Honda Accord Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Honda Accord model year (1998–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Honda Accord Years to Avoid
10 recalls · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
Problem score: 30
9 recalls · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
Problem score: 27
9 recalls · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
Problem score: 27
Best Honda Accord Years to Buy
1 recall · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 3
1 recall · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 3
2 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 6
Found the right year? Verify that specific Accord with a free VIN report.
Honda Accord — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Good |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Good |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Good |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 15 | Caution |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Good |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Good |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | Caution |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 15 | Caution |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 15 | Caution |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Good |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Good |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Good |
| 2014 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Good |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 15 | Caution |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 15 | Caution |
| 2011 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 18 | Caution |
| 2010 | 9 | 0 | — | — | 27 | Avoid |
| 2009 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 18 | Caution |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 18 | Caution |
| 2007 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 12 | Caution |
| 2006 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 18 | Caution |
| 2005 | 10 | 0 | — | — | 30 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 9 | 0 | — | — | 27 | Avoid |
| 2003 | 9 | 0 | — | — | 27 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 18 | Caution |
| 2001 | 8 | 0 | — | — | 24 | Avoid |
| 2000 | 8 | 0 | — | — | 24 | Avoid |
| 1999 | 7 | 0 | — | — | 21 | Avoid |
| 1998 | 9 | 0 | — | — | 27 | Avoid |
All 29 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Honda Accord Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Accord models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 3 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade Accord units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Accord models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Accord should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2005 Honda Accord if possible. It has 10 recalls, 0 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 30 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Accord to buy?+
The 2025 Honda Accord is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 3. It has only 1 recall and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Accord has the fewest problems?+
The 2025, 2026, 2017 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Honda Accord Research
Check a Specific Honda Accord VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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