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Honda Accord Problems

The Honda Accord has earned its reputation as one of the most reliable midsize sedans on the market, with over 45 years of production history. However, 61,172 complaints and 150 reported deaths show that even Honda is not immune to problematic model years. Choosing the right generation is key to getting the dependable Accord experience buyers expect.

61,172
Total Complaints
158
Total Recalls
47
Model Years
150
Reported Deaths
!

Years to Avoid

These years have significantly more complaints than average.

2018 2013 2008
✓

Best Years

These years have the fewest reported problems.

1979 1980 1981

Common Problem Categories

Air Bags 8,148
Electrical System 7,814
Power Train 7,562
Engine 3,806
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 3,268

Complaints by Model Year

All Model Years

Year ↓ Complaints Recalls Crashes Fires Rating
2025 94 0 12 0 Good
2024 246 3 14 2 Good
2023 186 4 16 0 Good
2022 438 3 4 0 Good
2021 476 3 46 2 Good
2020 926 4 50 4 Average
2019 1,762 5 96 0 Average
2018 5,034 5 132 10 Avoid
2017 1,430 2 118 32 Average
2016 1,524 3 96 20 Average
2015 1,600 5 102 22 Average
2014 2,810 4 150 24 Below Average
2013 3,692 5 218 30 Avoid
2012 1,000 8 154 10 Average
2011 704 9 90 8 Average
2010 1,398 12 94 18 Average
2009 1,712 10 128 10 Average
2008 3,698 8 170 36 Avoid
2007 1,400 10 256 48 Average
2006 1,082 10 144 20 Average
2005 1,758 12 282 32 Average
2004 2,606 11 254 38 Below Average
2003 4,754 12 376 46 Avoid
2002 2,534 3 330 30 Below Average
2001 2,318 3 398 8 Below Average
2000 3,010 2 276 18 Below Average
1999 2,690 1 184 10 Below Average
1998 2,858 1 266 6 Below Average
1997 1,092 0 102 24 Average
1996 1,158 0 138 10 Average
1995 1,346 0 188 14 Average
1994 952 0 210 8 Average
1993 444 0 94 4 Good
1992 498 0 94 4 Good
1991 484 0 40 12 Good
1990 458 0 24 16 Good
1989 228 0 30 20 Good
1988 204 0 34 2 Good
1987 262 0 22 2 Good
1986 126 0 10 0 Good
1985 38 0 10 4 Good
1984 50 0 2 0 Good
1983 14 0 0 4 Good
1982 52 0 2 0 Good
1981 16 0 0 0 Good
1980 4 0 2 0 Good
1979 6 0 2 0 Good

Honda Accord Years to Avoid

The 2018 Accord marks Honda's worst year for this nameplate, primarily due to oil dilution issues in the 1.5L turbo engine where fuel mixes with oil, potentially causing engine damage. The 2003 model year is notorious for automatic transmission failures, sometimes occurring as early as 60,000 miles. The 2008-2009 Accords continued transmission problems and added excessive oil consumption to the mix. The 2013-2015 models experienced premature battery drain and infotainment glitches that frustrated owners. Avoid the V6 automatic combinations from 1999-2004 entirely, as transmission failure rates were unacceptably high.

Best Honda Accord Years

The 1980s Accords established Honda's reliability reputation and many are still running today with proper maintenance. The 2006-2007 models hit a sweet spot with proven engines and refined transmissions after Honda addressed earlier issues. The 2016-2017 ninth-generation Accords are excellent choices with the bugs worked out and strong long-term reliability data.

Frequently Asked Questions