Here Are The Honda Accord Years To Avoid
We've rounded up 13 Honda Accord years to avoid based on commonly-reported issues. See which ones (and which Accord years are considered safe to buy used).
Honda has long staked its reputation on its cars being reliable and staying on the road for longer than its competition. And for most of its life, their flagship Accord sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks have carried that legacy. You have to be doing something right for a car model to last 45 years, and the Accord has been going strong since 1976, retaining a high level of quality for most of its ten distinct generations.
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Unfortunately, there have been a few outliers and exceptions. The sixth-generation and parts of the seventh, eighth, and ninth generations had model years to avoid. With a car that sells and the Accord, each year is bound to have some complaints, but some years have had an excess of issues reported, and CoPilot is here to help you steer clear of those years.
Quick Answer: Avoid 1998-2005, 2008-2010, 2013, and 2014 Honda Accords
The turn of the century was not an easy time for Honda. The transmission in the new sixth-generation Accord had issues slipping or making thuds while shifting and often outright failing, while several engines stalled out while driving. These problems persisted throughout the sixth generation, then got even worse at the start of the seventh. To make matters worse, there were clear coat issues for all of those years and some interior issues for 2003 and 2004. There were far fewer problems reported for the 2005 model, but it still had enough transmission problems to make it another model year to avoid.
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But then the ninth generation kicked off with difficulties getting the car started, excessive oil consumption, and poor build quality inside. After seeming to put things together for 2006 and 2007, the 2008 model came in for the eighth generation with over a thousand complaints of premature brake wear, excessive oil consumption, and problems with cabin quality, air conditioning, paint, and transmission.
These problems persisted in 2009 and 2010 before fortunately subsiding for 2011 and 2012. These same problems were there in 2013 and 2014, but the more significant electrical system and engine issues got much better in 2015.
Which Model Years of Honda Accord Are Safe to Buy Used?
- 1976 Honda Accord
- 1977 Honda Accord
- 1978 Honda Accord
- 1979 Honda Accord
- 1980 Honda Accord
- 1981 Honda Accord
- 1982 Honda Accord
- 1983 Honda Accord
- 1984 Honda Accord
- 1985 Honda Accord
- 1986 Honda Accord
- 1987 Honda Accord
- 1988 Honda Accord
- 1989 Honda Accord
- 1990 Honda Accord
- 1991 Honda Accord
- 1992 Honda Accord
- 1993 Honda Accord
- 1994 Honda Accord
- 1995 Honda Accord
- 1996 Honda Accord
- 1997 Honda Accord
- 2006 Honda Accord
- 2007 Honda Accord
- 2011 Honda Accord
- 2012 Honda Accord
- 2015 Honda Accord
- 2016 Honda Accord
- 2017 Honda Accord
- 2018 Honda Accord
- 2019 Honda Accord
- 2020 Honda Accord
Luckily, the first five generations of the Accord were all built with the highest quality and made to last. That is built to last within reason, so it might be tough to find a daily driver like the Accord still running 25 years after it was produced, but if you can find one, that is likely a well-built and well-maintained car. But realistically, you’re much more likely to be looking for a more recent model.
THE MOST RELIABLE HONDA ACCORD YEARS
Let’s take a look at recent generations and determine which year is the most reliable for the Honda Accord.
You can expect a reliable car out of the 2006 or 2007 models on a lower budget. There were some complaints of transmission problems in 2006, but far fewer than in the years before them. There were also some complaints of brakes wearing out quickly and excessive oil consumption, but not in numbers nearly as high as the previous years. The most common complaints of these two model years are with the paint. While not a non-issue, if that is the most common problem with a car, you can consider a vehicle pretty safe and dependable.
After a few more issues, the eighth generation of Accord was able to right the ship for 2011 and 2012. The best advice for those years is to make sure you test drive it before buying it and take a moment to sit down. The biggest complaint in the 2011 and 2012 Accords is that the seats are uncomfortable. As long as they feel satisfactory to you or comfortable getting car seat cushions, you should be able to find a good deal on a quality 2011 or 2012 Honda Accord.
Once the ninth-generation Accord underwent a course correction and the problems of the 2013 and 2014 models were dealt with, the ninth and tenth generations were pretty solid. Since the 2015 model, there haven’t been any Accord model years to avoid.
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Which Model Years of Honda Accord to Avoid:
- 1998 Honda Accord
- 1999 Honda Accord
- 2000 Honda Accord
- 2001 Honda Accord
- 2002 Honda Accord
- 2003 Honda Accord
- 2004 Honda Accord
- 2005 Honda Accord
- 2008 Honda Accord
- 2009 Honda Accord
- 2010 Honda Accord
- 2013 Honda Accord
- 2014 Honda Accord
As mentioned earlier, the sixth generation and early seventh-generation Accords were riddled with problems. Anything from the 1998 model to the 2005 model is all Accord model years to avoid. The transmissions and engines were prone to failure and excessive oil consumption. Some problems can be overlooked in a car, but a bad transmission or engine is a safety hazard that no driver should worry about nor pay to repair.
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You might think Honda had learned their lesson from all those problem years. Still, the 2008 Accords had premature brake wear problems, the engine guzzling oil, and issues with the transmission, interior, interior build, paint, and air conditioning.
These red flags persisted in 2009 and 2010. Then after some respite in 2011 and 2012, the 2013 and 2014 models shipped with a weak electrical system that couldn’t even get the V6 engine started after a few years. On top of that, the engine still went through oil far too fast. There are many great Honda Accords out there, but 1998-2005, 2008-2010, and 2013-2014 are the important Accord model years to avoid.
Common Honda Accord Problems
The Honda Accord has an excellent reputation for reliability, but some of its components may fail or break down. Here are some of the widely reported issues of the Accord:
- Uncomfortable seating: Many owners reported having severe back and neck pains because of the Accord’s uncomfortable seats. On the 2008 and 2009 models, owners cited poor lumbar support and cushioning for the uncomfortable experience.
- Electrical issues: Frustrated owners reported that their starters failed after the 30k-mile mark – a bummer since that’s after warranty expiration. On top of that, many complained about the battery drain issues. According to experts, the Accord batteries don’t have enough amps to power the engine.
- Excessive oil consumption: Several Accord models suffered from excessive oil consumption, particularly the 2008 and 2009 models. Honda had to issue a technical service bulletin instructing the mechanics to update the variable cylinder management (VCM) through software.
- Faulty power door locks: Several owners claimed that the Accord’s power door locks are prone to malfunction or fail. Apparently, this issue had to do with the car’s power lock actuators. This was a tricky problem to diagnose due to its intermittent nature.
Honda Accord Problem Counts by Year
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Frequently Asked Questions: Honda Accord Years to Avoid
Q: Which Honda Accord generations have had the most problematic model years?
A: The sixth generation (1998-2002) and parts of the seventh (2003-2005), eighth (2008-2010), and ninth generations (2013-2014) have had Honda Accord model years that are best avoided due to various issues and excessive complaints.
Q: Did the seventh-generation Honda Accords have any model years worth considering?
A: While the early seventh-generation Accords (2003-2005) had their share of problems, the 2006 and 2007 models were notably more reliable. Though some complaints about transmission problems, brakes wearing out quickly, and excessive oil consumption were made, these issues were far less prevalent than in previous years.
Q: Were there any problems with the ninth-generation Honda Accords?
A: Yes, the 2013 and 2014 Honda Accords had difficulties starting the car, excessive oil consumption, and poor build quality in the interior. However, these issues were largely resolved by the 2015 model year.
Q: Which Honda Accord model years are considered safe to buy used?
A: The first five generations of the Accord (1976-1997) were known for their high quality and durability. More recently, the 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, and 2015-2020 models have proven reliable choices for a used Honda Accord.
Are Honda Accords typically reliable?
Ask any mechanic to name a few reliable cars, and chances are the Honda Accord would be on the list. Few vehicles have such a solid reputation for dependability. But even Honda puts out a bad model now and then.
How much does a used Honda Accord typically cost?
The Honda Accord is an in-demand vehicle, especially as a used car. This strong interest is reflected in higher seller prices. For example, a 2010 Accord sells for an average of $10,804, says CoPilot Price Pulse. It’s an amount that includes a 25% premium due to current market conditions. Newer Accords are even more sought after. A 2020 model year goes for $27,338, reflecting a 34% higher price due to the current used car market.
Is the Honda Accord a good car to purchase?
For many shoppers, the Honda Accord meets their needs for affordable and dependable transportation. So, yet, it’s an excellent choice. Remember that even stellar cars like the Accord may have some model years that are less ideal than others. Before kicking any tires, discover which Accord years are the most reliable.
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