2018 Honda Accord: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 1,952 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (20% of complaints); the 2016 and 2017 and 2019 and 2020 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 62 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall May 2026
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 1,952 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Lane Departure · Aug 2026
“While driving, my vehicle began shaking/rough running and the check-engine light came on. Multiple warning lights and system warnings appeared on the dashboard, including the brake system, steering, traction control, and TPMS warnings. The vehicle experienced noticeable shaking and reduced/abnormal performance. I am concerned that this may be a safety-related defect because multiple vehicle systems are being affected.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2026
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2026
“In the duration of ownership with this vehicle, there is always lights lighting up on the dashboard which trigger my sensors and causes my dashboard to light up like a Christmas tree. I do not feel safe when that happens randomly in the middle of driving on the highway.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2026
“The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle, and a fuel odor was entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle immediately stopped. The contact activated the hazard lights until a tow truck was able to arrive on scene to tow the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the head gasket was blown and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was no longer operable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2026
“I bought this car used and I've only had it two months and the head gasket has blown. I didn't know the 10th generation had bad gaskets and turbos i found that out after I purchased the car. Literally everyone i know now that had one the gasket or turbo went out. Not only that it was a recall on my fuel pump no one told me about until I added it to my insurance and they told me. Yes Honda dealership fixed it for free now it needs to be a recall on these turbos and head gaskets. It's not fair. I wouldn't recommend Honda to no one now and they say Honda last a lifetime. Thats not true quit making the 10th generation and take it off the market.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2026
“My Accord reported multiple warnings at engine start up (check engine light, warnings about cruise control, etc.), and the engine ran rougher than normal. I immediately drove to a Honda dealer for service. The Honda dealer, Checkered Flag Honda of Norfolk, Virginia, diagnosed a blown head gasket in cylinder 2, which allowed all coolant to drain into the engine. They also indicated that fuel injectors and spark plugs were compromised and required replacement. The vehicle has approximately 75,000 miles, has received regular maintenance, and was operated in normal driving conditions.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026
“Major safety issue will lead to loss power and visual hazard for cars on road. 2018 accord 1.5 has a coolant leak in cylinder 2 and three via scope verified , shop said it needs a headgasket. It had misfire codes on scanner and shakes when start up. This will be potentially big issue if motor blows up on free way from overheating. Honda corporation won't do a replacement for the good faith because the car has not been to "Honda" for service.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026
“When going 55 mph car started leaching back and forth aggressively followed by loss of engine power. Car decelerated to a max of 20 mph and would not accelerate past that. This caused the potential of getting rear ended in traffic. When I took it to the mechanic, they told me that my first cylinder was misfiring and that my fuel injector was the issue. A warning light only came on after the car decelerated to a low speed.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026
When filing, owners marked a crash in 37 of these complaints and injuries in 41 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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."
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.) 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.
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.) 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.
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.) 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.
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.) 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.
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.) 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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2018 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Accord by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Honda Accord reliable?
NHTSA has 1,952 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Honda Accord. The most complained-about area is engine (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2018 Honda Accord problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 23,572 miles or less.
Does the 2018 Honda Accord have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning back over prevention: sensing system: camera. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.