CSR

Honda · NHTSA safety record

2018 Honda Accord

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

1,838

Complaints

34

Crashes

4

Fires

39

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2018 Honda Accord have filed 1,838 safety complaints with NHTSA between October 2017 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 527 of them (29%). The typical failure was reported at 21,800 miles, the median across the 599 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

26V332000 · May 21, 2026

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
The risk
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 98,892 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

23V858000 · December 18, 2023

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 2,490,460 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

23V158000 · March 9, 2023

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.
The risk
An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are NDA, QDB, BDC, MDD, LD9. TDF, FDG, ODH, YDI, ZDE.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 448,613 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

20V771000 · December 10, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 737,233 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

20V314000 · May 28, 2020

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 22, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 135,995 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

18V629000 · September 13, 2018

The defect
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."
The risk
If the rearview camera display does not show what is behind the vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 232,140 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (2)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking

EA24002

Still open engineering analysis · opened April 15, 2024

forward collision avoidance

On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles.  The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that they were aware of a total of X,XXX reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and alleges that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the CMBS and its limitations.  However, many consumer complaints allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that they were informed that this is considered normal CMBS operation. To date, ODI has received a total of 1,294 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of CMBS in 2017-2022 Honda CR-V and 2018-2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A total of 31 complaints alleged a crash and 50 alleged an injury.  The Total column in the Failure Report Summary removes duplicate reports and shows the total number of reports with unique VINs from all Manufacturer, ODI, and EWR data sources.  In some cases, there were multiple reports associated with a particular vehicle in which recurring failures were alleged.  In total, there were X,XXX reports, 93 injury incidents and 47 crashes involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect. PE22-003 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations. The scope has been expanded to include assessment of model year 2020-2022 Honda CR-V and Accord vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking

PE22003

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened February 21, 2022 · closed April 18, 2024

forward collision avoidance

On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles.  The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that they were aware of a total of X,XXX reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and alleges that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the CMBS and its limitations.  However, many consumer complaints allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that they were informed that this is considered normal CMBS operation. To date, ODI has received a total of 1,081 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of CMBS in the subject vehicles.  A total of 24 complaints alleged a crash and 42 alleged an injury.  The Total column in the Failure Report Summary removes duplicate reports and shows the total number of reports with unique VINs from all Manufacturer, ODI, and EWR data sources.  In some cases, there were multiple reports associated with a particular vehicle in which recurring failures were alleged.  In total, there were X,XXX reports, 84 injury incidents and 40 crashes involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect. PE22003 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA24002) to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations.  Further the scope has been expanded to include assessment of model year 2020-2022 Honda CR-V and Accord vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 1,838.

ENGINE 527 29%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 330 18%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 297 16%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 283 15%
SERVICE BRAKES 247 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 243 13%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 165 9%
POWER TRAIN 132 7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 111 6%
STEERING 59 3%
AIR BAGS 58 3%
STRUCTURE 57 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 349.

2017 2024 2026
2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

6 injured · crash · towed · 30,212 miles

WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON I-10 IN ARIZONA ON CARPOOL LANE WHEN SUDDENLY SOME WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON DASHBOARD CAR MADE ME VEER TO THE RIGHT MAKING ME SPIN OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING A CRASH AND HITTING THE FENCE.

NHTSA complaint 11415835. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

3 injured · crash · towed

Car accident head on emergency break didn’t work bad injuries.

NHTSA complaint 11461835. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed

Accident happened April 8th and Drivers airbag system failed me during my accident. Passenger bags went off top and bottom but the drivers foot bag went off also but the one in the steering wheel did not go off . Resulting in neck and head injuries. Car has only been inspected by our insurance claims adjuster. No warning lights on the dash and car has always been well taken care of regarding any recalls

NHTSA complaint 11654414. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

3 injured

My collision mitigation braking system is automatically braking on me with nothing in front of me going high rated speeds on the interstate. I have chronic migraines and neck issues that also have been being treated on a very consistent basis. I brought it in numerous times. I have appointment documents from dealership stating these issues, with no solution. Today it happened again severely and it was harsher than normal, scaring my 3 kids. I have had enough. Winter is coming and I am not gonna challenge black ice again. I have ongoing medical conditions being treated due to the repetitive whiplash.

NHTSA complaint 11616049. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving, the vehicle suddenly jerks or “jumps,” followed immediately by a noticeable loss of power. Shortly after this occurs, the multi-information display shows a series of warnings that include: Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem – See Your Dealer Adaptive Cruise Control System Problem – See Your Dealer Road Departure Mitigation System Problem – See Your Dealer Auto High-Beam Problem – Manual Controls Available – See Your Dealer Brake System warning light A “Systems Initializing… Continue Driving” message also appears. I have photographic documentation of these dashboard messages. This sequence creates a significant safety concern. The sudden jerk and power loss can occur

NHTSA complaint 11757220, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
All warning lights came on whilst driving. Scheduled a diagnostic at the dealership. Dealership confirmed the head gasket had blown due to the design flaw of the coolant pathway between cylinder #2 and #3. This is a common problem with this engine. Vehicle is out of warranty. Now faced with a big repair bill.

NHTSA complaint 11757292. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Unknown, all lights are showing on dash with "Emissions systems problems power may be reduced see dealer." After spark plug replacement about a month later raw gas smell, rough idling, and slight jerking continues.

NHTSA complaint 11757217. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The dashboard lights up”brake” and the car slams on the brakes unexpectedly on occasion- and sometimes for no known reason. This has happened countless times. yesterday it happened again while driving on the intersection at 70 mph . there were no vehicles in front of me and I was not changing lanes, but the car slammed on the brakes, making the car behind me almost rear-ended me & cars having to swerve around my vehicle. This is very unsafe and it needs to be addressed and corrected by Honda.

NHTSA complaint 11756912. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
2 weeks ago. All of my warnings and lights for my car came on. We undid my battery, charged it and did it again. The lights went away and about 3 days ago they came back on. Now my car is overheating and the system is reading wrong.

NHTSA complaint 11757034. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The head gasket is failing and causing the engine to overheat and misfire. Its a repeating issue I see online and have taken it to a certified Honda mechanic multiple times. The first diagnosis stated that the biggest issue was the fuel injections. Now this second diagnosis shows the head gasket. It poses a great danger especially in highways, as it causes the car to decelerate on its own and rattles as if it's losing power. It will overheat when it is idling. The check engine light turned on a week after purchasing the car from a local dealership, and the dashboard lights were wiped from the system prior to buying the car a year ago. Now I'm looking at over 7k in repairment costs while

NHTSA complaint 11757068, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Honda Accord

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 77 0
2024 135 3
2023 84 5
2022 228 4
2021 219 4
2020 347 5 1
2019 667 6
2017 531 3 2
2016 594 4
2015 599 5
2014 976 4
2013 1,418 5 1
2012 373 8 1
2011 296 9
2010 579 12 2

Other 2018 Honda models

Every Honda on this site — 187 vehicles, 362 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst