Avoid: 2014, 2005, 2003 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2011 · Best recent: 2021
24 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 31 model years, the Honda Accord has 28,881 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 331 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and air bags. 2014 drew the most complaints (2,883), 2023 the fewest of the years on the road 3+ years (228).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Honda Accord vehicles (US, public record). Typical used asking price $13,648–$24,003.
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 |
| 2025 | 110 |
| 2024 | 222 |
| 2023 | 228 |
| 2022 | 308 |
| 2021 | 287 |
| 2020 | 402 |
| 2019 | 1,210 |
| 2018 | 2,006 |
| 2017 | 583 |
| 2016 | 610 |
| 2015 | 1,818 |
| 2014 | 2,883 |
| 2013 | 1,423 |
| 2012 | 747 |
| 2011 | 296 |
| 2010 | 580 |
| 2009 | 725 |
| 2008 | 1,520 |
| 2007 | 1,049 |
| 2006 | 862 |
| 2005 | 1,372 |
| 2004 | 1,017 |
| 2003 | 2,013 |
| 2002 | 1,066 |
| 2001 | 943 |
| 2000 | 1,215 |
| 1999 | 1,154 |
| 1998 | 1,239 |
| 1997 | 484 |
| 1996 | 499 |
Highest: 2014 (2,883 complaints). Lowest: 2023 (228).
The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with the Accord consistently praised as a benchmark for reliability, practicality, and long-term value.
Reports of blown head gaskets and fuel injector failures, described as a "staggering" number of issues, making ownership a "hit or miss.".
Noted as "sluggish," with a detached feeling and a "weird" sound under hard acceleration, though acknowledged to work well enough for average daily driving. Some owners express long-term reliability concerns.
Slow response times, slow menu navigation, and delays in connecting to phones.
Reports of the car not feeling as "solid" as expected, with door closure sounds and a light trunk lid cited as examples. Rattles on bumpy roads are mentioned from new.
Black paint in particular is noted for being prone to swirl marks.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Accord. Individual model years are broken down above.
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