Owners have reported 16 crashes, 2 fires, 11 injuries and 2 deaths to NHTSA for the 2020 Honda Accord. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints58
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2020 Honda Accord frequently report unexpected activation of the automatic emergency braking system, often without any apparent obstacles ahead. This sudden braking tends to occur at highway speeds and in various conditions, such as under overpasses or during lane changes in construction zones. Complaints often describe the vehicle abruptly decelerating, sometimes to a complete stop, which poses a risk of rear-end collisions, although no crashes are detailed in the sampled reports. These issues occur across a range of mileages, with some owners experiencing repeated incidents despite dealer inspections. Potential buyers should be aware of these reports as they consider the reliability of the vehicle's forward collision avoidance features.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints52
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several electrical issues with the 2020 Honda Accord, with common problems including the active noise cancellation (ANC) system causing loud, distracting noises at highway speeds and audio system disruptions when using the right turn signal. Complaints frequently mention phantom braking incidents, where the vehicle unexpectedly engages the brakes without driver input, leading to loss of control and potential safety risks. Multiple reports indicate that these issues can occur at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 200 miles and others around 46,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with two crashes and four injuries reported, highlighting potential risks for used car buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints37
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several recurring issues with the 2020 Honda Accord, particularly related to loud noises and dashboard warning lights. Complaints frequently mention a howling or humming noise at speeds around 50-55 mph, often attributed to problems with the Active Noise Cancellation system, which dealers have struggled to resolve. Additionally, many owners describe all dashboard warning lights activating simultaneously, sometimes accompanied by the vehicle losing power or entering limp mode, with some cases linked to potential head gasket issues. These symptoms often appear after a year of ownership or around 40,000 miles. Safety implications include instances of loss of control, with some reports involving crashes and one injury, making these issues particularly relevant to potential buyers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints37
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2020 Honda Accord frequently report issues with the vehicle's automatic emergency braking system, which engages unexpectedly without any apparent obstacles. Typical symptoms include sudden, autonomous braking, often accompanied by a dashboard warning light, even when there is no vehicle or object in front of the car. These incidents are reported across a range of mileages, with some occurring at less than 10,000 miles. Safety implications include two reported crashes, one of which resulted in an injury, as well as multiple near-miss rear-end collisions due to unexpected deceleration. Buyers considering a used 2020 Honda Accord should be aware of these reports, particularly regarding the potential for unexpected braking events.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints30
ENGINE
Owners of the 2020 Honda Accord frequently report issues with the engine, particularly involving the head gasket and turbocharger. Complaints often describe symptoms such as loss of power, engine shaking, and multiple warning lights on the dashboard. These issues typically emerge around 100,000 miles, with some reports of head gasket failures leading to coolant leaks and engine overheating. Safety concerns are noted as several owners mention the vehicle stalling or decelerating unexpectedly, posing risks during highway driving. Buyers should be aware of these potential engine problems, especially in models with the 1.5L turbocharged engine.
Owner complaints26
AIR BAGS
Owners report frequent issues with the airbag system in the 2020 Honda Accord, primarily involving the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) warning light illuminating intermittently. Complaints frequently mention problems with the passenger seat weight sensor, where the airbag indicator fails to activate correctly despite occupants meeting the weight requirements. Several reports highlight difficulties in obtaining recall repairs due to unavailable parts, with some owners experiencing these issues as early as 50,000 miles. Safety implications include one reported injury and two incidents involving crashes, emphasizing potential risks if the airbags do not deploy correctly. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring airbag system issues and the potential delays in recall repairs.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints22
STEERING
Owners report persistent steering issues with the 2020 Honda Accord, primarily describing a "sticky" or "jerky" steering wheel, particularly at highway speeds above 50 mph. Symptoms include the steering wheel locking or requiring additional force to turn, leading to overcorrection and difficulty maintaining a straight path. These issues often emerge after driving for 10-30 minutes and are more pronounced when the vehicle is warmed up. Several reports indicate safety concerns, with two incidents involving crashes due to loss of control. The problems are noted at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 9,000 miles, making it a potential concern for used car buyers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints16
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the 2020 Honda Accord's fuel pump and fuel injectors. Symptoms commonly include engine stalling, loss of acceleration, rough idling, and multiple dashboard warning lights. These problems often arise around 43,000 to 50,000 miles, with some owners noting unresolved issues even after repairs. Safety implications are significant, with several reports of vehicles stalling on highways, posing a risk of collision. Buyers should be aware of potential high repair costs and the ongoing availability issues for replacement parts.
Owner complaints13
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 Honda Accord frequently report issues related to the power train, with several describing sudden loss of power or acceleration problems, particularly at highway speeds. Complaints often mention warning lights activating, rough engine performance, and transmission stalls, with some reports involving the vehicle unexpectedly shifting from drive to neutral. A notable incident involves unintended acceleration leading to a crash, resulting in severe injuries and one fatality. These issues are reported across various mileages, including vehicles with fewer than 10,000 miles and those with up to 93,000 miles. Safety implications include loss of control and potential for crashes, making these reports critical for potential buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2020 Honda Accord report multiple issues related to vehicle speed control, with common complaints involving unintended acceleration and cruise control malfunctions. Symptoms frequently described include the vehicle accelerating unexpectedly when tapping the brakes or driving over bumpy roads, and the cruise control failing to maintain speed. One owner experienced two separate incidents of unintended acceleration leading to crashes while parking, even with the brake applied. Another issue involves the collision mitigation system causing sudden braking, which poses a risk of rear-end collisions. These problems are reported across a range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 10,600 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of crashes and near-miss situations due to these malfunctions.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
