine running; Loud noise or popping from front end before loss of power; Visible rust/corrosion on front axles; Vehicle rolls away or coasts unpredictably; Shift lever unresponsive
Repairs/costs cited: Driveshaft replacement; owners report $130 diagnostic fees, denial of coverage under recall for out-of-region vehicles, and post-repair fracture of replacement parts due to poor casting
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 20V769 (issued 12/18/2020) for 2013-2015 Accord driveshaft inspection; limited to 21-state salt-belt region; Honda denies coverage for vehicles outside designated states despite documented corrosion
CVT transmission failure and loss of power
Automatic CVT transmissions fail suddenly with complete loss of motive power, often during acceleration or highway driving. Multiple owners report the vehicle shifting out of gear mid-drive and becoming unable to re-engage.
When: As early as 50,000 miles; some failures under 65,000 miles on nearly new vehicles; pattern continues to 200,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shuddering during acceleration; Loss of all acceleration/power; Vehicle shifts out of gear without warning; Cannot re-engage gear after failure; Hesitation and difficulty switching gears; Engine revs but no power to wheels; Check engine light or malfunction indicator blinking (or absent)
Codes mentioned: P0300 (engine misfire codes referenced), FCW system failed messages, Multiple dashboard warnings (ABS, VSA, EPS, LDW, TPMS lights)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement costs $4,000–$6,000; owners charged 40% out-of-pocket after Honda covers 60%; Honda service bulletins reference bad piston rings; some dealers claim CVT transmissions cannot be opened for inspection; one owner on third CVT replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued; dealers often cannot replicate failures; Honda response is 'cannot replicate, so there is no problem'; warranty may not cover depending on mileage; TSB references bad piston rings
Engine misfire and excessive vibration
Engine misfires, surges, jerks, and develops severe vibration, particularly under acceleration or at cruise speeds. Issues include rough running on 3 cylinders (VCM engagement), carbon buildup, and piston ring degradation.
When: Early in ownership; one case documented at 14,000 miles; accelerates through vehicle life to higher mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Stuttering or jerking during acceleration; Engine stalling (at stops, during merges, without warning); Violent tremors when accelerating; Severe rumbling/vibration in 1700–2000 RPM range (VCM engagement); Engine hesitation when pressing accelerator; Rough idle or rough running; Check engine light or malfunction indicator
Codes mentioned: P0300 (random misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Honda dealers often cannot detect cause; valve cover gasket replacement, oil change, and fuel injection cleaning attempted without resolution; some shops refuse to work on vehicle citing TSB bad piston rings requiring engine replacement or piston ring service
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls; TSB cited by independent shops for bad piston rings; Honda acknowledges issue in some 2008–2011 models but pattern continues in 2014 models; no manufacturer fix offered; issue persists despite regular maintenance
Excessive oil consumption
Engine burns excessive amounts of oil at rates of 1 quart per 1,000–3,000 miles, far exceeding normal consumption. Owners report black soot coating inside tailpipe and carbon buildup on piston rings and cylinders. Honda dealerships claim rates up to 1 quart per 500 miles are 'normal.'
When: Early in vehicle life; documented as early as 28,000 miles; continues through vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Oil consumption 1 quart per 1,000–3,000 miles; Low oil light coming on; Black soot visible in tailpipe; Carbon deposits on cylinders and piston rings; Oil pressure light flickering during braking
Repairs/costs cited: Piston ring replacement, valve cover gasket replacement, full engine rebuild, or new engine suggested; costs range from $262 (valve cover gasket) to engine replacement (not specified); post-repair consumption unchanged; owners report 2003 Honda Accord of similar design uses almost zero oil
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls; Honda dealerships claim consumption is normal until reaching 1 quart per 500 miles; no permanent fix offered; TSB cited for bad piston rings in some model years but not officially applied; previous recalls issued for 2008–2011 models but pattern continues in 2014
Starter failure
Starter fails prematurely, preventing the engine from cranking or requiring multiple attempts to start. Owners report early failure at mileages far below typical starter life expectancy.
When: As early as 24,000 miles; typical failure range 40,000–58,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No crank on first or multiple start attempts; Clicking sound when pressing start button; Engine will not turn over; requires 5–20 attempts to start; Intermittent failure to start
Repairs/costs cited: Starter replacement; dealer cost $800; owners report online forums documenting widespread early failures in 9th generation Accord; some failures occur at 24,000 miles (within warranty), others at 40,000+ miles (out of warranty)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls; dealers charge full replacement cost once warranty expires; no acknowledgment of pattern
Transmission hesitation and delay in gear engagement
Vehicle experiences sluggish response when shifting into gear, hesitation during acceleration, and delayed power transmission to wheels. Issues persist after transmission oil changes and correct fluid installation.
When: Can occur immediately after recall service or develop gradually; one case noted sluggishness for extended period before catastrophic failure
Symptoms owners cite: Sluggish response when shifting into gear; Delayed engagement after shifting; Hesitation when pressing accelerator; Vehicle slow to 'switch' into gear; Transmission does not respond immediately to pedal input
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission oil change recommended; owners report change did not resolve issue; potential relationship to driveshaft repair quality or incorrect fluid installation post-service
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers initially report no transmission issues detected in diagnostic reports; recommend oil change; later blame incorrect transmission fluid for wear; no acknowledgment of sluggishness as pre-existing or design issue
Accelerator position sensor and electronic throttle failures
Electronic throttle and accelerator position sensor failures cause sudden loss of acceleration, violent jerking, and dashboard warnings. Issues reoccur even after sensor replacement and ECU reprogramming.
When: Mileage variable; one failure documented shortly after dealership service
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration while driving; Violent jerking or shuddering; Engine idle despite pedal input; FCW system failed message and multiple dashboard warnings; Engine has no response to accelerator
Codes mentioned: FCW system failed
Repairs/costs cited: Accelerator position sensor replacement (3-day service); ECU and main wiring harness replacement (8 days service); multiple service attempts; problem recurs after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers diagnose as failed accelerator position sensor or wiring harness; no TSB or recall issued despite pattern of reoccurrence after repair
Transmission shift lock and parking engagement issues
Shift lever fails to engage or becomes stuck in park; transmission disengages or fails to hold vehicle in park, causing unexpected rollaway on hills or inclines.
When: Documented at 34,000 miles; presumably can occur at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Shift lever locked in park; Shift lever requires wiggling to release; Transmission fails to hold vehicle in park; Vehicle rolls away on hills despite being in park; Shift lever stuck or unresponsive
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired; no parts or costs cited
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to locate failure code; no recall or TSB issued; no manufacturer response documented
Wheel bearing premature wear
Rear wheel bearings fail prematurely, generating loud humming noise across certain speed ranges despite low vehicle mileage.
When: Documented at 26,000 miles on a 3-year-old vehicle just out of warranty
Symptoms owners cite: Loud low humming noise between 35–60 mph; Noise increases in loudness over time; Both left and right rear wheel bearings failed simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: Both rear wheel bearings replaced; problem resolved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB referenced; no manufacturer response
Electrical system starting issues and battery management sensor failure
Intermittent electrical problems prevent engine start despite good battery health. All instrument panel lights illuminate and quickly extinguish. Related to battery management sensor recall but not fully resolved.
When: At 42,000 miles; after recall service on battery management sensor
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent failure to start when stationary; All dashboard symbols light up and quickly turn off; Engine does not crank; 'Power is on' message displayed on instrument panel; Problem only occurs when car is stationary
Repairs/costs cited: Battery management sensor recall scheduled; owner expects repair to resolve issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued recall for battery management sensor on this vehicle; issue persists pending repair
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) malfunction
TPMS warning light illuminates repeatedly despite multiple software updates and dealership service attempts. Light comes on intermittently across different driving speeds and road conditions.
When: From new (February 2014) through at least 10 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: TPMS light turns on intermittently; Light comes on at different intervals and speeds; Light reappears within days or weeks after each service; Occurs across different types of roadways
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple overnight service attempts by different dealerships; software updates applied; no resolution achieved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda America opened case number but after 10 months and multiple dealer attempts, Honda states there is nothing they can do to remedy the malfunctioning TPMS system
Synthesized from 58 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Putting vehicle in reverse, the car jerked and shut off thenstarted on own. Repeated twice. This happened once while making a broken u turn in a culdesac, the other was in my parking spot.
Car was parked in driveway stationary in park and just rolled off out of the driveway by itself.I have a video but I unable to load on here. Proof video.
Oil life at 40%. Car was making noise. While driving and pressed on brakes ...oil pressure light would turn on and off. Checked oil on car. No drop of oil in the engine. Excessive oil consumption. No leaks.. Carbon found on cylinders, inside engine and on pinston rings. This is not normal especially when consistent oil changes, fuel injection was cleaned, and CVT transmission is also replaced…
Since I bought the car I've had problems with the car staying on and running , when I come to turn it on , it shuts off. I have taken it to Honda dealers and they don't see anything wrong with it.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2014 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 powertrain problem on the 2014 Honda Accord?
It's a meaningful issue. 58 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 34 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 28,133 and 112,445 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,133; a quarter make it past 112,445. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2014/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.