VehicleVerdict

2016 Honda Accord problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 812 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Accord year — the 2016 model ranks #16 of 51 Accord years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 46 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (201), lighting (127), and other (121), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

812

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

50

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

46

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Accord years?

Accord NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted2,803 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 3 complaints1980: 2 complaints1981: 8 complaints1982: 26 complaints1983: 7 complaints1984: 25 complaints1985: 19 complaints1986: 63 complaints1987: 131 complaints1988: 102 complaints1989: 114 complaints1990: 229 complaints1991: 242 complaints1992: 249 complaints1993: 222 complaints1994: 476 complaints1995: 673 complaints1996: 579 complaints1997: 546 complaints1998: 1,429 complaints1999: 1,345 complaints2000: 1,506 complaints2001: 1,160 complaints2002: 1,267 complaints2003: 2,384 complaints2004: 1,307 complaints2005: 880 complaints2006: 541 complaints2007: 700 complaints2008: 1,854 complaints2009: 858 complaints2010: 703 complaints2011: 357 complaints2012: 506 complaints2013: 1,882 complaints2014: 1,428 complaints2015: 815 complaints2016: 812 complaints2017: 754 complaints2018: 2,803 complaints2019: 1,027 complaints2020: 533 complaints2021: 314 complaints2022: 339 complaints2023: 139 complaints2024: 200 complaints2025: 105 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Accord NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accord years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Honda Accord problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System20125%
Lighting12716%
Other12115%
Engine466%
Fuel System425%
Driver Assistance395%
Brakes334%
Steering304%
Visibility & Wipers304%
Transmission294%
Tires & Wheels243%
Speed Control233%
Body & Structure202%
Airbags152%
Suspension132%
Seats121%
Seat Belts40%
Latches & Locks30%

Does the 2016 Honda Accord have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V332000AirbagsMay 21, 2026 · 98,892 units

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.

Consequence

Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 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.

23V858000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 units

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.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

19V060000Fuel SystemJanuary 29, 2019 · 437,032 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.

Consequence

Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's recall number for this recall is P3W. Honda's recall number for this recall is N3X.

17V418000Electrical SystemJune 29, 2017 · 1,148,550 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Honda Accord vehicles. The case for the battery sensor, part of the battery management system, may allow water to get in, potentially causing an electrical short.

Consequence

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensor, free of charge. Dealers will perform an interim remedy of applying adhesive to the case to prevent water intrusion. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact American Honda Customer Support Center at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KG0.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CAR SHOOK EVERY LIGHT CAME ON LOST BRAKES AND BURST INTO FLAMES. I USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. I WAS ON RAMP TO EXPRESSEAYLIE ON LONG ISLAND. THANKFULLY WAS RIGHT NEAR SHOULDER AND NOT GOING TO FAST OTHER WISE I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL CAR AND MAY HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR TREE OR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 17, 2019 · fire

“I PUSHED ON BRAKES AND IT ACCELERATED REAL FAST I TURN TO RIGHT AND IT HIT A FENCE THEN FENCE ON OTHER SIDE OF ROAD I MADE THIS TURN 3 OR 4 TIMES AND THEN IT WENT THRU A GATE AND HIT THE BACK FENCE AND THE CAR STILL WAS TRYING TO GO CUT OFF KEY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 7, 2017 · crash

“CAR SHOOK EVERY LIGHT CAME ON LOST BRAKES AND BURST INTO FLAMES. I USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. I WAS ON RAMP TO EXPRESSEAYLIE ON LONG ISLAND. THANKFULLY WAS RIGHT NEAR SHOULDER AND NOT GOING TO FAST OTHER WISE I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL CAR AND MAY HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR TREE OR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 17, 2019 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WITHIN SECONDS OF STOPPING, FLAMES EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD AND EVENTUALLY SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 14, 2016 · crash · fire

“On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, my wife was parking her car in the parking lot of a TJ Maxx, 4220 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122. As she turned right into the parking space, at a very low rate of speed, 1-2 mph, the engine revved and launched her into another parked vehicle. Once the engine revved…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 21, 2022 · crash

2016 Honda Accord — common questions

Is the 2016 Honda Accord reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 812 complaints put the 2016 model at #16 of 51 Accord years. It is one of the Accord years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 Accord problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (201 complaints), lighting (127 complaints), other (121 complaints).

Does the 2016 Honda Accord have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Honda Accord. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Honda Accord years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Accord years to avoid are 2018, 2003, 2013, 2008, 2000, 1998, 2014, 1999, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2019, 2005, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2007, 2006, 2020, 2022, 2021. The cleanest record among Accord years belongs to 1978.

How safe is the 2016 Honda Accord?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Honda Accord earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.