Powered byNHTSA|EPA|Community Reports
HomeHondaAccordYears to Avoid

Honda Accord — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Honda Accord model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
50
Years to Avoid
2018, 2013, 2008, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998
Best Years
2025, 1989, 1988, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976
2025Best Year
67 complaints0 recalls31 TSBs
2024
141 complaints3 recalls1 invest.62 TSBs
2023
112 complaints5 recalls1 invest.68 TSBs
2022
235 complaints3 recalls1 invest.58 TSBs
2021
251 complaints3 recalls1 invest.133 TSBs
2020
487 complaints4 recalls1 invest.245 TSBs
2019
901 complaints5 recalls2 invest.287 TSBs
2018Avoid
2,559 complaints5 recalls2 invest.297 TSBs
2017
732 complaints2 recalls94 TSBs
2016
769 complaints3 recalls173 TSBs
2015
805 complaints5 recalls2 invest.167 TSBs
2014
1,412 complaints4 recalls2 invest.168 TSBs
2013Avoid
1,861 complaints5 recalls5 invest.162 TSBs
2012
502 complaints8 recalls1 invest.50 TSBs
2011
356 complaints9 recalls74 TSBs
2010
699 complaints13 recalls1 invest.110 TSBs
2009
857 complaints11 recalls2 invest.100 TSBs
2008Avoid
1,849 complaints9 recalls3 invest.108 TSBs
2007
700 complaints10 recalls4 invest.83 TSBs
2006
541 complaints17 recalls4 invest.96 TSBs
2005
880 complaints24 recalls4 invest.187 TSBs
2004Avoid
1,306 complaints22 recalls4 invest.298 TSBs
2003Avoid
2,377 complaints24 recalls5 invest.382 TSBs
2002Avoid
1,267 complaints16 recalls7 invest.197 TSBs
2001Avoid
1,159 complaints19 recalls10 invest.276 TSBs
2000Avoid
1,505 complaints21 recalls5 invest.253 TSBs
1999Avoid
1,345 complaints17 recalls5 invest.226 TSBs
1998Avoid
1,429 complaints19 recalls3 invest.255 TSBs
1997
546 complaints15 recalls75 TSBs
1996
579 complaints13 recalls72 TSBs
1995
673 complaints14 recalls2 invest.77 TSBs
1994
476 complaints13 recalls73 TSBs
1993
222 complaints11 recalls19 TSBs
1992
249 complaints12 recalls19 TSBs
1991
242 complaints13 recalls1 invest.18 TSBs
1990
229 complaints12 recalls6 invest.15 TSBs
1989Best Year
114 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1988Best Year
102 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1987
131 complaints3 recalls3 invest.1 TSBs
1986
63 complaints2 recalls6 invest.1 TSBs
1985Best Year
19 complaints1 recalls2 invest.
1984Best Year
25 complaints2 recalls3 invest.
1983Best Year
7 complaints1 recalls
1982Best Year
26 complaints2 recalls
1981Best Year
8 complaints0 recalls1 invest.
1980Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls1 invest.
1979Best Year
3 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1978Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1977Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Honda Accord Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2018, 2013, 2008, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998 Honda Accord are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Honda Accord, consider the 2025, 1989, 1988, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

50 model years analyzed