Over the years, Honda has built a reputation for practical, and reliable vehicles. This is evident with the hybrid sedan's record of a one-off complaint and 2 registered recalls. The Honda Accord Hybrid also offers a trouble free experience to the users with a 5-star safety rating. A few issues with the car include Body Control Module(BCM) malfunction, DC-DC converter failure, and poor body insulation. The Honda Accord also impresses as a sedan with a pleasurable and comfortable drive. Looking at the whole picture, the sedan offers a value for money experience. The Honda Accord Hybrid faces off sedans such as the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Hyundai Sonata hybrid. The sedan earns the 6th spot on the CarHp list of top 10 midsize sedans.
User Complaints and Problems
Electrical Problems
- Droning: Having a hybrid powerplant, the sedan is susceptible to electronic droning sounds. The droning is a by-product of the functioning electronic motors under driving conditions. This can distract the driver.
- Body Control Module - Body Control Module Failure is a known issue with the 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid. This results in the malfunction of vehicles subsystems like the windshield wipers, defroster, rearview cameras, and exterior lights.
- Stalling: Engine stalling is also known to the Honda Accord Hybrid sedan. The hybrid powertrain comes across engine stalling due to a DC-DC converter shutdown. This results in a sudden loss of drive power and speed and increases the chances of crashing.
Structural Problems
- Body: Poor body insulation leads to a leakage of exterior ambient noise and air into the cabin. This also fails to insulate the droning noise produced by the powertrain. The issue can distract the driver and increases the risk of a crash.
Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
December 17, 2020 |
20V798000 |
Loss of drive power from DC-DC converter shutdown. |
A loss of drive power can increase the chances of a crash. |
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power converter unit (PCU) software, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2021. Owners can contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is K9E. |
|
2 |
December 10, 2020 |
20V771000 |
Body Control Module BCM software malfunction /FMVSS 103/111 |
Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lightening can increase the risk of a crash. |
Honda is recalling certain 2018-2020 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles. A software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in the 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. |
Should you buy the 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid?
The Honda Accord Hybrid emphasizes practicality and convenience with the hybrid powertrain. The sedan works great both as a daily commuter as well as for long-distance touring. The Accord Hybrid justifies the Honda standards of reliability and durability. The NHTSA record of a single complaint case and 2 recalls affirms the same. The user complaint concerns poor body design and ambient insulation. The issues of engine stalling and Body Control Module malfunction are the primary causes of the 2 recorded recalls. The car receives a 5-star NHTSA safety rating. The Honda Accord makes for a reliable and durable daily driver. This is further reinforced by the Honda aftersales services. Hence, the 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid gets the green light from CarHp.
