Honda Accord

J35Y 3.5L V6 i-VTEC 278 hp Automatic Front-wheel drive Sedan 2013–2017

✔ Good Choice

Engine J35Y ✔ Good Choice 550–9,000 $

3.5L V6 with VCM (Variable Cylinder Management): powerful and smooth. VCM oil consumption is the known J-series topic — deactivated cylinders draw oil past piston rings. Significantly better than 8th Gen (class action 2013), but not fully resolved. VCM Muzzler ($50 aftermarket) as community fix. Carbon buildup from direct injection around 70k miles.

Fun Factor? Decent

Accord V6 — fast family sedan, watch VCM oil consumption

278 hp V6: the fast Accord for people who don't want a sports car but want to be quick. Monitor VCM oil consumption, VCM Muzzler ($50) as prevention. Budget for carbon buildup from DI. Starter TSB on 2013-2015.

Engine Weaknesses 3

!! VCM oil consumption — up to 1 qt per 1,000-1,500 miles

Variable Cylinder Management deactivates cylinders at part load. Intake vacuum in deactivated cylinders draws oil past piston rings. VCM Muzzler ($50) as community fix. Up to 1 quart per 1,000-1,500 miles in severe cases.

Symptoms: Dropping oil level between changes, blue smoke on cold start

50–8,000 $ from 100,000 km

Ad VCM Muzzler Honda J35Y Accord V6 S-VCM oil consumption J35Y V6

! Intake valve carbon buildup — walnut blasting from 70k miles

Direct injection = no valve cleaning from fuel. Walnut blasting from ~70k miles.

Symptoms: Rough idle, power loss on cold start

300–600 $ from 110,000 km

Ad walnut blasting J35Y intake valves V6 intake valve cleaning Honda J35Y Accord V6

! Starter misalignment V6 (2013-2015) — same TSB as K24W 2013–2015

Same TSB as K24W — starter/torque converter alignment.

Symptoms: Grinding on start

200–400 $

Ad 31200-5G0-A04 starter motor J35Y Accord V6 starter alignment TSB 16-002 Honda V6