Research · Large Cars

2020 Honda AccordRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 368 owner complaints for the 2020 Honda Accord. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (104) and engine (73). 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
5campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
368
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 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

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

Air bagsReported Feb 1, 2024NHTSA 24V064000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

368 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance104
  2. Engine73
  3. Service brakes56
  4. Electrical system55
  5. Fuel/propulsion system52
  6. Air bags36
  7. Steering23
  8. Lane departure17
  9. Power train16

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
14
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
1
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

Forward collision avoidance

104 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the Collision Mitigation Braking System unexpectedly engaged, causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop, and the vehicle jerked while there was no other vehicle or obstacle nearby. The local dealer was contacted by phone and advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 82,605.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Forward collision avoidanceODI 11773986

Engine

73 reports
“On 09/18/2026, at 103,000 miles, my vehicle suffered a dangerous powertrain failure where numerous dashboard warning lights illuminated and the car suddenly dropped into "Limp Mode" with an immediate loss of acceleration while in active traffic. I took the vehicle to a certified Honda dealership, where technicians officially diagnosed the issue as a "Fuel System Too Rich" condition (Diagnostic Trouble Code P0172). The dealership confirmed that the factory-installed direct fuel injectors are failing prematurely and leaking raw fuel into the engine cylinders. This manufacturing defect causes severe engine oil dilution, where gasoline contaminates the oil pan, creating an immediate stalling hazard and an extreme risk of a high-speed rear-end collision. Online owner forums and dedicated global social media groups indicate that thousands of other 10th-generation Accord owners are experiencing this identical safety defect. Honda corporate has formally denied goodwill assistance, treating this severe engineering flaw as standard wear and tear. The vehicle and failed components are fully available for inspection upon federal request.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11773342

Service brakes

56 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle unexpectedly stopped, and the brake pedal was depressed while the vehicle was entering ongoing traffic. There was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle unexpectedly lunged in the opposite direction while driving. The contact expressed concerns that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and that the failure could have caused a chain-reaction crash if the vehicle behind had not stopped. The contact did not feel safe driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure via telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Service brakesODI 11766444
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 (S10)
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 (S10), 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 (S10), 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 (S10), 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 (S10), 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 14818
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

2020 Accord questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Honda Accord have?

5 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 2020 Honda Accord problems?

Owners filed 368 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (104), engine (73), service brakes (56). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Honda Accord get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Honda Accord at 26–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Honda Accord?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Honda Accord 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026