Honda Accord Years to Avoid Before You Buy

For many years, the Honda Accord has earned a good reputation among midsize sedans for being dependable, economical with fuel, and comfortable. In 1976, many decided on an Accord for themselves or their families due to its strong second-hand price and simple maintenance requirements. Yet, even with its good community reputation, Honda has had its moments of trouble. Both electronic and mechanical problems have affected several model years, like troubles with transmissions, airbags, and early wear on brakes.

Understanding which years of the Honda Accord not to choose is very important if you are looking to buy used. We’ll take a look at the six Honda Accord years to avoid, their common problems, and what you should check when considering a used Accord.

Best Honda Accord Years to avoid

6 models of the Honda Accord have continually received the largest number of consumer complaints and recall notices.

• 1998
• 2002
• 2003 – 2004
• 2008
• 2013
• 2018

People complain about poor reliability during these years, including engine malfunctions, transmission breakdowns, electrical issues, and bad airbags. Each of these years is looked at in detail below.

1. 1998 Honda Accord

The Accord from 1998 is from the sixth generation, and while it was originally praised for its elegant look and cheap price, it soon started to have many serious problems with reliability.

Over 1,200 people complained about the model to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it was involved in 19 recalls. As Consumer Reports suggests, the sixth-generation Accord should be completely veh. The primary worry is? Transmission failure.

Many owners found that their transmissions failed early, typically because of a design problem that allowed heat to accumulate. Since matters got so serious, The New York Times wrote about it. Honda later added an extended warranty for 100,000 miles, but the damage had already been done for many customers.

2. Honda Accord from 2002

While the 2002 model improved its design and fuel use somewhat, it also resulted in extra issues for those driving it. Half of the more than 1,000 complaints to the NHTSA pointed to the transmission and airbag systems as being the problem.

Slipping tuners, problematic gear shifts, and total breakdowns were frequently experienced; the repairs for these problems commonly cost $2,500. To make matters worse, the chassis design used here was not eligible for the transmission warranty extensions given to the 2000–2001 models.

The issue with the airbag system made the problem even more serious. There were multiple reports about airbags detonating and injuring people. In all, 16 recalls were released, making it more obvious that the year was unreliable.

3. Second generation 2003–2004 Honda Accord

In the 2003 and 2004 models, the seventh-generation Accord experienced the same problems with transmission as the models before them.

In 2003 alone, the company received just over 500 complaints with issues related to the automatic transmission at around 98,000 miles. Several owners said they experienced rough gear changes, slipping, and breakdowns so serious they had to pay $2,700 or more to replace the transmission.

Even in 2004, the brand’s performance was not much better. In 2019, the airbags were included in a massive recall of almost 4,000 vehicles. Oftentimes, the inflator device would break open and trigger a fire, making injury or death a threat.

Another set of issues involved worn-down brakes, problems with the car’s engine parts, and troubles with electronic systems. Although many old cars can last for 200,000 miles, the expensive needed repairs make them hazardous for buyers on the used car market.

4. 2008 Honda Accord

The eighth generation of the Honda Accord started with the 2008 model, which included more room in the cabin and some styling updates. Nevertheless, the machinery used in these vehicles was not of good quality.

About 1,500 complaints were received, including over 1,000 about rapid brake wear. Many owners told us they had to change their brake pads several times between 20,000 and 30,000 miles, much more often than expected.

In many cases, V6 vehicles struggled with burning more oil than was normal. Engineers found this problem at mile 60,000 and connected it to the variable cylinder management (VCM) system. Getting this problem fixed normally costs roughly $1,300.

The company also recalled the cars in 2015 due to side airbags inflating unexpectedly. Should safety features cause harm, it reduces the trust customers have in the brand Honda.

5. 2013 Honda Accord

The 2013 Accord started the 9th generation and came equipped with a popular 3.5L V6 engine. As performance went up, reliability decreased.

Electrical issues caused big problems for the cars produced in this model year. More than 100 owners said their vehicles suffered from no electrical power, sometimes resulting in fires from faulty starters and wiring. About every 54,000 miles, owners had to replace the starter, which usually cost $630.

Many customers reported that their V6-driven vehicles ran out of battery much quicker than average. Because the electrical system was so challenged, it needed a new battery for the van around every two years.

The same problems of brake wear and safety recalls from before were still being noticed. Even though they are not such a big concern as the earliest safety problems, repeated issues are enough to put 2013 on this list.

6. 2018 Honda Accord

Although the 2018 Accord has many advanced features and a new design, it also faced several problems. Lots of issues with the software caused several recalls, mainly for the rearview camera and body control module. Having doors that would not lock and air conditioners that didn’t work was frequent and very annoying.

Issues were also found with the system for detecting front-end collisions. On occasion, without warning, it would suddenly brake, and this safety measure ended up creating danger.

The 2018 Accord fell right in the middle with a 3/5 reliability score from Consumer Reports. People considering a purchase should be careful.

Usual Problems with Honda Accord Reliability

• Even at their best, some common problems have affected Accord models for many years.
• Difficult Seating: In many 2008–2009 models, drivers complain about poor back and seat support during long rides.
• Gremlins in the Electrical System: Flat batteries, starters that do not and strange dashboard problems tend to pop up unexpectedly.
• Excess oil use related to the VCM vehicle technology was a problem, especially for the 2008–2009 models.

Early 2000s models usually face sudden shifts and slipping transmissions. If your rotors are warped and the pads wear out quickly, you may feel vibration when you brake. Some SRS light activations can be due to errors with sensors and create confusion. Radio systems, the climate control unit, and backlit displays may shut off all at once without prior notice.

The Years to Buy the Best Honda Accord

Buying a used Accord doesn’t mean you have to give up your hopes, and you only have to worry about Honda Accord years to avoid. Honda has made several dependable cars over the years. These are the most outstanding years:

• Between 2006 and 2007: These models ended the sixth generation and received many compliments for their extended reliability and few problems with them.
• Between 2011–2012: There were solid vehicles, and the mechanical problems found in earlier vehicles were mostly avoided.
• 2017: Both J.D. Power and Consumer Reports gave the 2017 model high marks.
• 2021: A current car that had few complaints from the NHTSA and was praised for better performance.

What Makes the Honda Accord a Good Buy?

This strategy is possible as long as you take the right year. Reliability, fuel efficiency, and good resale value are key to the Honda Accord, things that most other cars do not offer. A properly maintained Accord is likely to exceed 200,000 miles in its lifetime. The main benefits are:

• Solid and reliable for a long period
• Very good second-hand sales
• The vehicle is very fuel-efficient.
• Safety is given top priority in the car.
• It is easy to find replacement parts and get help aftermarket.

Whenever possible, inspect the Carfax or AutoCheck of the vehicle and have a mechanic examine it before you buy.

Final Thoughts

You will find that the Honda Accord is a good buy, so long as you avoid certain models. Although 1998, 2002, and 2008 are widely remembered for their problems, numerous others have offered impressive results and value.

Invest time in learning, check everything inside and out, and pick a year known to be dependable. If you choose the right Accord, you’ll experience years of carefree and comfortable riding.