Last updated: 2026-10-10

Honda Accord

Honda Accord Years to Avoid

9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 76/100

Skip the 2018 Accord. Its 1.5L turbo engines have head gasket failures that cause misfires and lost power, and owners also report electrical faults and false automatic braking. The 2021 is the better buy, with far fewer complaints per car sold.

Verdict

Avoid
2018 63/100
Buy
2021 78/100
Model average
76/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Honda Accord Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Honda Accord average of 76/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1201863/100Good81739Engine (248)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

63
GoodReliability score: 63 out of 100, rated Good

2018 Honda Accord

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.

8 recalls1739 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Engine (248), Electrical System (237), Unknown Or Other (176), Forward Collision Avoidance (170), Fuel System, Gasoline (161), Service Brakes (136)

View full 2018reliability report →

What Are Common Honda Accord Problems?

Accord electrical problems

531 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2022

2018: Warning lights fill the dash and the driver-assist systems act on their own.

Accord automatic emergency braking problems

408 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: The car brakes hard on its own with no vehicle or object ahead, sometimes from highway speed.

Accord engine problems

393 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: Head gasket failure on the 1.5L turbo dominates these reports.

Accord brake problems

314 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: Two problems show up here.

Accord fuel system problems

261 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2024

2018: Most of these complaints concern recall 23V858000 for the fuel pump, and many say the repair part was unavailable for a long time.

STEERING

225 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2024, 2019

2018: At highway speed the steering sticks near center, then breaks free with a jolt, which makes drivers overcorrect and weave in the lane.

Best Honda Accord Year to Buy Instead

78
GoodReliability score: 78 out of 100, rated Good

2021 Honda Accord

Complaints 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.

Score: 78/100 (Good)5 recalls215 complaints
View full 2021reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2021 Honda Accord has 5 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Honda Accord Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Honda Accord years should I avoid?
Avoid the 2018. Site analysis puts it well below the model's own average. It has by far the most complaints per car sold, 8 recalls, and a pattern of head gasket failures on the 1.5L turbo, along with electrical and braking faults.
Is the 2019 Honda Accord a bad year?
Not by site analysis. The 2019 is among the lowest-rated years, but it is not flagged as one to avoid. It has about a third of the complaints per car sold that 2018 has. Forward collision avoidance and fuel system problems top its list.
Which Honda Accord year is best to buy used?
The 2021 is the best pick. It has about a sixth of the complaints per car sold that 2018 has, and engine failures are not among its top problems. Its main weakness is hard automatic braking with nothing ahead.
Are the 2025 and 2026 Honda Accords the most reliable?
They rate highest, but that mostly reflects time on the road. The 2025 has 65 complaints and the 2026 has none. Complaints build up over the years, so these two cannot yet be called the most reliable.
What goes wrong with the 2018 Honda Accord?
The engine is the biggest concern. Owners report head gasket failure on the 1.5L turbo, causing misfires and limp mode. Electrical faults come next, including warning lights and driver-assist systems acting on their own. False automatic braking is also common.

How we score every Honda Accord model year

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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue