NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and create an electrical short, potentially causing airbags to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
What the fix does
This page covers 7 recalls, 1841 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Honda Accord.
26–47 mpg combined
5–9 L/100km
Large 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 6 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2018 Accord draws a notably high complaint volume, with two systems standing out: automatic emergency braking and the engine. On the driver assistance side, owners frequently report the forward collision warning and automatic braking activating unexpectedly, phantom braking on open roads and highways with no obstacle present is a recurring theme. Engine complaints center heavily on the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, where owners describe head gasket failure at varying mileages, often accompanied by coolant loss, white exhaust smoke, rough cold-start idle, a gurgling sound from behind the dashboard, and the engine entering limp mode or stalling. Multiple owners report that warning lights for emissions, stability, and other systems illuminate together when the head gasket issue surfaces. The fuel and propulsion system category follows closely, with complaints that largely overlap the engine concerns, fuel odor and misfires appear alongside the cooling-related symptoms owners describe on the 1.5T.
1,841
Total Complaints
36
Crash-Related
5
Fire-Related
25
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Honda Accord has 7 recalls, the most serious involving the front passenger seat sensor, which can misread occupant weight and cause the airbag to deploy incorrectly in a crash, raising the risk of injury.
Two fuel pump recalls overlap in coverage but describe the same core problem: the low-pressure fuel pump inside the tank can fail and cause the engine to stall while driving. On the occupant restraint side, the front seatbelt buckle channel can interfere with the release button, preventing the buckle from latching at all, which means the belt cannot restrain the occupant in a crash. This recall also covers Accord Hybrid models.
Two recalls address rear visibility. A software error can prevent the backup camera image from appearing on the center display while the vehicle is in reverse. A separate software issue affects communication between the body control module and other systems, which can knock out the windshield wipers, defroster, exterior lighting, or the rearview camera, any of which can reduce the driver's ability to see or be seen on the road.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and create an electrical short, potentially causing airbags to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
What the fix does
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
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 →
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially stopping fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt buckle channel may interfere with the release button, preventing the buckle from latching properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or buckle assemblies as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software problem in the Body Control Module causes communication failures with other vehicle systems, potentially disrupting windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, exterior lights, power windows, and warning systems.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Body Control Module software at no cost to restore proper system communication.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, which could prevent fuel from reaching the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The back-up camera center display may not function properly in certain driving scenarios, preventing the rearview image from displaying correctly.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the display audio unit software at no cost to restore proper back-up camera functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Due to a software error, the rearview camera image may not appear on the centre display when you shift into reverse, limiting your rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the centre display software to restore the rearview image when in reverse.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
