Ask the Car People.SM


Honda Accord 2013+ Maintenance and Repair

295 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2013 at 1:40 PM

You are in the Honda Accord Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Sedan

    
Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 12 of 30

#105 of 295 Re: 2013 Accord 4DR EX-L V6 (no NAVI) ISSUES! [quality4us] by quality4us

Jan 27, 2013 (7:27 pm)

Replying to: quality4us (Jan 22, 2013 10:08 pm)
Here is a quick update.
 
I was contacted by American Honda this past week in response to my letter documenting the vibration about 1700-1800 rpm. I recounted my experience at my local service center in which the technicians confirmed the vibration and noted that it was associated with the VCM (variable cylinder management) system.
 
The customer service representative reiterated that Honda has not reported this as a problem with the vehicle. I asked if any other customers have reported this vibration and he said he did not know. Of course, he is a customer service rep and not necessarily knowledgeable about the technical information or may not have access to customer complaints. I asked if Honda maintains a data base of this information and he just repeated that Honda has not reported this as a problem. (Not much help but understandable.)
 
I mentioned that I did not consider that my vibration problem had been properly recognized or resolved by Honda and that I intend to send another letter by certified mail to document this situation (as required by MD Lemon Law).
 
I agree with other posts that this is probably an issue of poor design and engineering to have three-cylinder engine operation -- an inherently unbalanced and unstable situation-- as a fuel economy measure.
 
This is my first automatic transmission car in which I am the primary driver. I would have purchased a manual transmission V6 w/ leather had it been offered but it wasn't. However, my other automatic transmission cars (e.g., Subaru Outback V6, 10 years old w/ 160,000 miles) do not have this type of vibration. Had I observed the vibration in the Honda Accord during my test drive, I would have purchased a different vehicle. (I find it awfully hard to assess every driving feature and make a judgment on a 10+ year purchase based on 15 minutes of test drive.)
 
Honda is probably in a tough spot. They implement the VCM to claim the high MPG numbers and have probably done what they can with the engine mounts and other methods to minimize vibration. It seems that they could fix the problem but it would be at the expense of the EPA-reported MPG. It will be interesting to see it their engineers (and management) can devise a solution.
 
My approach at this time, and my suggestion to others, is to politely insist that this vibration is not acceptable as normal operation for a vehicle, especially one of this caliber. I will continue to pursue my concern, not as a crusade, but as a reasonable customer expectation for a $30,000+ purchase.

#106 of 295 Re: 2013 Honda Accord Issues [metal1] by jkt4

Jan 27, 2013 (9:19 pm)

Replying to: metal1 (Nov 28, 2012 8:00 pm)
My new car does the same thing. Have you found if this is a defect?

#107 of 295 Re: 2013 Accord 4DR EX-L V6 (no NAVI) ISSUES! [quality4us] by jos999

Jan 28, 2013 (8:15 am)

Replying to: quality4us (Jan 27, 2013 7:27 pm)
I'm experiencing exactly the same vibration when reaching 50 to 55 mph 1800rpm. Took it to the dealer this morning. After test driving with the technician he was able to feel the vibration and replicated it at the shop. He just called and said he contacted American Honda and spoke to one of the engineers and they say "its a normal characteristic of the car. Its a gas saving feature" I am not happy with the answer. Honestly it is very annoying and not expected on a car of that caliber. For what i'ts worth and I am writing to American Honda to document the issue.

#108 of 295 Re: 2013 Accord 4DR EX-L V6 (no NAVI) ISSUES! [quality4us] by rodut

Jan 28, 2013 (2:32 pm)

Replying to: quality4us (Jan 27, 2013 7:27 pm)
Lemon Law ?
 
Lemon Law applies if there is a problem with your particular car, and they can't fix it. Not if all the cars have a certain standard feature (vibration because of 3 cylinder operation of a 6 cylinder engine). VCM was never a secret. They even use it as a marketing tool (it beats me why).
 
Before buying my car, I rented a similar one from a Honda dealer, for a 4 hour test drive. I drove it in the mountains, in the city, on the highway. I even had lunch with my wife, while looking at it in the parking lot. If you keep your car for 10-15 years, like myself, it's worth paying for a rental. It wasn't a new car, but it was the exact trim I later bought. The dealer doesn't care if you put miles on a used car.

#109 of 295 Re: 2013 Accord 4DR EX-L V6 (no NAVI) ISSUES! [davee4] by jkt4

Jan 28, 2013 (5:47 pm)

Replying to: davee4 (Jan 26, 2013 3:20 pm)
The vibration is clearly evident in my car at all gear-changing speeds. Between 55-60 is horrible. If I set my cruise control in this range, the car shifts in and out and causes the vibration to kick in and out. Drives me crazy.

#110 of 295 ECO Mode On or Off? by ryry24

Jan 29, 2013 (11:38 am)

Is everyone here that is reporting these vibrations driving with ECO on or off?
 
I have a '13 EX-L V6 Coupe and I've never run into any vibrations - not in any RPM band or on surface streets, freeways, parking lots, etc.
 
The only thing I've noticed is when I turn off ECO I can feel the car switch over - I wouldn't call it a vibration, but it just comes back to life.
 
I ask about the ECO mode because maybe it's trying to drive on 3 cylinders as much as possible if it's ON - which includes slow stop-n-go urban driving. Just a thought, idk.

#111 of 295 Re: ECO Mode On or Off? [ryry24] by quality4us

Jan 29, 2013 (8:10 pm)

Replying to: ryry24 (Jan 29, 2013 11:38 am)
Be fortunate that you avoid the vibration!
 
I think you are spot on. I was told by a Honda technician that the ECO mode favors the 3-cylinder operation. So, when you disengage it you may notice an immediate difference if it changes to 6 cylinder mode. However, in normal "Drive" the 3-cylinder mode will also engage automatically but perhaps not as much as when in ECO mode.

#112 of 295 Re: 2013 Accord 4DR EX-L V6 (no NAVI) ISSUES! [davee4] by quality4us

Jan 29, 2013 (8:25 pm)

Replying to: davee4 (Jan 26, 2013 3:20 pm)
I went on my first extended highway trip in my Accord V6 for about 150 miles. I must say that the highway experience was much better! I averaged about 65-70 MPH and got 37-38 mpg. Quite impressive. Although I noticed when the 3-cylinder mode kicked in, it was much less pronounced and it didn't really bother me.
 
However . . . at lower speeds on level ground at constant speed, the vibration 1800 rpm is quite noticeable and annoying. I do not accept that this should represent "normal operation" for this automobile. The problem is further compounded by the fact that the Accord V6 seems to like to hang out at this RPM so it does not happen once in awhile but rather frequently. Drives me crazy.
 
If other owners of the V6 are not experiencing this, is it possible it is only present in certain cars (e.g., a certain production run?)

#113 of 295 Re: 2013 Accord 4DR EX-L V6 (no NAVI) ISSUES! [quality4us] by mf15

Jan 30, 2013 (7:50 am)

Replying to: quality4us (Jan 29, 2013 8:25 pm)
Just out of curiosity what range are your vin numbers in,last 5 digits,for the
V6 cars. Under 5000,10000,15000,20000.
These are sequential vin numbers, lower number the earlier the production,
I4's are up over 100000 now but the highest v6 at local dealers, around 23000.
20000 and up would be pretty current production.
 
Old Mike

#114 of 295 Re: ECO Mode On or Off? [ryry24] by rodut

Jan 30, 2013 (11:04 am)

Replying to: ryry24 (Jan 29, 2013 11:38 am)
The previous generation (2012) V6 engines didn't have VCM on manual V6 coupes. Is your coupe manual or automatic ?

Messages Page 12 of 30

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement