Honda Accord problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 4,247 owner complaints and 18 safety recalls for the Honda Accord. That averages 87.5 complaints per year on the road — far more complaints than typical (index 2.08 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Midsize sedans segment it ranks #5 of 5 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 40.0.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, NHTSA logged 4,247 owner complaints and 18 safety recalls for the Honda Accord, averaging 87.5 complaints per year which is far more than typical with an index of 2.08 against all tracked vehicles. While the 2023 and 2024 models run 27% below the 2018 and 2019 models with 137 early complaints per model year versus 215, the 2018 model year has the highest rate at 228.2 complaints per year and should be researched most carefully because it runs at least 50% above the model's own average. The most common problem area is Engine accounting for 24.3% of complaints followed by Electrical at 14.9% and Driver-assist systems at 12.6%, with recurring terms including "head gasket", "system", "fuel", "mitigation" and "lights". Owners report 132 injuries and 2 deaths across all model years, while the latest open investigation covers "Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking" opened on 2024-04-15.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 27% below the 2018 and 2019 models (137 early complaints per model year versus 215).
The 2018 model year has the highest rate (228.2 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (48.3). The 2018 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. The 2021 model year sits well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (24.3% of complaints), followed by Electrical (14.9%) and Driver-assist systems (12.6%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “head gasket”, “system”, “fuel”, “mitigation” and “lights”. 152 complaints (3.6%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 132 injuries and 2 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 1,143 complaints versus 935 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2018 model year generated the most recent reports (398). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 50 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 18 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2023 (5). 4 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking” (opened 2024-04-15, still open).
Every other tracked model among Midsize sedans has fewer complaints per year, including Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Years to research carefully | 1,979 | 228.2 | 5.42 | 319 | 3.58 | 398 | 6 | Engine | View › |
| 2019 | 769 | 100.2 | 2.38 | 112 | 1.39 | 179 | 6 | Engine | View › |
| 2020 | 394 | 59.0 | 1.4 | 79 | 1.39 | 116 | 6 | Engine | View › |
| 2021 Fewest complaints | 274 | 48.3 | 1.15 | 56 | 0.92 | 94 | 4 | Driver-assist systems | View › |
| 2022 | 292 | 62.5 | 1.49 | 57 | 0.77 | 135 | 4 | Electrical | View › |
| 2023 | 224 | 61.0 | 1.45 | 122 | 1.47 | 50 | 8 | Engine | View › |
| 2024 | 214 | 80.0 | 1.9 | 152 | 2.16 | 89 | 5 | Steering | View › |
| 2025 | 101 | 60.4 | 1.44 | — | — | 82 | 2 | Steering | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 1,143 · Previous 12 months: 935 Steady
Problem areas
Electrical ›
633 · 14.9% · 0.95 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- system273
- infotainment79
- ghost48
- mitigation63
Driver-assist systems ›
533 · 12.6% · 2.19 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- braking229
- mitigation98
- brake207
- collision151
Fuel system ›
485 · 11.4% · 2.65 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- fuel404
- system gasoline224
- gasoline recall183
- distribution disconnect168
Interior & equipment ›
356 · 8.4% · 0.94 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- infotainment47
- screen66
- ghost23
- system113
Airbags & seat belts ›
155 · 3.6% · 0.96 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- supplemental restraint36
- restraint system37
- airbag41
- seat47
Transmission / powertrain ›
153 · 3.6% · 0.31 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- claiming ignored10
- violent shift12
- mentioned numerous12
- shift perhaps11
Other
59 · 1.4% · 0.77 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- collision mitigation18
- mitigation braking15
- braking system14
- acc8
Wheels, tires & suspension ›
56 · 1.3% · 0.53 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tire31
- pressure16
- tpms9
- rim7
Lighting
21 · 0.5% · 0.32 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- headlight12
- led6
- moisture4
- assembly5
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- head gasket537
- system1407
- fuel764
- mitigation313
- lights854
- brake748
- braking544
- injectors207
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 50 months
What owners report
I’m taking my car to the body shop over five occasions and have to take it back one due for it being a computer chip, which was replaced, but the lights on my dash all of them comes on after the second start up.
Issue 1: Faulty Collision Mitigation Braking System & Subsequent Crash Incident Details: In July of 2025, my vehicle’s automatic braking warning lights randomly activated and triggered an unprompted, emergency stop on [XXX]—despite having no vehicles ahead of…
I own a 2018 Honda Accord Sport 2.0T that has been consistently maintained through authorized Honda dealerships. On July 30, 2026, at 135,968 miles, I took my vehicle to Nalley Honda for a Blind Spot Information System warning and maintenance.
Unable to use cruise control Unable to use lane control Unable to use tire pressure gauge Unable to use auto brake system Car shakes due to a sudden decrease in engine performance. Turbocharger issues Powertrain System issues ECM Failure
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the AC evaporator became inoperable and was blowing hot air. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring since the vehicle was purchased in 2018.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Midsize sedans
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissan Altima | 798 | 15.7 | 0.37 | Improving | Steady | 14 | Electrical |
| 2 | Chevrolet Malibu | 1,391 | 26.3 | 0.63 | Improving | Rising | 10 | Engine |
| 3 | Hyundai Sonata | 1,211 | 26.7 | 0.63 | Stable | Steady | 10 | Engine |
| 4 | Toyota Camry | 1,935 | 43.9 | 1.04 | Improving | Rising | 21 | Engine |
| 5 | Honda Accord | 4,247 | 87.5 | 2.08 | Improving | Steady | 18 | Engine |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 18
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (6) · 2019 (6) · 2020 (6) · 2021 (4) · 2022 (4) · 2023 (8) · 2024 (5) · 2025 (2)
Investigations
- Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking Open
On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles. The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no …
- Front Seat Belt Assemblies may be Missing the Rivet that Secures the Quick Connector and Wire Plate Closed
On April 4, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ24006 to investigate American Honda Motor Co.âs (Hondaâs) proposed remedy for recall 23V-782 as well as scope of the vehicles involved. Honda issued recall 23V-782 on November 21, 2023, which concerns certain model year (MY) 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Honda Accord Hybrid, and Honda HR-V vehicles. Recall 23V-782 states that the …
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
- Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking Closed
On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles. The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no …
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Accord model year has the most complaints?
The 2018 model year has the highest rate (228.2 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (48.3).
Is the Honda Accord getting better or worse?
The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 27% below the 2018 and 2019 models (137 early complaints per model year versus 215). In the last 12 months owners filed 1,143 complaints versus 935 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Honda Accord problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (24.3% of complaints), followed by Electrical (14.9%) and Driver-assist systems (12.6%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “head gasket”, “system”, “fuel”, “mitigation” and “lights”.
How does the Honda Accord compare with other Midsize sedans?
Within the Midsize sedans segment it ranks #5 of 5 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 40.0. Every other tracked model among Midsize sedans has fewer complaints per year, including Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry.
Does the Honda Accord have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 18 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2023 (5). 4 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking” (opened 2024-04-15, still open).