2018 Honda Accord

On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles.  The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that they were aware of a total of X,XXX reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and alleges that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the CMBS and its limitations.  However, many consumer complaints allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that they were informed that this is considered normal CMBS operation. To date, ODI has received a total of 1,294 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of CMBS in 2017-2022 Honda CR-V and 2018-2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A total of 31 complaints alleged a crash and 50 alleged an injury.  The Total column in the Failure Report Summary removes duplicate reports and shows the total number of reports with unique VINs from all Manufacturer, ODI, and EWR data sources.  In some cases, there were multiple reports associated with a particular vehicle in which recurring failures were alleged.  In total, there were X,XXX reports, 93 injury incidents and 47 crashes involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect. PE22-003 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations. The scope has been expanded to include assessment of model year 2020-2022 Honda CR-V and Accord vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On February 21, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE22003) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, in model year 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles.  The reports allege that activation of the AEB system occurs while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. Honda indicated that they were aware of a total of X,XXX reports that may relate to the alleged defect. Honda provided analysis of the alleged defect and alleges that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of the CMBS and its limitations.  However, many consumer complaints allege that Honda dealerships were unable to reproduce the condition or state that they were informed that this is considered normal CMBS operation. To date, ODI has received a total of 1,081 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of CMBS in the subject vehicles.  A total of 24 complaints alleged a crash and 42 alleged an injury.  The Total column in the Failure Report Summary removes duplicate reports and shows the total number of reports with unique VINs from all Manufacturer, ODI, and EWR data sources.  In some cases, there were multiple reports associated with a particular vehicle in which recurring failures were alleged.  In total, there were X,XXX reports, 84 injury incidents and 40 crashes involving vehicles with unique VINs that may relate to the alleged defect. PE22003 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA24002) to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations.  Further the scope has been expanded to include assessment of model year 2020-2022 Honda CR-V and Accord vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The RPM was elevated above 2,000 RPM, but the engine shuddered, and the vehicle lost motive power. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a blown head gasket. The contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinders #2 and #3. The contact was informed that there was coolant mixed into the engine oil. In addition, the contact was informed that the head gasket and the engine needed further diagnostic tests. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA ID

11775722

Incident

Oct 21, 2026

Mileage

104,000 mi

The check engine light came on. I took it to the dealership where I bought it. They instructed me to go to an authorized Honda repair facility. I took it in July 17, 2025 for a check engine light. The auto repair dealership said the head gasket was no good. So they repaired it my extended warranty paid for the cost. Then the repair facility did an unauthorized second disassembly without my permission So they repaired it my extended warranty paid for the cost. Then the repair facility did an unauthorized second disassembly without my permission then I was expected to pay for the engine repair. There was coolant leaking into the engine which caused the engine block to be warped. Pistons rings cylinder was completely messed up.

NHTSA ID

11775000

Incident

Jul 17, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 110,000. It was later discovered upon checking a Carfax report, the mileage was 283,000.

NHTSA ID

11774467

Incident

Oct 14, 2026

Mileage

283,000 mi

Computer BCM module malfunction while driving. All warning light went off like Christmas tree.

NHTSA ID

11773821

Incident

Feb 14, 2021

I am submitting a serious safety complaint regarding the placement and design of the electronic parking brake switch in my Honda Accord. The parking brake switch is located on the center console, directly in an area where a driver's hand naturally rests while driving. This creates an unnecessary risk of accidentally activating the parking brake. With a traditional gear selector, shifting into reverse requires two deliberate actions: pressing a release button and physically moving the shifter. These safeguards help prevent accidental operation. However, in the Honda Accord, the parking brake switch can be activated with a simple finger movement. A driver resting their hand on the center console could unintentionally operate this switch. Even if the vehicle has electronic safeguards, accidental activation while driving could cause unexpected braking, startle the driver, or create a dangerous situation. What makes this particularly concerning is that Honda uses a different placement in the Honda Odyssey, positioning the parking brake switch away from where a driver's hand naturally rests. This demonstrates that a safer, less exposed location is possible. The parking brake is not a control that drivers need to access continuously while driving. There is no justification for positioning it where a driver's hand naturally rests. This risk is especially concerning during highway driving, when an unexpected braking event or even a momentary distraction could have serious consequences. A safety-critical control should require deliberate activation and should not be susceptible to incidental contact. I strongly urge Honda and federal safety regulators to investigate this design, evaluate the risk of accidental activation, and consider relocating the switch or implementing additional safeguards. This is an unnecessary and preventable safety hazard that should be addressed before someone is injured.

NHTSA ID

11773497

Incident

Oct 22, 2026

The CVT automatic transmission is leaking fluid from the transmission input shaft seal. The leak was diagnosed by Pohanka Honda of Fredericksburg, Virginia in October 2026 at approximately 99,400 miles. The dealer recommended replacing the transmission input shaft seal, a repair that requires removing the transmission, estimated at $2,990.90 plus tax. American Honda reviewed the case (Case #[XXX]) and declined goodwill assistance on [XXX]. The repair has not yet been performed. Safety concern: continued loss of transmission fluid can cause transmission failure and a loss of motive power while driving. No crash, fire, or injuries occurred. The problem is ongoing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11772970

Incident

Oct 1, 2026

Noticed that the engine temperature was slightly higher normal (went to 5 bars when always at 4) I checked and the fan was running properly and had coolant in the overflow tank. I took it to the Honda dealer, and they found that the head gasket failed and the fluid inside the radiator leaked into the cylinders. My 2018 Honda has the 2.0T engine with 126,875 miles. Honda acknowledges this design flaw on their 1.5T and 2.0 non-turbo engines but wouldn't cover my 2.0T. This 2.0T from my research is about 80-100 units of the 1,115,384 accords sold in the US 2018-2022 10th gen. The 2.0T has the same design flaw as the other two engines but Honda wont cover them. Moreover, I asked for 50% good will coverage from Honda and was flat out told no after waiting for 4 weeks to get this decision on a known mechanical engine flaw that could be a safety issue, Eg. fire or loss of power on a highway that can get someone hurt or killed.

NHTSA ID

11772912

Incident

Oct 6, 2026

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA FOR ACTIVE ODI CASE #XXX. P1: SYSTEMIC SAFETY RECALL FALSIFICATION (NHTSA 23V-858) This submission supplements active ODI Case #XXX against Honda of Manhasset (Facility #XXX). On XXX, the facility certified Fuel Pump Safety Recall 23V-858 as fully completed to claim warranty credits. Vehicle dashcam recordings irrefutably prove the technician never opened the hood, never disconnected the 12V battery (mandatory safety step to release fuel pressure), and never stood in front of the car. When confronted on XXX with video evidence, advisor [XXX] manually altered the invoice to "Not Performed", falsely blaming a system error/lack of stock, despite parts records proving the recall kit arrived XXX. System admin then issued a corrective invoice "Reprint #1" stating "RECALL NOT PERFORM. PART NOT IN STOCK", dynamic-reopening the VIN nationally to evade corporate detection. This constitutes severe corporate fraud. P2: COMPRESSED ADAS SOFTWARE TOLERANCES AND PROCEDURAL OMISSION The secondary fraud involves an unneeded quote of $1,237.19 and illegal $233.55 diagnostic fee under false pretense of a "bent radar bracket". Independent engineering audit disproved hardware failure, establishing true 0.00° baseline. Technical root cause of DTC P2583-76 was the recall update, migrating the car from the factory 2018 software layout—which possessed a permissive vertical threshold up to ±3.0°—directly to hyper-strict Program ID: 36802-TVA-A190, restricting the window to an unyielding 0.0°±0.1°. Due to suspension settling over 259,258 km, the radar had a natural deviation of -2.25°, which A190 flagged, disabling ACC. On XXX, the Shop Foreman confessed technicians willfully skip physical radar re-centering protocols because they "take too much time". After manual adjustment back to 0.00°, a 19km road test dynamically cleared DTC [XXX] per Honda Bulletin 21-068. Subpoena dealer records for ID A190. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11772646

Incident

Oct 2, 2026

Owner Notification Letter - a programming issue within the Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto software may cause an invalid "License Authentication Error" message to appear on the display audio screen after approximately 1,500 ignition ON/OFF cycles.

Tech Line Summary Article - Customers may report that the center display unit changes screens on its own, registers unintended inputs, or operates erratically without user interaction. The condition may be more noticeable when vehicle interior temperatures are elevated.

Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire. In some cases, DTCs P0300 through P0304 may also be stored (DTCs are not required for repair).

Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire. In some cases, DTCs P0300 through P0304 may also be stored (DTCs are not required for repair).

Dealer Message - On August 21st, 2026, American Honda issued a Product Update for certain 2018-2022 Accord and Accord Hybrid models that received the accessory Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto upgrade. Refer to Service Bulletin 26-068 for additional information regarding the Product Update.

Owner Notification Letter - Honda has developed software updates to the Honda Sensing system to enhance driver experience by modifying the circumstances when the advanced driver assist system (ADAS) decelerates the vehicle or the extent of deceleration. The software covers Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM).