Honda Accord: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Honda Accord problems by model year, from 8,999 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2018 (44%, 789 drivetrain complaints), 2019 (42%, 270 drivetrain complaints) and 2010 (41%, 201 drivetrain complaints). 4 of the 14 Honda Accord years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share.
Best years on this measure: 2022 (18%), 2023 (20%) and 2016 (21%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2017 (27%) to 2018 (44%), up 17 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2018 drew the most drivetrain complaints (789 of 2,561 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Honda Accord year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Accord | high | 41% | 201 | 640 | 3/14 | 14 |
| 2011 Accord | no elevated signal | 29% | 55 | 311 | 5/14 | 9 |
| 2012 Accord | no elevated signal | 26% | 81 | 380 | 9/14 | 8 |
| 2013 Accord | no elevated signal | 22% | 296 | 1,433 | 11/14 | 6 |
| 2014 Accord | no elevated signal | 27% | 252 | 981 | 7/14 | 4 |
| 2015 Accord | no elevated signal | 28% | 161 | 601 | 6/14 | 5 |
| 2016 Accord | no elevated signal | 21% | 98 | 607 | 12/14 | 4 |
| 2017 Accord | no elevated signal | 27% | 131 | 537 | 8/14 | 3 |
| 2018 Accord | high | 44% | 789 | 1,884 | 1/14 | 6 |
| 2019 Accord | high | 42% | 270 | 691 | 2/14 | 6 |
| 2020 Accord | elevated | 35% | 113 | 362 | 4/14 | 5 |
| 2021 Accord | no elevated signal | 25% | 54 | 234 | 10/14 | 4 |
| 2022 Accord | no elevated signal | 18% | 44 | 252 | 14/14 | 4 |
| 2023 Accord | no elevated signal | 20% | 16 | 86 | 13/14 | 5 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Honda Accord years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Honda Accord engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns on the Honda Accord involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 35 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2011 | 11V395000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 2010 |
| Jul 2013 | 13V297000 | fuel system, gasoline | 2013 |
| Mar 2015 | 15V121000 | engine and engine cooling: engine | 2014–2015 |
| Jan 2019 | 19V060000 | fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump | 2015–2017 |
| May 2020 | 20V314000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2018–2019 |
| Dec 2020 | 20V769000 | power train: driveline: driveshaft | 2013–2015 |
| Mar 2021 | 21V215000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2019–2020 |
| Dec 2023 | 23V858000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2013–2023 |
| Oct 2024 | 24V763000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2023 |
| Jun 2025 | 25V422000 | power train: driveline: driveshaft | 2013 |
25 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2009 | 09E063000 | equipment | 2010 |
| Sep 2010 | 10V402000 | air bags | 2010 |
| Dec 2010 | 10V640000 | suspension | 2010–2011 |
| Jan 2011 | 11V004000 | electrical system | 2010 |
| Feb 2012 | 12V030000 | air bags: side/window | 2012 |
| Feb 2016 | 16V056000 | air bags | 2010 |
| May 2016 | 16V346000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Jan 2017 | 17V030000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| Jun 2017 | 17V418000 | electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery | 2013–2016 |
| Aug 2017 | 17V545000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| Jan 2018 | 18V042000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2013 |
| Apr 2018 | 18V268000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| Sep 2018 | 18V629000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2018 |
| Sep 2018 | 18V661000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| May 2019 | 19V378000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| Jun 2019 | 19V502000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| Dec 2020 | 20V771000 | electrical system: body control module: software | 2018–2020 |
| Nov 2021 | 21V900000 | seat belts: rear/other: retractor | 2021 |
| Mar 2023 | 23V158000 | seat belts: front: buckle assembly | 2018–2019 |
| Jun 2023 | 23V430000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module | 2022 |
| Nov 2023 | 23V782000 | seat belts: front | 2023 |
| Feb 2024 | 24V064000 | air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger | 2020–2022 |
| Nov 2024 | 24V859000 | seats: critical fasteners | 2023 |
| Jan 2026 | 26V054000 | seats: critical fasteners | 2023 |
| May 2026 | 26V332000 | air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger | 2016–2022 |
What the free pages leave out on the Honda Accord
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Honda Accord
What are the worst years for the Honda Accord?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Honda Accord years are the 2018 (44% of relevant complaints, high), the 2019 (42% of relevant complaints, high) and the 2010 (41% of relevant complaints, high). 4 of 14 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Honda Accord?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Honda Accord years are the 2022 (18%), the 2023 (20%) and the 2016 (21%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Honda Accord have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 14 scored years, 2,561 of 8,303 relevant NHTSA complaints (31%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2010, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Is the Honda Accord reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 4 of 14 Honda Accord years we score have an elevated complaint share and 10 do not. Pooled across those years, 31% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Honda Accord?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Honda Accord years we track, out of 35 in total: 23V858000 (Dec 2023, 2013–2023), 24V763000 (Oct 2024, 2023), 25V422000 (Jun 2025, 2013), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.