I wanted more up-to-date auto reliability information that included actual repair rates. So in late 2005 I started conducting reliability research at TrueDelta.com (http://www.truedelta.com). TrueDelta reports absolute repair rates that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so any significant changes in a model's reliability become apparent quickly.

Thanks to the help of this forum, for which I am grateful, we've had excellent participation by owners of the seventh and eighth generation Accords. Nearly 200 owners are signed up for the 2008 alone. Hopefully we can do the same with the sixth generation now that this forum has been created.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, participants receive full access to all results, not just those for the Accord, for free.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

mkaresh,

i will do what i can over here in the far east....

my data will get much more detailed once i return from the far east... :wave:

Thanks, Stiller Fan, I appreciate it. Hope you're enjoying the Far East.

In a few weeks we'll start previewing the next set of results to participants. More needed.

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

How will this work without 0 miles to present data.

I think its safe to say that many if not most of these cars are in a 2nd and 3rd owners hands now. Is this a Used car reliability survey of sorts?

It'll work the same way it does with any other survey that covers these model years. The survey never looks back more than a year.

It might be interesting to ask whether the owner is the first, and see if this makes a difference.

Mkaresh:

I purchased my '02 approximately six (6) months ago. Per CarFax reports and information obtained otherwise, I am the third owner of this car. I have extremely limited knowledge of the car's background. The odometor presently shows 81.4K miles.

That said, I will be very happy to participate in the survey. A growing body of empirical evidence, along with owner experience, will be invaluable.

Thanks, I appreciate your help.

1226 Honda Accords signed up so far--by far the most of any model. Thanks, guys. When we get to 1,250 I'll post a thank you on TrueDelta's homepage.

Auto reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

I got our two 02 registered. I got all the repair data since we bough it new entered for my 02 coupe. I also got the first year of gas mileage data entered, that will take some time. I will get the info on my sister's 02 up when I get back to Michigan and can look at the service book.

Here's what I see with Gen 6s: (most common)

Early ones, fuel gauge senders.
EGR system plugging on V6s.
Lower ball joint play, mostly on 2000-2002, at lower miles 70k-100k.
Alternator failure, V6 Delphi equipped.
+ Battery cable replacements, on cars with batteries that vent fumes. Both engines.
Transmission failures, both engines.
Cracked engine blocks, 4 cylinder only, oil in cooling system.
Porous engine blocks V6, repairable in chassis on most. Leak oil.
Heavy oil consumption issues, some 4 cylinders.
Catalyst failures above 80k. Some had good will replacements over 80k. Both engines.
Vapor canister vent shut valve failures, some short out and take PCM with it.
Front engine mount at around 150k.
IAC failures mostly on V6, higher mileage.

So... Only one year of the 6th generation can even apply to report their repair histories?

2002...

What's the point? :dunno: Or am I missing something?

Fredsvt, have you noticed any 6th gens. needing wheel bearings replaced? That is the one thing outside of expected maintenance that I had to fix on my 02 V6 Coupe.

So... Only one year of the 6th generation can even apply to report their repair histories?

2002...

What's the point? :dunno: Or am I missing something?

The main Car Reliability Survey covers any year from 1995 on. Unlike the other surveys, it doesn't require a database of powertrains and bodystyles.

The Repair History Survey is for repairs that cannot be reported on the main survey, because they occurred before you joined or because the car isn't in the main survey yet. The latter doesn't apply here.

I plan to add the powertrain databases necessary to support the repair history survey back to at least 2000. Just a matter of finding the time. Currently I need to get some 2010s entered. Once those are in, I hope to get 2001 done, and maybe 2000 as well.

I've done a few rear wheel bearings, more because they've been subjected to hitting huge craters in the road, rather than wear.
A few fronts, mainly at mileages of over 150k.

I had mine replaced a while ago, it was the passenger side bearing. The mechanic just but a autozone brand.

Fredsvt, have you noticed any 6th gens. needing wheel bearings replaced? That is the one thing outside of expected maintenance that I had to fix on my 02 V6 Coupe.

Me too..had to replace the front drivers side at 75k. Not sure if it had anything to do with going up and down a 6th story parking garage with tight turns. I figure the extra weight on that corner may have contributed to its early demise. :dunno:

Mine was the rear passenger's side. Replaced at 110k.

Updated results this week. Good participation by Accord owners, but more remain needed, especially for the 6th gen.

As always, details here:

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

We have updated results for the Accord to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2002: 14

2001: 44

2000: 68

1999: 100

1998: 152

Small to marginal sample sizes for 2001 and older.

In all cases the result in better than average.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. Very much need more participants for this generation.

Honda Accord reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=Honda&mc=108&email=Guest)

I had mine replaced a while ago, it was the passenger side bearing. The mechanic just but a autozone brand.

Me too, rear passengers side, at about 150K. We could not find OEM part in a timely manner, so aftermarket was used.

Here's what I see with Gen 6s: (most common)

Early ones, fuel gauge senders.
EGR system plugging on V6s.
Lower ball joint play, mostly on 2000-2002, at lower miles 70k-100k.
Alternator failure, V6 Delphi equipped.
+ Battery cable replacements, on cars with batteries that vent fumes. Both engines.
Transmission failures, both engines.
Cracked engine blocks, 4 cylinder only, oil in cooling system.
Porous engine blocks V6, repairable in chassis on most. Leak oil.
Heavy oil consumption issues, some 4 cylinders.
Catalyst failures above 80k. Some had good will replacements over 80k. Both engines.
Vapor canister vent shut valve failures, some short out and take PCM with it.
Front engine mount at around 150k.
IAC failures mostly on V6, higher mileage.

What are the symptoms for the front engine mount?

We have updated results for the Accord to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2002: 13

2001: 47

2000: 67

1999: 89

1998: 112

All are much better than average.

A big thanks, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information.

Honda Accord reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=Honda&mc=108&email=Guest)

Mkaresh:

I personally Thank YOU, for keeping track of the Gen Six cars.

From what I understand, the 2002 model was an unexpected, unplanned carryover, due to strong sales and popularity.

With most production issues resolved, and essentially no "learning curve" on the assembly lines, I would naturally expect better numbers for the 2002 cars.

That 13 per 100 figure for the 2002 is probably too low to be accurate. But these cars clearly require few repairs.

Also realize that the average odometer for the 2002s was 83,900, while for the 2001s i was 101,800. With many cars stuff starts happening at 100k. Average odometers are in the far right column of the results table on the site.

Mkaresh:

I totally agree with you. :)

Reported data and actual data are two entirely-different considerations. But for the present time, 2002 owners are reporting fewer issues, hence an (obvious) improved reliability rating over preceding cars. :yes:

What are the symptoms for the front engine mount?

The front engine mount on V6 cars is primarily the one that goes bad, it's easy to tell. Sometimes you'll see a black liquid leaking on the ground about dead center of the car, just behind the radiator.

If not that, when you accelerate at a moderate to hard pace, you'll feel a "thump" as the engine lifts up out of position and it'll "thump" back down when the accelerator is released.

I get a thump at engine start, its more likely at (first it was only at) lower temperatures, and only some times. My front mount is just rubber, case in metal. I can see three mounts; One by the radiator, one by the timing cover, and by the transmission. I assume, the oil filled vacuum controlled one, is somewhere by the firewall...

FredSVT:

Please enlighten me, briefly, as to how the front mount operates. Are they just moving hydraulic fluid back and forth, between the mount and a reservoir, as engine torque compresses/decompresses it? Or what? :dunno:

No issue with my own car, merely curious about Honda's system.

1499 Accords now signed up.

Who'll be #1500?

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

We have updated results for the Accord to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2002: 6 -- decent sample size, but actual repair frequency probably around 30; still low for a 2002

2001: 64

2000: 63

1999: 105

1998: 92

All are better than average.

We've also introduced two new statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

Not enough data to provide these yet for the 6th-generation Accord. Hopefully next time.

A big thanks, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information. Especially need more 2009s and 2010s.

Honda Accord reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=Honda&mc=108&email=Guest)

Excellent participation by Accord ownes, but the 6th gen isn't represented quite as well as the 7th and 8th.

If you haven't yet signed up to participate, details here:

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

176K Miles. I'm having issues with the drivers seat. The apparatus that allows the seat to be adjusted, up or down, has become loose. This allows it to move, side to side, and to make noises, while driving and such. This problem is described in a TSB (8-way seat), but this is not my seat, that I have. Mine has only, one electrical adjustment, for up and down. Every thing else, is a mechanical adjustment. Its not the electrical part, that is the problem, but a hing, that reminds me of a sizer jack, that is the problem. (for more info see):
My post (w/ a pic of offending hing (its the green metal piece):
http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=41204
Someone else, with 8-way adj seat:
http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showpost.php?p=3669

Anybody able to provide suggestions to the above? Might need its own thread.

Updated results soon. Good participation by 6th-gen owners, but more remain needed to fully cover all years.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

I bought (OEM) the parts to try to repair it. I plan to remove it and replace, all that I can. I may add bumpers between the side rail and the seat...
I'm at work - gotta go...