2020 Honda Accord: common problems and reliability

The 2020 Honda Accord has 372 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance and engine. Owners most often flag 1.5l turbocharged engine reliability: reports of blown head gaskets and fuel injector failures, described as a "staggering" number of issues, making ownership a "hit or miss." frequency: recurrent.

Safety record for the 2020 model year

372
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
16
Crash reports
2
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Honda Accord vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2020 a good year for the Accord?

Across the 18 Accord model years we track, complaint volume runs from 267 (2022) to 2,013 (2003). With 372 complaints, the 2020 Accord sits belowthe model's median of 1,049.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

forward collision avoidance
101
engine
68
service brakes
60
electrical system
58
fuel/propulsion system
46

Recalls affecting the 2020 Accord

electrical system:body control module:software

Campaign 20V771000

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

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 21V215000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 23V858000

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

air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

Campaign 24V064000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passpo

What owners say across generations

The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with the Accord consistently praised as a benchmark for reliability, practicality, and long-term value.

  • 1.5L Turbocharged Engine Reliability: Reports of blown head gaskets and fuel injector failures, described as a "staggering" number of issues, making ownership a "hit or miss." Frequency: recurrent.
  • CVT Transmission Performance: 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. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Accord. See the full Accord owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Accord listings typically run $14,767–$27,819 across 2007 to 2026 model years.

Other Accord model years

Compare every Accord year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Accord against its rivals