2009 Honda Accord Life Expectancy

Ongoing maintenance issues can decrease the life expectancy of the 2009 Honda Accord. Read more here!
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
background
Unlike highly-reliable modern models, the 2009 Honda Accord has a shorter average life expectancy due to premature brake wear, excessive oil consumption, and more.
Any Honda Accord that is 2015 or newer has an excellent track record for reliability and longevity. However, the Accord went through some major growing pains during the eighth generation (2008 to 2012), receiving many consumer complaints for ongoing maintenance problems. With lower reliability come higher ownership costs—including higher
car insurance
rates.
It’s worth celebrating that the Honda Accord has left most of these problems in the past. But if you’re shopping for a used car, the 2009 Honda Accord will be one to avoid. Here’s a detailed explanation of why!

How many miles can a 2009 Honda Accord last?

You may be lucky to get 150,000 miles out of a 2009 Honda Accord before it becomes too much of a budget burden—let us explain.
When you look at historical maintenance records, you’ll notice a lengthy list of common problems that can indirectly shorten the lifespan of this model from a cost/benefit perspective. 
You can always address the problems when they rear their ugly heads. But eventually, the ongoing maintenance costs and expensive upfront repair bills can begin to outweigh the value of the car itself—which at almost 15 years old is only getting older.
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How long does a Honda Accord engine last?

The Honda Accord’s engine can last well over 200,000 miles, but it does begin to form a bad habit after the 70,000-mile mark—it suffers from excessive engine oil consumption.
This is due to a malfunction where the oil control rings stick to the pistons, allowing oil to seep into the engine’s combustion chambers, where the oil then burns off into fumes. If unaddressed, you’ll be making frequent trips to the mechanic for oil changes—you might as well leave a tab open.
Honda did issue a technical service bulletin (TSB # 12-087) to address the problem. But any warranty is surely expired for a 15-year-old vehicle (or unavailable if you bought your 2009 Accord used). So you’ll be paying out of pocket if you decide to repair the faulty pistons and oil control rings.

Can a Honda Accord last 500,000 miles?

Technically, you can get any car to 500,000 miles if you have an unlimited maintenance budget. While that is a bit of an exaggeration, it would be very expensive for a 2009 Honda Accord to see 500,000 miles.
Here’s why: In addition to excessive engine oil consumption, the 2009 Honda Accord also suffers from premature brake wear (lasting around 28,000 miles). So it’s just another thing you’ll need to add to your running tab at the mechanic! 
MORE: Are Hondas expensive to maintain?

Average life expectancy for a Honda Accord

Honda Accords are well-known for lasting upwards of 200,000 miles, which translates to roughly 10 to 15 years. But as we’ve mentioned, the eighth-generation models (2008 to 2012) typically fall short of 150,000 miles.
But let’s take the blame off the car for a moment. You also shoulder responsibility! Here are some things about car ownership that can influence the average life expectancy of your 2009 Honda Accord:
  • Maintenance routine: Yes, the 2009 Accord does have shorter turnarounds for oil changes and brake replacements. But it’s important to stick to a strict maintenance schedule; otherwise, bigger (more expensive) problems can develop.
  • Driving habits: Going easy on the gas/brake pedals and driving on low-impact terrains will help slow the progress of natural wear and tear.
  • Car accident history: These are the outliers on the life expectancy spectrum. It doesn’t matter if you have 100 or 100,000 miles on your odometer, a car accident can instantly knock your Honda Accord out of commission. So remember to always practice safe driving habits and follow the rules of the road.

How to extend a 2009 Honda Accord’s life expectancy

We should really be asking ourselves: is it worth extending the life of your 2009 Honda Accord?
With a Kelley Blue Book value of $7,000, you have to start weighing whether or not the ongoing maintenance costs are worth the money and hassle. 
In addition, this cost/benefit decision will only get narrower as labor rates at the mechanic keep climbing and the 2009 Accord continues depreciating.

Common 2009 Honda Accord problems to watch out for

Excessive oil consumption and premature brake wear are only two of the problems that are commonly reported by 2009 Honda Accord owners—here are some more:
  • Alternator and starter motor failure: It’s kind of a big deal if you can’t start your car. If the
    alternator
    and
    starter motor
    are the culprits, you’ll be looking at roughly $500 in total repair costs.
  • Crankshaft position sensor failure: Indicators of this problem include your engine misfiring or failing to start. Fortunately, replacing a
    crankshaft position sensor
    will only cost you around $200.
  • HVAC problems: After 100,000 miles, the Accord is known for developing
    HVAC
    problems. This means no heat or A/C for you if left unaddressed!
And that’s not even to mention the
11 recalls
for the 2009 Accord! If you’re still committed to buying one, ensure these recalls were addressed correctly before signing the purchase agreement.
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FAQs

Only 0.03% of all cars experience the monumental moment of crossing the 300,000-mile mark.
There are multiple anecdotes of Honda Accords lasting over 1,000,000 miles! While this type of longevity is rare (especially for 8th-generation models), the Honda Accord is still historically well-known for racking up impressive odometer readings.
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