One of the better Accord years
Owners filed about 39% fewer complaints than a typical Accord year. The area owners reported most is the driver assist systems, which half of owners reported by about 32,000 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 369 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Honda Accord. The most reported problem area is the driver assist systems (113, 31% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the fuel system. That ranks 9th of 13 Accord years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 5 recalls.
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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 2020 Honda Accord before you buy.
Driver assist systems
113 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 32,000 miles. Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (82), Warnings (34), Adaptive cruise control (21).
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
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the Collision Mitigation Braking System unexpectedly engaged, causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop, and the vehicle jerked while there was no other vehicle or obstacle nearby. The local dealer was contacted by phone and advised…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 82,605 miles
I was driving on 42 at 2:05 a.m. And I was heading towards the exit to get off and I started slowing down and after I took my foot off the brake, the brake light illuminated on my dashboard for me to hit the break, like something was in front of me and there wasn’t anything in front of me.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
76 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 40,000 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 2020 Honda accord sport 1.5l has a problem with the turbo and fuel injectors going out. I am only at 113,000 miles and should not have this problem. It had come to my attention that this is a known problem with the 2018-2021 Hondas and should have a recall. My car is whining and loosing power going up hills. Please add a recall for…Owner complaint, filed 2026
While driving, my vehicle experienced a sudden engine malfunction consistent with a failed head gasket. The engine began misfiring, shaking, and losing power, and the check engine light began flashing. The vehicle became unsafe to operate. The failed component is the engine head gasket, and the vehicle is available for inspection upon…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
64 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 64,000 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
The high-pressure and low pressure fuel pump went out on the car and needed to be fixed. There is an open recall on 2020 Honda Accord however my VIN number is not a part of the recall and I think it should be as I have had to fix my low pressure and high high-pressure fuel pump before 100,000 miles.Owner complaint, filed 2026
On July 9-11, 2026, an authorized Honda dealership performed Honda Safety Recall 24-040 involving the fuel pump motor and Honda campaign 21-076 involving replacement of the fuel tank. Approximately five days and 371 miles after the fuel tank replacement, the gasoline pump nozzle became stuck in the fuel filler pipe while refueling. I…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
60 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 8,000 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 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle unexpectedly stopped, and the brake pedal was depressed while the vehicle was entering ongoing traffic. There was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle unexpectedly lunged…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Service Brakes" was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions, but no fault for the issue was identified. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and eventually, the dealer…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 10,000 miles
Electrical system
55 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 14,000 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
Unknown cause - Heavy Traffic I get all warning lights (idiot) come on. No performance loss but every advisory and caution is illuminated. Tested battery 550amps and regulator was putting out 14 volts so all seemed fine. Check battery terminals and connections, all good. After two days lights go away and everything works fine. When…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to three independent mechanics, where the failure was confirmed, and the battery was replaced…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Air bags
36 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 71,000 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
My parked 2020 Honda Accord had a spontaneous side curtain airbag deployment with the engine off, which matches the known humidity/short-circuit sensor defects that are currently under Federal safety recall. The deployment caused damage to the interior of my car, as well! There have been no warnings, indications or issues before. There…Owner complaint, filed 2026
We are getting an airbag warning intermittently. It happens most often when our daughter (about 80-90lbs) is in the passenger seat. I see that the 2020-2022 Accords have an active safety recall for the sensor in the passenger seat but our dealer (performance kings Honda - Cincinnati) is saying there isn't one for our VIN. I have…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
23 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 9,000 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
The steering is sticky, and jerky. It's hard for me to maintain a safe driving experience. I'm going to get pulled over. There is a recall on this problem but I have no recalls for my car!!!! The dealership will not acknowledge. And ot is getting so much worse. 52233 miles.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Sticky steering wheel at highway speed 70mph and when you put enough force to make it turn it jerks and you have to over correct it and go the other way to maintain in the middle lane on the highway. Takes about 10-15miles to start doing it but does not go away at all once it starts. Happens everytime on the highwayOwner complaint, filed 2025
Transmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
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
2020 Honda Accord Sport 1.5. Routine maintenance always done on time. At 108K turn my car on after a routine 45 minute drive an hour or so previous and all warning lights come on. TPMS, Brake System Problem, road dept system, emissions system. Dealer reports Head Gasket needs replaced and 3rd cylinder misfire, coolant leak etc. Quoted…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Complete loss of power on acceleration. Car goes limp while driving on highway or a 50 mph street - very dangerous to have loss of power when other cars are driving fast too. We have replaced the spark plugs, coils, and fuel injectors. That was a waste of time and money bc the same problem existing- loss of power again! Turns out, it’s…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Seats and seat belts
14 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
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
I received A Safety Recall Notice in regards to replacing my seat weight sensor circuit board. I tried to contact Yonkers Honda Service Department on [XXX] and they refused to set me an appointment to fix this safety issue. They stated they do not do recalls at that Yonkers Honda Service location. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Upon removing the driver seat belt after a trip today, I noticed the buckle release button was sticking down. I re-inserted the buckle, and heard the "click" sound indicating the buckle was securely fastened. I applied tension on the belt buckle, which released without pressing the button! I searched the internet for recalls, and found…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Cruise control and acceleration
13 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
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
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the cruise control function failed, and the vehicle decelerated independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 50,000 miles
Purchased new 2020 Honda Accord on September 28, 2020. On October 13, 2020 I was pulling into a parking space at a retail store. Going 2 or 3 miles per hour with foot on brake turning into space on my right with steering wheel turned to the right. Suddenly engine roared and car would not stop even with my foot firmly on the brake until…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Lights, wipers and visibility
9 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
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
On the morning of Nov 1, 2022, I was driving on an open rural highway in cool, clear weather with no other vehicles on the road. Suddenly I heard an explosive crashing sound followed immediately by the sound of broken glass falling. I was afraid to stop right there because a few years ago, there were several vehicles hit by rifle fire…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Driving on the freeway when the sunroof just exploded. there was nothing that hit us as there was no vehicle in close vicinity to us. Thankfully we had the cover closed or it could of resulted in personal injury from people inside and additional damage.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Body, doors and structure
8 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 3,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (7).
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
The plastic cover on the bottom is to low to the ground. Multiple times over the years it’s been torn or stuck on parking space separators or when I have to get my car towed it falls down. By this point half of it is gone and all the things under the car are exposed. Right now I barely have any plastic left. I pulled into a parking spot…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Just like the 2018 Accord in Still Night Pearl (addressed in TSB 21-087), the paint has peeled and failed on the roof line by the rear glass. Called Honda, they don't care to address ANY vehicles with this KNOWN paint defect any longer. Now we have to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket to get it resolved or the steel will start to…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Suspension
6 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
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
I noticed a loud grinding noise and reduced braking power coming from my 2020 Honda Accord while driving at normal city speeds. A local mechanic inspected it and found that the rear brake caliper was sticking and causing premature wear. I contacted Honda service, but they refused to cover the cost or inspect it under goodwill, even…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Loud, audible grinding noise when braking, usually in reverse. Sounds like metal on metal. Drove vehicle to dealer today, was told this is a common problem, Honda is aware. Awaiting recall, etc. Issue is very distracting, especially in a parking lot. Issue also occasionally happens when slowing to a stop at low speeds.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Wheels and tires
4 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
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
My Honda accord has been acting up and it has Several problems including, adaptive cruise control system problem, collision mitigation braking system problem, road departure mitigation system problem, electric power steering system problem steering assist reduced, see your dealer, emissions system problem aviod heavy acceleration and…Owner complaint, filed 2024
235/40R19 is the tire size. All 4 tires were purchased in October of 2021 and at that time the vehicle had 34,014 miles on it. I purchased the Firestone Firehawk tires model 004349 Firehawk AS BL XL 96V, with a 50k limited thread life warranty. Now, on 02/03/2023, I went in for my routine scheduled tire rotation and oil change and was…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Honda Accord complaints by year
Compare the 2020 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2020 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Honda Accord | One of the better years | 5 |
| 2020 Toyota Camry | About average | 3 |
| 2020 Hyundai Sonata | One of the better years | 4 |
| 2020 Kia Optima | One of the better years | 0 |
2020 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.
Air bags Front passenger
- Risk
- An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can 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 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, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
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
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine 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 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, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
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.
2020 Honda Accord questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Honda Accord?
The most reported problem areas on the 2020 Honda Accord are the driver assist systems (113 complaints), the engine and cooling (76 complaints) and the fuel system (64 complaints). Within the driver assist systems, owners most often name the automatic emergency braking, warnings and adaptive cruise control.
Is the 2020 Honda Accord a good year to buy?
One of the better Accord years. Owners filed about 39% fewer complaints than a typical Accord year. The area owners reported most is the driver assist systems, which half of owners reported by about 32,000 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 2020 Honda Accord have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2020 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 2020 Honda Accord problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the driver assist systems gave a mileage of about 32,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 40,000 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 2020 Honda Accord?
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