Recall 20V769 covers 235,034 2013-2015 Honda Accord vehicles for drive shafts susceptible to road-salt damage. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
Honda is recalling 235,034 2013-2015 Accord vehicles with 4-cylinder engines and continuously variable transmissions because road salt damage can corrode the drive shafts and cause a break. A broken drive shaft can cut drive power or let the vehicle roll away if the parking brake is not set, increasing crash or injury risk; Honda dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The drive shaft on a 2013-2015 Honda Accord carries engine torque from the transmission to the wheels. On the recalled 4-cylinder cars with a continuously variable transmission, that shaft has to transmit power while the suspension moves and the wheels turn. It depends on its protective coating to keep water, road salt, and grit away from the metal.
On affected Accords, Honda says the shafts were assembled with a lubricant that damaged how well the protective coating bonded to the shaft. In salt-belt states, de-icing agents and road debris can reach the metal and start corrosion. Over time, that corrosion weakens the shaft, and under high torque the shaft can break.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not expect a dashboard light, noise, or vibration to appear before the shaft breaks.
Who's affected?
The scope spans three Accord model years and the same right-side drive shaft assembly.
| 2014 Honda Accord | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2015 Honda Accord | driveline |
| 2013 Honda Accord | driveline |
| Units affected | 235,034 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
A broken drive shaft can cause sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle can also roll away if the parking brake is not applied before you exit, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. There is no warning sign before failure. Set the parking brake every time and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2015 Honda Accord is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the free drive-shaft inspection and replacement that addresses road-salt damage to the protective coating.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V769 when you call.
- Apply the parking brake every time before exiting the vehicle until the repair is complete.
- Call Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138 with questions about scheduling or recall eligibility.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Honda technician inspects the left and right drive shafts, checking for coating damage or road salt contamination that requires replacement. The technician replaces the left and right drive shafts when the inspection shows they need it. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for this drive shaft repair, Honda's recall reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses. Bring your repair paperwork and receipts to the service desk, or contact Honda customer service for reimbursement instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 10, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 11, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| December 11, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 1, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 1, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 4, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V769?
Recall 20V769 covers 235,034 2013-2015 Honda Accord vehicles with 4-cylinder engines and continuously-variable transmissions in road-salt states. The drive shafts can lose protective coating, break, and cause loss of drive power or rollaway risk. Honda dealers will inspect and replace affected drive shafts for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2015 Honda Accord is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Accord is included in recall 20V769. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer and ask for the drive shaft inspection. Honda will replace the left and right drive shafts if needed, free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Honda's remedy says dealers will inspect the drive shafts and replace both the left and right drive shafts if needed, free of charge.
Is it safe to drive my Honda Accord before the repair?
A broken drive shaft can cause sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle can also roll away if the parking brake is not applied before you exit. Use the parking brake every time, check your VIN, and schedule the free dealer inspection if your Accord is included.
What if I bought my Honda Accord used?
The free recall repair still applies. Ownership history does not remove a vehicle from a safety recall. Check your VIN because this recall depends on the exact vehicle, including its engine, transmission, and registration history in listed road-salt states.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V769000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-888-234-2138 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V769 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V769000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →