Owners of 2015 Honda Accords report a range of serious engine problems across the mileage spectrum. Many describe unplanned engine stalling at highway speeds (45–80 MPH), sometimes without warning lights, leaving drivers unable to accelerate or maintain speed. Some stalls occur within 800 miles of purchase or at low mileage (2,200–5,800 miles); others emerge at higher mileage (93,000–164,000 miles). Several owners cite cylinder misfires or inoperable cylinders requiring engine replacement, and dealers have noted cylinder #2 misfire in at least one case.
Starting failures are widespread: owners report the push-button start producing grinding or clicking sounds, requiring multiple attempts (sometimes 5–10) to start the engine. Some starters have been replaced multiple times on the same vehicle without resolving the grinding. A few owners have completely replaced starters four times and still experienced the problem.
Additional reported issues include abnormal engine knock or ticking sounds, excessive oil consumption (1 quart per 2,500–3,000 miles with no visible leaks), and a blown head gasket at 65,000 miles. One owner reports deterioration of the intake manifold plenum causing vacuum leaks and making the vehicle undrivable. Owners mention NHTSA Campaign 15V121000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and Honda TSB 16-002 (starter grinding), though some say the TSB did not fix their problem. One vehicle caught fire while parked. Dealers have often stated they cannot replicate failures or blamed "driver error," and warranty coverage has been denied based on mileage.
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling at highway speed
Vehicle loses power and stalls while driving at 45–80 MPH, sometimes without illuminating warning lights. In some cases, stalling occurs after the vehicle is restarted; in others, stalling is intermittent. Owners report inability to accelerate or maintain speed.
When: Mileage ranges from 800 miles to 164,040 miles; some owners report the issue occurring within days of purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning while driving at highway speeds; Loss of engine power mid-acceleration; Vehicle shudders before stalling; Check Engine light may or may not illuminate; Vehicle stalls and then restarts after seconds or minutes
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light (illuminated in some cases), FCW (Forward Collision Warning) failure message
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers report inability to replicate failure on test drives. One independent mechanic diagnosed fuel pump failure requiring replacement; another indicated engine replacement needed. Not repaired in most reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V121000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); software updates performed in at least one case after recall, but stalling recurred 4 days later.
Starter grinding/failure with push-button start
Push-button start produces grinding or clicking sounds, and engine fails to turn over or turn over only after multiple button presses. Grinding persists even after starter replacement; one owner replaced the starter four times without resolution.
When: Reported from 55,000 miles to 104,000 miles; one case at 38,000 miles with progressive worsening.
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding or screeching noise when push-button start is pressed; Clicking sound instead of engine cranking; Engine fails to start on first attempt; Requires 5–10 attempts to start; Abnormal crackling noise from engine area
Codes mentioned: No specific codes reported; no check engine light in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: Owners replaced starters multiple times (one owner: four replacements). Repair costs cited at $400–$1,000 for starter replacement plus labor. One owner reports the issue persisted despite multiple replacements.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda TSB 16-002 issued; owners report it does not resolve the grinding problem. Warranty denied on vehicles with expired coverage.
Cylinder misfire and inoperable cylinders
Engine misfires at highway speeds, with tachometer surging 1,000 RPM with each misfire. In another case, two engine cylinders were found inoperable, requiring engine disassembly and replacement.
When: Reported between 93,466 miles and higher mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfire at highway speeds; Tachometer surges 1,000 RPM per misfire; Unable to maintain highway speed safely; Abnormal knocking sound from engine compartment; Vehicle vibration and almost-stalling
Codes mentioned: Misfire in cylinder #2 (one reported case)
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer recommended engine disassembly for additional testing and engine replacement. Another case: Check Engine light illuminated; independent mechanic diagnosed fuel pump failure, not misfire. Engine replacement recommended in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner referenced NHTSA Campaign 15V121000. One dealer could not replicate issue; another reset computer to factory settings for a different customer with the same problem but did not do so for this owner's vehicle.
Excessive oil consumption
Engine burns oil at an abnormally high rate with no visible leaks. Owners must add oil frequently, and in one case, oil was completely empty with no warning light.
When: Reported across various mileage ranges; one case documented at 93,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops rapidly (1 quart per 2,500–3,000 miles); No visible oil leaks under vehicle; Oil completely depleted with no warning light; No check engine light illuminated in some cases
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes reported in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: One owner (93,000 miles, well-maintained, short-distance driving) reports intake manifold plenum (part #17160-5G0-A00) deteriorated, causing vacuum leaks and rendering the vehicle undrivable. Part is on national backorder.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner notes this is a 'well-documented, widespread issue in Honda vehicles globally.' No manufacturer response documented in complaints.
Blown head gasket
Head gasket fails, allowing leakage and loss of engine integrity. Reported at low mileage (65,000 miles) on a well-maintained vehicle.
When: 65,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warning lights illuminated on dashboard; Head gasket visible as blown upon diagnosis
Codes mentioned: Multiple unknown warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket replacement required. Not yet repaired as of complaint filing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner referenced NHTSA Campaign 15V121000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Manufacturer made aware; case number provided.
Engine knock/ticking sound at startup
Engine produces abnormal ticking or knock sound after starting, sometimes increasing in loudness. In one case, sound became significantly louder after an oil change.
When: Reported at 101,000 miles; cold-start rattle at various mileages.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal ticking or knocking sound from engine compartment at startup; Sound increases in volume; Cold-start rattle lasting 1–3 seconds (first start of the day); Rattle reappears after 5+ hours of parking
Codes mentioned: No warning lights reported in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: One independent mechanic performed an oil change, after which the sound became louder. Mechanic stated engine had 'failed' but no repair completed. Another owner notes the knocking correlates with cold-start conditions.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner referenced NHTSA Campaign 15V121000. Manufacturer notified; awaiting callback. No resolution documented.
Loss of power/acceleration hesitation while driving
Engine loses power briefly or hesitates to accelerate, sometimes during turns or after curves. Power returns after a few seconds, or vehicle continues to coast. One owner reported feeling the car 'brake' when pressing the accelerator.
When: Reported across various mileage ranges and speeds (25 MPH to 65 MPH and highway).
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of engine power for seconds; resumes normal operation; Hesitation when accelerating after turns or curves; Sensation of car braking when pressing gas pedal; Unable to accelerate safely; Check Engine light may illuminate
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light (in some cases), Oil and Service lights illuminated (in one case at 95°F)
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Dealers unable to replicate failures on test drives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner mentions NHTSA Campaign 15V121000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and states recall does not cover their specific model year or cylinder configuration.
Vehicle fire while parked
Vehicle caught fire while parked at the airport with no prior mechanical issues or warning signs.
When: At unknown mileage; vehicle was parked when fire occurred.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle caught fire spontaneously while parked
Repairs/costs cited: Fire occurred; no prior diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Synthesized from 45 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.