The Lemon Index2018 Honda Accord.
The 2018 Honda Accord is worse than average by owner complaints: 597 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 196, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 26 to 47 mpg combined. The best Honda Accord year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 2,008 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda Accord year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 6K to 64K miles on the car (663 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 9K–99K miles
- automatic emergency braking complaints mostly came at 19K–58K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 7K–47K miles
Recalls 6
- airbags 2026
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- fuel system, gasoline 2023
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- seat belts 2023
A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.
Show all 6 recalls
- electrical 2020
A software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in communication between the Body Control Module (BCM) and other components.
- fuel system, gasoline 2020
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- back over prevention 2018
In certain scenarios, the back-up camera center display may not function properly.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 343 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenInadvertent automatic emergency braking2024
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedInadvertent automatic emergency braking2022–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Accord 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Honda Accord Hybrid 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1350–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
I went to the dealership for and oil change at 20,000 miles and was told that my rear pads were worn and needed to be replaced. The front pads are fine. This issue was recalled in 2010 and needs to be recalled again.
2018 Honda Accord owner · NHTSA complaint 11266626
More owner reports
U0128-00 lost communication with park brake control module issue # 13 with my Honda. Please have the manufacturer fix this problem
NHTSA complaint 11442356
U3003-17 battery voltage circuit voltage above threshold issue # 18 with my Accord. Please have the manufacturer fix this issue asap
NHTSA complaint 11442363
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Honda Accord reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 196; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Accord year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2018 Honda Accord problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (26%), electrical (21%) and speed control (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Honda Accord have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Honda Accord get?
26 to 47 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Honda Accord safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Honda Accord problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 6,000 and 64,000 miles. The middle report was at 20,200 miles, from 663 complaints.
Does the 2018 Honda Accord have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2018 Honda Accord cost in fuel a year?
About $1350 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Honda Accord have?
1.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Honda Accord year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2012 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works