I’m having the same issue with my 2010 Honda Accord. A service rep told me a few years back that I didn’t have to replace the actuator, Honda was aware of the issue and it wouldn’t cause any long term issues. Does that sound right?

Is it really over a $1,000 to replace the Actuator?

I am The Honda Specialist in Fort Worth Texas. I would like to know if this satisfactorily repaired your Honda and how many miles have you driven since. I have gotten a lot of these and would like to help future customers.

If your Honda is out of warranty, and has less than 100k miles on it, and you’re having this issue with it, 1.) Take it to your dealer and have them document the issue, 2.) Bring it to the attention of the Service Manager and ask he/she if they’d be willing to ask their Honda Rep. for warranty help in this matter, 3.) If not, then call American Honda and politely ask to speak with “Goodwill warranty department”. Every auto manufacturer has one, but they don’t tell you that. 4.) Tell Honda Goodwill Dept. everything you did to try and get help to resolve the issue (they may ask for receipts), and tell them your vehicle has less than 100k miles on it, and that you are seeking any type of goodwill help that they can offer you.

My 1st CR-V, a 2001 that I bought new, developed the dreaded receding exhaust valve seats issue that the ’99 to ’01’s had. The car had 55k miles on it when the issues began…Long story long, I paid out-of-pocket for 2 valve adjustments over time, because they wouldn’t pay for that, even though American Honda did keep the case open during that time period. At 93k, it was showing signs once again that it needed yet another valve adjustment, but I was told by the dealer that no further adjustments could be made, and the cylinder head would need to be replaced…at a cost of over $3,000!! Luckily, the service manager knew me for several years, since I always used their services with my previous Honda whenever I couldn’t handle doing repairs myself. (It didn’t hurt that I almost went into that field as well, so I’m pretty knowledgeable, and he knew that.) He called in their regional Honda Rep/Manager who met with me, and they called American Honda for approval, and they offered me some goodwill help. They paid for all labor, and I had to just pay for parts.

At 93k miles, it was almost ready for a timing belt/water pump replacement, so they included that in the labor, since the front timing cover had to come off anyway. All-in-all, I paid only $837! Verses $3800 I would’ve had to shell out had I not gotten the goodwill help!

One last thing… If your service manager refuses to help you acquire goodwill help from American Honda, (1st be sure to call them anyway to open a claim case…they’ll give you a case #), then go to another dealership. Try to find one that has won the “Honda President’s Award”. They are usually a better quality dealership, and want to win your patronage.

If this is a common issue for this range of hondas, why not just cover the replacement? I was just given a dealership quote for this issue of $2400.00. I feel like this is twice as much as it should cost, if anything at all. I love my 2009 Honda Accord with 102,000 miles and was hoping to pass it on to my kids as a first car. But that cost is extremely high for a fix that Ibam reading shouldn’t be more than 700 to 800 at most. The dealer said the parts were 1500 alone. I am just floored, especially since this is an issue for a large number of Hondas.
May have to look at a different brand.

I fixed this problem by switching to High Mileage 5W-20 oil, and using Lucas High Mileage Oil Additive with each oil change. Check oil level monthly. This is not the manufacturer’s recommended OEM repair, but it’s $1,200 cheaper than replacing the actuator.