Service Bulletin - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator flashing “D” and set the DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Performance or Stuck OFF.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Honda Accord engine problems
severe 33 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
What stands out
Owners have filed 33 engine 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 engine 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 engine 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 - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the MIL illuminating and set DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck OFF.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and set DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck OFF.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - There is a knocking or clicking from the engine during cold startup. The check valve in the cam chain tensioner is worn, allowing oil pressure to leak internally and the cam chain to lose tension after engine is turned off.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Tech line summary article - Have a vehicle in your shop with low mileage (less than 1,500 miles) and a hard-to-pinpoint engine knock? We're currently investigating vehicles for hairline fractures in the crankshaft sprocket, and we suspect it may be the cause for this noise. In some cases you may be able to see these fractures by just removing the crankshaft pulley; however, they can be very small and you may need to remove the cam chain to ensure a thorough inspection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Accord's engine experiences a cluster of stalling complaints occurring across all mileage ranges but concentrated under 60,000 miles. Owners describe sudden shutdowns at traffic lights and stop signs, with the vehicle restarting after pulling over or waiting. Multiple dealerships cannot reproduce the failures or identify codes—scan tools come back clean in many cases. One owner's fuel pump was replaced under warranty (R.O. 773135); another received a fuel injection control module software update per NHTSA Campaign 19V060000, but that recall may not apply to all VINs on this model year.
Throttle unresponsiveness is equally reported: the accelerator pedal doesn't respond when depressed, or the vehicle hesitates and jerks when the pedal is released and reapplied. Owners report "feathering" the gas pedal to reengage the engine after a complete stop in traffic—a dangerous workaround.
More severe failures include sudden total power loss while driving, accompanied by warning lights and smoke/flames under the hood (one vehicle was totaled). Connecting rod failure at highway speed caused fire in another case. Early engine head gasket failure, oil leaks from head bolts, and melted cooling fans add to the litany. Excessive oil consumption appears in at least one report. Fuel injector malfunction at highway speed, repeated spark plug and ignition coil failures, and starter failure at 36,000 miles round out the engine-related problems. Dealers often cannot diagnose intermittent failures, and no consistent manufacturer response has been applied across the fleet.
Same Honda Accord engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Stalling - intermittent, no warning
Engine shuts down without warning while driving, often at traffic lights, stop signs, or during acceleration. Vehicle either restarts immediately after pulling over or requires extended wait times. Multiple owners report dealer inability to reproduce or diagnose via scan.
When: Reported across mileage range: 7,000–128,000 miles; most commonly under 50,000 miles in early complaints
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off during operation; Vehicle coasts to shoulder; Restart succeeds after wait or multiple attempts; No warning light in some cases; Check Engine light in others; Hesitation upon reacceleration
Codes mentioned: P0300 equivalent (misfire/stalling), Generic Check Engine
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate failure; scan finds no codes in majority of cases. One owner reports fuel pump replacement (R.O. 773135); another had transmission and alternator replaced with no resolution. Engine replacement recommended at 105,000 miles in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V060000 (Fuel System) mentioned in one complaint; software update offered for fuel injection control module. Multiple owners report manufacturer acknowledgment (case numbers provided) but no recall applied to their VIN. Recall notices sent in 2024 for two owners, but dealership refused repairs without active symptoms.
Accelerator unresponsive / hesitation
Accelerator pedal fails to respond when depressed, or vehicle hesitates/jerks when pedal is released and reapplied. Occurs at low speeds (2 MPH, 20 MPH) and high speeds (45–80 MPH). Some reports indicate delay before vehicle accelerates normally; others show complete failure to respond.
When: 7,800–80,000 miles; most common under 58,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal depressed to floor with no response; Vehicle hesitates or jerks during acceleration; Delayed acceleration after release and reapplication of pedal; Vehicle fails to accelerate on uphill incline; No warning light in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports 'feathering' gas pedal to reengage engine after complete stop in traffic. Dealers performed oil changes and transmission flushes without resolution. One transmission flush covered by dealer; owner paid for secondary flush. No repair successful across reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V060000 mentioned (fuel injection control module software update); manufacturer notified in some cases (case number 09486822 provided in one). No recalls confirmed on complainants' VINs.
Loss of engine power with fire / catastrophic failure
Complete loss of engine power while driving, accompanied by warning lights and smoke/flames from engine compartment, or connecting rod failure at highway speed causing fire. One vehicle declared total loss; another owner extinguished fire after engine stalled.
When: 26,000 miles (power loss case); 70 MPH highway speed (connecting rod case); one owner at undisclosed mileage left car running
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden total loss of engine power; Multiple warning lights (Check Engine, battery, others) illuminate simultaneously; Loss of power brakes and power steering; Smoke filling cabin and flames from under hood; Connecting rod knock and fire at highway speed
Codes mentioned: Check Engine, Battery warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle #5 declared total loss by insurance. Vehicle #19 had connecting rod replaced (implied by fire damage inspection). No preventive repairs attempted on either vehicle before failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in either case.
Fouled / faulty spark plug and piston ring wear
Check Engine light accompanied by abnormal knocking sounds, loss of motive power, and dashboard shaking. Diagnosis reveals fouled spark plug and piston ring degradation. One owner reports repeated spark plug and ignition coil replacement at 58,000 miles (second time) and attributes issue to VCM (valve control module) and excessive oil consumption.
When: 58,000 miles (repeated replacement); 78,000 miles (initial diagnosis)
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal knocking sound from engine; Check Engine light illuminated; Loss of motive power when accelerating; Dashboard shaking abnormally; Excessive oil consumption
Codes mentioned: P0300 or cylinder-specific misfire codes (implied), Check Engine
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had fouled spark plug and piston rings replaced at 78,000 miles. Second owner required spark plug and ignition coil replacement at 58,000 miles for the second time; owner cites VCM as root cause and excessive oil consumption.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in one case and provided case number. No recall or reimbursement issued despite owner assertion that Honda is aware of VCM and oil consumption issue.
Fuel injector malfunction
Fuel injectors fail, causing loss of power and stalling at highway speeds. Check Engine light illuminates as power is lost. Two separate occurrences in at least one vehicle.
When: Highway operation; exact mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power while driving; Stalling at highway speeds; Check Engine light appears as power is lost
Codes mentioned: Check Engine
Repairs/costs cited: Faulty fuel injectors replaced by dealer after second reported incident. Owner notes parts no longer available for inspection after repair.
Engine head gasket failure and oil leaks
Head gasket blows early in vehicle life. Engine head bolts loosen and head gasket seal fails repeatedly despite repeated dealer repairs (torque and seal reapplication). Valve cover gasket also leaks oil.
When: 45,000 miles (head gasket blowout); 4,000 miles (head bolt loosening began); valve cover leak recurs within 500 miles of repair
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak from engine head; Head gasket blown; Valve cover gasket leaks oil
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer torqued head bolts and applied seal three times; seal lasted approximately 500 miles each time before leaking resumed. One vehicle required engine replacement at 45,000 miles one week after certified pre-owned purchase.
Cooling fan mechanical failure / melted fan
Driver-side cooling fan melts into radiator while vehicle is parked and idling. Passenger-side fan functions normally. Poses fire hazard.
When: Mileage not specified; occurred while parked at home
Symptoms owners cite: Plastic burning smell; Smoke from under hood; Driver-side fan completely melted into radiator
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda stated repair not covered under warranty. Owner requested Honda report issue if others experience same failure.
Excessive oil consumption / low oil level
Engine oil level drops to extremely low levels shortly after oil change, despite no detected leak. Low oil warning light illuminates. Hesitation occurs at various speeds. Dealer unable to identify cause and recommends engine replacement.
When: 128,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil level warning light illuminated; Vehicle hesitates at various speeds; Oil level extremely low shortly after oil change
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted. Dealer stated no oil leak detected but could not determine cause. Engine replacement recommended.
Engine failure requiring replacement
Engine fails and requires replacement. One case involved complete loss of power with warning lights; another involved stalling at 80 MPH and subsequent inability to restart followed by new engine installation.
When: 45,000 miles (certified pre-owned, one week after purchase); undisclosed mileage in second case
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power; Engine will not restart; Warning lights illuminate
Codes mentioned: Check Engine, Battery light
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replaced in one case; owner's new engine also failed to start five days later (starter replaced in follow-up).
Starter failure
Starter motor fails and requires replacement.
When: 36,000 miles; also reported in one complaint at undisclosed mileage (vehicle required engine replacement, then starter replacement five days later)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start
Repairs/costs cited: Starter replaced. One owner notes they have read this is a common issue on 2017 Accord.
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Engine failed and head gasket blew at 45k miles, a week after purchased certified.
Had engine trouble with your 2017 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 engine problem on the 2017 Honda Accord?
It's a meaningful issue. 33 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 7,800 and 58,000 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,800; a quarter make it past 58,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2017/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.