Honda focuses on the commuter vehicle market with the Honda Accord. The sedan offers a practical and comfortable drive that suits the city commute at a reasonable budget. However, the Accord falls short to meet the reliability expectations of the market. Complaints with the car range from defective fuel pumps to driver aid malfunctions. A few of these issues are major concerns and show a recall history. Although, Honda shows a prompt aftersales response to resolve the issues and recalls. The 2018 Honda Accord records 662 complaints and 3 recalls so far with a 5-star safety rating. The sedan competes with the likes of the Toyota Camry and the Hyundai Elantra. The Honda Accord earns the top spot on the CarHp list of top-10 sedans for the 2018 model year. Scroll below to take a closer look at the car.
User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Problems
- Fuel system - Failure of fuel pumps is a common issue with the Honda Accord. This can lead to stalling. Users also report instances of fuel leakage. Few cases report leakage of fuel into the engine oil. This results in a strong gasoline odor in the cabin. These issues increase the risk of crashing and the risk of fire in the presence of a source of ignition.
- Brakes - Few Tiguan users report the SUV fails to brake by depressing the brake pedal. Reduced braking performance increases the chances of crashing.
- Powertrain - The Honda Accord is prone to harsh upshifts at low speeds. Few users report gearbox jamming in the park mode. These powertrain issues are time-consuming and costly to fix.
- Suspension - Few user complaints report the suspension being too stiff while driving over speedbumps. Damaged suspension compromises the comfort and handling abilities of the car. This can increase the risk of crashing.
- Engine - Most common engine issue with the Honda Accord is the misfiring due to faulty fuel injectors. This can further progress and result in engine stalling. Few users report a drop in acceleration due to loss of fuel pressure. These issues increase the chances of a crash.
- Accelerator - Users report accelerator pedal malfunction results in a failure to speed up. Few cases also report unintended acceleration on depressing the brake pedal. These issues increase the chances of crashing.
- Steering - A manufacturing defect causes the steering wheel to lock up and induces oversteering. The steering system overcompensates and results in loss of vehicle control. This can compromise the control of the SUV and increase the chances of crashing.
Electrical Problems
- Driver aids - Driver aid issues are common with the Honda Accord. These issues include front collision and auto emergency braking malfunctions. Auto emergency braking malfunction can result in abrupt braking without any user input. Forward collision avoidance malfunction results in braking failure to avoid a crash. Users also report defects with the lane-keep assist, blindspot assist, and electronic stability. Driver aid defects compromise the safety of the user and increase the chances of a crash.
- Instrumentation Cluster (IC) - The instrumentation cluster of the sedan is prone to glitching. Users report intermittent flashing of all the warning lights while driving. This can distract the driver and increase the risk of crashing.
- Infotainment - The infotainment console of the car is prone to glitching and blacking out. This leads to a loss of navigation directions and may confuse the driver. The distraction increases the chances of a crash.
Safety Problems
- Airbags - Airbag deployment failure in the event of a crash is a known issue with the truck. This compromises user safety and increases the risk of injury.
Structural Problems
- Sunroof/Moonroof - Users often end up with a shattered moonroof/sunroof under driving conditions. This is as common with the Accord as with other cars. Users report the sunroof exploding with a loud noise. This increases the risk of injury to the occupants and may distract the driver.
- Windshield - The windshield of the sedan is prone to cracking and chipping. Users report instances of the windshield cracking without any damage under driving conditions. Few cases report windshield chipping to minimal driving impacts. A fragile windshield increases the risk of injury to the occupants.
- Body frame - Users report that the hood is prone to unlatch and open up under driving conditions. This compromises the visibility of the driver and increases the chances of a crash. User complaints also report frequent cases of paint peeling and chipping. An exposed metal frame risks rusting and reduces the structural integrity of the car.
Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
December 10, 2020 |
20V771000 |
BCM Software malfunction./ FMVSS 103/111 |
Various system malfunctions like inoperable windshield wipers, backup cameras, defrosters, and exterior lighting can increase the chances of a crash. |
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X95. |
|
2 |
May 28, 2020 |
20V314000 |
The fuel pump may fail. |
A failure may cause an engine to stall, increasing the chances of a crash. |
Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. |
|
3 |
September 13, 2018 |
18V629000 |
Rearview display image failure. |
If the rearview camera does not show what is behind the vehicle, it can increase the chances of crashing. |
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the display audio unit software, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K2G and V2F. |
Should you buy the 2018 Honda Accord?
The Honda Accord is a good choice of a budget sedan for the daily commuter. The Accord offers a blend of practicality, comfort, and tech for a competitive budget. However, the sedan falls short on reliability. The 2018 Honda Accord comes across a wide range of issues and complaints. However, the Honda aftersales services show a quick response to resolve the customer concerns. The 2018 Honda Accord can be a good choice for beginners and commuters on a budget. Even so, we recommend considering options like the Hyundai Sonata for higher returns.
