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Research · Midsize Cars

2016 Honda AccordRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 613 owner complaints for the 2016 Honda Accord. Most complaints involve electrical system (202) and exterior lighting (128). The EPA rates it 21–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–30mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
613
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Air bagsReported May 22, 2026NHTSA 26V332000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 19, 2023NHTSA 23V858000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine. Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance.

Fuel system, otherReported Jan 29, 2019NHTSA 19V060000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

613 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2015 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system202
  2. Exterior lighting128
  3. Engine44
  4. Fuel/propulsion system39
  5. Steering31
  6. Service brakes30
  7. Power train29
  8. Visibility/wiper28
  9. Vehicle speed control23

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

By model year

Complaints for each Accord model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996478
1997467
19981,215
19991,144
20001,193
2001932
20021,062
20032,013
20041,018
2005686
2006433
2007524
20081,521
2009727
2010581
2011296
2012381
20131,438
2014984
2015602
2016613
2017540
20181,897
2019698
2020368
2021246
2022262
202388
2024153
202599
202614
Crashes reported
32
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
29
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

202 reports1 crash3 fires
“There is an electric issue with the stereo system that causes a extremely loud static sound that comes from all speakers and does not stop until the car is turned off. The sound is still persistent while the radio system is turned off. This a major safety hazard as I can't hear emergency vehicles due to this issue. This needs to be recalled as this is happening to most Honda's in this version. If it has not happen yet it will soon. The repair fee is outrageous for something that is happening to multiple cars. This needs to be recalled ASAP!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11774386

Exterior lighting

128 reports2 crashes
“The Daytime Running lights are only half effective/lit. Apparently, Honda extended the warranty, but notified owners by regular mail and I did not receive it. Now, they claim the extended warranty (ten years) has run out, but I had noticed about half the LED strip was not working for about 2 or three years now. Too bad Honda chose to mail regular notices and is now using that as cover for not replacing my lights.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11767595

Engine

44 reports2 crashes3 fires
“My Accord sputters and feels like the engine is choking at low RPM (between 1k & 2k), I started a 3-hour daily commute in the Los Angeles freeway traffic last March. That's when the problem became very prominent. I realized that there's a 2016 Honda Accord recall issued on 1/28/2019 on its fuel system and fuel pump. However, for some reason, when I entered my VIN, it showed zero recalled items. My fear is that on one of these daily commutes, my Accord is going to stop in traffic on the freeway and an eighteen wheeler will hit me from behind and I'll be a goner! I look behind the mirror every time my car sputters... Not a very good feeling at all. Can you please help? Sincerely, [XXX] Owner of the 2016 Honda Accord”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 21, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11745475
All 2016 Accord problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (AV-S7) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Accord
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273630$2,150292
Accord
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263429$2,200304
Accord
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233327$2,400332
Accord
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213325$2,550350
Accord
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213224$2,700362
Accord
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182821$3,050414
  • Accord
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    21 city · 33 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    21 city · 32 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Honda Accord 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Honda Accord 2 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 10169Vehicle 10168
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 Accord questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Honda Accord have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2016 Honda Accord problems?

Owners filed 613 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (202), exterior lighting (128), engine (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Honda Accord get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Honda Accord at 21–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Honda Accord?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Honda Accord 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026