Buyer Research

2014 Honda Accord — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $9,000–$14,000. There are 3 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.

Deciding between model years? Compare the 17 Honda Accord years we've written up →

Kestrel Take

Second year of the ninth-gen Accord, with the same two problems as the 2013 in a different order: the starter is now the biggest cluster and the steering is third. Fewer complaints overall, and the steering share drops by more than half — Honda had begun replacing gearboxes. It is a good car with two known weak points and one engine recall to check. Get the starter history before you fall for the drive.

What we checked

Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-25

NHTSA holds 978 owner complaints for the 2014 Honda Accord, and 4 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. 39% of them are about one thing — electrics and electronics. That much concentration is a genuine pattern rather than background noise, and it is the first thing to check on any example you look at.

4 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2014 Honda Accord

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents. How we decide that.

Starter motor fails — intermittent no-start, often before 60,000 milesHigh — wallet impact

Nearly 40% of the record. Press the button, the light comes on, nothing cranks; try again and it starts. Owners report a second starter failing at 67,000 miles after the first went at 33,000. Honda issued a service bulletin. Most of the 'engine' complaints on this car are this too. A starter that has already been replaced with the updated part is worth paying a little more for.

Repair cost (estimate): $450–$900

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (378), the engine (184).

Power steering loses assist or steers itself — 13 complaints followed a crashHigh — wallet impact

The 2013's steering problem, at a third of the volume: the EPS warning comes on and the wheel goes heavy, or the car pulls hard without warning. One owner had it 'fixed' four times. Restarting the car often restores assist, which tells you it is the control unit, not the rack. Have the EPS scanned for stored codes.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,500–$2,800

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under steering (141).

Connecting-rod bolts may not have been torqued — engine can fail (recall)High — wallet impact

Recall 15V121 covers 2014 Accord 4-cylinders built at the end of July 2014 and 2015s built through January 2015: connecting-rod bolts may be loose, and a rod that lets go destroys the engine. Dealers inspect and replace the engine if needed, free. A very narrow build window — but check it, because the consequence is total.

Repair cost: $0 with the recall — verify it was performed

Source: 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on this model year.

Oil consumption on the 2.4L and the V6Medium

Owners report two quarts between changes on the 2.4L direct-injection engine and similar on the VCM V6. Honda treated it case by case. Check the level against the last service date.

Repair cost (estimate): $150–$400 per year in oil

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (184).

Battery sensor water intrusion (recall) and salt-state driveshaft corrosion (recall)Medium

Two campaigns that also cover the 2013: recall 17V418 for the battery sensor that can short and start a fire, and 20V769 for 4-cylinder CVT cars in salt states whose driveshaft can corrode through. Both are free; both should be closed.

Repair cost: $0 with the recall — verify it was performed

Source: 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on this model year.

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Any hesitation on the first press of the start button
✗EPS warning that clears with a restart — it will come back
✗Build date July 29–31, 2014 on the door jamb with recall 15V121 not shown complete
✗Low oil with no record of top-ups

Good Signs

✓Starter replaced with the updated Honda part, invoice in hand
✓Steering gearbox replaced under warranty
✓Recalls 15V121, 17V418 and 20V769 all closed
✓Oil level at the full mark a month after the last change