Skip to content
KLUNK
KLUNK

2018 Honda Accord

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2018 Honda Accord has 1,739 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (787 complaints) and body (482 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Honda Accord, consider the 2021 model year which has 87% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2021 has 87% fewer complaints

View the 2021 Honda Accord dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 3

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

18V629000 BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

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...

Risk

If the rearview camera display does not show what is behind the vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the display audio unit software, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-213...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

23V158000 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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 w...

Risk

An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2023. ...

Reported Sep 3, 2023

20V771000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

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 co...

Risk

Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138....

Reported Oct 12, 2020

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2018 Honda Accord. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200028048582102192
20011593947362196
20021873132160459
2003362161459158871
20042025736664326
2005166482938198
2006133481634343
2007161462016550
200816255449825640
200914122618214622
201013212414913432
2011104131253415
201218533766618
201365210336021785
201428811230720851
20151933420513328
2016177282817723
20171933515911027
201848221820778745
2019199776728518
20201235449998
2021902552378
2022911072403

By Category

Engine
787
Body
482
Brakes
218
Electrical
207
Transmission
45

By Severity

1
844
2
842
3
16
4
37

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2018 Honda Accord stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Engine 1

Head gasket failure, coolant leaking into cylinder 1 and 3. Car stuttering when try to accelerate and has trouble getting up to speed on highway. Coolant mixing with oil, rear main seal leak. It is available for inspection currently at dealership where it was diagnosed. My safety was jeopardized because I barely can accelerate on the highway causing cars to tail gate me and potentially crash into the back of me. The issue has been confirmed by Honda service department as a faulty head gasket. There were no warnings signs, no overheating nor any smoke indications of a faulty failing head gasket only stuttering at low spreads and not being able to accelerate. The problem first appeared a day or so before I brung it to Honda for a diagnosis. These are well none litigated issues with these head gaskets and are safety concerns that they’re failing to address.

10d ago
Engine 2

at 154,000 i’m forced to replace my head gasket and fuel injectors and lots of other stuff because my head gasket failed driving in the freeway and went into limp mode and several light turned on and lost all power thankfully i was able to pull over safely and shut off the vehicle for 10 minutes and start back up with no limp mode and drove to honda and informed me my head gasket failed had failed my last honda was at 320,000 and no head gasket failed this is insane and no recall or fix

10d ago
Electrical 1

everytime upon start up i get a message saying supplement restraint system error see dealer, should not be having this issue

10d ago
Engine 2

The vehicle suffered a sudden, severe structural head gasket failure causing coolant to flood the combustion chambers. This results in violent engine stalling, limp mode, and complete loss of propulsion while driving at highway speeds, creating a severe traffic hazard. The manufacturer is actively tracking this conjoined cylinder failure but refusing to issue a safety recall for the defective engine block layout while their local dealerships dangerously misdiagnose the problem and leave customers with unreliable and unsafe vehicles.

11d ago
Engine 1

At 157000 miles I am being forced to replace my fuel injectors and a blown head gasket on my 2018 Honda Accord. As I am sure you are aware, this is an ongoing issue with this model specifically, and yet no recalls have been issued. Please understand that this was a sudden failure as I had no signs there was an engine issue before being forced into limp mode while driving on the freeway. I also had my mother in the car when all of a sudden, my car could not go above 25 mph while in traffic. Thankfully we could pull over safely and were not hurt or killed. All the lights/warning messages on the dash became illuminated before finally settling on an “emissions problem.” All other warning symbols remained lit. My thermostat started to rise dangerously high especially while idling. I cannot stress how terrifying or dangerous this was. After a diagnostic last week at a Honda dealership, I was told I have a cylinder 3 misfire and that after they pressurized the system, they found a coolant leak which is due to the head gasket. I was also told my fuel injectors (which were just replaced in Sept. 2025) are already in need of replacement as well, but that I would only be charged parts for this repair as it would be included with the labor of having to tear down the engine. Despite this, I was still provided an estimate with the full cost of the fuel injectors as well at nearly $1600. My grand total for these repairs came to $6895. I was told at most it would be $6300 – not that that is much of a discount on an issue that should have been recalled. Again, this is a known design flaw and NOT a result of my neglect.

12d ago
Body 2

We started driving and after driving the tire pressure light went on. We stopped checked all tires pressure everything was fine. Then about 2 or 3 hours later every light on my dash board lit up. Check Engine Light: Brake System Light: Traction Control Light: Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS) Light: Adaptive Cruise Control Light: Power Steering Light. There was no weird Sounds and no smoke or smell. Got off at the first exit I could and stopped at a gas station to check my fluids engine and battery just make sure nothing was wrong. Had to get a hotel room next morning when it was time to leave the lights were still on and I drove to auto zone up the street and had them see what codes were coming up. They told me it was the turbo and water gate. I then go my car towed

15d ago
Engine 1

While on the highway, going approximately 60-65mph, lights on my dashboard suddenly lit up and turned right back off as my car began to decelerate on its own. After I was able to get my car off to the side of the highway, I had to have it towed home as it was inoperable. I had it towed to my preferred auto shop and they discovered the engine had failed at only 84,000 miles. The total cost was approximately $8,600. After a bit of research, it seems this is a known issue for this engine model from Honda and nothing has come of it so far.

16d ago
Electrical 3

The car was sold to me in 2021 with no airbags and no working seatbelt in the back passenger seat. The car was bought at AX Auto in Atlanta Ga. I have been in touch with them and they keep ignorning me and will not fix this issue.

16d ago
Engine 2

Bad engine, and Honda knows it, and they will not fix my car. I have reported this to Honda America and Honda Japan. Cylinder 2 and the head gasket went bad at 77,000 miles. I am disabled and a full-time student. This was diagnosed at Honda Autonation in Columbus Ga. I even asked whether they would take it as a trade-in. They said no, so my next step is to file a class action lawsuit against Honda when they should have just accepted responsibility and fixed my car. There is a forum on Reddit and Facebook with 1000s of people with the same problem. [XXX] [XXX] Mailing address: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

16d ago
Engine 1

2018 Honda Accord EX-L with the 2.0L turbocharged engine. At approximately 113,000 miles the head gasket failed, allowing engine coolant to leak into cylinders 2 and 3. Symptoms included repeated cold-start engine misfires (diagnostic codes P0302, P0303, P0300), illuminated check-engine light, intermittent loss of power / limp mode, and gradual loss of coolant with no visible external leak. The failure was confirmed by an independent mechanic as a blown head gasket between cylinders 2 and 3. This matches a widely reported design defect in Honda's 1.5L and 2.0L turbocharged engines (2016–2022 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Acura RDX/TLX) that is the subject of federal class-action litigation. The sudden power loss this defect can cause while driving presents a safety risk. Repair cost approximately $6,000, paid out of pocket, with no recall in effect. Requesting NHTSA investigate a potential design defect and recall.

16d ago
Body 1

Was driving onto the interstate when car hissing sounded ,then car cut out and all my dashboard warning lights were on a loop the code is turbo boost but car died and no safety features would work i just barely missed being completely crushed by 18 wheeler

17d ago
Engine 2

Head gasket blew, COMMIN PROBLEM AMONG ALL THESE ACCORDS

17d ago
Body 2

ALL WARNING LIGHTS FLAS ON DASHBOARD CONTINUOUSLY

18d ago
Engine 1

Two premature blown head gaskets and warped cylinder heads, the first at 95,000 miles, while driving on the freeway the car started to shake and all warnings lights came on, luckily I was not far from the dealership and took it right in. The second at 137,000 miles. The first repair was done at Honda of Concord dealership and was covered under the extended warranty. Warranty has since expired and the issue has happened again. This time Honda is recommending that I replace the engine, while denying my request for a goodwill repair. The dealership quoted me $10,000 for repair, and my car is maybe worth only $13,000. Honda knows that there's a design flaw with the 1.5L engines, but won't take any accountability for it.

19d ago
Engine 2

My vehicle will NOT drive past 20 MPH,it randomly goes into limp mode with traveling ! I’ve have it tested multiple times and no one seems to know what the issue is !

19d ago
Body 2

I just replaced the head gasket 3 years ago. I was on my way home & all the lights in the dash came on. Took it to the local dealership. Once again it’s the head gasket.

21d ago
Engine 2

I own a 2018 Honda Accord. While driving 30 MPH the vehicle experienced head gasket failure/engine failure-trouble. The vehicle lost automotive power and decelerated to 5 MPH. I was able to drive safely. The engine light was illuminated as well as all dashboard lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic immediately, where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinders #2 a computer code malfunction, and then taken to dealer immediately from there. Dealer ran and found same code. found a blown head gasket. (Charging me a diagnostic code for same reading.) The vehicle was repaired privately as dealer wanted more than $1000. more to do the work. The manufacturer was contacted and assisted with the cost of the repair. The manufacturer confirmed there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. I am out $4524.66 in repairs due to an issue that Honda is aware of and had done nothing to rectify.

22d ago
Engine 1

On 2-252026 my wife and I were driving on highway I-15 in California when the car started to accelerate, decelerate and jerk and the engine light came on. It was very scary because we were on a major highway driving around 60 MPH and cars were behind us when the deceleration happened. We could have been hit by cars traveling behind us or either we could have caused a major accident. We had to get off the highway and have the car towed to Honda for assessment. There was no engine light warning or service warning from Honda prior to this happening, it just randomly happened. The car was repaired at a Honda dealership and they said there was a leaking head gasket on cylinder number 4. When we looked up information regarding this head gasket failure we saw that other Honda cars have had the same problem and Honda is currently involved in lawsuits regarding this leaking head gasket on cylinder number 4.

23d ago
Engine 1

Known issue by Honda; 2018 Honda Accord Sport, 1.5L 6S Manual Transmission. Head Gasket is blown, alongside failed fuel injectors for the 1.5L motor. Vehicle has been misfiring. Not accelerating properly which is causing the vehicle to suddenly slow down in traffic, promting potential vause for accidents. Almost was involved in 2 accidents due to the sudden and complete loss of power at a decent rate of speed. CEL came on twice, which then disappeared and the vehicle acted "normal" until acceleration. Took vehicle to a Honda Dealer and was told it was the "spark plugs and the coil packs", even after explaining to them that there was engine oil on the piston heads, and low coolant. Left the dealer upset that they barely did any diagnostic work, and took it to an independant shop that actually completed a proper diagnostic performance, and confirmed the head gasket is leaking coolant, and the fuel injectors are failing. Known common issue that Honda is failing to recognize.

23d ago
Electrical 2

There are 13 alerts showing on the instrument panel for various systems not functioning, along with accompanying yellow dash lights such as tire pressure, ABS, brake system, traction control, ACC, and LKAS. Systems not available include, ABS system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Road Departure Mitigation, Auto High-Beam, TPMS, Electric Power Steering, plus several others. These alerts first started January 2026 and occasionally would disappear; however, over the past few months the warnings have become constant. The vehicle has approx. 120,000 miles. Due to TPMS not functioning, I am not given a warning when a tire has gone flat/blown while driving as the tire pressure light is always on the dash. The only warning I am provided is the sound/smell of the rim dragging along the road to notify me the tire is flat. This poses a risk to myself and others by creating an emergent situation requiring me to pull over rapidly. Another incident occurred when ACC was enabled (at a time when the alerts had been appearing on and off). Cruise control set at 70 mph when suddenly the above mentioned alerts reappeared and ACC system became unavailable, leading to unexpected deceleration on the highway. This poses a risk to myself and others as it creates unpredictable driving patterns, unbeknownst to the driver. Initially I replaced the battery with no resolution of the issue. I later discovered maintenance code displayed by the vehicle was C003A-62 for Right Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Circuit Failure (circuit short to ground or open). The mechanic recommended replacing the right wheel hub assembly as this was suspected to be the cause of failed circuit. When that repair lasted no more than 10 mins before the warnings reappeared, the right rear wheel speed sensor itself was then replaced. Similarly, this did not fix the issue. I have not sought additional service due to repair costs beginning to add up with no resolution. Based on the history of reports, this issue does not seem uncommon.

23d ago

1739 total

1/ 87
Report a Klunk