Drive Shaft Dilemma: Honda Recalls Over 65,000 Accord Sedans for Corrosion Risk

• 2013 Accord sedans with CVT recalled for risk of front driveshaft corrosion.

• Loss of power drive or rollaway potential if shafts break, particularly in salt-prevalent states.

• Free inspections and replacement starting mid-August at authorized Honda dealerships.

Corrosion Due To Road Salt Spurrs 65,000+ Honda Accords Recall

Honda has recalled more than 65,000 of its 2013 Accord sedans in the US. The problem? Front driveshafts that can corrode and ultimately break down as a result of long-term exposure to road salt and winter chemicals—creating a safety concern of power loss and potential rollaway.

Drive Shaft Failures Can Result in Crash or Rollaway

Under Honda's report to government regulators, the driveshafts in some models decay when subjected to a combination of road salt, water, and grime. A broken shaft might suddenly sever power to the wheels. In parked cars, it might even lead to unintended movement in the absence of the parking brake, raising the prospect of a collision or pedestrian injury.

Affected Vehicles Are 2013 Accords with CVT and 4-Cylinder Engines

This recall is limited to 2013 Accord sedans with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a 4-cylinder engine. Honda conservatively estimates potentially affected vehicles at about 65,000. These were sold or are currently registered in cold-weather states where the use of road salt is widespread.

If you're not certain whether your vehicle is included, Honda and the NHTSA offer VIN-based recall lookup tools.

High-Risk States Identified Based on Environmental Exposure

The campaign targets states such as New York, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois—those most prone to heavy road salt use. It would be less likely for corrosion to happen in southern or coastal areas, so not all owners across the country will be affected.

This environmental take has become more prevalent with underbody wear and winter road chemical component recalls.

Honda will send official notices of recall by mail to registered owners beginning in mid-August 2025. Dealerships authorized by Honda will replace both front driveshafts. If there are indications of corrosion or wear, the components will be replaced—free of charge to the owner.

Honda's internal campaign reference is Recall Code OM2. The federal campaign number from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is 25V422000.

No Injuries Have Been Reported, but the Risk Profile Deserved Action

When the recall was announced, no crashes or injuries had been reported. Despite this, the potential of the defect for sudden loss of power or unintended movement led Honda to act early. Such recalls are becoming ever more driven by proactive thinking on long-term durability, particularly in vehicles still running more than a decade after manufacture.

Preventive Inspection May Avert Future Failures

For those owners who are affected, the first action is to arrange for an inspection after recall notices start. The dealers will inspect the drive shafts for condition. If they pass mechanical and visual inspection, no action is required. If they indicate excessive corrosion or wear, both of the shafts will be replaced.

Since the Accord is still a volume seller in the used car market, this recall serves as a reminder of the role maintenance and exposure to the environment will play in drivetrain component longevity.

How This Recall Relates to Honda's Overall Safety Record

Though Honda's volume of recalls is still less than some of its largest competitors, the campaign is consistent with its past focus on cold-climate durability problems. Past recalls of this type have tackled frame and subframe rust, rust on brake lines, and other wear points associated with winter driving.

Conclusion: Owners Should Act Quickly After Notification

This recall does not pertain to all 2013 Accords, but to those sold in cold-weather states, it presents sound safety issues that must be addressed. Honda's free inspection and replacement policy is simple, but owners need to act quickly to minimize risk.

In cars with over a decade of use, environmental degradation is a factor even superior engineering can't always negate. Regular maintenance—and now, manufacturer-assisted replacement—can keep older sedans safe and road-ready.

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