Honda2003–2015 Critical issues documented

Honda Accord Euro CU2: common faults & what to check

The CU2 is the Honda Accord Euro built 2008–2015. It was sold here with the 2.4 petrol. Of the 6 faults documented for the Accord Euro, 6 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

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Money owing
Reported stolen
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NZ owned and operated

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Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$300–$1,400

Typical repair

Systems covered

You're looking at the CU2 · 2.4 petrol

Everything below is narrowed to this variant. Pick a different one to change it.

2008–2015CU2 Selected2008–2015CU22.4 petrolPetrolDocumented issues6 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Rolander via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Choose a different generation

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Which engine is in it?

2.4 petrol· 2.4 litre petrol

A 2009 Honda Accord Euro is the CU2 generation (2008 to 2015).

Start your free check on this Honda Accord Euro

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Honda Accord Euro CU2

Can't confirm for this car

Honda Accord Euro · 2009

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Honda Accord Euro before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

Serious issue
Run the car's VIN through the Honda NZ / Honda Australia recall lookup before buying.
See why
Takata passenger airbag inflator (safety recall)
The CU2 Accord Euro is caught in the global Takata airbag recall. The frontal airbag uses a non-desiccated PSAN inflator whose propellant absorbs moisture over years, so the inflator housing can rupture on deployment and fire metal fragments into the cabin - a genuine death/serious-injury risk, worse in humid NZ/AU coastal conditions. The rectification is a free inflator replacement, but many used JDM/AU imports may never have had the recall actioned.
What you would notice
- No visible symptom - status only confirmable by VIN check
- Possible SRS/airbag warning light if tampered with
Typically $0 to put right.
Costly issue
Look for cracked/perished rubber and voids in the large rear compliance bush on each front lower arm.
See why
Front lower control arm compliance bushes wear early
The Euro's front lower control-arm compliance bushings (shared design with the Acura TSX/TL) crack and wear prematurely, often well under 100,000km. Worn bushes cause vague or sloppy steering, clunks over bumps and shudder under braking or acceleration, and will fail a WoF. The bush centre bolt is notorious for seizing and spinning with the bush, so many workshops replace the whole control arm rather than press a bush, increasing the bill.
What you would notice
- Knock/clunk over bumps or driveway lips
- Steering wander or loose front end
- Shudder or judder under braking or hard acceleration
- Uneven/inner tyre wear
Typically $300–$1,300 to put right.
Costly issue
Turn the wheel lock-to-lock while stationary and listen for whine or groan.
See why
Hydraulic power steering pump failure (CU2)
Unlike later fully-electric Hondas, the CU2 Euro uses an engine-driven hydraulic power steering pump, and these are noted to fail regardless of service history. A failing pump whines, leaks fluid or gives heavy and inconsistent assistance, and total failure makes the car very heavy to steer at low speed. Buyers guides specifically flag budgeting for a replacement pump on higher-km examples.
What you would notice
- Whine or groan when turning, especially at low speed or on lock
- Heavy or notchy steering
- Power-steering fluid weeping under the front of the engine
- Low PS reservoir level
Typically $600–$1,500 to put right.

See all 6 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked, including 1 rated critical.

Electrical1 critical1

01Takata passenger airbag inflator (safety recall)

Run the car's VIN through the Honda NZ / Honda Australia recall lookup before buying.2008–2015Electrical$0

CommonElectrical $0 to fix

The CU2 Accord Euro is caught in the global Takata airbag recall. The frontal airbag uses a non-desiccated PSAN inflator whose propellant absorbs moisture over years, so the inflator housing can rupture on deployment and fire metal fragments into the cabin - a genuine death/serious-injury risk, worse in humid NZ/AU coastal conditions. The rectification is a free inflator replacement, but many used JDM/AU imports may never have had the recall actioned.

Symptoms to notice

No visible symptom - status only confirmable by VIN check
Possible SRS/airbag warning light if tampered with

What to check

Run the car's VIN through the Honda NZ / Honda Australia recall lookup before buying; check the SRS light extinguishes after start-up; ask for any recall-completion paperwork.

Where to look: Passenger-side dashboard airbag module (and driver airbag on some builds)

Ask the seller

“Has the Takata airbag recall been completed - do you have paperwork?”
“Was this NZ-new or imported, and has it been VIN-checked for open recalls?”
“Is the airbag/SRS light behaving normally?”

Body, brakes, suspension & interior2

02Hydraulic power steering pump failure (CU2)

Turn the wheel lock-to-lock while stationary and listen for whine or groan.petrol2008–2015Suspension$600–$1,500

OccasionalSuspension $600–$1,500 to fix

Unlike later fully-electric Hondas, the CU2 Euro uses an engine-driven hydraulic power steering pump, and these are noted to fail regardless of service history. A failing pump whines, leaks fluid or gives heavy and inconsistent assistance, and total failure makes the car very heavy to steer at low speed. Buyers guides specifically flag budgeting for a replacement pump on higher-km examples.

Symptoms to notice

Whine or groan when turning, especially at low speed or on lock
Heavy or notchy steering
Power-steering fluid weeping under the front of the engine
Low PS reservoir level

What to check

Turn the wheel lock-to-lock while stationary and listen for whine or groan; check the PS reservoir level and colour; look for fluid leaks around the pump and lines at the front of the engine.

Where to look: Front of engine, belt-driven hydraulic power-steering pump, reservoir and hoses

Parts involved: Steering rack.

Ask the seller

“Any whining noise or heaviness when steering at low speed?”
“Has the power steering pump or hoses ever been replaced?”
“When was the power steering fluid last checked or topped up?”

03Front lower control arm compliance bushes wear early

Look for cracked/perished rubber and voids in the large rear compliance bush on each front lower arm.2003–2015Suspension$300–$1,300Read the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

Depends on the exact engine — 3 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.

Engine, transmission & cooling3

01K24 excessive oil consumption (piston rings / valve seals)

Pull the dipstick and check level and how black/thin the oil is.petrol2003–2015EngineCan't confirm for this car$800–$6,500Read the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02VTC actuator cold-start rattle (K24 variable timing control)

Arrive with the engine stone-cold and be the one to start it.petrol2003–2015EngineCan't confirm for this car$400–$1,400

Very commonEngine $400–$1,400 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

On cold start the K24 makes a brief harsh grinding/rattle for 1-3 seconds that clears once oil pressure builds. It is caused by wear of the internal locking pin and spring in the intake-cam VTC actuator: after the engine sits, oil drains from the actuator and the worn pin cannot hold the phaser against startup torque, so it clatters. It is mostly a noise/longevity nuisance, but a badly worn actuator should be replaced before the phaser or chain is damaged. Honda revised the actuator design on later K-series engines.

Symptoms to notice

Brief metallic rattle/grind on cold first start of the day
Noise gone once warm
Worse after the car has sat overnight

What to check

Arrive with the engine stone-cold and be the one to start it; listen in the first 2-3 seconds for a rattle from the timing (passenger/right) end of the engine. A warm engine hides it, so refuse a car that has already been idling.

Where to look: Front timing-chain end of engine, intake camshaft VTC sprocket/actuator

Ask the seller

“Can I do a genuine cold start - has it been driven today?”
“Has the VTC actuator ever been replaced?”
“Is servicing on time with the correct-grade oil?”

035-speed auto shift shudder / fluid degradation

Test-drive from cold through low-speed upshifts feeling for judder.petrol2003–2015TransmissionCan't confirm for this car$150–$4,500Read the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

Honda Accord Euro faults in detail

Narrowed to the Honda Accord Euro · 2009. Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

5-speed auto shift shudder / fluid degradationMajor · Transmission Front lower control arm compliance bushes wear earlyMajor · Suspension K24 excessive oil consumption (piston rings / valve seals)Major · Engine

Other Honda models

Honda CR-V59 documented faults Honda Accord55 documented faults Honda Jazz51 documented faults Honda Crossroad6 documented faults Honda Zest6 documented faults Honda Odyssey45 documented faults

Honda Accord Euro buyer questions

Is the Honda Accord Euro reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 6 documented faults for the Honda Accord Euro, the recurring problem areas are electrical, engine, and transmission. A Honda Accord Euro with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Honda Accord Euro?

We've catalogued 6 known faults for the Honda Accord Euro, covering electrical, engine, and transmission. All 6 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Honda Accord Euro?

Most single repairs on the Honda Accord Euro fall between $300–$1,400 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 6 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Honda Accord Euro?

Yes. A Honda Accord Euro inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.