2019 Honda Accord Problems: 9 Known Issues

On the 2018-2022 Honda Accord, nHTSA is investigating reports that the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) activates with no apparent obstruction ahead, causing sudden deceleration. Honda's current bulletin 26-091 (version 2) provides a Honda Sensing software update that changes when, and how much, Adaptive Cruise Control, CMBS and Road Departure Mitigation slow the car. Applies to: Honda product update 26-091 covers 2018-2020 Accord and Accord Hybrid (all trims) shown as eligible by VIN. NHTSA engineering analysis EA24-002 covers 2018-2022 Honda Accords (and 2017-2022 CR-Vs). Only a Honda dealer can confirm by VIN whether a car is eligible.

On the 2018-2019 Honda Accord, the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle channels were made out of specification and interfere with the release button; with use the channel coating can wear and the button can shrink against the channel in cold weather, so the buckle may not latch. A belt that does not latch may not restrain the occupant properly, increasing the risk of injury. Applies to: Certain 2018-2019 Honda Accord sedans built from September 21, 2017 to June 12, 2019, and certain 2018-2019 Accord Hybrids built from March 19, 2018 to April 30, 2019 (NHTSA recall 23V158). The same recall covers some CR-V, Odyssey, Insight and Acura RDX models. Honda estimates about 1% of the 448,613 recalled vehicles have the defect; the population is not sequential by VIN, so only a Honda dealer can confirm by VIN whether a car is included.

On the 2018-2020 Honda Accord, a software error in the body control module (BCM) can intermittently or continuously disrupt its communication with other components, turning on several warning indicators and making one or more electronic systems malfunction. Honda lists inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera or exterior lighting, which can increase the risk of a crash, and says the car may not automatically shift into Park under certain conditions, which can let it roll away if the parking brake is not set. Applies to: 2018-2020 Honda Accord sedans and 2018-2020 Accord Hybrids built from the start of production through March 20, 2020 (Honda recall X95, NHTSA 20V-771); Honda says BCM programming was improved from April 2020 production. Only a Honda dealer can confirm by VIN whether the update has been done.

On the 2018-2019 Honda Accord, owners report the 12-volt battery going flat after the car sits for a few days and having to replace batteries repeatedly; one owner on a fourth battery reports warning lights coming on and the brake pedal not staying down when the car fails to start. A 2021 class-action lawsuit alleges parasitic battery drain on 2016-2019 Accords. Applies to: Owner reports from 2018 Accords; the 2021 lawsuit names 2016-2019 Accords. The cause is not identified in these sources and may differ from car to car. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 6,403 miles on a 2018, 14,000 miles on a 2018 and 46,000 miles on a 2018.

On the 2018-2022 Honda Accord, the impeller inside the in-tank low-pressure fuel pump can absorb fuel and deform until it interferes with the pump body, and the pump can then stop working. Honda says an inoperative pump could prevent the engine from starting or stall it while driving, increasing the risk of a crash; the check engine light may come on. Applies to: Certain 2018-2022 Honda Accord sedans built with the affected Denso fuel pump modules. Recall 21V-215 (2019-2020 Accord and 2019 Accord Hybrid) and the expansion 23V-858 (Honda KGC/KGD; 2013-2023 Accord 4-door gasoline and 2017-2020 Accord Hybrid) list the 1.5T and 2.0T Accord pump modules. The earlier recall 20V-314 (2018-2019 Accord) lists only the 2.0T module. Not every car in those years is included; the populations are not sequential by VIN. Only a Honda dealer or Honda's recall lookup can confirm by VIN whether a car is included and whether the repair is done.

On the 2018-2020 Honda Accord, honda says the area up to 30 mm from the outer edge of the windshield is susceptible to cracking, so a stress crack can start from the edge of the glass with no sign of an impact. Applies to: All 2018-2019 Honda Accords, plus early-built 2020 Accord 1.5T, 2.0T and Accord Hybrid trims within the VIN ranges in bulletin 20-118 (the bulletin also lists a 2021 Accord Hybrid EX-L VIN range). It does not apply to cracks from debris or other impacts, or cracks in other locations.

On the 2018-2022 Honda Accord, honda asked dealers to report 2018-2022 Accords with door-lock function problems: locks that will not work from the key fob or the door switch, walk-away auto lock not working, no lock or unlock beep, remote start not working, or a door that will not open from the inner or outer handle. A law firm has opened a class-action investigation into premature door-lock actuator failure on these Accords. Applies to: 2018-2022 Honda Accord, 2-door and 4-door (as listed in Honda's May 2022 dealer message). Honda's message was a request to inspect cars, not a published cause or repair, and it expired on May 17, 2022.

On the 2018-2019 Honda Accord, owners report that the engine oil on 1.5-liter turbo Accords smells of gasoline and reads above the full mark on the dipstick, and two 2018 owners report oil analyses showing high fuel content. Owners say dealers called it normal or did not recognize a problem. Applies to: Owner reports from 2018 and 2019 Accords, almost all with the 1.5L turbo engine (LX, EX, Sport and Touring trims named in the reports); one 2018 owner of a 2.0L EX-L also reports mechanics finding gasoline in the oil. Honda has not published a finding for this model in the documents checked. Mileage when it happened, as stated in 6 of the linked owner reports: from 2,150 to 9,998 miles.

On the 2018-2020 Honda Accord, honda says the A/C condenser on affected cars was not manufactured to specification, so corrosion can form tiny holes in the condenser tube walls that let the refrigerant leak out. Applies to: 2018-2020 Honda Accord vehicles shown as eligible by VIN (Honda bulletin 21-018); 2018-2020 Accord Hybrids have a matching warranty extension under bulletin 21-015. It does not cover a condenser damaged by a foreign object, or any car ever declared a total loss, sold for salvage or given a branded title.