Honda Accord Years to Avoid

Why 2018 made the avoid list

2018 Honda Accord

AvoidTop issue: brakes · 28% of complaints · median 10,000 miles

Owners describe the 2018 Accord's automatic braking suddenly engaging with nothing ahead, alongside warning lights, a stiff or stepped brake pedal, and driver-assist features, the rearview camera, locks or the touchscreen cutting out. Many say dealers couldn't duplicate the problem or fix it permanently.

Full 2018 report ›

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints on NHTSA's site and checked against them; the counts and mileages come from our data.

Best Honda Accord years to buy

2011 Honda Accord

Best betTop issue: air bags · 11% of complaints · median 33,000 miles

Owners filed 103 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Accord in its first five years, about 42 for every 100,000 sold: 0.5× the rate of a typical Accord year. 11% of them involve the air bags, at a median of 33,000 miles.

Full 2011 report ›

A best bet drew 0.6× the complaint rate of a typical Accord year or less in its first five years on the road. How we rate

1. Brakes26% of complaints · 1,525 complaints · median 3,000–38,000 miles by year · worst years: 2008, 2009 and 2018
2. Electrical19% of complaints · 1,097 complaints · median 1,000–39,000 miles by year · worst years: 2013, 2014 and 2018
3. Engine11% of complaints · 672 complaints · median 8,000–36,000 miles by year · worst years: 2013, 2014 and 2018
4. Driver assistance10% of complaints · 613 complaints · median 6,000–25,000 miles by year · worst years: 2018, 2019 and 2022
5. Steering10% of complaints · 569 complaints · median 4,000–40,000 miles by year · worst years: 2013, 2014 and 2018

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each model year's first five years on the road, all years combined. A complaint can name more than one area. Worst years are the rated years with the most complaints about that area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

Questions owners ask

Which Honda Accord years should you avoid?

Counting complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each year's first five years on the road, per vehicle sold, the 2018 Accord drew the most: each more than twice the rate of a typical Accord year, spread across more than one problem area. The 2008, 2013 and 2022 also ran above average; use caution with them.

What is the best year for a used Honda Accord?

The best bets are the 2011 Accord, which drew far fewer complaints per vehicle sold than a typical Accord year. The 2011 drew the fewest for its time on the road (0.5× the rate of a typical Accord year). Years from 2023 on haven't had five years on the road, so they aren't rated yet.

What is the most common problem with the Honda Accord?

Across every year, the problem area owners report most is the brakes (26% of complaints), followed by the electrical system (19%) and the engine (11%). A complaint can name more than one area.

Has the Honda Accord been recalled?

Yes. NHTSA lists 40 recall campaigns covering Accord model years 2008 to 2026, the most recent in October 2026. Enter a vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether its repairs were done.