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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Honda Accord1998–2026

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🚗 SEDAN
Honda Accord
1998–2026
B
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
2.2/yr · seg. median 0.0
Safety
Moderate
0 inj.
Open Federal Investigation
Engineering Analysis: forward collision avoidance
50% of EA investigations historically become recalls
168
Recalls
0
Complaints
2021
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2005
29
Years Analyzed
168
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Honda Accord

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK5yr old
2021
Strong Buy · 81/100
Reliability77/100
Value window87/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#2 PICK8yr old
2018
Strong Buy · 77/100
Reliability77/100
Value window76/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#3 PICK9yr old
2017
Good Buy · 74/100
Reliability77/100
Value window69/100
Recalls1
Complaints0

Honda Accord Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2005

14 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2003

13 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2000

12 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 11 past investigations into the Accord became recalls.

OPEN · EAEngineering Analysisopened Apr 2024NHTSA #EA24002
inadvertent automatic emergency braking
Component: forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking · affects 2018–2022
⚠ Historically, 50% of EA investigations became recalls — an in-depth Engineering Analysis — the most serious stage, just before a recall decision.
Recently concluded investigations
RQ24006 · seat belts · closed Mar 2025Closed, no recall
EA19001 · air bags · closed Sep 2024→ Became recall
PE22003 · forward collision avoidance · closed Apr 2024Closed, no recall
EA21001 · steering · closed Aug 2023Closed, no recall
DP22005 · electrical system · closed Aug 2023→ Became recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 13, 2026.

Honda Accord — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202600——
77
39
64
Excellent
202510——
77
54
69
Excellent
202430——
61
67
63
Good
202350——
52
77
61
Caution
202200——
77
84
79
Excellent
202110——
77
87
81
Excellent
202030——
61
86
70
Good
201920——
70
82
74
Good
201810——
77
76
77
Excellent
201710——
77
69
74
Excellent
201620——
70
62
67
Good
201530——
61
55
59
Good
201420——
70
49
63
Good
201330——
61
44
55
Good
201260——
52
40
48
Caution
201150——
52
37
47
Caution
201090——
52
37
47
Caution
200970——
52
37
47
Caution
200860——
52
37
47
Caution
200750——
52
37
47
Caution
2006100——
52
37
47
Avoid
2005140——
52
37
47
Avoid
2004120——
52
37
47
Avoid
2003130——
52
37
47
Avoid
2002100——
52
37
47
Avoid
2001110——
52
37
47
Avoid
2000120——
52
37
47
Avoid
1999100——
52
37
47
Avoid
1998110——
52
37
47
Avoid

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the Accord compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 81).

Best: 2021
2021 · 812022 · 792018 · 772019 · 742020 · 702025 · 692026 · 642024 · 632023 · 61

2013–2017

Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 74).

Best: 2017
2017 · 742016 · 672014 · 632015 · 592013 · 55

Pre-2013

Older Accord models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution
2012 · 481998 · 471999 · 472000 · 472001 · 472002 · 472003 · 472004 · 47

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Accord to buy?+

The 2021 Honda Accord scores highest on our Buyer Score (81/100) — combining a reliability score of 77/100 with a value score of 87/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which Accord years have the most problems?+

The 2005, 2003, 2000 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2005 Accord leads with 14 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common Accord problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Honda Accord.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar sedan vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every Accord year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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