Along with Toyota cars, Hondas are one of the most popular cars on earth. As of 2020, Honda has sold 18 million Accords around the globe. The car was also the first imported car in the US to top the sales chart. As popular as Hondas are, many still wonder how long they last and when Honda mileage problems start to crop up?
Most Honda vehicles last between 250,000 to 300,000 miles if regular maintenance is carried out when due and worn-out parts replaced. In other words, if you drive a Honda 10,000 miles annually, it should last for at least twenty-five years.
Using the Honda Accord and Civic as a case study, we examine why they last as long as they do. In addition, we review some common Honda problems and maintenance requirements.
Common Honda Mileage Problems
Transmission Failure
One of the common complaints from owners of both Accord and Civic is transmission problems. Drivers have complained of their cars not shifting into gear or slipping out of gear. The cars with the most complaints are the 2003-2004 Accords and the 2001-2002 Civic.
Failed transmission leads to loss of power which leaves drivers in a lurch. Generally, issues with transmission issues begins around the 100,000-mile mark. The only solution is to rebuild or swap the damaged transmission.
Uncomfortable Seats
Another common complaint from Accord drivers is that as the seats get older, they become uncomfortable. The complaints start cropping up when the cars get to the 16,000 miles. The only way to fix this is by purchasing new seats. Honda seats costs about $270 on average.
Cracked Engine Blocks
Owners of the 2008 Honda Civic reported cracked engine blocks. Consequently, coolants from the cracks trickled into the engine and lead to overheating or engine failure.
Moreover, this issues usually happens without warning and is expensive to fix. Honda offered free repairs for Civic owners that had this trouble, but not every owner of the Civic heard of this offer. Especially those that bought used civics.
The major solution to repair a cracked engine block is to acquire a new engine, setting back owners thousands of dollars.
Rust
This problem is more pervasive in areas where road salt is used during the winter. Road salt is one of the primary causes for the onset of rust. Accord users in particular, start to notice rust between four to five years of driving the car.
The rust usually spreads in the sub-frame of older Honda Accords, and isn’t as widespread in newer models. Apart from the car’s sub-frame, another common vehicle component affected by rust is the rear fender.
If the problem isn’t common, the easiest solution is to paint the car undercarriage with an anti-rust solution.
Brakes
Premature brake failure is frequently reported for the Honda Civic. Some Civic owners report that the brakes gave out as early as a year after purchase. Replacement costs for the Civic’s brake pads go as high as $90.
Airbags
Many Honda owners have complained about the airbag indicator suddenly coming on or the airbag failing to deploy. They noted that even after certifying that their airbags were in good condition, the indicator still remained on. Hence, Honda had to recall some cars because of the faulty airbags.
Issue with starter
Problems with Honda starters begin at about 100 000 miles. More commonly, the starter makes noises (clicking or grinding sounding), or the car doesn’t start. The predominant fix is starter replacement.
Before concluding it is the bad starter, look at your car’s battery and its terminals.
Steering Problems
The NHTSA has started an investigation in over a million 2013-2015 Honda Accords over a malfunction in the steering system. Many have complained about a sudden jerk in the steering wheel. This jerk results in the car veering off course without warning.
Besides, there are also problems with the steering rack in earlier Accord models. Leaking power steering fluid, a symptom of a damaged rack, occurs at about 10,000 miles. In both cases, a new steering becomes necessary.
Timing Belts
Generally, Honda timing belts wear out at about 60,000-100,000 miles. Some of the signs that you have a bad timing belt are:
- Irregular revs from your car.
- A ticking sound in the engine.
- The car won’t start.
- Oil leakage.
- Excess exhaust smoke.
The average cost of replacing an Accord’s timing belt, including labor costs, is $600.
Bluetooth Connectivity and A/C Problems
The model that faces this setback is the 2016 Honda Civic. Most drivers reported that the Bluetooth failed to connect and pair with their phones. There have also been cases of the car’s USB not working either.
Asides Bluetooth connection issues, the car’s A/C also underperforms. In some extreme cases, the A/C compressor fails. Most times, replacing a damaged compressor costs a couple of hundred dollars.
Reasons Why Hondas Last Long
- Reputation
Honda is a car brand that strives to protect its brand name. In addition to striving to make excellent cars, Honda also subjects their cars to various in-house tests. The reason for these tests is to detect any flaws in their cars before they roll them out to the public.
The result is cars that stand the test of time.
- Availability of Experts to Fix Them
Even when Honda cars go bad, there are several experts available to fix them. The simplicity of their design means it is easy for technicians to know how they work and how to fix them when problems arise.
It is not a rare sight to see a garage specializing in Hondas because there are many of them on the road, and they are easy to fix.
- Low Repair Costs
In addition, Honda parts are affordable buys overall. Added to the fact that there are a lot of experts mean cheaper labor costs. This combination makes it a huge win all around.
- Quality Parts
Most Honda parts are built to last, just like the cars. This durability means when you replace faulty components, you do not need worry for a while,
How Long Does a Honda Engine Last for?
Most Honda engines last as long as 300,000 miles as long as they are well looked after. Another this that reduce the lifespan of any engine is putting it through stress, like redlining the engine. Honda engines have a reputation for longevity and reliability.
WarrantyDirect ranked Honda engines first in the 2013 list of reliable engines.
Is 100,000 Miles on a Honda Bad?
A Honda with 100,000 miles in its odometer is still a good buy as long as it is properly maintained. Asides from regular maintenance, it is also important to examine all components that give way around this time and swap them if required.
Honda Maintenance Schedule
Inspecting and changing fluids occurs first at 7,500 miles, then every 15,000 miles after. At the same interval, change the engine oil and oil filter. When you replace your oil filter, rotate your car tires during the same period. The last thing to do at 7,500 miles is brake inspection. Repeat this again at the 15,000-mile mark.
When your Honda gets to 15,000 miles, lubricate the car’s chassis and the hinges or joints. Furthermore, examine the spark plugs and check for any damage to the shocks and struts. Change the windshield wipers, the oil drain plug, and the gasket. Repeat these maintenance exercises every 30,000 miles after the first one.
The clutch, air conditioning, transmission, steering, fuel, parking brake, and external lights.
At 30,000 miles, and every 30,000 miles after, here are some of the things to do. Examine the transfer case oil level, drain the differential oil, and lubricate the propeller shaft. You should also confirm your battery level, clean the terminals, transmission, fuel cap, gasket, and fuel lines. It would be best if you also lubricated your wheel bearings and verify that all lights work.
And don’t forget to check the interior lights as well.
Conclusion
Honda cars last for a long time. They are fuel-efficient and have affordable maintenance costs. Hence, they command such a high resale value in the used car market. Carrying out the scheduled maintenance at the required time also elongates the lifespan of the cars.
Apart from taking care of the cars, you should regularly inspect the car for faults; Especially as your automobile approaches a milestone distance like 100,000 miles. Finally, look at the popular complaints associated with your car then fix them if you notice the parts are bad. This way you get to enjoy your ride for a long time.
