NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026
According to our reliability score system, the best Honda Accord years to buy are the 2011, 2012 and 2017. The 2012 scores highest, at 84 out of 100.
The 2018 rates Avoid, and the 2019 and 2023 need a careful look. Owners of the 2018 most often report head gaskets. On the 2019, the main complaint is automatic emergency braking, mostly hard braking with nothing ahead.
Shopping for a newer Accord? Among the 2018 and later years, the 2020 to 2022 rate Good. The 2018, 2019, 2023 and 2024 are the weak spots. The 2025 and 2026 are too new for a final score.
On a tighter budget, an older Accord from before 2018 can be a smart buy. The 2000 to 2002, 2005 to 2012 and 2014 to 2017 rate Good or Excellent. Skip or check closely the 2003, 2004 and 2013.
Not rated yet: 2025, 2026, too new for a final score.
Three Accord years rate Excellent, scoring 80 or higher. The 2012 leads with 84.
8th generation
Where the 373 complaints are
9th generation
Where the 579 complaints are
8th generation
Where the 296 complaints are
Also rated Good: 2000–2002, 2005–2010, 2014–2016, 2020–2022.
The 2018 is the only Accord year rated Avoid, with a score of 59. The others are the lowest-scoring years rated Caution.
10th generation
Where the 1,990 complaints are
Honda extended coverage for some of these cars (21-087, 21-015, 21-018). Check the VIN with a dealer.
Full 2018 report →10th generation
Where the 778 complaints are
Honda extended coverage for some of these cars (21-015, 21-018). Check the VIN with a dealer.
Full 2019 report →11th generation
Where the 225 complaints are
11th generation
Where the 217 complaints are
Also rated Caution or Avoid: 2003–2004, 2013.
A final score needs 36 months of complaints. Until then we show what we know, and a provisional reading once there is enough data.
Provisional score 71 (likely 67 to 74), in the middle third of 2025 models so far. Final score at 36 months.
Same generation as the 2024, which scored 66 (Caution).
What we know so far →7 complaints and 1 recall so far. First provisional score expected around July 2027.
Same generation as the 2024, which scored 66 (Caution).
What we know so far →All model years, newest first. Tap a year for its full report, with the problems owners report, recalls, Honda programs and crash ratings.
| Year | Generation | Rating | Score | Vs average | Complaints | Per 10k cars | Recalls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11th generation | Too new | – | – | 7 | 1.0 | 1 | Report |
| 2025 | 11th generation | Provisional 71 | – | – | 106 | 5.2 | 2 | Report |
| 2024 | 11th generation | Caution | 66 | 1.3× | 217 | 10.3 | 5 | Report |
| 2023 | 11th generation(first year) | Caution | 62 | 1.6× | 225 | 15.6 | 8 | Report |
| 2022 | 10th generation | Good | 71 | 1.0× | 298 | 14.6 | 4 | Report |
| 2021 | 10th generation | Good | 72 | 0.85× | 278 | 14.2 | 4 | Report |
| 2020 | 10th generation | Good | 70 | 0.86× | 396 | 18.1 | 6 | Report |
| 2019 | 10th generation | Caution | 65 | 1.4× | 778 | 30.1 | 6 | Report |
| 2018 | 10th generation(first year) | Avoid | 59 | 2.0× | 1,990 | 54.4 | 6 | Report |
| 2017 | 9th generation | Excellent | 82 | 0.48× | 579 | 13.9 | 3 | Report |
| 2016 | 9th generation | Good | 79 | 0.53× | 602 | 18.6 | 4 | Report |
| 2015 | 9th generation | Good | 76 | 0.62× | 641 | 17.4 | 6 | Report |
| 2014 | 9th generation | Good | 73 | 0.77× | 1,010 | 24.6 | 5 | Report |
| 2013 | 9th generation(first year) | Caution | 68 | 1.1× | 1,420 | 36.5 | 5 | Report |
| 2012 | 8th generation | Excellent | 84 | 0.28× | 373 | 11.0 | 8 | Report |
| 2011 | 8th generation | Excellent | 81 | 0.27× | 296 | 10.6 | 9 | Report |
| 2010 | 8th generation | Good | 76 | 0.42× | 580 | 17.7 | 12 | Report |
| 2009 | 8th generation | Good | 76 | 0.45× | 723 | 20.3 | 10 | Report |
| 2008 | 8th generation(first year) | Good | 73 | 0.75× | 1,520 | 34.2 | 8 | Report |
| 2007 | 7th generation | Good | 76 | 0.36× | 525 | 11.6 | 9 | Report |
| 2006 | 7th generation | Good | 75 | 0.37× | 430 | 12.0 | 12 | Report |
| 2005 | 7th generation | Good | 71 | 0.57× | 686 | 17.1 | 15 | Report |
| 2004 | 7th generation | Caution | 65 | 0.85× | 1,016 | 24.3 | 13 | Report |
| 2003 | 7th generation(first year) | Caution | 60 | 1.6× | 1,987 | 44.4 | 13 | Report |
| 2002 | 6th generation | Good | 72 | 0.80× | 1,050 | 23.3 | 5 | Report |
| 2001 | 6th generation | Good | 73 | 0.68× | 922 | 22.5 | 7 | Report |
| 2000 | 6th generation | Good | 73 | 0.66× | 1,183 | 25.7 | 8 | Report |
Vs average: how this year's complaint rate compares with the average car of the same age. 1× is average, 2× is twice as many. Per 10k cars: complaints so far for every 10,000 cars Honda made for the U.S. that model year. The complaint count also includes owners who wrote in only about a recall notice, with no problem to report. The score leaves those out. Generations follow Honda's own model history.
Across its model years, the Accord has had 67 recalls. Honda also extended the warranty on 13 known problems that were not safety recalls. If the car you are looking at qualifies, those repairs may be free.
A/C condenser leaks
Honda 21-015 · 2018–2020 Accord
A/C condenser leaks
Honda 21-018 · 2018–2020 Accord
Paint peeling at the roof seam
Honda 21-087 · 2018 Accord
Daytime running light LEDs
Honda 19-042 · 2016–2017 Accord
Blue paint peeling around the rear window
Honda 19-068 · 2014–2015 Accord
Electric power steering torque sensor (steering gearbox)
Honda 15-056 · 2013–2014 Accord
Engine misfire from fouled spark plugs (piston rings)
Honda 13-078 · 2008–2012 Accord
High oil consumption from sticking piston rings
Honda 12-087 · 2008–2011 Accord
Every complaint filed with NHTSA for the model year, plus its recalls. Recall-notice filings with no fault are left out.
A popular car gets more complaints just because there are more of them. We divide by the number Honda made for that model year and compare with the average car of the same age.
70 is average. Twice the average rate of complaints costs 10 points, half the rate adds 10. Serious problems count more than everyday ones.