How Reliable is the Honda Accord?

Front 3/4 view of a Honda Accord

Accord owners have made 12261 complaints over 31 model years. It ranks 24th in reliability out of 24 eligible Honda models.

Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Honda score is 13.43 while the Accord comes in at 74.91.

The 15 Most Common Accord Problems

We've pulled together a list of the problems Accord owners.

  1. Denso Fuel Pump Failure

    The impellers inside of Denso branded fuel pumps may have been excessively exposed to a drying agent during manufacturing. This leads to them cracking, absorbing fuel, and deforming so badly that they stop sending fuel to the engine. Honda …

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  2. Honda Sensing Problems

    Honda sensing is a group of safety systems to help drivers monitor changing road conditions. However there are growing concerns about malfunctions in the system that cause the auto-brakes to engage randomly, the radar to get confused on sun…

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  3. Dead Battery in Accord and CR-V

    Certain generations of Accord and CR-V vehicles chew through batteries. Leave one of these sitting a couple days and there's a good chance it won't start due to an underpowered battery, parasitic drains, and an ineffective battery charging …

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  4. Power Steering Whine

    One of the more common complaints about Honda's power steering is how it can whine or groan everytime you turn the wheel. Turns out all that noise is due to air getting into the power steering system because of two, old O-rings. There's no …

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  5. Starter Failure for Accord and Crosstour

    The starter system in the 2013-2015 Honda Accord and Crosstour has a defect that makes starting the engine completely unreliable. The starter motor grinds and whines but the engine never starts. Honda denies any out-of-warranty claims on th…

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  6. TRW Crash Sensor Defect

    There's growing concern that some sort of electrical overstress is messing with airbag control units (ACU) in certain Honda vehicles.

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  7. Honda Vehicles with Recalled Takata Airbags

    A large number of Honda vehicles have been recalled because they contain dangerous airbag inflators made by Takata. The shrapnel-hurling inflators have been recalled in over 37 million vehicles (and counting).

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  8. Accord's LED Daytime Headlights Burn Out

    LED headlights are supposed to be a more efficient and cost-effective choice. Heck, theoretically they might even last longer than you own or lease your car. Unless it’s a 2016-2018 Honda Accord we’re talking about, because those cars have …

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  9. TPMS Warning Light

    TPMS, or tire pressure monitoring systems, are a mildly controversial feature of some modern cars. While it's nice to have quick access to the current PSI readings of your tires from the comfort of your driver's seat, some manufacturers (he…

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  10. Honda's Extremely Uncomfortable Seats

    An alarming number of people have complained that their late-model Honda has the most uncomfortable seats of any car they've ever owned. The problem seems to affect the 2008-2014 model years with a particular, back-crippling emphasis on the…

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  11. Rodents Chew Soy Wiring

    Honda switched to a soy-based coating for their wiring that is more biodegradable. It sounds like a pro-Earth move by the automaker, but the real reason is probably a little less triumphant: the coating costs less than plastic. Still, less …

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  12. Peeling Paint and Clear Coat

    Is your Honda shedding clearcoat and peeling off paint at an alarming rate? You're not alone. Far from it actually. Even the most ardent, wax-happy, electric car polisher wielding owner can find their paint tearing off in sheets. So what gi…

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  13. Automatic Transmission Failure

    If you own a Honda released between 1999-2004 and haven't had any issues with your automatic transmission, may I suggest you go to your nearest conevnience store and play the lottery? 'Cause you're one lucky son-of-a-gun.

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  14. Excessive Oil Consumption

    One of the top complaints about the latest generation of Honda vehicles is how the V6 engines burn through an excessive amounts of oil. Mechanics did their best to place the blame on the owner's driving and maintenance habits, but it was cl…

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  15. Accord Premature Brake Wear

    The Accord is one of the most popular sedans on the road based on its reputation for dependability over the years. However owners of 2008 2009 Accords (and a small number of 2010 models) are up in arms over premature brake wear that is wide…

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What Accord Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Accord Generations

The Accord has 7 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 7th generation (2003–2007).

  1. 10th Generation Accord

    Years
    2018–2020
    Reliability
    40th of 58
    PainRank™
    17.2
    Complaints
    201
    Continue Front 3/4 view of a Accord

  2. 9th Generation Accord

    Years
    2013–2017
    Reliability
    54th of 58
    PainRank™
    49.34
    Complaints
    1341
    Continue Front 3/4 view of a Accord

  3. 8th Generation Accord

    Years
    2008–2012
    Reliability
    53rd of 58
    PainRank™
    45.25
    Complaints
    4365
    Continue Front 3/4 view of a Accord

  4. 7th Generation Accord

    Years
    2003–2007
    Reliability
    58th of 58
    PainRank™
    84.85
    Complaints
    3106
    Continue

  5. 6th Generation Accord

    Years
    1998–2002
    Reliability
    57th of 58
    PainRank™
    61.82
    Complaints
    2854
    Continue

  6. 5th Generation Accord

    Years
    1994–1997
    Reliability
    33rd of 58
    PainRank™
    8.76
    Complaints
    190
    Continue

  7. 4th Generation Accord

    Years
    1990–1993
    Reliability
    22nd of 58
    PainRank™
    4.39
    Complaints
    194
    Continue

Accord Key Numbers

  1. 12,261 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 1,423 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 80 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Recent Relevant Lawsuits

The Accord has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Settled

    Case, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

    A Honda 5-speed transmission class action settlement has been reached for consumers residing in California who were the original owners of any of the following vehicles with 5-speed automatic transmissions and continued being the owner as of December 7, 2015.

    Status
    settled
    Class Vehicles
    • 2003-2004 Accord
    • 2002-2004 Odyssey
    • 2003-2004 Pilot
    Location
    California

  • Cadena, et al., v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

    A "Honda Sensing" lawsuit alleges the driver-assist systems are defective. The lawsuit began as a case about 2017 CR-Vs, but several additional class actions were filed and consolidated into a lawsuit that includes 2017-2020 Honda CR-Vs and 2016-2020 Honda Accords.

  • Cummings, et al., v. Honda Motor Company Limited, et al.

    A Honda fuel pump recall allegedly didn't include all the affected New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with DENSO low-pressure fuel pumps and fuel pump assemblies, including pumps that begin with part number 17045-T.

    Status
    recalled read original case
    Problem
    Denso Fuel Pump Failure
    Class Vehicles
    • 2018-2019 Accord
    • 2018-2019 Civic Hatchback
    • 2018-2019 Civic Type R
    • 2019 Fit
    • 2018-2019 HR-V
    • 2019-2020 Insight
    Class Members
    Owners and Lesees in NJ,NY,and PA
    Location
    New Jersey

  • L. Hand vs. DENSO International America, Inc., et al.

    The plaintiff who sued claims the vehicles place occupants at risk of injuries and death because of the fuel pump failures. But owners also allegedly suffer additional consequences in the form of diminished vehicle values, out-of-pocket expenses and towing and rental car costs. The Canadian fuel pump recalls allegedly didn't include all the Honda vehicles affected by the DENSO pumps.

  • Atwal v. Denso Corporation, et al.

    The plaintiff who sued claims the vehicles place occupants at risk of injuries and death because of the fuel pump failures. But owners also allegedly suffer additional consequences in the form of diminished vehicle values, out-of-pocket expenses and towing and rental car costs. The Canadian fuel pump recalls allegedly didn't include all the Honda vehicles affected by the DENSO pumps.

Recent Accord News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Over 708,000 Honda and Acura vehicles are being recalled to replace their DENSO fuel pumps.

    The pumps have a defect that'll cause them to stop pumping fuel to the engine. You don't need to be a mechanic to see why that's a problem.…

    keep reading

  2. Honda's batteries are such a drain.

    A new lawsuit suggests that the batteries in the 2017-2019 Accord and CR-V are simply too weak to run the car's electrical systems. Couple that with a parasitic drain and you've got yourself a killer combo if you're a big fan of curse words and walking to work.…

    keep reading

  3. Honda wants to settle up a decade-old lawsuit about downshifting transmissions

    with an offer so low it's borderline insulting. A 2009 lawsuit says 5-speed automatic transmissions in some 2002-2004 Honda and Acura vehicles have a defect in the 3rd clutch. That defect can cause the transmission to suddenly downshift from 5th to 2nd gear. That's one way to reach your heart rate goal on your FitBit.

    Honda has continually denied the allegations but are ready to put this whole ordeal behind them with a ... checks notes ... $25 credit towards the future purcahse of Honda parts. And you must live in California. Oh I'm sorry, should I have told you to sit down first?…

    keep reading

  5. Software mistakes in over 770,000 Honda cars can suddenly disable the power windows, turn signals, windshield wipers, defroster, and rearview cameras.

    That's a lot of very important things. Honda has issued a recall after discovering electrical disruptions in the body control module's controller area network or CAN. Although I guess in this case it's more like a CAN'T, amirite?…

    keep reading

  6. Honda has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit that alleges the Honda Sensing safety suite is really quite dangerous.

    The consolidated lawsuit says warning messages appear for no reason and that the vehicles can suddenly change speeds while driving. Honda lawyers have come up with a list of technicalities on why the case should be tossed.…

    keep reading

See All Accord News

What Owners Say About Their Accord

Honda's Extremely Uncomfortable Seats

The driver's seat sucks. This 2008 Honda Accord is by far our best car for long trips, in terms of long term reliability of the car and gas mileage, but we still choose to drive our older car that has had some mechanical problems because the driver's seat in the Accord is so unbearable and leaves your back in pain for days.

Automatic Transmission Failure

I kept this vehicle running in tip top shape for years, really a dream car for the most part. Then the trans starts slipping and nothing I can really do about it. Not worth replacing as the trans cost a fortune and because it's poorly engineered it only happen again.

Honda's Extremely Uncomfortable Seats

Just few minutes driving causes EXTREMELY painful legs, back, neck. The pain is unbelievable and feels like those very hard knife stabbing type sharp pains. After driving the car I am pretty much laid up for days!

Starter Failure for Accord and Crosstour

[Starter problems happened] rarely at first, but then more frequently now - like every 3rd start - the auxiliary power comes on but the engine doesn't turn over. Sometimes the starter makes a horrible sound like maybe I'm trying to start the car but the engine is already on, but it definitely isn't. I can't reproduce this at will, so I figure there's little point taking it to a mechanic until I have to tow it in.

Starter Failure for Accord and Crosstour

Just like many others on here, I started having intermittent issues with the car not starting. It started happening near the 90k mark about every 20ish or so starts. Turning the key would activate the dash power/electrical but I would only hear a click from under the hood, the car would usually start the 2nd/3rd time.

Honda's Extremely Uncomfortable Seats

I have a love, hate relationship with my 2009 Accord EXL V6. As long as I am not traveling more than 50 miles round trip, I love to drive this car, any thing over 50 miles is Chiropractor time. It's not just the drivers seat, the passengers seat is even worse.

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