Dealer visit checklist
2023 Honda Accord checklist
Print it or keep it on your phone. Tick each item as you go so nothing gets missed.
Inspect the car
- Check every panel gap and look for mismatched paint (signs of past accident repair)
- Look at the tires: even wear, matching brands, at least 4/32" tread
- Check under the car and engine bay for oil, coolant or other leaks
- Start the engine cold; listen for knocks, ticks or squeals and watch for smoke
- Test every window, lock, seat, light, the A/C, heat and infotainment
- Test drive on city streets and highway: straight braking, smooth shifts, no pulling
- Ask for the service records and a vehicle history report
- Have an independent mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection (about $100–$200)
Known 2023 Honda Accord problems to check
- Turbocharged 1.5L engine has a documented history of oil dilution in cold climates — frequent short trips in freezing temperatures can allow unburned fuel to mix with engine oil, so monitor oil levels and change oil more frequently in winter
- Honda Sensing driver-assist suite (adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist) can be overly sensitive or give false alerts, particularly in heavy rain or low-contrast road markings
- 10th-gen carry-over infotainment quirks persist on some early 2023 builds — the touchscreen interface can lag and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto occasionally drops connection
- Road and wind noise intrusion at highway speeds is higher than some rivals, suggesting some shoppers may want to verify acoustic insulation quality on their specific trim
- CVT transmission (on 1.5T models) may feel sluggish under hard acceleration; not a reliability concern but a known driver-satisfaction friction point
Ask: have these recalls been fixed?
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Accord and HR-V vehicles.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, 2023-2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid, and 2025 Honda Civic and Civic Hybrid vehicles.
- SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles.
- SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, and 2024 HR-V, Pilot, and Acura Integra vehicles.
Negotiate the price
- Know the typical price: about $25,000 for this model year
- Negotiate the out-the-door price, not the monthly payment
- Get the full price with every fee listed in writing before you sign
- Bring your own loan pre-approval so the dealer has a rate to beat
- Say no to add-ons you didn't ask for (paint protection, VIN etching, nitrogen tires)
- Negotiate your trade-in separately, after the car's price is agreed
- Be ready to walk away; another listing is usually a click away