You really don’t want to own this car

24/7 Wall Street News

• We used Honda Accord sales and recall data.
• Honda sold 197,947 Accords in 2023.
• Also, 2 Dividend Legends to Keep Forever

The Honda Accord has remained a benchmark for reliability, safety and value. On the road since 1976 in various capacities, this very popular car really doesn’t need any further introduction.

What started as a compact vehicle became a midsize reliability superstar starting in 1989. Since then, the Honda Accord has continued to impress. It has received perfect safety scores since 2013 and a five-star rating from the NHTSA in 2021. These features and its lower cost make it a perfect choice for a young, beginning driver.

Despite its excellent track record, a few model years have been criticized for mechanical flaws and subpar materials. 24/7 Wall St. took the time to look into these issues and compile them here, along with the model years you should definitely get if you find one.

Why is this important?

With 197,947 vehicles sold in 2023, the Accord and the Toyota Camry are arguably the best midsize sedans on the market today. Unfortunately, strong sales don’t always translate into rock-solid reliability, as not every model year of the Accord has been perfect.

Avoid: 2002

The 2002 Honda Accord has experienced a variety of transmission problems.

After a bad 2001, the 2002 Honda Accord really struggled. Over 1,057 complaints were filed with the National Highway Transportation & Safety Administration (NHTSA) by Accord owners. Topping the list of complaints were transmission-related issues. Specifically, the 2002 Accord’s transmission would slip and miss shifts. On top of that, transmission failures were also quite common.

Besides transmission issues, airbag problems were another common problem. Of the 16 recalls associated with the 2002 Accord, several were related to the driver’s front airbag exploding. Unfortunately, at least two deaths were linked to these airbag issues, making this model year one to 110% avoid.

Avoid: 2003

In 2003, a total of 2,001 complaints were filed with NHTSA.

Considered the second worst year for the Honda Accord, the NHTSA received 2,001 complaints. Unfortunately, transmission problems remained the most common issue, with 588 complaints specifically targeting this problem. Between transmission failure and slippage, it’s hard to give the 2003 Accord any kind of recommendation.

In addition to transmission issues, brake, airbag, and transmission problems all came out at the top of the list. When it comes to 7th generation Honda Accord models, the 2003 is the one you want to avoid. Considering that this model has had over 24 recalls, over half of which were related to airbag explosions, stay away.

Avoid: 2008

2008 will be remembered as the worst model year for the Honda Accord.

The 2008 year is by far the worst year in the history of the Honda Accord. It is a painful memory for Honda. Over 1,700 complaints to the NHTSA were filed for this model, along with 9 recalls in total. Topping the list, with 591 NHTSA complaints and counting, premature brake wear dominated the concerns of owners. With an average repair cost of at least $230, it is a problem that Accord owners can avoid by skipping this model year.

Considering that the 2008 model was the subject of 394 complaints related to airbag problems, with at least one death attributed to it, it is difficult to give the 2008 Accord any positive mention. Of course, the airbag is mentioned several times in all 9 recalls, which confirms that the 2008 model is to be avoided at all costs.

Avoid: 2009

Although this was an improvement over 2008, 2009 still saw 800 complaints filed with NHTSA.

The good news is that 2009 was a much better year than 2008. If you were hoping for 2009 because of some interior updates, including improved materials and more standard equipment, you shouldn’t have high expectations. Unfortunately, this year, concerns about exploding airbags persisted. More than 148 of NHTSA’s 800 total complaints were specifically related to this problem. Not surprisingly, of the 11 recalls issued for the 2009 Accord, many were also directly related to exploding airbag issues.

Other issues for this model year appear around the engine and brakes. A total of 247 separate complaints from NHTSA are related to both premature brake wear and brake-related hydraulic problems. For the engine, you have excessive oil consumption issues at the top of the list of concerns for 2009.

Avoid: 2013

In 2013, the Honda Accord had several power steering problems.

The good news is that after 2013, the Honda Accord started to turn things around. The bad news is that 2013 is a model you still want to avoid. Over 1,000 complaints were filed with the NHTSA this year. The main concerns were with the steering, specifically the power steering failing while driving. Since this was a serious issue, it hurt any potential recommendation for the 2013 model year.

The second major problem with the 2013 Accord was related to electrical issues. At least 4 fires were attributed to electrical problems with the vehicle and 6 injuries. Fortunately, no deaths were linked to an electrical problem, but the problem remained evident for this model year. Among the recall issues, a “battery sensor short” was listed, indicating that this increases the risk of fire.

Own: 2006

The 2006 Honda Accord offered new safety features and higher fuel economy ratings.

As a truly excellent first year for the Honda Accord, 2006 was an obvious recommendation. There was a sharp drop in complaints to the NHTSA compared to previous years. In fact, the 2006 model even received the CarComplaints “Seal of Quality,” which was no small feat. Although transmission problems persisted in 2006, the overall volume of complaints to the NHTSA regarding this issue declined.

In addition to no longer having any complaints with the NHTSA, the 2006 model added new active safety features. Consumer Reports praised the 2006 model’s ride and handling, as well as the four-cylinder engine. While the V6 engine was considered smoother, the four-cylinder had better overall MPG ratings. Overall, you should feel comfortable buying a used 2006 model.

Own: 2011

In 2011, the Honda Accord saw a sharp decline in complaints to NHTSA.

With multiple “Excellent” ratings from JD Power in 2011, this year’s Honda Accord is starting to show the signs of reliability that Accord customers have come to expect. The quality and reliability, as well as the driving experience, are both praised by JD Power. Of course, JD Power isn’t alone in praising the 2011 Accord, as it also received a “Very Good Seal of Quality” from CarComplaints.

Overall, NHTSA complaints and recalls have dropped significantly from previous years. Only a few hundred NHTSA complaints, which is a surprisingly high number for most vehicles and helped earn the 2011 model a “Buy” recommendation. The 2011 model is not perfect, as the redesigned seats were widely considered uncomfortable by many Accord buyers.

Own: 2017

One of the best years for the Honda Accord was 2017 with updated MPG ratings.

The ninth generation of the 2017 Honda Accord offers dramatic improvements in reliability. J.D. Power gives the Accord’s quality and reliability one of the highest scores in history, while the vehicle as a whole receives an “Excellent” rating. Better yet, FIXD says 2017 is a great model year because most of the annual costs are focused on maintenance, not repairs.

This involves oil changes, tire rotations, and other typical costs you might expect to come with owning a car. Plus, the 2017 model has improved gas mileage and enhanced safety measures. With a 5 out of 5 rating in NHTSA crash reports, the Accord is showing signs of why it’s now recognized as one of the best midsize sedans available today.

Own: 2019

In 2019, the Honda Accord received some of the best safety ratings for a sedan.

Fast forward to 2019, and once again, you have exceptional NHTSA crash scores. With a 5 out of 5 from NHTSA, the Accord has shown why it is such a beloved vehicle. Better yet, NHTSA complaints have dropped significantly from a decade ago. Where you would see thousands of complaints 10 years ago, you are now in the low hundreds. Brake issues were noted as a concern in 2019, but the problem was fairly limited to a small number of vehicles.

With a top safety rating from the IIHS, it’s hard to ignore the reasons to buy the 2019 Honda Accord. When you consider that J.D. Power gave the Honda Accord’s driving experience one of its highest scores in years, it just underscores why this model year is so well-remembered.

Own: 2021

The 2021 Honda Accord is a top-of-the-line model with only 11 NHTSA complaints.

The 2021 Honda Accord was an easy recommendation, with top-notch ratings from J.D. Power for driving experience and reliability. What’s interesting about the 2021 model is that NHTSA complaints were under 60. That’s one of the best numbers the Accord has had since its inception. Brake issues stand out among the NHTSA complaints, but they still only account for 11 complaints in total.

With a combined 30 MPG, the Accord stands out in the midsize group in terms of value and reliability. With the 2021 model year lease expiring for many in 2024, it’s easy to recommend this vehicle. Between the resale value, driving experience, and safety ratings, it’s hard to ignore the complete package that the 2021 Honda Accord offers.

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