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.
This page covers 6 recalls, 360 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2020 Honda Accord.
26–48 mpg combined
4.9–9 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 2020 Accord's complaint picture is dominated by the forward collision avoidance system, which draws by far the most reports of any category. Owners frequently describe the system triggering unexpectedly, phantom braking events with no obstacle present, or the automatic emergency braking activating suddenly at highway speeds or in normal traffic. A smaller but consistent cluster of engine complaints centers on the 1.5-liter four-cylinder, where owners report overheating, milky or contaminated oil, misfires, rough running, and in several cases a check engine light accompanied by severe power loss. Head gasket and water pump failures come up repeatedly in that group. Airbag warning lights make up the third notable cluster, with owners reporting the supplemental restraint system warning illuminating while a passenger is seated, sometimes accompanied by a "see dealer" message on the instrument panel.
360
Total Complaints
16
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
9
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 Honda Accord has 6 recalls, the most serious being a DC-DC converter that can shut down on hybrid models, cutting drive power unexpectedly and raising the risk of a crash.
The front passenger airbag sensor also has a recall that can cause the airbag to deploy unintentionally during a crash, which raises the risk of injury rather than reducing it. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve this issue, and the remedy covers a broad range of Honda and Acura vehicles from this era.
On the fuel system side, the low-pressure fuel pump inside the tank can fail and stall the engine while driving. Two separate recalls cover this same pump failure across overlapping model years, so some vehicles may fall under both campaigns. The consequence is the same either way: the engine cuts out with no warning while the vehicle is in motion.
There is also a software error in the body control module that can disrupt communication between that module and other systems throughout the car. When this happens, windshield wipers, the defroster, the rearview camera, or exterior lights can stop working intermittently or entirely, reducing the driver's ability to see and be seen.
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.
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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 →
What the fix does
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 front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which could prevent the front passenger air bag from deactivating when it should.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensors 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 low-pressure 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 assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The DC-DC converter can shut down, stopping the 12-volt battery from recharging. This may cause loss of drive power.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the power converter unit software at no cost.
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.