There is one thing to settle before anything else on an Accord: whether the car is a V6 built between 1998 and 2004. Those automatics have the worst failure record of any transmission Honda has sold in the United States, Honda extended the warranty and ran a recall over them, and buying a same-year replacement repeats the problem. Everything else in the range is straightforward — four and five-speed automatics through 2012, then the CVT on four-cylinder cars and a conventional automatic on the V6 and 2.0 turbo.
Honda Accord Used Transmissions — transmission options by generation
| Years |
Transmission |
Type |
Notes |
| 1990–1997 |
4-speed auto |
hydraulic |
Behind the F22 and F23 |
| 1990–2012 |
5-speed manual |
manual |
Durable — often a rebuild rather than a replacement |
| 1998–2002 |
4-speed auto |
MAXA / BAXA |
Four-cylinder cars |
| 1998–2004 (V6) |
4-speed auto |
B7XA / BAXA / BGRA |
The problem unit — recall and extended warranty, see below |
| 2003–2007 |
5-speed auto |
MAYA / BAYA |
Four-cylinder and V6 versions differ |
| 2008–2012 |
5-speed auto |
MCTA / MJFA |
Behind the K24 and J35 |
| 2008–2012 (Coupe) |
6-speed manual |
manual |
V6 coupe — dedicated part |
| 2013–2017 |
CVT |
Honda CVT |
Behind the 2.4 K24W |
| 2013–2017 (V6) |
6-speed auto |
conventional |
Behind the 3.5 J35Y — not a CVT |
| 2018–2022 |
CVT |
Honda CVT |
Behind the 1.5 turbo L15BE |
| 2018–2022 |
10-speed auto |
conventional |
Behind the 2.0 turbo K20C4 |
How to pick the right one
Model year, engine and trim. The split that costs people money is 2013 onwards: a 2.4 car has a CVT and a 3.5 V6 car of the same year has a conventional six-speed automatic, and the 2.0 turbo from 2018 has a ten-speed. None of those three interchange. On the 1998–2004 V6 cars, tell us the year and we will tell you which revision of the unit you are getting — Honda changed the design during the run and the later one is materially better. On manual cars, a synchro and a bearing is far more often the need than a whole gearbox.
What usually fails on these transmissions
The 1998–2004 V6 automatic is the one to know about. Third gear and the torque converter fail, usually between 80,000 and 120,000 miles, and Honda extended the warranty and ran a recall that added an oil jet to improve lubrication. If you are replacing one, buy a later revised unit where your car will take it, and fit a new cooler. On the five-speeds from 2003 the record is much better. On the CVT cars the failure is maintenance-driven — belt and pulley wear from long fluid intervals, announced by a shudder from a stop. We check fluid condition and run every CVT before it is listed.
What ships with every unit
-
Pressure tested with the solenoid readings recorded, and the fluid condition inspected and reported.
-
Fitment matched — send us the model year, engine, drivetrain and the RPO option code or ID tag and we confirm the part before the order ships.
-
Written warranty on every transmission, with labour coverage available.
-
Free freight anywhere in the lower 48, crated on a pallet to a commercial address or a terminal.
Replacing the engine too? See our Accord used engines. Full terms are in the transmission warranty policy, and the complete catalogue is at used transmissions.
Honda Accord used transmissions - frequently asked questions
Which transmissions did the Honda Accord use?
Across 1990 to 2022 the Honda Accord was built with 4-speed auto, 5-speed manual, 5-speed auto, 6-speed manual, CVT, 6-speed auto and 10-speed auto. The table above lists which one belongs to each generation, with the transmission designation and option code that identifies it.
How do I identify the right transmission for my Honda Accord?
Four things decide it: model year, engine, drivetrain, and the option or RPO code. That code is the one most people do not have to hand and the one that settles it - on a GM vehicle it is on the glovebox or door-jamb sticker, on a Chrysler it is on the build sheet, and on a Ford it is on a tag on the case. Send us the VIN and the code and we confirm the unit before anything ships.
Will a transmission from a different year fit my Honda Accord?
Model year, engine and trim. The split that costs people money is 2013 onwards: a 2.4 car has a CVT and a 3.5 V6 car of the same year has a conventional six-speed automatic, and the 2.0 turbo from 2018 has a ten-speed.
What usually fails on these transmissions?
The 1998–2004 V6 automatic is the one to know about. Third gear and the torque converter fail, usually between 80,000 and 120,000 miles, and Honda extended the warranty and ran a recall that added an oil jet to improve lubrication.
What comes with a used Honda Accord transmission?
Every transmission is pressure tested with the solenoid readings recorded and the test sheet ships in the box. The unit is matched to your VIN and option code before the order goes out, carries a written warranty with labour coverage available, and freight is free anywhere in the lower 48.
