Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Honda Accord Hybrid problems

Owners filed 39 complaints about the 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid with NHTSA between Jun 2020 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (11).

Complaints
39
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system11
  2. Forward collision avoidance8
  3. Engine5
  4. Service brakes5
  5. Power train3
  6. Fuel/propulsion system3
  7. Structure3
  8. Steering2
  9. Lane departure2
  10. Visibility/wiper2
  11. Fuel system, gasoline1
  12. Vehicle speed control1
  13. Other / unknown15

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20207
202111
20228
20233
20244
20255
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

11 reports2 related recalls
“WHEN USE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, AUDIO [RADIO] CUTS OUT. WE REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER IN [XXX], THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM [XXX]- USE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, RADIO CUTS OUT. HONDA DEALER REPLACED ELECTRICAL HARNESS WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY [XXX] - SAME PROBLEM - USE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, RADIO CUTS OUT. HONDA DEALER REPAIRED ELECTRICAL HARNESS - no longer under warranty. DEALER CHARGE $190 INSPECTION FEE [XXX]- SAME PROBLEM - USE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, RADIO CUTS OUT. - no longer under warranty. DEALER CHARGE $190 INSPECTION FEE - DEALER WANTED $3212 TO REPAIR 6/13/25- CALLED AMERICAN HONDA CORP. Spoke with [XXX] 800-382-2238, Case#[XXX}. 9/15/25- After MONTHS of emails/ documentation of repair bills/ phone calls , AMERICAN HONDA CORPORATION REFUSES TO PAY FOR ENTIRE $3212 REPAIR BILL. TOLD US TO PAY $1000 TOWARDS THIS REPEATED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11687709

Forward collision avoidance

8 reports
“The Collision Avoidance system activated twice for no reason. Inspection is available. I and my passenger were jerked by the rapid stop & could have been rear ended if anyone was behind me. The second event was in an intersection when I and the driver behind me were driving slowly. if the car behind wasn't alert, he or she could have collided with me. No one was travelling in front of me and yet the brake suddenly engaged. The dealership rep. did not confirm the problem after driving it 5 minutes. There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms before the brake engaged in both instances.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2024Forward collision avoidanceODI 11611973

Engine

5 reports
“The engine failed catastrophically. White smoke out of the exhaust at 145,000 miles. Dealer checked out the car and they initially though it was a head gasket failure. After taking the engine head off, it turns out it was a 'structural defect' (verbatim words from the mechanic), which was a divot in the engine block. The head gasket was in great shape. Therefore, I needed a 'new' used engine (at $9K) instead of a head gasket replacement (at $4K). A search on the internet shows that forums (driveaccord.net, facebook groups) shows that many Honda Accord owners have similar head gasket failures. I contacted Honda USA and they said there's no recall so I won't get reimbursed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 28, 2026EngineODI 11753391

Service brakes

5 reports2 crashes
“Without driver intervention, the vehicle engaged the brakes. Threw both passengers forward until the seat belt restraints engaged. Bruising both passengers shoulders. The vehicle would not respond to either pedal - brake or gas for a few seconds. There was no visible traffic in front of us. The day was clear. And no construction or overpasses. The vehicle was taken into a certified Honda dealer and inspected. No “flags” or diagnostic issues found. The car was driven by the dealer. The issue wouldn’t reproduce. The dealer stated that they did find a large “smashed” bug on one sensor and wondered if it could have caused the issue. Prior to the vehicle initiating the panic stop, no indications of a event were posted on any device in the vehicle”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 30, 2022Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11482123

Power train

3 reports1 crash
“Power system error and warning lights pop up or off no were”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 31, 2023Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11524575

Fuel/propulsion system

3 reports
“My car died as we pulled into traffic. Honda said the fuel pump failed. It took months to get the fuel pump replaced. Honda said that my vin # wasn't included in a recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2021Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11430782
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.