One of the worst Accord years
Owners filed about 3.1 times as many complaints as a typical Accord year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 73,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2012, 2020 and 2021.
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 1,899 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Honda Accord. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (586, 31% of complaints), followed by the fuel system and the driver assist systems. That is the most complaints of any Accord year from 2012 to 2024. It has 6 recalls.
15 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 2018 Honda Accord before you buy.
Engine and cooling
586 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 73,000 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
The check engine light came on. I took it to the dealership where I bought it. They instructed me to go to an authorized Honda repair facility. I took it in July 17, 2025 for a check engine light. The auto repair dealership said the head gasket was no good. So they repaired it my extended warranty paid for the cost. Then the repair…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Noticed that the engine temperature was slightly higher normal (went to 5 bars when always at 4) I checked and the fan was running properly and had coolant in the overflow tank. I took it to the Honda dealer, and they found that the head gasket failed and the fluid inside the radiator leaked into the cylinders. My 2018 Honda has the 2.0T…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
476 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 85,000 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
I contacted Community Honda in Lafayette, La regarding this recall and repair over 2 years ago and it has not been repaired. I was told the part was on back order and have received no communication sinceOwner complaint, filed 2026
In May of 2024, We got a recall letter for an inoperable fuel pump from Honda Automobile Division, & we did not get a replacement. They were short on supply, & those who experienced symptoms as engine light and may have rough engine starts were the priorities. We didn’t get a follow up after 60 days when we received the letter. Now my…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Driver assist systems
377 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 37,000 miles. Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (231), Adaptive cruise control (113), Warnings (109).
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
This has happened several times, usually on interstates, about once every few months. It usually takes place where there is a transition in the road, especially if there is a large shadow combined with a car in front of me. The two places that come to mind include merging on, especially during sunrise or sunset (if the highway is set…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Since I purchased this car in 2022, the collision mitigation braking system has randomly engaged for no reason. This has happened multiple times over the years, day and night, when no other vehicle, road obstructions, or other factors warrant the system triggering.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
297 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 11,000 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
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 110,000. It was later discovered upon checking a Carfax report, the mileage was 283,000.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 283,000 miles
2018 Honda Accord repeated battery drain/electrical failure My 2018 Honda Accord has a recurring electrical problem. The vehicle’s battery is approximately one year old, but it has died six times within the last four weeks. Each time, the battery becomes completely discharged when the vehicle is parked and not driven for several days. A…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
276 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 12,000 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 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the brakes intermittently failed to engage while the brake pedal was depressed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 104,000 miles
The rear brakes on my 2018 Honda Accord Sport 1.5T (Six Speed Manual Transmission) have failed prematurely. This failure of the pads and rotors was confirmed, at the request of American Honda, by me at my local Honda dealer, and was documented in a response to American Honda. This occurred at 46,150 miles which i believe indicates a…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
139 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 14,000 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 CVT automatic transmission is leaking fluid from the transmission input shaft seal. The leak was diagnosed by Pohanka Honda of Fredericksburg, Virginia in October 2026 at approximately 99,400 miles. The dealer recommended replacing the transmission input shaft seal, a repair that requires removing the transmission, estimated at…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My fiancé was driving my 2018 Honda Accord when the vehicle suddenly jolted violently while accelerating up a bridge. Immediately afterward, multiple warning lights, including the check engine light, came on and the vehicle lost all power. Thankfully, she was able to coast down the bridge and pull into an empty parking lot. This was…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
111 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
I was slowing down to pull into a parking spot at my office and suddenly the car accelerated, jumped the concrete barrier and crashed into the brick wall. The car continued to actively crash into the wall, so I put it in reverse and it accelerated backward with such force that it crashed into the rear of the car on the other side of the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Vehicle suddenly accelerated one day as if someone had pushed on gas almost causing an accident. Next day vehicle began lagging and suddenly stopped with all lights and warnings going off. Everything from lane departure to emissions issues. Both issues could have easily caused accidents. Looking issues up I see that several Honda’s of…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Steering
60 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 14,000 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 on highway 65mph steering wheel sticks and jerks the car side to side very scary almost ran into car next to me at that speed. I called the dealer to report it. I am waiting to bring vehicle in to diagnose. they stated that it is a known issue and that it is more than likely the electronic steering box rack and pinion.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was extremely firm, with the power steering assist disabled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the steering gearbox and the…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 160,000 miles
Air bags
60 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 70,000 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
Side airbag not working properly ("SRS problem" intermittently showing up on dashboard): DTC checked and found B0020-13: Open or increased resistance in the left side airbag inflator. No accident on this side of the vehicle has occurred to my knowledge. A few months ago back in March my car was impacted on the right rear tire/quarter…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Starting in the middle of July my 2018 Accord began showing a "Supplemental Restraint System Problem. See Your Dealer." message. Upon dealer(Ed Martin Honda) inspection it was found that the passenger seat airbag sensor was faulty and needed replaced. Upon checking I found that there is a recall for the faulty sensor but my VIN is not…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Body, doors and structure
58 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 11,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (55).
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
Paint on the center roof of my car has been progressively getting white spots and paint defects. Paint has not been having these issues anywhere else on the cars body, but only has been an issue on the roof. I went to my local Honda dealer to see if there was a recall on my cars specific paint, but no recall was shown. There has been…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The actuator on the Drivers door would not allow the door to open. In the case of an accident the inability to exit the vehicle in case the passenger door was damaged or the damage was to the passenger side this would be a safety issue. The dealer repaired the issue by removing the drivers seat thru the passenger door then removing the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Lights, wipers and visibility
57 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 17,000 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 contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the AC evaporator became inoperable and was blowing hot air. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring since the vehicle was purchased in 2018. The contact stated that the evaporator was leaking. The dealer confirmed the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I owned a 2018 Honda Accord,i got it new from the dealership so im the only owner of this vehicle. my headlights keep building condensations prematurely causing them to fail . I have already replaced multple headlights because of this . also when the bulbs go out honda made it where the bulbs can not be replaced at all. these headlights…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Seats and seat belts
36 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 57,000 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
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V158000 (SEAT BELTS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The seat belt has been buckled but disconnects once I drive. It has trouble connecting when I get in car. I have to push it in and pull for it to connect. I asked Washington Honda about recall and they said none were issued. I've never spilled food in it as I rarely have food in car.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Wheels and tires
17 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
While traveling on the interstate at 70-74mph without warning, the tire suddenly blew out, causing the car to shake and forcing me to the shoulder, which almost led to an accident. The car was recently serviced at a Honda dealership, which noted my tire tread was in good condition. The problem appears to be with the sidewall of the tire…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The vehicle fell from jack during roadside tire change. Vehicle was lifted according to instructions in manual. Jacking equipment very lightweight. I was forced to obtain roadside assistance to compete tire change. Jacking equipment is too lightweight for the weight of the car.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Suspension
15 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 69,000 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
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the inner chords of the front driver's tire were showing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle in for service, she was made aware of the abnormal wear of the brake pads and rotors. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with all the wheel bearings. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 69,000 miles
Honda Accord complaints by year
Compare the 2018 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2018 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Honda Accord | Among the worst years | 6 |
| 2018 Toyota Camry | Among the worst years | 8 |
| 2018 Hyundai Sonata | One of the better years | 1 |
| 2018 Kia Optima | One of the better years | 2 |
2018 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.
Seat belts Buckle assembly
- Risk
- An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Body control module
- Risk
- Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Backup camera
- Risk
- If the rearview camera display does not show what is behind the vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the display audio unit software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
2018 Honda Accord questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Honda Accord?
The most reported problem areas on the 2018 Honda Accord are the engine and cooling (586 complaints), the fuel system (476 complaints) and the driver assist systems (377 complaints).
Is the 2018 Honda Accord a good year to buy?
One of the worst Accord years. Owners filed about 3.1 times as many complaints as a typical Accord year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 73,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2012, 2020 and 2021. 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 2018 Honda Accord have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2018 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 2018 Honda Accord problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 73,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the fuel system gave a mileage of about 85,000 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.
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