2018 Honda Accord Complaint Log

Head Gasket caused multiple issues with coolant burning quickly. Multiple ignition coils also got damaged and had to be replaced. Though the underlying issue with the gasket was not addressed by the dealership. The head gasket is currently broken and does not function at all and the car has only driven 84000 miles.

Engine Head gasket failure even after regular proper maintenance

I have a blown head gasket which is a common problem with this vehicle. I have 85k miles. The car started to blow out smoke from the tailpipe which is very heavy.

I was driving and the engine light started flashing, the car started to hesitate and would not go over 20 mph. I took it to the Honda dealership in Frisco, TX and they diagnosed the issue using Boroscope and recommended Head Gasket replacement with spark plugs due to plugs being fouled from coolant leaking into combustion chamber.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the climate control feature was inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that after driving for approximately 5 miles, the engine overheated. A message to park the vehicle was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with head gasket failure. The contact was informed that there was a coolant intrusion in cylinder #3. The contact was informed that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was undriveable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,483.

I was driving on the interstate and suddenly I could no longer accelerate, my engine light started blinking and I had to pull over to a gas station as my car would not go above 25-30mph. I turned it off and back on and it work so I took it home. I took it to Honda’s the next day and after diagnosis they said that my head gasket was damaged causing coolant leaking into my engine cylinder and warping of the engine. They recommended an engine replacement. I never had any warning indications on my dashboard until then. I filed a case with American Honda to assist with repairs and it has been over two weeks without resolution. I no longer felt safe continuing to drive my car and I traded my car in for safety.

The car can't start because of the recall

The rear brakes on my 2018 Honda Accord Sport 1.5T (Six Speed Manual Transmission) have failed prematurely. This failure of the pads and rotors was confirmed, at the request of American Honda, by me at my local Honda dealer, and was documented in a response to American Honda. This occurred at 46,150 miles which i believe indicates a defective design in that the brake calipers, pads and rotors as a system were not built to the capacity needed to support Honda's design of this car that greatly increases the workload on the rear brakes. I am a very careful driver and minimize the use of brakes as a result. My calculation is that these brakes have failed at 1/4th the life that it would be reasonable to expect. The result is increased safety risk to car owners and drivers who do not act on this premature failure due to it not being normal or expected or affordable. Honda has effectively, through this brake design, implemented a need for car owners to enact a 750 repair on a frequency close to routine maintenance such as oil changes.

The high-pressure fuel pump on my 2018 Honda Accord failed even though the vehicle had previously been repaired under a recall for the same issue. While driving, multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, including the check engine light and other system warnings. The vehicle began running rough and lost power, creating a dangerous driving condition, especially in traffic. This is the second occurrence of fuel system failure despite the recall repair being completed. The recurrence of this issue raises serious safety concerns, as sudden power loss or engine malfunction while driving increases the risk of an accident. The vehicle is currently not safe to drive due to the risk of stalling or loss of power. The problem appears to be related to the high-pressure fuel pump system that was previously addressed under recall.

My Honda is shifting harsh going into 5th gear and sometimes reverse is not available. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership and they are telling me I need a new transmission to the tune of $9,600. It only has 64,000 miles and the warranty recently expired. I took the car to another mechanic and he told me the same thing. There is no way that the transmission should go out at such low miles. Honda needs to step up and take care of this problem. There are many complaints about this issue but nothing is being done. I have the 7 year/100,00 mile warrany but the car is a 2018. This was the first year of the 10-speed transmission and many people are having problems. This needs to be addressed.

The cylinder head gasket on this vehicle has failed, causing engine coolant to leak into the combustion chambers (coolant intrusion). This has resulted in a recurring and dangerous loss of motive power that has put my safety and the safety of other motorists at risk on multiple occasions. Specifically, the vehicle has repeatedly entered "Limp Mode" while in active traffic, causing a sudden, drastic loss of acceleration that left me unable to maintain the flow of traffic or safely maneuver. This component failure is available for inspection upon request. The problem has been officially confirmed by Holman Honda of Fort Lauderdale, where technicians diagnosed the blown head gasket and confirmed the presence of coolant in the cylinders. The manufacturer's authorized dealership has inspected the vehicle and provided a formal repair estimate. Prior to the multiple "Limp Mode" failures, the vehicle exhibited clear warning symptoms starting in late 2025, including violent engine stuttering and a "shimmering" vibration during cold starts. Additionally, a distinct "gurgling" or bubbling sound was audible behind the dashboard, indicating combustion gases displacing coolant. During the actual failure events, the dashboard displayed a "Christmas Tree" effect of warning lamps, including "Emissions System Problem," "Brake System," and "Power Steering System" alerts, which disabled critical safety and driver-assist features while the vehicle was in motion. This persistent design defect has created a high risk for rear-end collisions and total engine seizure.

Car initiated emergency auto break while traveling on the freeway at high speed (70 plus mph) in Phoenix, AZ for no reasons. There were no objects or cars within 500 feet, however I was approaching an overpass. This occurred multiple times on the freeway and on local roads. Reported to Honda, no fix.

Almost all of the 1.5T engines (L15BE) are having head gasket issue where the gasket slowly fails over time resulting in slow coolant loss and at one point sudden overheating causing block and head warping die to design flaw ( groove in between the cylinders resulting in lack of effective and enough surface area for the head gasket to seal the combustion chambers). It has been confirmed by Honda techs and by average 100k to 140k, all engines are failing and the dealers are raking up $ 6k to 9k charge for each change or even having to need new engines half the time. This process of slow leak results in sudden loss of power at highway speeds or acceleration and causing extreme danger of getting hit and having accidents. Took vehicle to mechanic and confirmed coolant leak inside cylinder 4 and 3.

Everytime I try to turn my wheel it’ll get stiff and the notification will pop up saying “electric power steering system” but then it’ll go back to normal and when I start the car it sounds like it doesn’t want to start at all and like the cords are trying to connect because they start making a ticking sound. I’ve had issues with electrical before to where the airbags and lane assist had to be fixed but the issues seems to keep circling back around. Something going on with the electrical in the car and I have only had it for about a year and a half.

Experiencing an ongoing issue where multiple warning lights appear on the dashboard at the same time. The lights include several safety and system warnings, making it look like many different systems in the vehicle are malfunctioning simultaneously. Even after repairs were made, the dashboard warning lights continue to stay on or return shortly after. It has become frustrating because the vehicle continues to show problems even when something has already been fixed. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. How can we know if something is actually malfunctioning if codes are being thrown, constantly?? We also can’t use the safety features included with the vehicle when this is happening. Having so many warning lights on at once also creates concern about the reliability and safety of the vehicle, especially since several of the warnings relate to important systems such as braking, driver assistance features, and engine performance. Repairs aren’t helping and I’m seeing sooooo many other 2018 accord owners with the same issue, as has been documented with this site, NHTSA

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH in the fast lane, the vehicle experienced head gasket failure. The vehicle lost automotive power and decelerated to 5 MPH. The contact was able to pull over safely. The engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer the next day, where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinders #2 and #3, a computer code malfunction, and a blown head gasket. The vehicle was partially repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and assisted with the cost of the repair. The manufacturer confirmed there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Over the past several years, there have been multiple instances where I or my wife are driving on the highway and the engine light comes on or starts flashing, and I am unable to go faster than 50 miles an hour, and the engine itself feels to be underpowered. We have taken it to the dealership for repair at least five times over the past five years and in each case they have attempted to do a repair and said the issue has been resolved, but the issue continue. At at least one of those visits, they have diagnosed the issue as an engine misfire issue. The issue has intensified from the initial symptoms, (which were as I described, but resolved by turning the car off, waiting 30 seconds to a minute and then turning the car on again) to how it is now: in addition to the check engine light, every other light and warning system has gone off when driving on the highway and the engine was unable to go faster than 40 miles an hour, and it does not resolve by restarting the car. The dealership and Honda America’s main phone line have as of yet been unable to give me a clear answer as to why this is happening or whether it can be fixed. A sudden drop in speed and power on the highway as we have experienced many times over the last five years is inherently extremely dangerous.

Headgasket seems to be forming a leak. Checked coolant today, zero leaks on coolant system but coolant was extremely low. It is sad to see that Honda has become so unreliable.

Transmission keeps malfunctioning from 1-2 and 2-3 gear shifts. Mainly prominent on the 2-3 gear shift having issues. Severe transmission jerk and sometimes slams into the next gear. This has been happening since I bought the car at 52k miles and it is currently at 62k miles. It can be available for inspection upon request. It also jerks on downshift. The transmission fluid has been drained and filled with Honda genuine atf 2.0 but the issue still persists after the service. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer. It has put my safety at risk because in low speed traffic my speed is unpredictable and I am worried of hitting a car in front of me. It is also an issue for vehicles behind me as well because the vehicle cannot find the gear and doesn't accelerate properly. When it slams into the next gear it seems to be a severe safety hazard for me and my passengers.

Head gasket failure. Dealership did inspect vehicle and said this is a common issue. No warning prior to headgasket issue.

I purchased this 2018 Honda Accord Sport brand new from the dealership, relying on Honda’s longstanding reputation for reliability and longevity. At approximately 120,000 miles, the vehicle suffered a blown head gasket during normal driving conditions. The vehicle has been properly maintained according to Honda’s recommended schedule. I have already opened a claim with Honda corporate regarding this issue and am currently awaiting their response. Despite proper maintenance, this catastrophic engine failure occurred, suggesting a design or manufacturing defect rather than misuse. This issue presents both a safety concern and a substantial financial burden, as I am a single mother of four who depends on this vehicle for daily transportation. Based on reports from other owners, this appears to be a widespread defect affecting 10th-generation Honda Accords with the 1.5L turbo engine, which I respectfully request NHTSA investigate.

I wanted to report that this vehicle, according to Carfax, had 169,236 miles on August 15, 2025, and 9/4/25, and 85,326 miles on January 24, 2026. That's only 4 months! The odometer was tampered with, and this seller knew it was altered because it went through 5 different sellers in those 4 months. I don't know if their reports are true or false, which is why I'm writing to see if you can help me.

A 2018 Honda Accord 1.5T developed an engine misfire, coolant loss, and reduced acceleration shortly after purchase from a dealership on 01/07/2026 (around 156,000 miles / 15,000). On 01/23/2026, during a Honda dealer inspection at about 157,255 miles, the technician noted misfires on startup, found the coolant overflow reservoir empty, pressure-tested the system, and confirmed coolant leaking into cylinders 3 and 4 from the head gasket. The dealer recommended head gasket replacement plus spark plugs, drive belt, and valve adjustment. I was told that continued driving could worsen the condition, leading to overheating and further engine damage. After that diagnosis, the vehicle’s drivability worsened, and it became unsafe to rely on due to misfires and loss of acceleration, especially on the highway. The selling dealership refused to assist, claiming the defect was not present at the time of sale; Honda America acknowledged the head gasket concern but denied a goodwill claim, citing the high cost of the issue and lack of NHTSA enforcement on this issue. An independent repair shop then provided a second inspection/estimate consistent with the same head-gasket repair scope. The vehicle and repair records are available for inspection. No crash or injury occurred, but the defect caused a sudden loss of power and overheating while driving; I was stuck on the highway on two occasions with my hazard lights on after acceleration completely halted. Warning symptoms (the engine light) only appeared when the car suddenly stopped accelerating. Two days after an around-5,000 headgasket repair, drivability problems and multiple dashboard warnings appeared, including turbo-related concerns; this concern is ongoing.

Blown head gasket

There are many warming lamps on in the car. My car won't pick up speed it in limp mode once I crank up. I have to turn it off and restart any order for it to go and pick up speed. My number 3 plug keep showing something wrong it has been replaced multiple times but still having the same issue. I had it checked out it's saying the same problem fuel. I have had my fuel pump change and still having problems. 2018 are bad models for honda and there should be multiple recalls because everyone having the same problems. Head gaskets,fuel injection, turbo problems as well as fuel pump

See attached document for complaint.

The first time was at 93,000 miles where my car started to surge and went into limp mode but once I shut the car off and turned it back on everything went away and the car was fine. It did happen a couple more times, but as soon as I would shut the car off and turn it back on the code was cleared and by the time I got it to a mechanic there was no known code.This last time was at 220,000 miles I was just entering the freeway and once on the freeway, my car started to power surge really bad jolting me back-and-forth back-and-forth. This did not let me continue to finish reaching my highway rate of speed with cars coming up fast behind me nearly hitting me. Car continued to surge, and then went into limp mode and I had to pull over on the side of the freeway. I brought my car into Honda of San Bruno, California. They informed me after inspection that I had a cylinder three misfire due to a bad head gasket. They are receiving 3 to 4 of these a day and is a huge problem. I later found out that there’s a class action lawsuit for this head gasket failure that put me in danger and now has my car sitting in front of my house unable to drive.

Drivers seat belt not latching.

Blown head gasket at around 91,500 miles even though car have been kept up with oil change around 5,000k mile. It is currently in the mechanic shop as of 1/12/2025 awaiting repairs (parts are being order as we speak). So, probably can't have it inspected if requested unless it is soon. The random/early head gasket getting blown with not such high miles would have been devasting if I was driving on the highway. Since, it would cause the engine to over heat as the coolant is leaking into the engine piston and some case could cause lost of power on the highway. This problem seem to be quite common or expected as talking to the dealer and they were aware that a portion of these 1.5l turbo engine head gasket are getting blown. The vehicle or component has been inspected by an independent service center. I got misfire detected on cylinder 3 on 12/17/2025. I replace the sparks plug and it ran fine till 1/10/2026 when all of a sudden I can see the temperature gauge climbing. I stop driving the car that day on 1/10/2026. I check the coolant overflow reservoir on 1/11/2026 and found it strange that it was almost empty. I decide to take it to the mechanic on 1/12/2026 because I didn't see leaks anywhere and that was when they found the head gasket has failed and was slowly dripping coolant into the cylinder.

The vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine malfunction resulting in a no-start condition. The vehicle is currently inoperable and is available for inspection upon request. The engine failure caused the vehicle to lose power and become unreliable, creating a risk of breakdown while driving, which could have resulted in being stranded in traffic or an unsafe location and posed a risk to my personal safety and the safety of others. Yes. An independent repair facility confirmed the vehicle would not start and diagnosed the engine as failed. The vehicle was subsequently towed to another facility, where the condition was again documented. The vehicle has been inspected by independent repair facilities. The extended warranty company, Route 66, reviewed the claim and denied coverage based on their assessment. No inspection by the manufacturer or law enforcement has occurred. Prior to the failure, the vehicle exhibited warning indicators and operational issues, including overheating symptoms. These issues worsened over time and ultimately resulted in complete engine failure and a no-start condition.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The failure was intermittent. The failure had occurred while attempting to start the vehicle, while the vehicle was idling, and while the vehicle was being driven. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, however the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was taken to an alternate independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was informed that the failure might be a communication issue with the software. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

All dashboard lights are on & will not go away!

I am experiencing an ongoing issue with my 2018 Honda Accord LX 1.5L where multiple warning lights on the dashboard illuminate simultaneously without warning, often described as the dash lighting up “like a Christmas tree.” These lights include (but are not limited to) collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, power steering, and other safety-related systems. The issue appears to occur intermittently and without a clear cause. When this happens, several driver-assist and safety features become disabled, which raises serious safety concerns while operating the vehicle. After researching this problem, I have found numerous reports from other Honda Accord owners experiencing the exact same issue across various online forums and communities. Many of these individuals have also been advised to file complaints with NHTSA due to the widespread nature of the problem. This appears to be a potential systemic or electrical issue that affects multiple critical safety systems at once. I believe this defect could pose a significant safety risk and should be investigated further.

Sacramento ca , Car stopped in the middle of the highway couldn’t accelerate, won’t let me advance past 20 mph gas fuel was changed earlier in 2025 but I’m sure it’s the fuel injectors

My wife was driving on a highway while taking our grandchildren to day care. The vehicle lost power causing her try ti pull to the side of a main highway. All of the check engine lights went on. We brought the vehicle to Honda and the dealership said they found coolant in the combustion chamber. It needs a head gasket, at a cost of $4800.00. The car has 76,000 miles on it. We understand that there is currently a class action lawsuit for Honda Accords of this year and make. Kindly advise us as to what we can do as this is causing us extreme stress and financial hardship. We need help. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, [XXX] and [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Upwards of a dozen times my Honda Accord will suddenly brake as it believes I am about to have a collision whereas it is typically a shadow. This happens when going under bridges or overpasses, or depending on the glare from the sun. This has happened several times on the highway causing multiple near collisions at high speeds. This is extremely dangerous and requires an adjustment or recall. I have had this part stolen and replaced through a Honda approved repair shop yet the issue persists.

In 2023, the car had a rough start during cold weather. Honda confirmed there was a service bulletin and told me my fuel injectors were likely failing. It’s a known issue. For 2 winters, I used Sea Foam to manage the problem. This winter, the dash completely lit up. I returned to Honda for an update to new version of the same service bulletin. They did the fix but it did not solve the problem. Tonight my car went into limp home mode and had to be towed to the mechanic for the fuel injector repair. We were on NC Interstate 540 when the car rapidly lost acceleration and luckily made it to a gas station for safe pick up. Me, my passenger and other drivers were all endangered the 3 times I had to pull over to stop and restart the car.

Fuel pump is bad causing the car not to start.

FULL PUMP ENGINE

My 2018 Honda experienced a catastrophic engine failure (blown head gasket) at only 30,012 miles. A head gasket is not a wear item and should not fail at such low mileage. I previously reported related symptoms during dealer service visits in July 2024 and August 2025, including signs consistent with cooling or engine performance issues, prior to the complete failure. The vehicle has been properly maintained, has not been abused or modified, and shows no signs of neglect. Honda has denied goodwill assistance solely due to vehicle age, despite the extremely low mileage and premature nature of the failure. This appears to be a durability defect resulting in premature engine failure well below expected service life.

When I was accelerating the vehicle on 12/21/2025, a flashing check engine light came on, and the car started driving very roughly immediately, with an intense vibration. I noticed a lack of engine power, but the hybrid motor and battery kept me going for roughly 1 mile until they were depleted, after which I was unable to accelerate the vehicle. At that time, the car continued to decelerate, no matter how much I depressed the accelerator. I was able to safely pull over and turn the car off. I let it sit for one minute before turning it on again, at which point it behaved normally. I drove very cautiously to my destination, making sure to accelerate very gradually. This sudden lack of power put myself and others on the road at risk, as it was very sudden with no prior symptoms/warning lights, and I had no recourse besides pulling over as soon as possible. Over the next few days, I researched the problem online, and owners of Honda Accords from that generation (10th generation, model years 2018-2022) reported head gasket failure on all engines Honda offered the 10th generation Accord, including the 1.5 turbo, 2.0 turbo, and 2.0 hybrid engines. This problem is also reported on a slew of other Honda vehicles from roughly that time period. I brought it to Motor Werks Honda in Barrington, IL on 12/24/2025. After they completed their analysis, they determined it was a failed headgasket.

The A/C condenser on my Honda failed and leaked out all of the refrigerant, which subsequently caused the A/C compressor and related components to fail. This issue is well‑documented, and Honda has issued an extended warranty specifically for the condenser due to its known defect. My vehicle was inspected by an authorized Honda dealership, and they confirmed that the condenser failed and that the resulting loss of refrigerant caused the compressor to generate metal shavings. These metal particles can circulate through the HVAC system, potentially entering the cabin and posing a health risk to the driver and passengers. Despite the clear causal relationship and the dealership’s findings, Honda is refusing to replace the failed compressor and associated components, even though the failure originated from a part they acknowledge as defective and have extended warranty coverage for. There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to the failure. The A/C system stopped functioning without any advance indication, leaving me without proper ventilation and climate control. This defect raises both mechanical reliability concerns and potential health and safety risks due to metal contamination within the HVAC system. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue further, as Honda’s refusal to cover the full scope of damage caused by their known defective condenser leaves consumers exposed to unnecessary safety hazards and significant repair costs.

Head gasket blown at 75500 miles. This appears to be an issue with the 1.5T engine in these cars, as reported several times and at issue in a class action lawsuit Bissell v. Honda.

My fiance has a 2018 Honda Accord Sport Touring, this past Sunday he was giving me a ride and about 5 min of driving , after stopping for a red light , the light turned green he pushed the pedal and the car starting moving then all of a sudden warning lights were flashing , the engine light , remote not in car, oil light, air bag , low tire, etc. there was alot at the same time when the warning lights came on as he pushed the gas pedal the car stopped accelerating, and he said he had no power in the pedal ,there was heavy traffic, a car could of rear ended us but he was able to put his hazards on and coast around the corner before the car stopped. He shut the car off and back on and it drove like normal again. I was scared of course and just wanted to go home. When we got home he remembered he still had his fathers Obd scanner tool so he plugged it in the car and it showed no error codes. So that was really strange. He went to the store down the street the next day, but other then that he drives his work van and I have my own car. I was reading newsbreak and seen that honda recalled only hybrid and newer years and thought thats odd I should let someone know this happen to his 2018 accord , because Im sure it has to happen to others. We didnt take it in or call the police , but this clearly could of caused a crash had he not remained calm and put his flashers, everything happened so fast. Im sure he would let you inspect it, he works during the morning. I have no clue why it did that and neither does he. Thank you for your time.

The vehicle is misfiring due to faulty fuel injectors. Causing every light on the dash to come on.

Blown head gasket

I had a coolant link problem they couldn't find or fix even after taking it in over 4 times ,how I have a blown head gasket ,also different components in my Ac keep going out have had to fix 3 times in the last 3 years, both these are know issues for this year honda

After vehicle got serviced an open recall for fuel pump, my car has been having issues. I know is related to the head gasket/fuel injections. My car has been great, monthly maintenance service up until I got that recall fixed. I now regret it getting repaired, but I had to, to be able to receive my DMV tags. I was driving about 45 MPH and vehicle stopped accelerating will not speed over 20 MPH and the check engine light turned on. Just got full transmission flush and oil change and this happened. I read many article online that this happens after this recall repair to the ACCORD 1.5T EX2018

I am submitting this as a formal and urgent complaint regarding serious safety issues with a vehicle I recently purchased. The trunk opens on its own while I am driving, which creates an immediate safety hazard. In addition, the backup camera is malfunctioning, further increasing the risk when reversing or parking. Shortly after reporting the trunk issue, the radio also stopped working. I have contacted the dealership regarding these concerns, but no corrective action has been taken. Given that this vehicle was recently purchased and involves active safety risks, this lack of response is unacceptable. I am requesting immediate inspection and repair of these issues, as well as written confirmation of how the dealership plans to resolve this matter promptly. Please consider this issue urgent due to the safety risks involved. I look forward to your immediate response.

While driving, the power steering warning came on and the steering wheel became extremely tight, making it very difficult to turn. This has happened more than once, most recently on December 8, 2025. The loss of steering assist occurred while the vehicle was in motion and created a serious safety concern. The dealership retrieved diagnostic code C1250-52, which indicates an internal malfunction of the electric brake booster ECU. The steering issue and warning occurred again after the initial diagnosis. The system appears to fail intermittently and without warning. I have owned multiple Honda Accord vehicles over the years and have never experienced anything like this. Sudden loss of steering assist while driving is a safety defect, and similar issues have been reported by other owners of 2018–2022 Honda Accord models.