Honda Accord: best & worst years

2024 Honda Accord Recommended

A top-rated midsize: 5-star NHTSA and IIHS Top Safety Pick+, excellent hybrid economy and class-leading low repair costs.

2023 Honda Accord Recommended

Strong 11th-generation redesign with top safety scores and Honda-proven powertrains; very clean reliability record so far.

2022 Honda Accord Recommended

Mature 10th-generation year with better-than-average reliability and the 1.5T early-build issues well behind it.

• On the 1.5L turbo engine, concentrated on 2018 cars, owners report head-gasket failure and fuel dilution of the engine oil, leading to rough running, hesitation or stalling.
• Fuel-system faults including a fuel-pump recall and emissions-system warnings that can cause hesitation or stalling, heaviest on 2018-2019 cars.
• The forward-collision and automatic-emergency-braking system can false-activate or show "system failed" warnings, sometimes from a dirty or obstructed front sensor.

2021 Honda Accord Recommended

Refined midsize with strong economy and good predicted reliability; spacious and comfortable.

• On the 1.5L turbo engine, concentrated on 2018 cars, owners report head-gasket failure and fuel dilution of the engine oil, leading to rough running, hesitation or stalling.
• Fuel-system faults including a fuel-pump recall and emissions-system warnings that can cause hesitation or stalling, heaviest on 2018-2019 cars.
• The forward-collision and automatic-emergency-braking system can false-activate or show "system failed" warnings, sometimes from a dirty or obstructed front sensor.

2020 Honda Accord Recommended

Rated more reliable than average for its year; the 1.5T concerns are largely a 2018 issue by now.

• On the 1.5L turbo engine, concentrated on 2018 cars, owners report head-gasket failure and fuel dilution of the engine oil, leading to rough running, hesitation or stalling.
• Fuel-system faults including a fuel-pump recall and emissions-system warnings that can cause hesitation or stalling, heaviest on 2018-2019 cars.
• The forward-collision and automatic-emergency-braking system can false-activate or show "system failed" warnings, sometimes from a dirty or obstructed front sensor.

2019 Honda Accord Caution

About-average reliability; watch for fuel-pump and forward-collision-sensor complaints, but a roomy, efficient car overall.

• On the 1.5L turbo engine, concentrated on 2018 cars, owners report head-gasket failure and fuel dilution of the engine oil, leading to rough running, hesitation or stalling.
• Fuel-system faults including a fuel-pump recall and emissions-system warnings that can cause hesitation or stalling, heaviest on 2018-2019 cars.
• The forward-collision and automatic-emergency-braking system can false-activate or show "system failed" warnings, sometimes from a dirty or obstructed front sensor.

2018 Honda Accord Caution

Excellent to drive but the launch-year 1.5T can suffer head-gasket and oil-dilution problems; verify service history.

• On the 1.5L turbo engine, concentrated on 2018 cars, owners report head-gasket failure and fuel dilution of the engine oil, leading to rough running, hesitation or stalling.
• Fuel-system faults including a fuel-pump recall and emissions-system warnings that can cause hesitation or stalling, heaviest on 2018-2019 cars.
• The forward-collision and automatic-emergency-braking system can false-activate or show "system failed" warnings, sometimes from a dirty or obstructed front sensor.

2017 Honda Accord Recommended

Strong, mature 9th-generation year with good reliability and resale; the early steering issues are resolved.

• Electric power steering can fail or warn (heavy steering, EPS light), most often on 2013-2014 cars; Honda extended the steering torque-sensor warranty.
• Electrical faults including ABS module failure, parasitic battery drain and clustered dashboard warning lights, heaviest on 2014-2015 cars.
• LED daytime-running and headlight assemblies can overheat and fail, requiring assembly replacement, notably on 2016 cars.

2016 Honda Accord Recommended

Reliable and comfortable, though some cars had LED headlight assembly failures.

• Electric power steering can fail or warn (heavy steering, EPS light), most often on 2013-2014 cars; Honda extended the steering torque-sensor warranty.
• Electrical faults including ABS module failure, parasitic battery drain and clustered dashboard warning lights, heaviest on 2014-2015 cars.
• LED daytime-running and headlight assemblies can overheat and fail, requiring assembly replacement, notably on 2016 cars.

2015 Honda Accord Recommended

A solid mid-cycle year with good reliability; some electrical and ABS-module complaints.

• Electric power steering can fail or warn (heavy steering, EPS light), most often on 2013-2014 cars; Honda extended the steering torque-sensor warranty.
• Electrical faults including ABS module failure, parasitic battery drain and clustered dashboard warning lights, heaviest on 2014-2015 cars.
• LED daytime-running and headlight assemblies can overheat and fail, requiring assembly replacement, notably on 2016 cars.

2014 Honda Accord Caution

Comfortable and efficient, but electric power steering and electrical faults were more common this year.

• Electric power steering can fail or warn (heavy steering, EPS light), most often on 2013-2014 cars; Honda extended the steering torque-sensor warranty.
• Electrical faults including ABS module failure, parasitic battery drain and clustered dashboard warning lights, heaviest on 2014-2015 cars.
• LED daytime-running and headlight assemblies can overheat and fail, requiring assembly replacement, notably on 2016 cars.

2013 Honda Accord Caution

Launch year of the 9th generation with notable electric-power-steering complaints; improved warranty coverage applied.

• Electric power steering can fail or warn (heavy steering, EPS light), most often on 2013-2014 cars; Honda extended the steering torque-sensor warranty.
• Electrical faults including ABS module failure, parasitic battery drain and clustered dashboard warning lights, heaviest on 2014-2015 cars.
• LED daytime-running and headlight assemblies can overheat and fail, requiring assembly replacement, notably on 2016 cars.

2012 Honda Accord Recommended

Best year of the 8th generation: brake and oil-consumption issues had largely subsided.

• Premature rear brake pad and rotor wear, especially on 2008-2009 cars, prompted a class-action settlement.
• Takata frontal airbag inflators are subject to recall and can rupture; airbag complaints are heavy on early 8th-generation cars. Confirm the recall remedy was completed.
• Excessive engine oil consumption as the car ages, linked to oil-control piston ring deposits; Honda issued a service bulletin to replace pistons and rings on affected engines.

2011 Honda Accord Recommended

A strong later 8th-generation year, more reliable than the early ones; durable drivetrain.

• Premature rear brake pad and rotor wear, especially on 2008-2009 cars, prompted a class-action settlement.
• Takata frontal airbag inflators are subject to recall and can rupture; airbag complaints are heavy on early 8th-generation cars. Confirm the recall remedy was completed.
• Excessive engine oil consumption as the car ages, linked to oil-control piston ring deposits; Honda issued a service bulletin to replace pistons and rings on affected engines.

2010 Honda Accord Caution

Improving but still shows oil-consumption and brake-wear tendencies; durable if maintained.

• Premature rear brake pad and rotor wear, especially on 2008-2009 cars, prompted a class-action settlement.
• Takata frontal airbag inflators are subject to recall and can rupture; airbag complaints are heavy on early 8th-generation cars. Confirm the recall remedy was completed.
• Excessive engine oil consumption as the car ages, linked to oil-control piston ring deposits; Honda issued a service bulletin to replace pistons and rings on affected engines.

2009 Honda Accord Caution

Carries the 8th-generation premature-brake-wear and oil-consumption issues; check brakes and oil use.

• Premature rear brake pad and rotor wear, especially on 2008-2009 cars, prompted a class-action settlement.
• Takata frontal airbag inflators are subject to recall and can rupture; airbag complaints are heavy on early 8th-generation cars. Confirm the recall remedy was completed.
• Excessive engine oil consumption as the car ages, linked to oil-control piston ring deposits; Honda issued a service bulletin to replace pistons and rings on affected engines.

2008 Honda Accord Caution

First 8th-generation year with heavy premature rear-brake-wear and oil-consumption complaints plus the Takata recall.

• Premature rear brake pad and rotor wear, especially on 2008-2009 cars, prompted a class-action settlement.
• Takata frontal airbag inflators are subject to recall and can rupture; airbag complaints are heavy on early 8th-generation cars. Confirm the recall remedy was completed.
• Excessive engine oil consumption as the car ages, linked to oil-control piston ring deposits; Honda issued a service bulletin to replace pistons and rings on affected engines.

2007 Honda Accord Recommended

A well-sorted final 7th-generation year, notably more reliable than the early ones; verify the airbag recall.

• Takata frontal airbag inflators are subject to recall and can deploy improperly or rupture; airbag complaints dominate this generation. Confirm the recall remedy was performed.
• Five-speed automatic transmission concerns were most acute on the earliest 7th-generation cars and were substantially improved by 2006-2007.
• The K24 four-cylinder engine can develop elevated oil consumption as mileage climbs.

2006 Honda Accord Recommended

Improved 7th-generation year with the early transmission issues largely resolved; durable and comfortable.

• Takata frontal airbag inflators are subject to recall and can deploy improperly or rupture; airbag complaints dominate this generation. Confirm the recall remedy was performed.
• Five-speed automatic transmission concerns were most acute on the earliest 7th-generation cars and were substantially improved by 2006-2007.
• The K24 four-cylinder engine can develop elevated oil consumption as mileage climbs.

2005 Honda Accord Caution

Durable midsize but affected by the Takata airbag recall and some early-generation transmission concerns; verify recall remedy.

• Takata frontal airbag inflators are subject to recall and can deploy improperly or rupture; airbag complaints dominate this generation. Confirm the recall remedy was performed.
• Five-speed automatic transmission concerns were most acute on the earliest 7th-generation cars and were substantially improved by 2006-2007.
• The K24 four-cylinder engine can develop elevated oil consumption as mileage climbs.