Honda Accord Visibility Problems
Owners have filed 373 complaints with NHTSA about visibility problems on the Honda Accord across 29 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (60). The words owners use most often: “windshield wiper” (11% of reports).
- 373visibility complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 12mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $490typical repair cost reported by owners
- 52%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Windshield wiper: mentioned in 40 of 373 complaints (11%)
- Sun roof: mentioned in 22 of 373 complaints (6%)
- Power window: mentioned in 22 of 373 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical visibility repair on the Honda Accord at $490, and half of them between $370 and $850.
Based on 11 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2017), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do visibility problems happen?
Based on 204 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 373 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 12 an injury.
Honda Accord visibility complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Accord | 1 | 10% | 500 |
| 2022 Accord | 1 | 0% | 700 |
| 2021 Accord | 2 | 1% | 28 |
| 2020 Accord | 4 | 1% | 8,366 |
| 2019 Accord | 3 | 0% | 11,050 |
| 2018 Accord | 9 | 0% | 22,068 |
| 2017 Accord | 2 | 0% | 1,450 |
| 2016 Accord | 4 | 1% | 8,750 |
| 2015 Accord | 2 | 0% | 10,823 |
| 2014 Accord | 8 | 1% | 9,540 |
| 2013 Accord | 12 | 1% | 1,034 |
| 2012 Accord | 6 | 2% | 15,000 |
| 2011 Accord | 4 | 1% | 46,969 |
| 2010 Accord | 13 | 2% | 14,478 |
| 2009 Accord | 14 | 2% | 60,000 |
| 2008 Accord | 20 | 1% | 3,763 |
| 2007 Accord | 11 | 2% | 85,000 |
| 2006 Accord | 16 | 4% | 7,100 |
| 2005 Accord | 15 | 2% | 26,850 |
| 2004 Accord | 34 | 3% | 60,755 |
| 2003 Accord | 60 | 3% | 63,000 |
| 2002 Accord | 6 | 1% | 78,000 |
| 2001 Accord | 14 | 2% | 83,250 |
| 2000 Accord | 15 | 1% | 87,500 |
| 1999 Accord | 17 | 1% | 64,000 |
| 1998 Accord | 26 | 2% | 30,000 |
| 1997 Accord | 13 | 3% | 82,500 |
| 1996 Accord | 21 | 4% | 106,602 |
| 1995 Accord | 20 | 4% | 80,550 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Electrical system:body control module:software; back over prevention: sensing system: camera; visibility/wiper; visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system; visibility:power window devices and controls; exterior lighting
Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles. A software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in communication between the Body Control Module (BCM) and other components. This may result in malfunctions of various systems such as the windshield wipers and defroster, rearview camera, exterior lights, audible warning of a stopped vehicle, and power window operation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems" and number 111, "Rear Visibility" as well as FMVSS numbers 104, 108, 114, 118, and 305.
Risk: Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X95.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera; visibility:rearview mirrors/devices
Model years: 2018
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Accord and 2019 Honda Insight vehicles. In certain scenarios, the back-up camera center display may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: If the rearview camera display does not show what is behind the vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the display audio unit software, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K2G and V2F.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Model years: 2003
Problem: Honda is recalling 351,000 my 2003 accord vehicles. If water enters the windshield wiper motor breather port, which is designed to allow the motor to vent warm air during normal operation, it can result in corrosion inside the motor housing. This can cause a failure of the electrical circuit breaker inside the motor housing.
Risk: If the circuit breaker fails, it will cause the windshield wiper motor to become inoperative, which can increase the likelihood of a crash in certain conditions.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the windshield wiper motor for signs of corrosion. If no signs of corrosion are present, a cover will be installed over the wiper motor to prevent water from entering the wiper motor housing. If signs of corrosion damage are observed on the wiper motor, the motor will be replaced. The recall began on july 17, 2008. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2026 Honda Accord. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle from the factory, there were swirls etched in the windshield. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for tint. There were pink and green circles covering the glass, and it was difficult to see out of the…
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the AC evaporator became inoperable and was blowing hot air. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring since the vehicle was purchased in 2018. The contact stated that the evaporator…
The contact stated that while driving on the highway, a loud noise was heard. The vehicle's sunroof had shattered with glass getting on the contact as well as in the vehicle. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the sunroof shattered without impact, and shards of glass fell inside the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH on Interstate 64 East, traveling through a construction zone, an unknown vehicle passed him and asphalt flew in the air, striking and cracking the front windshield. After fifteen to twenty minutes, the side air…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Honda Accords have visibility problems?
No. NHTSA has 373 owner complaints about visibility for the Honda Accord. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Honda Accord visibility?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list visibility. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix visibility problems on the Honda Accord?
Owners report a typical cost of $490 (half paid between $370 and $850), from 11 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about visibility problems on the Honda Accord?
The most frequent phrase is “windshield wiper”, in 40 of 373 complaints, followed by “sun roof” (22).
Other Honda Accord problems
- Electrical System problems (3,981)
- Air Bags problems (3,915)
- Power Train problems (3,688)
- Engine problems (2,241)
- Steering problems (1,606)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (1,430)
- Service Brakes problems (1,101)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,099)
See all Honda Accord problems.