Problems · by component

2020 Honda Accord engine problems

73 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2020 Honda Accord cite engine, 20% of all 368 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
73
20% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. The Brake System, TPMS, Power Steering, and Check Engine warning lights were illuminated. The message “Reduce Speed” was displayed with an audible beeping alert. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,309.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026Steering, Service brakes, EngineODI 11766208
“The 2020 Honda accord sport 1.5l has a problem with the turbo and fuel injectors going out. I am only at 113,000 miles and should not have this problem. It had come to my attention that this is a known problem with the 2018-2021 Hondas and should have a recall. My car is whining and loosing power going up hills. Please add a recall for this problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2026EngineODI 11764866
“The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the messages "Emissions System Failure," "Electric Power Steering Failure," "Hill Start Assistant Failure," "Collision Mitigation," "Collision Road Departure," "TPMS Failure," "Brake System Failure”, “Brake Performance Reduced", "Vehicle Stability Assistance Failure," "Adaptive Cruise Control Failure", "Road Departure Mitigation Failure," and "Brake Hold System Failure" were displayed. The contact stated that the check engine, TPMS, brake system, traction control, and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket and turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2026Steering, Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11759489
“I was driving on the hwy going about 75 mph which is the posted speed when all of a sudden my car went into limp mode almost causing a 18 wheeler to run over top of my car with me and my child in it no warning or anything and the car would only go about 20 miles per hour after of that and now all the lights are on in the dash only have a 115000 miles on the car at this time very unsafe and gonna cause someone to get killed because of something falling on this car”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11757316
“The car has a blown head gasket at 72k miles the odometer. This seems to be a major problem with 2018-2022 honda accords with the 1.5 turbo engine. it also has a bad fuel pump.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11755895

Showing 6 of 73 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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