Honda Accord Problems by Year

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · 23,009 owner complaints analyzed

Years with far more complaints than usual:

NHTSA has 23,009 owner complaints and 69 safety recalls on file for the Honda Accord, across 32 model years (1995–2026). The 2003 model year has the most complaints (1,987). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.

Honda Accord
Urban Gray Pearl Honda Accord Hybrid Touring CY2 sedan at Honda Ilsan Dealership.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Peak: 2003, with 1,987 complaints
1995: 54319951996: 4721997: 4601998: 1,20019981999: 1,1352000: 1,1832001: 92220012002: 1,0502003: 1,9871,9872004: 1,01820042005: 6562006: 4322007: 52420072008: 1,5202009: 7262010: 58020102011: 2962012: 3732013: 1,42520132014: 9812015: 6012016: 60920162017: 5382018: 1,8902019: 69620192020: 3642021: 2412022: 25620222023: 852024: 1492025: 8720252026: 10

n = 23,009 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Honda Accord years to avoid? What the complaint data shows

These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Accord year: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2018. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.

Model years with the most complaints

  1. 2003 Accord: 1,987 complaints, 13 recalls
  2. 2018 Accord: 1,890 complaints, 6 recalls
  3. 2008 Accord: 1,520 complaints, 8 recalls

Model years with the fewest complaints

  1. 2026 Accord: 10 complaints, 0 recalls
  2. 2023 Accord: 85 complaints, 5 recalls
  3. 2025 Accord: 87 complaints, 0 recalls

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.

Most common Honda Accord problems (all years)

Problem areaComplaintsModel yearsCrashes
Electrical System problems3,98132119
Air Bags problems3,91531923
Power Train problems3,68831124
Engine problems2,2413260
Steering problems1,60632132
Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems1,43025111
Service Brakes problems1,10130101
Vehicle Speed Control problems1,09931330
Forward Collision Avoidance problems9561740
Engine and Engine Cooling problems9442720
Structure problems93031109
Fuel/propulsion System problems8153137
Exterior Lighting problems5792913
Suspension problems5703129
Seats problems5582944
Seat Belts problems5063078
Fuel System, Gasoline problems468297
Visibility problems373296
Tires problems3503114
Equipment problems284289
Wheels problems2612931
Lane Departure problems2431411
Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems2152312
Visibility/wiper problems212275
Latches/locks/linkages problems121234
Service Brakes, Electric98113
Interior Lighting91131
Back Over Prevention80132
Fuel System, Other71151
Service Brakes, Air71217
Parking Brake33136
Equipment Adaptive/mobility19111
Child Seat18103
Traction Control System16101
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness330
Electronic Stability Control331
Fuel System, Diesel320
None110
Other110
Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Autohold Brake System/brake Hold110

Honda Accord problems by model year

Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.

All Honda Accord model years

Model yearComplaintsRecallsCrash ratingTop problemCompared with other years
2026 Accord100—Unknown or OtherFar fewer complaints than other years
2025 Accord870—SteeringFar fewer complaints than other years
2024 Accord1493—SteeringFar fewer complaints than other years
2023 Accord855—Electrical SystemFar fewer complaints than other years
2022 Accord25645★Electrical SystemFar fewer complaints than other years
2021 Accord24145★Electrical SystemFar fewer complaints than other years
2020 Accord36455★Forward Collision AvoidanceFewer complaints than other years
2019 Accord69665★EngineAbout as many complaints as other years
2018 Accord1,89065★EngineFar more complaints than other years
2017 Accord53835★Electrical SystemAbout as many complaints as other years
2016 Accord60945★Electrical SystemAbout as many complaints as other years
2015 Accord60155★Electrical SystemAbout as many complaints as other years
2014 Accord98145★Electrical SystemMore complaints than other years
2013 Accord1,42555★SteeringFar more complaints than other years
2012 Accord37385★SeatsFewer complaints than other years
2011 Accord29695★Air BagsFar fewer complaints than other years
2010 Accord58012—Air BagsAbout as many complaints as other years
2009 Accord72610—Service Brakes, HydraulicMore complaints than other years
2008 Accord1,5208—Service Brakes, HydraulicFar more complaints than other years
2007 Accord5249—Air BagsAbout as many complaints as other years
2006 Accord43212—Air BagsFewer complaints than other years
2005 Accord65615—Air BagsAbout as many complaints as other years
2004 Accord1,01813—Power TrainMore complaints than other years
2003 Accord1,98713—Power TrainFar more complaints than other years
2002 Accord1,0505—Power TrainMore complaints than other years
2001 Accord9227—Air BagsMore complaints than other years
2000 Accord1,1838—Air BagsFar more complaints than other years
1999 Accord1,1354—Electrical SystemMore complaints than other years
1998 Accord1,2006—Electrical SystemFar more complaints than other years
1997 Accord4603—Air BagsFewer complaints than other years
1996 Accord4721—Air BagsFewer complaints than other years
1995 Accord5432—Air BagsAbout as many complaints as other years

More from Honda: all Honda models · Honda VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Which Honda Accord years should you stay away from?

By NHTSA complaints, 1998 (1,200), 2000 (1,183), 2003 (1,987), 2008 (1,520), 2013 (1,425), 2018 (1,890) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Accord year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.

What is the biggest problem with the Honda Accord?

Electrical System, with 3,981 complaints across 32 model years.

How many recalls does the Honda Accord have?

69 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.