Research · Large Cars

2018 Honda AccordRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 1,897 owner complaints for the 2018 Honda Accord. Most complaints involve engine (559) and forward collision avoidance (343). The EPA rates it 26–33 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–33mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
1,897
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 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

Seat belts: buckle assembly

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.

Seat beltsReported Mar 9, 2023NHTSA 23V158000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,897 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2017 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine559
  2. Forward collision avoidance343
  3. Fuel/propulsion system309
  4. Electrical system296
  5. Service brakes250
  6. Fuel system, gasoline165
  7. Power train139
  8. Vehicle speed control111
  9. Air bags60

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
35
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
39
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

Engine

559 reports7 crashes3 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026EngineODI 11772912

Forward collision avoidance

343 reports7 crashes
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11773497

Fuel/propulsion system

309 reports4 crashes
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11772646
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
Large Cars, Midsize Cars
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (AV-S7) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic 10-spd
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, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
303833$1,950266
Accord
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
293531$2,050282
Accord
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263530$2,150298
Accord
Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
233427$2,400330
Accord
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,450344
Accord 2.0T Sport/Touring
Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,450345
  • Accord
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    30 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    29 city · 35 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 34 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Accord 2.0T Sport/Touring
    Auto 10-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
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

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Honda Accord 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 12650
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

2018 Accord questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Honda Accord have?

6 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 2018 Honda Accord problems?

Owners filed 1,897 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (559), forward collision avoidance (343), fuel/propulsion system (309). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Honda Accord get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Honda Accord at 26–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Honda Accord?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Honda Accord 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026