2020 Honda Accord Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026

Good

Ranks 18th of 25 Accord years we score.

Owner complaints: 396; 19 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 18.1; 208,766 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.86×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 136; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 6
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2019 Accord 2021 Accord →

Should You Buy the 2020 Honda Accord?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2020 Honda Accord is 70 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 18th of the 25 Accord years we score.

The most reported problem is automatic emergency braking, mostly hard braking with nothing ahead (65 of 396 complaints). Owners also complain about the brakes and dashboard warning lights. 136 of the 396 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 6 recalls. Honda also offers 2 warranty extensions that may still apply, for a/C condenser leaks and a/C condenser leaks. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2019 scores 65 and the 2021 scores 72.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 21-015 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 70
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
5-star NHTSA overall crash rating
2 Honda warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead65 complaints
Brakes: hard braking with nothing ahead47 complaints
Several warning lights at once37 complaints

How the 2020 Accord Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.79×	−9
Everyday problems	1.0×	−4
Problems in the last two years	1.2×	−10
Recalls	1.3×	−7
Score		70

What Owners Report

We read all 396 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Honda Accord, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
65 complaints (16%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, warning lights and the system acting on its own. 33 of these 65 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. In 9 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 19,000 miles.
Brakes: hard braking with nothing ahead
47 complaints (12%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, warning lights and early wear. 19 of these 47 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. In 10 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 6 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 11,000 miles.
Several warning lights at once
37 complaints (9%)
Warning lights and problems that come and go. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 5 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 48,000 miles.
Cylinder head gasket failure
23 complaints (6%)
A failure and a leak. 16 of these 23 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 100,000 miles.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
22 complaints (6%)
A loss of power and reduced power or limp mode. 19 of these 22 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 3 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 54,000 miles.
Steering: sticking or stiffness
21 complaints (5%)
Sticking or stiffness, pulling or wandering and loss of steering control. 4 of these 21 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. In 8 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 9,000 miles.
Fuel injector failure
19 complaints (5%)
A failure, a loss of power and rough running or misfires. 6 of these 19 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 91,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
18 complaints (5%)
Warning lights and problems that come and go. Median mileage when it started: about 80,000 miles.
Forward collision warning: the system acting on its own
14 complaints (4%)
The system acting on its own, the system not working when needed and warning lights. 1 of these 14 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Fuel pump failure
14 complaints (4%)
A failure that needed a new part and stalling. 8 of these 14 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 64,000 miles.
Adaptive cruise control: warning lights
13 complaints (3%)
Warning lights, a feature that stopped working and hard braking with nothing ahead. Median mileage when it started: about 24,000 miles.
Screen and audio: unusual noises
12 complaints (3%)
Unusual noises, the system acting on its own and a feature that stopped working. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 3 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 0 miles.
Driver-assist camera and radar: hard braking with nothing ahead
12 complaints (3%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, wrong readings and misaligned. 6 of these 12 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. In 6 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem.
Noise (cause not stated)
11 complaints (3%)
Unusual noises. Median mileage when it started: about 5,000 miles.
Stall (cause not stated)
11 complaints (3%)
Stalling. All 11 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 4 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 4 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.

Show 45 more problems

Turbocharger failure
10 complaints (3%)
A failure, a loss of power and warning lights. 2 of these 10 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 111,000 miles.
Engine: rough running or misfires
8 complaints (2%)
Rough running or misfires, stalling and reduced power or limp mode. 5 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Wiring, fuses or body control module failure
7 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part, damage and a fire. 1 of these 7 complaints describes a serious outcome: a fire. Median mileage when it started: about 50,000 miles.
Cooling system: a leak
6 complaints (2%)
A leak and a failure that needed a new part. Median mileage when it started: about 100,000 miles.
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
6 complaints (2%)
Rough running or misfires. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 108,000 miles.
Parking brake: warning lights
6 complaints (2%)
Warning lights, parts breaking or coming apart and problems that come and go.
High-pressure fuel pump failure
5 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part and a loss of power. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 61,000 miles.
Lane keeping assist: the system acting on its own
5 complaints (1%)
The system acting on its own, a feature that stopped working and warning lights.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) system: unusual noises
5 complaints (1%)
Unusual noises. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
5 complaints (1%)
Hesitation.
Road departure mitigation: warning lights
5 complaints (1%)
Warning lights.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
5 complaints (1%)
The car not starting and hard starting. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 48,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
5 complaints (1%)
Sudden acceleration and surging. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
5 complaints (1%)
The system acting on its own.
Airbags: fault code
4 complaints (1%)
A stored fault code, deployment with no crash and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem.
Fuel system: works on and off
4 complaints (1%)
Problems that come and go, a stored fault code and a bad smell. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Passenger airbag sensor: wrong readings
4 complaints (1%)
Wrong readings, warning lights and a stored fault code.
Seat belts: unusual noises
4 complaints (1%)
Unusual noises, a feature that stopped working and not closing or latching.
Stability control (VSA): warning lights
4 complaints (1%)
Warning lights, a stored fault code and the system not working when needed.
Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights
4 complaints (1%)
Warning lights. Median mileage when it started: about 40,000 miles.
Transmission: failure or loss of drive
4 complaints (1%)
Failure or loss of drive. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 84,000 miles.
Vibration (cause not stated)
4 complaints (1%)
Vibration or shudder.
ABS: warning lights
3 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights and hard braking with nothing ahead. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden braking.
CVT failure
3 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part, parts breaking or coming apart and surging. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden acceleration or braking.
Control module (unspecified): reduced power or limp mode
3 complaints (under 1%)
Reduced power or limp mode and a failure. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Engine failure: damage
3 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and a failure. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 118,000 miles.
Exterior lights: stopped working
3 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working.
Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
3 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part.
Trunk lid latch: the system acting on its own
3 complaints (under 1%)
The system acting on its own.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
3 complaints (under 1%)
Shattering or cracking.
Shifter or park: the car rolling away
3 complaints (under 1%)
The car rolling away, shifts to neutral on light touch and sticking or stiffness. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often a crash.
Windshield: damage
3 complaints (under 1%)
Damage, optical distortion and shattering or cracking.
A/C: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working and does not follow temperature setting.
Fuel diluting the engine oil
2 complaints (under 1%)
The oil level rising or a gasoline smell.
Engine overheating
2 complaints (under 1%)
Overheating.
Engine sensors or computer: warning lights
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights and a failure that needed a new part.
Exhaust or catalytic converter: unusual noises
2 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises and smoke or a burning smell.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
2 complaints (under 1%)
No deployment in a crash and deployment with no crash. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem.
Fuel filler door: not closing or latching
2 complaints (under 1%)
Not closing or latching and a failure that needed a new part.
Instrument cluster: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working.
Interior trim: unusual noises
2 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises.
Emissions system (warning message): warning lights
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Paint and rust: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and paint peeling.
Phone and navigation: locking up
2 complaints (under 1%)
Locking up and a feature that stopped working.
Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
The car rolling away. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a crash.

Reported Once (31)

Show the 31 problems reported once

12V battery failure
A/C compressor
A/C condenser: a leak
Uneven tire wear: rear wheels cannot be aligned
Battery drain: draining the battery
Brake calipers: sticking or stiffness
Brake power assist failure
Climate controls: cold air from the front vents in auto mode
Door latches: not closing or latching
CV axles: parts breaking or coming apart
Engine oil leak
Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
Headlights: warning lights
Mirrors: shattering or cracking
A/C discharge hose: a leak
A/C evaporator: a leak
SRS on/off switch failure
Electrical fault: stalling
Fuel filler neck guide: misaligned
Gasket failure
Milky engine oil: milky appearance
Passenger airbag on/off indicator failure
Trunk lid release: not opening or unlocking
Trunk release button: stopped working
Vehicle fire after a collision (cause not stated)
Door lock actuators: works on and off
Power windows or regulator: stopped working
Rearview camera: stopped working
Seats: the system acting on its own
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart

How the 2020 Honda Accord Compares With Other Years

The other Accord years of the 10th generation, 2018 to 2022, and the years just before and after it. When two scores are less than 3.5 points apart, treat them as about the same.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2023	Caution	62	1.6×	15.6	8	Brakes: warning lights
2022	Good	71	1.0×	14.6	4	Screen and audio: works on and off
2021	Good	72	0.85×	14.2	4	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2020 This year	Good	70	0.86×	18.1	6	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2019	Caution	65	1.4×	30.1	6	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2018	Avoid	59	2.0×	54.4	6	Cylinder head gasket failure
2017	Excellent	82	0.48×	13.9	3	Screen and audio: unusual noises

See every Accord year

2020 Honda Accord Recalls

A recall can cover some or all cars of this model year. Look up a specific car by its VIN at NHTSA to see which recalls are still open on it.

Air bags: front passenger
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 26V332000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 21, 2026.
Air bags: front passenger
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 24V064000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 1, 2024. By the second quarter of 2026, 52% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V858000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 18, 2023. By the second quarter of 2026, 73% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V215000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 25, 2021. By the first quarter of 2023, 90% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Electrical system: dc/dc converter
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 20V798000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 17, 2020. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 95% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 20V771000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 10, 2020. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 88% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Honda Warranty Extensions and Programs

Repairs Honda agreed to cover or update outside a recall. Whether one applies depends on the VIN and the conditions listed. A Honda dealer can confirm.

Warranty extensionHonda 21-015
A/C condenser leaks
The problem:
The A/C condenser can be defective from the factory. Corrosion can form tiny holes in it and let refrigerant leak out.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the A/C condenser for free.
Who qualifies:
Only Accord Hybrid cars qualify. The condenser must leak from corrosion or a factory defect. Leaks caused by foreign object damage are not covered. Coverage passes to later owners. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit, if the condenser leaks from a factory defect.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 21-018
A/C condenser leaks
The problem:
The A/C condenser can be defective from the factory. Corrosion can form tiny holes in it and let refrigerant leak out.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the A/C condenser for free.
Who qualifies:
The condenser must leak from corrosion or a factory defect. Leaks caused by foreign object damage are not covered. Coverage passes to later owners. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit, if the condenser leaks from a factory defect.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Investigations

Defect investigations by NHTSA that cover this model year, with what they found.

Pedestrian alert sounds on hybrid and electric vehicles
Closed
A petition asked NHTSA to apply its pedestrian alert sound rule to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. NHTSA opened a defect petition in January 2023. It lists Honda hybrids and electric cars, including Accord, Civic and CR-V hybrids. The petitioner withdrew in June 2023. NHTSA closed the case in August 2023 without a finding.
NHTSA DP22005 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jan 27, 2023 to Aug 7, 2023
Automatic emergency braking activating without an obstacle
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in April 2024, covers automatic emergency braking that activates with nothing in the way. It applies to 2017-2022 CR-Vs and 2018-2022 Accords, including hybrids. NHTSA has 1,294 complaints, with 31 alleging a crash and 50 an injury. The case is still open.
NHTSA EA24002 Opening report (PDF)Open since Apr 15, 2024

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2020 Accord ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door FWD and Hybrid 4-door FWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash5/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover5/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2020 Accord, from its recalls, Honda's programs and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Air bags: front passenger NHTSA 26V332000
Air bags: front passenger NHTSA 24V064000
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump NHTSA 23V858000
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump NHTSA 21V215000
Electrical system: dc/dc converter NHTSA 20V798000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 6 recalls and which are still open.

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

21-015: a/C condenser leaks
21-018: a/C condenser leaks

On the Test Drive

Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
Drive long enough to warm up fully, including at highway speed, and note any stalling or loss of power.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Automatic emergency braking
Brakes
Dashboard warning lights
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Accord Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.