What Causes Continuous Vibration and Abnormal Noise in the Rear of a Honda Accord?
4 Answers
Continuous vibration and abnormal noise in the rear of an Accord can be categorized into the following scenarios: 1. The noise occurs only during idling or low-speed operation. Possible causes include: excessive clearance between the piston and cylinder wall; overly tight piston pin or connecting rod bearing assembly; excessive clearance between the tappet and its guide hole; wear on the camshaft lobe profile; sometimes, a loose starter clutch causing pulley noise (especially noticeable during speed changes). 2. The noise becomes irregular at a certain RPM, with brief sounds occurring during rapid deceleration. Possible causes include: cracked camshaft timing gear or loose fixing nut; broken crankshaft; loose piston pin bushing; excessive camshaft axial clearance or loose bushing. 3. The noise appears during rapid engine acceleration and persists during high-speed operation. Possible causes include: loose connecting rod bearings, melted or mismatched bearing shells causing rotation; loose crankshaft bearings or melted bearing shells; broken piston pin; broken crankshaft.
My 10th-generation Accord had the same issue before, with a constant buzzing sound and vibration coming from the trunk area. After a check-up at the repair shop, it turned out to be a problem with the rear suspension—the shock absorber was leaking oil, causing the damping to fail. The mechanic mentioned that many older Accords experience this issue, as the rubber bushings in the chassis components wear out over time. It could also be due to unsecured items in the trunk—my friend’s car had noise issues because a spare oil bottle was rolling around. Another possibility is a loose exhaust hanger, which creates a very noticeable metal clanking sound. I’d recommend getting it checked by a professional technician as soon as possible. Driving with such an issue can be unsettling, and if it suddenly worsens on the highway, it could be dangerous.
My eighth-generation Accord has experienced similar issues, with interior vibrations and strange noises being particularly annoying. There are three likely common causes: aging shock absorbers or control arm bushings in the rear suspension system, which is a known issue with Accords; loose spare tire tools in the trunk rattling around during driving; or rusted/broken exhaust pipe mounting brackets causing exhaust system vibrations to transfer to the vehicle body. I've noticed the noises get worse during rainy weather recently, possibly because water reduces the lubrication effectiveness of the bushings. For safety reasons, it's best not to delay repairs as chassis problems can affect handling stability, especially during high-speed cornering which could be dangerous.
To address the Accord's rear noise, focus on several key areas: First, empty the trunk completely and drive two kilometers to rule out interference from loose items. Then, press down on the rear seats to check if they're properly installed—loose clips can cause creaking sounds. Next, inspect the undercarriage; leaking rear shock absorbers will leave oil stains, and damaged exhaust hanger mounts can be confirmed by hand movement. Previously, I overlooked tire issues but later found abnormal wear on the left rear tire caused vibration transmission. These basic checks can be done yourself, saving unnecessary repair costs.
