About average for the Accord
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Accord year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 46,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Accord years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 613 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Honda Accord. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (202, 33% of complaints), followed by the lights, wipers and visibility and the engine and cooling. That ranks 5th of 13 Accord years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 4 recalls.
2 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2016 Honda Accord before you buy.
Electrical system
202 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
My backup camera has malfunctioned where it is just displaying a black screen when I put my car in reverse. It is a serious safety concern since I need the camera in order to backup properly. There is currently no recalls for the 2016 Honda Accord but it should be looked into since it is a safety risk.Owner complaint, filed 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INFOTAINMENT HEAD UNIT / AUDIO AMPLIFIER. While driving my 2016 Honda Accord, the vehicle's infotainment head unit and factory audio amplifier suffered a sudden, catastrophic hardware failure. Without warning or driver input, the audio system emitted an explosive, deafening static screech at maximum volume (estimated…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lights, wipers and visibility
158 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 39,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The Daytime Running lights are only half effective/lit. Apparently, Honda extended the warranty, but notified owners by regular mail and I did not receive it. Now, they claim the extended warranty (ten years) has run out, but I had noticed about half the LED strip was not working for about 2 or three years now. Too bad Honda chose to…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The LED strip on my headlights overheated and failed, they are no longer operating. I am unable to use this safety feature on my car.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Engine and cooling
46 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 37,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
My Accord V6 suffered catastrophic engine failure due to a bent connecting rod/seized bearing while driving at highway speeds. This is the exact same failure described in Recall 23V-751 for other Honda V6 models.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle failed to accelerate with the check engine warning light was flashing off and on. After turning off and restarting the vehicle the check engine warning light was flashing and remained with the…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 80,000 miles
Fuel system
44 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
For the last few months I have had an intermittent issue with my 2016 ex-l v6 accord. It started as occasional stalling at traffic lights. The car would stall out, and after about 20 seconds I could turn the car back on, and drive without issues. Sometimes the issue would repeat itself multiple times in a day, and then go weeks without…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Vehicle experienced sudden loss of power/stalling while driving due to a failing fuel pump assembly. This mirrors the exact safety risks of NHTSA Recall 19V060000, but my 4-cylinder VIN is currently excluded. It also matches NHSTA recall# 23V-858 derailed L4 2.4L Accords but still my vin is excluded.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
44 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 27,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the ABS module failed to work as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 140,000 miles
ABS/VSA module the lights are on the dashboard. Steering wheel light, brake,ABS and tracksion light…They come on and sometimes go off for a little bit. Then back onOwner complaint, filed 2025
Steering
31 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 22,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Driving about 40 mph on a city street with moderate traffic, and the car started to drift uncontrollably, as if sliding on ice. I felt no control with the steering wheel. It lasted about 20-30 seconds. No warning lights came on. I pulled into a service station, and checked the tire pressure and it was normal. Continued on my way and no…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The car drifts to the left and to the right after a few seconds. It has been aligned with all 4 tires balanced and rotated twice but the car will drift within a few seconds. The dealership wants to blame road crown for this and nothing with the steering of the car.Owner complaint, filed 2021
Transmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 29,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for routine maintenance, and the transmission fluid was replaced. Shortly after retrieving the vehicle, DTC: 03 flashed on the transmission shifter display. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who indicated that DTC: P0741 was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 104,000 miles
Transmission failed after less than 24 hours of “symptoms.” Car started shuddering around 3:45 pm on a Thursday and by 8:30 am on Friday the transmission has totally failed. This put my safety at risk because I had no prior indications of a problem and suddenly, while driving the car, was unable to accelerate without the car shaking and…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Driver assist systems
25 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles. Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (9), Adaptive cruise control (7), Warnings (7).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
My 2016 Honda Accord Touring has an intermittent failure of multiple Honda Sensing safety systems. The vehicle displays warnings for Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keeping Assist System. When this occurs, these driver-assistance and collision-avoidance features…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The rear camera on my Honda Accord has gone blank.There is no recall by Honda when I checked and with the camera out it is very dangerous when in reverse.I believe that water from washing the car or rainfall is causing the camera to go out as several times when I lifted the truck water would suddenly drip from the truck latch where the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Wheels and tires
24 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord equipped with Black Hawk, All Season Tires. Tire Size: 235 40 19 DOT Number: [XXX] . The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's tire fractured. The contact stated inspected the tire and noticed that the outside trim of the tired was fractured and falling apart.…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord equipped with Sailun Tires. Tire line: Blackhawk All-Season. Tire Size: 235/40/R19 and DOT Number: [XXX] . The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's tire fractured. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Cruise control and acceleration
23 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 11,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
While parking in a residential parking lot at very low speeds, the car suddenly [VIN] and braking did not stop the vehicle. The vehicle stopped only because it hit another parked car. Prior to this incident, both a aaa repair shop and a honda dealership examined the vehicle after the owner complained about two previous sudden…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 16,500 miles
When the engine is cold there is a sudden acceleration when the vehicle is in reverse or forward and in motion normally in a parking lot or backing out of my garage.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 24,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
23 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (19).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
In late 2019 I noticed paint peeling around multiple areas of the car namely on the driver side, including the driver‘s door frame around the gas cap along the trim of the windshield and in areas on the trunk. I called Honda many times including emails include that included pictures of the areas. A local Honda dealership finally agreed…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I have brought the vehicle to the dealer as well as several auto body specialists. The paint is bubbling and peeling on the driver's side door, around the gas cap and on the frame around the trunk. Several online reports have been posted online and several other models from Honda have had extended recalls on their paint warranty. The…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Air bags
16 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the module was not functioning as intended. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 51,000 miles
Car has airbag light on. American Honda is non responsive to my calls for assistance on the backoredered part. Vehicle is being driven without srs properly functioning.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Seats and seat belts
15 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 3,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Rear seat passenger seat belt stopped working. Passenger indicated seat belt wouldn't buckle. Dealer inspected the seat belt and ordered the seat belt buckle on 2/3/2023. Part was ordered at highest priority, but estimated release date from Honda's vendor is 5/28. Four months without critical safety part seems excessive. Honda Customer…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The headrests push a passenger's head forward so a strain is put on the neck and does not support from shoulders up to upper part of head. My passenger and myself are 5'-6" and 5'10" tall. If driving for several hours the strain is unbearable. I would suggest honda replace the headrests to support the head when in a driving position.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 34,100 miles
Suspension
13 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 23,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Honda accord v6 I have a 2011 and 2016 accord v6...when the road is wet (rain or light snow) or significant wind, the cars are all over the road, when I have brought the cars back to the honda dealership, they say the alignment is off, charge me for realignment, and say I am all set. 4 or more times back with cars I have bought new, and…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 30,000 miles
Veh making weird sounds coming from right front wheel area. "cracking, popping, squeaking" dealership fixed it and continues, next week dealership stated they would order more parts to repair it. Then they found when they went to fix it the second time that the frame was bent and broken with rust and it is impossible to repair without…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 33,000 miles
Honda Accord complaints by year
Compare the 2016 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2016 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Honda Accord | About average | 4 |
| 2016 Toyota Camry | One of the better years | 2 |
| 2016 Hyundai Sonata | About average | 6 |
| 2016 Kia Optima | About average | 5 |
2016 Honda Accord recalls
Air bags Front passenger
- Risk
- Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system 12V / 24v / 48v battery
- Risk
- An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensor, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
2016 Honda Accord questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda Accord?
The most reported problem areas on the 2016 Honda Accord are the electrical system (202 complaints), the lights, wipers and visibility (158 complaints) and the engine and cooling (46 complaints).
Is the 2016 Honda Accord a good year to buy?
About average for the Accord. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Accord year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 46,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Accord years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2016 Honda Accord have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Honda Accord. The most recent, from May 2026, covers the front passenger. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2016 Honda Accord problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 46,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the lights, wipers and visibility gave a mileage of about 39,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Honda Accord years should I avoid?
The Accord years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013 and 2018. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2012, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2016 Honda Accord?
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