NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 296 owner complaints for the 2011 Honda Accord. Most complaints involve air bags (115) and seats (38). The EPA rates it 21–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles.
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Air bags
115 reports25 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2011 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH with her son inside the vehicle, the driver’s side and the driver’s seat air bags deployed unexpectedly. Neither independent mechanic nor the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Jan 21, 2026·Air bagsODI 11712528
Seats
38 reports
“No accident occurred!, seats are extremely uncomfortable and is causing me back pains when sitting for long periods of time, I can imagine in a collision these seats would be very unsafe to a persons body, they’re so stiff if would be like getting pressed against a wall if hit hard enough, it’s time Honda FIXES this problem!”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Jan 29, 2022·SeatsODI 11449421
Engine
25 reports1 crash
“I'm having symptoms of cold startup engine rattle type clatter sound for approximately 2-3 seconds and then it goes away. Doesn't do that again unless the car sits for a period of time. If it's been started recently like within 1 hour or 2 hours it will startup with out making that metal rattle/clatter sound for 2-3 seconds. I was told it's likely the 2.4l engine VTC actuator is failing letting the engine oil drain out causing a dry start. I was told it was a common issue and even the internet is saying the same thing that this is a widely known issue. There should be a recall for this because this should not be happening My car has only 156,000 miles on it. And I've own cars with well over 200,000 miles and that's never happened never had I had an engine problem related to the timing chain or the VVT system. I'm hoping this is a recall where will be soon because it's not affordable repair bill for many people. Please let this become a recall or whatever it's called to have the manufacturer take responsibility and fix the problem. I would have not had bought this vehicle if I was aware of this issue probably because it's not a low cost repair I was told.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Jan 27, 2026·EngineODI 11713516
9 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2011 Honda Accord problems?
Owners filed 296 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (115), seats (38), engine (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2011 Honda Accord get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Honda Accord at 21–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).
How safe is the 2011 Honda Accord?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Honda Accord 5 out of 5 stars overall.