Last updated: 2026-10-10
Honda Accord Reliability by Year
Honda Accord reliability is good, with low repair costs. Most years hold up, but 2018 brings engine trouble and false automatic braking.
Honda Accord Reliability Overview
Good overall as a used midsize sedan, with repair costs below the class average. The 2021 model is the safest pick, while 2018 is the one to skip. Watch for automatic braking that slams on with nothing ahead, and for head gasket failure on the 2018 1.5L turbo, which can cut power at highway speed.
Current generation: 11th gen (2023–2023).
Best & Worst Honda Accord Years
Best Honda Accord Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreComplaints run at 10.6 per 10,000 sold for 2021, against 59.7 for 2018, and engine failures are not among its top complaint areas. Its weak spots are hard automatic braking with nothing ahead and infotainment screens that act on their own. Test the adaptive cruise before buying. It has been on the road long enough for its record to mean something.
Honda Accord Years to Avoid
Engine trouble leads the complaints. Owners describe head gasket failure on the 1.5L turbo, with coolant leaking into a cylinder, misfires, and limp mode, often at highway speed. Many cases fall between about 75,500 and 91,500 miles. Electrical faults and false automatic braking add to it, and the year has 8 recalls and 5 fire reports.
Honda Accord Reliability Score Trend
Honda Accord reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 80/100 compared to 71/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 84/100 | Excellent |
| 2026 | 87/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Honda Accord
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Newest Accord, with no complaints or recalls on file yet, though that mostly reflects its short time on the road.
2025 Honda Accord
1 recalls · 65 complaints
One of the stronger Accord years, with far fewer complaints and recalls than 2024, though steering rack noise and sticking are the main owner complaints.
2024 Honda Accord
6 recalls · 166 complaints
Good standing and mid-pack among Accord years, with early steering complaints and six recalls as the main things to check.
2023 Honda Accord
10 recalls · 199 complaints
First year of the Eleventh generation, with good reliability and low repair costs, but a pattern of sudden power loss and ten federal recalls.
2022 Honda Accord
3 recalls · 201 complaints
Final year of the tenth generation, with good standing and a middle-of-the-pack rank, but frequent touchscreen and false automatic braking complaints.
2021 Honda Accord
5 recalls · 215 complaints
Rates better than 2020 with fewer complaints and recalls, but owners report sudden automatic braking and an airbag repair some cannot get parts for.
2020 Honda Accord
8 recalls · 344 complaints
Good rating, but among the weaker Accord years, with phantom automatic braking leading its owner complaints and eight federal recalls.
2019 Honda Accord
5 recalls · 574 complaints
Good reliability but among the weaker Accord years, with head gasket failures on the 1.5-liter turbo and unprompted automatic braking leading the complaints.
2018 Honda Accord
8 recalls · 1739 complaints
Weakest of the nine scored Accord years, with 1.5L turbo head gasket failures, automatic braking with nothing ahead, and fuel pump stalls.
Common Honda Accord problems
Problem areas with the most owner complaints, each with the years affected, symptoms, and fixes.
Found Your Honda Accord? Check Its History
Steering (24) problems come up most in Honda Accord owner complaints, and 46 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Honda Accord Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$400
Repair Frequency
0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk
9%
$126 below the midsize cars average of $526/yr.
Ranked #1 of 24 among midsize cars.
Honda Accord Resale Value
The Honda Accord is estimated to retain about 77.4% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 77.4%
- Depreciation
- 22.6%
- Listings Analyzed
- 720
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Honda Accord depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comHonda Accord Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Honda Models
Compare all Honda models by reliability
Compare Honda Accord With Similar Sedans
The Honda Accord competes with other midsize sedans such as Ford Fusion, Kia Optima, and Toyota Camry.
Accord vs Ford Fusion
3 years tracked · 975 complaints
Accord vs Kia Optima
3 years tracked · 573 complaints
Accord vs Toyota Camry
9 years tracked · 1604 complaints
Accord vs Subaru Legacy
8 years tracked · 455 complaints
Accord vs Nissan Altima
9 years tracked · 741 complaints
More Honda Accord comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for a used Honda Accord?
- The 2021 is the site's pick among years that have been on the road at least two years. It has far fewer complaints per car sold than 2018 or 2019. The 2025 and 2026 models rate highest, but they are too new to have a full complaint record.
- Is the Honda Accord reliable?
- Yes. Its overall reliability standing is good, and it ranks above average among sedans on the site. Most model years from 2018 to 2024 rate good. The main exception is 2018, which has far more complaints and a pattern of engine failures.
- What are the most common Honda Accord problems?
- Electrical faults lead the complaints, followed by forward collision avoidance, engine, and service brakes. The most serious symptom is automatic braking that slams on with nothing ahead. Owners also report warning lights filling the dash and, on the 1.5L turbo, head gasket failure.
- How much does it cost to maintain a Honda Accord?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $400. That is below the $526 average for midsize cars. Out-of-warranty fixes for driver-assist faults can still be costly, and one owner was quoted over $3,000.
- Does the Honda Accord have head gasket problems?
- Owner complaints describe head gasket failure on the 1.5L turbo, mostly in the 2018 model year. Coolant leaks into a cylinder, the engine misfires, and the car loses power. Many cases fall between about 75,500 and 91,500 miles, even with on-schedule maintenance.
How we score the Honda Accord
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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