NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
This page covers 13 recalls, 579 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Honda Accord.
20–25 mpg combined
9.4–11.8 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 7 tested variants for this model year.
Complaints about the 2010 Honda Accord cluster most heavily around airbags, the engine, and brakes. The airbag category draws the highest volume of reports, with owners describing unexpected warning light illumination and concerns about deployment readiness. Engine complaints are the second most common, and the pattern is fairly consistent: owners report the engine consuming or burning oil, often discovering oil-fouled spark plugs during routine maintenance, along with stalling, hesitation under acceleration, and loss of power at highway and city speeds. Several owners describe the vehicle dropping speed unexpectedly while the accelerator is depressed, sometimes stalling at intersections or in traffic. Brake complaints rank third, with owners reporting reduced stopping performance and pedal-related concerns. The oil consumption and stalling pattern in the engine complaints is particularly recurring, with multiple owners noting the issue returns even after partial repairs.
579
Total Complaints
37
Crash-Related
6
Fire-Related
35
With Injuries
By System
The 2010 Honda Accord has 13 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
The airbag concerns extend across several related recalls. Beyond the inflator rupture risk, the airbag control unit can corrode and fail, preventing airbags from deploying in a crash at all. A separate group of recalls covers vehicles where replacement passenger airbag inflators may have been installed incorrectly, causing the airbag to deploy improperly in a crash rather than protecting the occupant.
On the mechanical side, this vehicle has two drivetrain and suspension concerns. On V6 models, front suspension damper bracket bolts may not have been properly tightened, which can cause a loss of steering control. The automatic transmission also has a secondary shaft bearing that can break under certain driving conditions, leading to a short circuit and engine stall. A separate engine wiring harness connector can also cause intermittent misfires or stalling, raising crash risk.
There is also an accessory recall covering certain Honda-branded nose masks designed for 2008-2010 Accord sedans: the material can interfere with the hood latch and reduce driver visibility.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during a previous replacement, potentially affecting its ability to deploy properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the inflator installation and replace the passenger front air bag module assembly if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement, potentially affecting its ability to deploy properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the passenger air bag and replace the module assembly if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Replacement passenger front air bag inflators may have been incorrectly installed at one dealership, potentially affecting proper deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module assembly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost when parts become available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control unit may corrode and fail in certain 2008-2010 Accord vehicles.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the air bag control unit at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The outer bearing race in the transmission secondary shaft can break during certain driving patterns, causing unusual noise, triggering the check engine light, and allowing the idle gear to contact an electronic sensor housing.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the automatic transmission control module software at no cost to prevent the bearing damage.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine wiring harness connector may fail, causing the spark plugs to fire irregularly or the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
The dealer will inspect and replace the ignition wiring harness connector at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fasteners on the front suspension may not be properly tightened. On Pilot models, loose damper bracket bolts or spindle nuts could cause steering loss. On Accord V6 models, loose spindle nuts on the axle could cause excessive noise or steering loss.
What the fix does
Dealer will inspect the front suspension fasteners and replace any loose damper bracket bolts or spindle nuts as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The nose mask material can interfere with the hood's secondary latch mechanism. If the hood isn't fully closed, this interference may cause the hood to pop open while driving.
What the fix does
Remove the nose mask immediately. Contact an authorized Honda dealer to return it and receive a free replacement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.