VehicleVerdict

2018 Honda Accord problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2018 Honda Accord carries two red flags at once: 2,803 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 5.9× the Accord norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking). It is one of the Accord years to avoid. Complainants reported 62 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across driver assistance (519), engine (514), and fuel system (453), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

2,803

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

66

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

62

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Accord years?

Accord NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 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, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accord years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Honda Accord problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance51919%
Engine51418%
Fuel System45316%
Electrical System29511%
Brakes2559%
Other2388%
Transmission1285%
Speed Control1104%
Steering592%
Body & Structure572%
Airbags522%
Visibility & Wipers331%
Seat Belts281%
Lighting231%
Tires & Wheels171%
Suspension151%
Seats50%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2018 Honda Accord have recalls?

6 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.

23V158000Seat BeltsMarch 9, 2023 · 448,613 units

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.

Consequence

An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

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.

20V771000Electrical SystemDecember 10, 2020 · 737,233 units

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.

Consequence

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

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.

20V314000Fuel SystemMay 28, 2020 · 135,995 units

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.

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

18V629000Driver AssistanceSeptember 13, 2018 · 232,140 units

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."

Consequence

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

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA24002

Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 11, 2021 · crash

“I was driving in the rain like I have done before with no issues but on 7/7/2024 I was driving home in the rain and my car just started steering on its own and I wasn’t able to control my car and it started turning my car to the point it hit a guard rail on the highway and turn my car near the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 7, 2024 · crash

“I was on a hill my car stalled I hit the gas pedal it wouldn't accelerate so I let off the padel and went to try to accelerate for the second time but as I did it took off and I hit a pole ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 14, 2022 · crash

“MAY 13TH, 2018 DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 50-55 GOING EASTBOUND ON THE BAY BRIDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO -'OUT OF NO WHERE' THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE CAME ON! AND I DIDN'T PUSH NO BUTTONS! NOT QUITE SURE OF THE MALFUNCTIONING, BUT IT COST AN ACCIDENT' CAUSE SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND! ALSO MY AIRBAGS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 13, 2018 · crash

“MAY 13TH, 2018 DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 50-55 GOING EASTBOUND ON THE BAY BRIDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO -'OUT OF NO WHERE' THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE CAME ON! AND I DIDN'T PUSH NO BUTTONS! NOT QUITE SURE OF THE MALFUNCTIONING, BUT IT COST AN ACCIDENT' CAUSE SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND! ALSO MY AIRBAGS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 13, 2018 · crash

2018 Honda Accord — common questions

Is the 2018 Honda Accord reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 2,803 complaints put the 2018 model at #1 of 51 Accord years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Accord years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Accord problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (519 complaints), engine (514 complaints), fuel system (453 complaints).

Does the 2018 Honda Accord have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Honda Accord. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2018 Honda Accord under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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 2018 Honda Accord?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 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.