Honda Accord Years to Avoid (2023 Updated)

If you want a fun, reliable, and economical vehicle, Honda Accord is one of the best midsize family cars on the market today. It has been the best-selling sedan in its segment since its launch. The model remained a personal favorite for many drivers seeking a midsize family sedan through eleven generations.

If you want the best experience, it comes from knowing the best years and what the best to avoid are. Read the full article to learn about these years.

Back History of Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is entering its thirty-third year of production. It was first introduced in 1976. At first, it was available in two variants: a three-door hack back and a four-door sedan, but now it is only available with four doors. In addition, the coupe version was also produced for a while but is no longer available.

Since the Accord has been a mainstream family sedan for five decades, it’s hard to remember how it revolutionized the industry. It has a total of nine generations. 

• First Generation: 1976 to 1981
• Second Generation: 1982 to 1985
• Third Generation: 1986 to 1989
• Fourth Generation: 1990 to 1993
• Fifth Generation: 1994 to 1997
• Sixth Generation: 1998 to 2002
• Seventh Generation: 2003 to 2007
• Eighth Generation: 2008 to 2013
• Ninth Generation: 2013 to Present

Worst Years of Honda Accord to Avoid

• 1999 – 2001 Honda Accord Year
• 2002 Honda Accord Year
• 2003 Honda Accord Year
• 2006 Honda Accord Year
• 2008 Honda Accord Year
• 2009 Honda Accord Year
• 2010 Honda Accord Year
• 2014 Honda Accord Year

– 1999 – 2001 Honda Accord Year

Most models and their generations are at their best during their last years of production, but it’s not true for the sixth-generation Accord. In addition, it has various lethal issues, including shifting issues, EGR valve problems, and transmission failure issues.

Furthermore, some drivers have experienced harsh engine vibrations because of bad motor mounts. So, it is best to stay away from the 1999 to 2001 model years if you are planning to buy a sixth-generation Honda Accord. 

Number of Complaints and Ratings:

According to the NHTSA, the 1999 year model had 17 recalls and 1150 complaints; the 2000 year model had 21 recalls and 1206 complaints, and 19 recalls and 932 complaints. Edmunds gives ratings of 4.6/5.0, 4.6/5.0, and 4.4/5.0 for the 1999, 2001, and 2002 model years, respectively.

Short Customer Review:

Chuck Reviewed: “My 1999 Accord quality and reliability is so bad that I am convinced Honda is misleading the customers on their claim on reliability.”

Appalled Reviewed: “I think it was either flooded or the odometer was changed out. Or their mechanic used brake clean or gas to flush the motor out and ruined the valve guide seals and the rest of the engine seals.”

– 2002 Honda Accord Year

Back in the day, the 2002 Honda Accord was a top-notch midsize car. Several complaints about coolant leaks, overheating, transmission failure, and hard shifting have made this vehicle an unwise investment.

According to CarComplaints, you should avoid this vehicle like the plague.”

Number of Complaints and Ratings:

According to NHTSA, this model has 16 recalls and 1052 complaints. Furthermore, Edmunds rated this vehicle 4.4/5.0. Besides that, it has 4 out of 10 engine reliability, so avoiding this model is good.

Short Customer Review:

Toolman Reviewed: “I will never buy another Honda product. I have had to have the transmission rebuilt twice in this vehicle. Once at 77,00 miles, and again at 103,00.”

Johnf Reviewed: “The interior is way too cheap. I guess I messed up by getting sucked into a cheap lease. the only thing cheap that I got was the poor quality and uncomfortable seats. the price does not mean anything if you do not like the car. I should have bought the vw passat.”

– 2003 Honda Accord Year

2003 model year is also in one of the models like the plague. You may encounter gear shifting, transmission, and slip-out-of-gear issues in this model year. So it is good to stay away from this model year as well.

Number of Complaints and Ratings:

According to the NHTSA, it has  24 recalls and 1993 complaints and a 4.7 out of 5.0 Edmunds review rating.

Short Customer Review:

Kimjong Reviewed: “The car has its perks. Once it hit 155,000 miles, many problems started to happen. Had to replace multiple items.”

J.G Reviewed: “This car is a poorly engineered and poorly manufactured vehicle. The dealer tried to fix the brakes but said I should be glad they are overly sensitive rather than not having any brakes.”

– 2006 Honda Accord Year

The 2006 model year is the seventh-generation model of Accord. This sedan has a V6 engine that delivers smooth and fast acceleration resulting in easy drive and maneuvering. Its issues include a Slipping clutch, a faulty Air conditioner, and paint issues. 

Eventually, the clear coat peels off when the car is in an unconditional environment. CarComplaint reports that most problems with a clear coat or other types of paint occur after 85,000 kilometers.

Number of Complaints and Ratings:

According to the NHTSA, it got 17 recalls and 415 complaints. From J.D. Power, it got an 84 out of 100 consumer rating and 4.6 out of 5 rating from the Kelley Blue Book.

Short Customer Review:

Shawn2e Reviewed: I bought this accord brand new in Monrovia. The only problem I had was the cheap armrest had come unattached, and the brake rotors would warp after excessive freeway usage.”

190r-k Reviewed: “I had this Honda Accord EX V6 for more than six years. This was a complete waste of money – problems started almost right after the first year – annoying noise in the driver and passenger doors.”

– 2008 Honda Accord Year

2008 is considered one of the worst Honda Accord years ever in terms of reliability. This model’s issues include transmission, paint, engine oil leaks, and faulty accessories. In addition, some models’ climate control systems frequently malfunctioned, which made the interior uncomfortable along with the uncomfortable seats.

Despite this, the brake system is the most severe issue with the 2008 Honda Accord. During that time, customers complained about premature brake wear. To fix this problem, Honda had to recall some vehicles. If you are considering this model, think twice and avoid it.

Number of Complaints and Ratings:

According to the NHTSA, it has nine recalls and 1496 complaints, and a 4.4 out of 5.0 consumer rating from the Edmunds.

Short Customer Review:

Unhappy Customer Reviewed: “This is a horrible car. It has nothing but issue after issue. From brakes prematurely wearing out to everything else falling apart. These cars are being made more and more cheaply.”

Melody S Reviewed: “Air conditioning broke. Bought a car from a Carfax in California with a bad alternator, bad cv tires, and alignment. Altogether, a terrible experience.”

– 2009 Honda Accord Year

The 2009 Accord also deserves the thumbs-down. A new generation of vehicles usually has teething problems in its second year. Its common problems include premature brake wear, excessive oil consumption, and Brake squeaking.

Reviewers at CarComplaints.com have titled this model “Beware of the Clunker.” The majority of vehicle owners complain about premature brake wear. A common complaint among drivers is a shorter-than-average pad and rotor life of around 28,000 miles. 

Number of Complaints and Ratings:

It has 11 recalls, 695 reported complaints, and a 4.2 out of 5.0 rating by Edmunds Reviews.

Short Customer Review:

Lindsay Reviewed: “I bought my 2009 Accord and HATE it. I have previously owned two civics and an Acura CL, and this Accord is by far the lowest quality car of them all.”

Rorry Reviewed: “Seats are very, very, very uncomfortable. I drove it on a 300-mile trip and would rather have bicycled. The door handles do not operate smoothly. Competition has more features for the same price, or less.”

– 2010 Honda Accord Year

Compared with the Toyota Camry and Mazda6, this sedan had more issues in 2010. This model year’s common problems include premature brake wear, excessive oil consumption, and Stalls and engine shut-downs while driving.

The most prevalent engine issue is excessive oil use, which occurs every 72,000 miles. Honda has issued a technical service bulletin, and a lawsuit has been settled to update the engine software and extend the engine warranty to 8 years. But it is good to avoid this model. 

Number of Complaints and Ratings:

It has 12 recalls, and 555 reported complaints. It has a 4.4 out of 5 rating in the Edmunds reviews.

Short Customer Review:

Harry 1980 Reviewed: “Do not recommend this car to anybody. Driving this car is a nightmare, the worst seat in my life. If you want to be hurt, drive a Honda Accord 2010 and die.”

Ashley Reviewed: “Do not buy 2008-2010 Honda Accords! There is a defect with the engine.”

– 2014 Honda Accord Year

In previous issues, most problems had already been resolved. However, the 2014 Accord remains problematic. Its common problems include malfunctioning electric components, poor design, engine issues, transmission failure, and suspension issues. In most cases, electrical problems began with the vehicle’s starter, leaving drivers unable to start. There were also numerous complaints about the broken stereo lighting.

Avoiding this vehicle if you’re considering it as your next car is best. Even though it may appear suitable, you may encounter two or four problems with it. You may face these issues after 85,000 miles to 100,000 miles.

Number of Complaints and Ratings:

According to the NHTSA, this vehicle has  22 recalls and 995 complaints. Moreover, it has a 4.8 out of 5.0 Edmunds reviews rating.

Short Customer Review:

Miller4455 Reviewed: “I just bought this car two weeks ago, and it I’m having problems with the transmission. The car jerks at slow speeds; I only have 500 miles on it.”

Melissa Reviewed: “Do not buy this car unless you want to get stranded! My car is 4 yrs old with w/60,000 miles on it, and my starter is going bad. When you push to start, all it does is make a click.”

Best Honda Accord Years

Here are the best years of the Honda Accord to consider for your next ride.

• The 2011 Year of the Honda Accord
• The 2013 Year of the Honda Accord
• The 2017 Year of the Honda Accord
• The 2022 Year of the Honda Accord
• The 2023 Year of the Honda Accord

– The 2011 Year of the Honda Accord

2011 model is from the 8th generation of the Honda Accord. It is known for its comfortable drive, fuel efficiency, and built quality. Further, it will have an excellent crash rating and a great braking system. It will provide 23-24 mpg, which is also quite impressive. 

Number of Complaints and Rating:

According to the NHTSA, it has nine recalls and 269 complaints; that’s why in terms of used Accords, 2011 is the best year. With a decade or more of use, reliability scores (7 to 8) are respectable, so that you can consider this sedan. 

Short Customer Review:

Steve Reviewed: “This car met all of my needs. It has plenty of legroom in the front and back. The leather seats are perfect for my dogs.”

Sheila White Reviewed: “I have the V6 model, and it is powerful! The ride is smooth, and maintenance is amazing!”

– The 2013 Year of the Honda Accord

2013 model year belongs to its 9th generation. A high-quality interior and a spacious cabin were among the changes made to this model. Other features include exceptional fuel economy, a superior body, and a new design.

Long-distance travel has been made more comfortable with cozy seats and luxurious items. In addition to the sedan, the 2013 Accord was also available in a coupe version.

Number of Complaints and Rating:

According to the NHTSA, it has 0 recalls and 0 complaints and a 4.3 out of 5.0 Edmunds reviews rating.

Short Customer Review:

Ybert Reviewed: “One of the best cars I have ever owned; I can’t believe people are having problems. I can’t say enough about the gas mileage. I’m getting 26.6 MPG city and have not done a hwy test as yet.”

Jayna Reviewed: “This is a very reliable and easy-to-drive car. I would recommend this vehicle to my friends and family. This car is fun to drive.”

– The 2017 Year of the Honda Accord

Several desirable features make the 2017 Honda Accord our third top pick, including a fast transmission, a smooth ride, and plenty of standard equipment. Furthermore, in NHTSA crash tests, 2017 Accords scored 5 out of 5 with better gas mileage (about a 10% improvement). 

Many improvements have been made to the 2017 Honda Accord over the 2016 model, that’s why it has more room for the passenger and is more exciting behind the wheel.

Number of Complaints and Ratings:

According to the NHTSA, it has 0 recalls and 21 complaints and has Edmunds  4.4 out of 5.0 review rating. 

Short Customer Review:

Tswv Teej Reviewed: “Design is appealing and slick, turns heads. The Interior looks/feels rich. The instrument is well designed, with balanced brightness at night. Headlights have sufficient brightness, and taillights gorgeous at night. Leather Seats are comfortable and easy to adjust (power mode), seats warmer on both sides (driver/passenger).”

Sigfredo Diaz Reviewed: “The value for what you get is great. Good looking vehicle and comfortable. It’s a smooth ride.”

– The 2022 Year of the Honda Accord

Accord’s most recent models have the best reviews and feature the most cutting-edge technology. The 2022 Honda Accord is an excellent choice for affordability and quality. It is a fun-to-drive sedan with a turbocharged engine that provides high-end performance and fuel efficiency. 

Number of Complaints and Rating:

According to the NHTSA, it has  0 recalls and one complaint, and a 4.4 out of 5.0 rating.

Short Customer Review:

AGMB Reviewed: “My Honda Accord is a black exterior and black leather interior. The sound system is awesome! The drive is smooth. Very comfortable seats. I love the lumbar support, on the driver’s side only.”

Shereef Hussein Reviewed: “Excellent for a small family. I don’t have many complaints except for the fact that Honda got rid of the right side mirror camera.”

– The 2023 Year of the Honda Accord

“2023 Honda Accord” has an outstanding rating of 4.7, making it the Star of the Show. In contrast to the previous model of the Accord, the 2023 model offers only two engine options. LX and EX models are powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with the capability of 192 horsepower and 247 lb.-ft torque.

Number of Complaints and Rating:

According to the NHTSA, it has 0 recalls and 0 complaints and a 4.0 out of 5.0 rating from Edmunds.

Short Customer Review:

Sraven Reviewed: “I really love my accord, it’s just three days to come to a conclusion, but I wanted to express my joy here.”

Happy Honda Owner Reviewed: “Dislike nothing. I love this car.”

Most common Honda Accord problems

Here are some of the most common problems reported by Honda Accord users.

– Transmission problems

A transmission problem is the most common among all vehicles, and nothing less Accord also has this. You are more likely to face this issue in the automatic variant, usually to be witnessed after 90,000 miles. 

This issue was most prominent in the 1999 – 2001 models. If you notice noises coming from the transmission and experience harsh shifting, your car has transmission problems. To fix this problem and avoid inconvenience, you should rebuild the transmission.

– Airbag problems

Airbags are used to provide safety by minimizing the hit impact of car accidents. Accords have been plagued with faulty airbag inflators for a bit longer than other models. Furthermore, Long periods of inactivity and dust and moisture conditions would lead to an airbag inflator exploding.

This problem mainly affected the 2003 to 2007 Honda Accord models. The company issued several recalls to resolve this issue, the last one in 2019.

– Fuel delivery system faults

The fuel delivery system problem is one of the worst problems with Honda Accord cars of 2013 and 2015 – 2017. The main culprits of this problem are a failing fuel pump, leaking O-rings, or faulty gas tank cap. 

Honda issued several recalls to resolve this issue, and they almost fixed it, as the last recall was for the 2017 Accord in 2019. 

– Engine problems

Usually, Honda is known for its durable and efficient engines; however, some engines are bound to have problems after so long in production. If your engine is consuming more oil than usual, there must be internal engine damage that can only be rebuilt.

The 3.5-liter V6 with a variable cylinder activation system was one of the most negatively regarded engines. Meanwhile, some users also experienced this issue with the new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine.

– Defective DRL (Daytime Running Lamps)

A daytime running lamp makes your car more visible to passersby and drivers. Accord’s ninth-generation facelifted version has DRL headlights that stop working after some time of use. It was most common in the 2016 – 17 model year. It happens due to the burning of the headlight lamp and can be resolved by replacing it.

– Uncomfortable seating

The Accord’s uncomfortable seats have been reported to cause severe back and neck pains among owners. Poor cushioning and lack of lumbar support are the reasons for the un-comfortability. If you are thinking of going on the long route with Accord, you may end up with neck and back pain.

– Electrical issues

Accord also has several electric issues, including battery draining, blown speedometer fuse, dead alternator, and starter issues. You must repair or replace the faulty component to fix these issues and avoid inconvenience.

– Faulty power door locks

Several reports of power door locks on the Accord malfunctioning or frequently failing. It was due to the car’s power lock actuators. Due to its intermittent nature, this was a complex problem to diagnose.

Conclusion:

Honda is a famous brand, and the main pillars of its success are its Vehicle’s reliability, safety, and comfort. Due to its dedication to building reliable cars, it has consistently led the sedan market. 

Every Vehicle has good and bad years, so knowing both is important to avoid any inconvenience. 

So if you are into the Honda Accord, it’s good to avoid 1999 – 2001, 2002, 2003,2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2014 as they are the most problematic years. And if you want to prevent any headaches or don’t want to break the bank even after buying Accord once, then it’s good to go with its best year, including 2011, 2013, 2017, 2022, and 2023.

FAQ’s

Here are some of the frequently asked questions, and their answers given below.

How reliable is Honda Accord?

Honda Accord is a reliable Vehicle that has been around for more than 30 years. It is a popular choice among the sedan enthusiasts. In addition to winning the Best Midsize Car for the Money award, it also won our Best Midsize Car for Families award.

It has a 4.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating by RepairPal and scored 8.9 out of 10, according to the U.S. News.

Is the 2023 Honda Accord redesigned?

Yes, Honda Accord 2023 is completely redesigned, featuring a larger cabin, updated powertrain lineup, new tech features, and more upscale styling.

What is the range of the Honda Accord 2023?

Honda Accord 2023 has six trim levels; below is the fuel average for each.

• Honda Accord LX: 29 / 37 city/highway MPG
• Honda Accord EX: 29 / 37 city/highway MPG*
• Honda Accord EX-L Hybrid: 51 / 44 city/highway MPG*
• Honda Accord Sport Hybrid: 46 / 41 city/highway MPG*
• Honda Accord Sport-L Hybrid: 46 / 41 city/highway MPG*
• Honda Accord Touring Hybrid: 46 / 41 city/highway MPG*

Is Honda Accord faster than the Civic? 

Yes, Honda Accord is slightly faster than the Civic because it has an enormous power engine compared to the Civic.

Previously we have described Corolla Years to Avoid and many other vehicles years to avoid, so if you are interested in learning more, you can visit our website.