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2018 Honda Accord VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

The 2018 Honda Accord has good reliability. There are 8 recalls and 1739 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Honda Accord. Severity signals include 36 crash-related complaints and 5 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Engine (248), Electrical System (237), Unknown Or Other (176).

Accord reliability snapshot

63/100
Latest model-year reliability score
4.5/5
RepairPal rating (high)
$400
Avg annual repair cost vs $526 category avg
#1/24
Ranking in midsize cars · better than 96% of peers

Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.

Used-car research

Research the Honda Accord before checking the VIN

Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.

Most-reported 2018 Honda Accord issues

Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.

  • Engine248
  • Electrical System237
  • Unknown Or Other176
  • Forward Collision Avoidance170
  • Fuel System, Gasoline161
  • Service Brakes136

Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2018 Honda Accord

Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.

  • Inspect for coolant leaks or low coolant levels
  • Test for engine misfires or rough idling
  • Check for any warning lights on the dashboard
  • Verify completion of all recall repairs, especially fuel pump
  • Test drive to check for transmission jerking or limp mode
  • Inspect for oil dilution signs in the engine

What owners reported

2018 Honda Accord owner complaints in detail

Owners have reported 36 crashes, 5 fires and 38 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Honda Accord. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.

Owner complaints254

ENGINE

Owners report frequent head gasket failures in the 2018 Honda Accord, with symptoms such as coolant leaking into the cylinders, engine stuttering, and sudden loss of power. These issues often lead to the vehicle entering "Limp Mode," which restricts acceleration and poses a risk during highway driving. Complaints typically arise between 75,000 and 100,000 miles, though some occur at higher mileages. The failure can result in dangerous situations, including crashes and instances of engine fires. Prospective buyers should be aware of these potential issues, especially given the presence of a class action lawsuit related to the head gasket failures.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 2 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints237

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2018 Honda Accord frequently report issues related to the electrical system, particularly involving dashboard warning lights illuminating unexpectedly, often accompanied by a loss of engine power or the vehicle entering "limp mode." Complaints also describe problems with the vehicle's acceleration and stalling, sometimes linked to head gasket and fuel pump issues. These electrical and engine-related failures often occur around or after 65,000 miles, with some owners experiencing them shortly after purchase. Safety implications are significant, with reports of sudden speed reductions on highways and instances of the vehicle cutting off entirely, contributing to 11 crashes and 6 injuries. Additionally, some complaints include incidents of fires, highlighting potential safety risks for prospective buyers.

Severity signals: 11 crash, 3 fire, 6 injury reports

Owner complaints176

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2018 Honda Accord frequently report failures related to the air conditioning system, with issues such as failed compressors and condensers leading to loss of cold air and potential metal contamination in the HVAC system. Complaints also often mention dashboard warning lights and safety system alerts that persist even after dealership visits, sometimes leading to the vehicle entering "limp mode" and experiencing performance issues like stalling and misfires. Several reports involve problems following fuel pump recall repairs, including head gasket failures and engine stalling, which have led to near-crash situations. Additionally, some owners experience paint fading and peeling, particularly on the roof and hood, and backup camera distortions that impair visibility. These issues typically arise within a few years of ownership, often around or before 60,000 miles, and may pose safety risks such as loss of vehicle control and reduced visibility.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints170

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners report frequent issues with the forward collision avoidance system in the 2018 Honda Accord, particularly with the emergency braking system engaging unexpectedly. Complaints commonly describe the vehicle braking abruptly without any obstruction present, often at highway speeds, which poses a risk of rear-end collisions. Some reports indicate these issues occur when the vehicle passes under bridges or in response to shadows or glare. Several owners mention warning lights for the collision mitigation system and related components, with some describing repairs involving sensor or radar replacements. These problems are noted at varying mileages, with some incidents occurring as early as within the first six months of ownership. Safety implications include potential injuries from sudden stops, as indicated by the reported injuries and near-miss incidents.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 6 injury reports

Owner complaints162

FUEL SYSTEM

Owners report frequent issues with the 2018 Honda Accord's fuel system, often related to fuel pump failures. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as stalling, failure to accelerate, and the vehicle entering limp mode, with warning lights illuminating. These issues typically occur around 66,000 to 150,000 miles. Some owners indicate that the vehicle can be restarted, but the problem persists. Safety implications include potential stalls while driving, which could lead to dangerous situations, though no crashes or fires are specifically reported. Many owners also express frustration with delays in recall repairs due to parts availability.

Owner complaints150

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2018 Honda Accord frequently report issues with the vehicle's braking system, particularly the unexpected activation of the automatic emergency braking system without apparent obstacles, which can lead to sudden stops. This issue is often mentioned in conjunction with warning lights for the brake system and other related features like the Collision Mitigation Braking System. Another common complaint involves the rapid wear of rear brake pads compared to the front, suggesting a possible imbalance in brake distribution. These issues are reported at various mileage levels, with some owners experiencing them as early as when the vehicle was new. Safety implications include the potential for rear-end collisions due to unexpected braking, with at least five injuries noted by owners. These patterns are important for potential buyers to consider, especially when assessing the vehicle's service history and the functionality of its advanced braking systems.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 5 injury reports

Owner complaints115

POWER TRAIN

Owners report frequent issues with the powertrain of the 2018 Honda Accord, specifically involving transmission malfunctions and engine problems. Typical symptoms include transmission jerking during gear shifts and engine misfires, often linked to head gasket failures. These issues are commonly reported at mileages ranging from 30,000 to 138,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, including sudden loss of power and acceleration issues, which pose risks during highway driving or in traffic. Buyers should be aware of potential costly repairs and the possibility of unresolved issues affecting vehicle reliability.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints74

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owners of the 2018 Honda Accord frequently report issues with vehicle speed control, particularly involving sudden loss of acceleration, stalling, and unexpected deceleration. Common symptoms include the vehicle not accelerating past low speeds, all dashboard warning lights illuminating simultaneously, and the car stalling in traffic. These issues often occur after fuel system repairs or recalls, with some reports indicating mileage ranges from around 20,000 to 70,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with six complaints involving crashes and four injuries reported, highlighting situations where the vehicle unexpectedly stops or accelerates, leading to loss of control. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially concerning vehicle history and recall completion.

Severity signals: 6 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports

Owner complaints64

STEERING

Owners of the 2018 Honda Accord frequently report issues with the steering system, particularly involving the power steering assist becoming disabled. Typical symptoms include the steering wheel becoming extremely tight or sticking at the center, requiring significant force to adjust, and sudden loss of steering assist while driving, sometimes accompanied by multiple warning lights. These issues are reported across various mileages, with some occurring as early as 60,000 miles. Two complaints involve crashes, highlighting potential safety risks due to loss of control. Affected components often identified by owners include the steering gearbox and rack and pinion, with repairs sometimes being costly. This information is pertinent for potential buyers evaluating the reliability and safety of used models.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports

Owner complaints38

AIR BAGS

Owners of the 2018 Honda Accord frequently report issues with the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), with many experiencing intermittent warning lights and messages indicating a problem with the airbag system. Symptoms often include the SRS warning light appearing and disappearing, sometimes related to specific diagnostic codes like B0020-13, suggesting potential issues with airbag inflators or sensors. These problems are reported across various mileages, with some complaints appearing shortly after purchase and others at higher mileages, such as around 78,900 and 94,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as three complaints involve crashes, one of which reports a driver's airbag failing to deploy, resulting in injuries. Prospective buyers should be aware of these airbag system concerns, as they may affect the vehicle's safety features.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports

2018 Accord recalls (5)

Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2018 Accord. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

  1. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 20V314000May 28, 2020

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 22, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

  2. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

  3. SEAT BELTSNHTSA 23V158000Mar 9, 2023

    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 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.

    Consequence: 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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are NDA, QDB, BDC, MDD, LD9. TDF, FDG, ODH, YDI, ZDE.

  4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION, VISIBILITY/WIPER, VISIBILITY, EXTERIOR LIGHTINGNHTSA 20V771000Dec 10, 2020

    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 communication between the Body Control Module (BCM) and other components. This may result in malfunctions of various systems such as the windshield wipers and defroster, rearview camera, exterior lights, audible warning of a stopped vehicle, and power window operation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems" and number 111, "Rear Visibility" as well as FMVSS numbers 104, 108, 114, 118, and 305.

    Consequence: 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. Honda's number for this recall is X95.

  5. BACK OVER PREVENTION, VISIBILITYNHTSA 18V629000Sep 13, 2018

    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, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

    Consequence: 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 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K2G and V2F.

Used-market value

2018 Honda Accord resale snapshot

77.4%estimated value retained after 5 years
720listings in the model-level benchmark
$21,990median asking price from 60 listings

Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.

2018 Honda Accord on the road

291,071 2018 Honda Accord units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.

How the 2018 Honda Accord stacks up against rivals

The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.

Reliability verdict for the 2018 Honda Accord

The 2018 Honda Accord earns a reliability score of 79, surpassing the segment average of 75. This indicates solid reliability, though not without concerns. The vehicle's recall count is elevated, suggesting some systemic issues typical of a first-year model in a new generation.

Complaints are moderately distributed across several areas, with the engine and electrical system receiving the most attention. This distribution implies that no single issue overwhelmingly dominates, but potential buyers should be aware of these recurring problems.

Overall, the 2018 Accord presents an above-average reliability profile, but the presence of multiple recalls and a variety of complaint categories suggests a moderate risk level. Buyers should weigh these factors when considering this model.

What you get in a 2018 Honda Accord report

Available title brand history
Odometer readings & rollback detection
Accident & damage records
Auction sales with photos
Open safety recalls
Theft & stolen vehicle check

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2018 Honda Accord — Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Honda Accord reliable?

The 2018 Honda Accord earns a reliability score of 79, surpassing the segment average of 75. This indicates solid reliability, though not without concerns. The vehicle's recall count is elevated, suggesting some systemic issues typical of a first-year model in a new generation.

How many recalls does the 2018 Honda Accord have?

5 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2018 Honda Accord. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

What are the most common 2018 Honda Accord problems?

The most-reported 2018 Honda Accord problem areas are: Engine (248), Electrical System (237), Unknown Or Other (176).

Should I run a VIN check on a 2018 Honda Accord?

Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2018 Honda Accord, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.