Complaint volume
328 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Honda Accord Complaints
328 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Honda Accord, grouped by component category.
328 Total complaints
13 Crash reports
2 Fire reports
7 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are forward collision avoidance, engine, air bags. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 13 crash reports, 2 fire reports, 7 injury reports, and 1 fatality report. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 80 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 29,071 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to forward collision avoidance, engine, air bags?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Honda Accord?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2020 Honda Accord
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Honda Accord complaints?
13 Crash
2 Fire
7 Injury
1 Fatality
12 Towed
5 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Honda Accord complaint categories?
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 53
ENGINE 28
AIR BAGS 25
SERVICE BRAKES 17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 15
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 14
STEERING 14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8
328 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2022 | VISIBILITY | On the morning of Nov 1, 2022, I was driving on an open rural highway in cool, clear weather with no other vehicles on the road. Suddenly I heard an explosive crashing sound followed immediately by the sound of broken glass falling. I was afraid to stop right there because a few years ago, there were several vehicles hit by rifle fire not far from me in northern Colorado. As I drove, I felt a little air flow, as if a back window was partly open. When I came to a parking lot for a hiking trailhead, there were other vehicles in the lot and I felt safe to pull over. Examination showed that the sunroof on my car had shattered. Luckily, I had the sunscreen closed, or I would have gotten a face full of broken glass while traveling 55 mph. I reported to the sheriff. We tried to imagine what could have happened. I actually wondered if a random piece of meteorite had fallen from the sky, but there was no foreign object along with the broken glass. I filed an insurance claim. The damage has been repaired. I was not injured, but certainly shaken up because of the close call. Later I learned that other sunroofs have shattered spontaneously. I believe there should be a safety recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Three times in one day the emergency braking system has gone on automatically for no apparent reason. We were not at risk but are concerned we will be put at risk. There was no warning. We have not taken it in but will do so asap | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | STEERING | I put in a complaint before and the problem still persists. I’ve been to Honda over 10 times and they claim they cannot recreate it which is just a tactic to not repair the issue. Seems A LOT of other Honda owners are having this issue which is the gear box. There are multiple years affected including 2018-2020. The steering wheel sticks while trying to drive straight. No issues with turns. The steering wheel will hold in the straight position and when trying to drive straight and ease with the road the wheel will not turn even the slightest without some force which causes you to overcorrect. It is VERY dangerous and I don’t know why Honda is not recalling the problem parts. I bought my car new and never had an issue until the second month I drove the car. 3 years later and over 10 visits to Honda and it’s still happening. Please PUSH Honda to fix this issue ASAP!!!! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | I am writing this letter to complaint about a major defect for my vehicle as the Honda dealership located at 1036 Jericho Turnpike , Huntington NY doesn’t want to resolve as the vehicle is still under the manufactory warranty. The defect / problem involves the emergency brake release switch located in the center console area . I reported the defect / problem and hoped that Honda would honor the manufactory warranty under 36, 000 mile policy to replace an or repair any defects without cost to the consumer . However I was informed that payment in the amount of seven hundred and fifty dollars would be needed to resolve / repair the problem/ defect. I was told that the clip that hold the switch/ device to the center comnsole were broken and it is the current owner problem to resolve as it not covered. Just imagine how could I be responsible for a broken clip , when you look at the picture its clearly not a owner error but rather a defect in the workmanship to properly secure switch to the console . I want Honda to honor the under 36, 000 mile manufactory warranty policy and fix this problem without having me as a consumer to pay . Attached are the pictures of the emergency switch resisting inside the center console as no visible damage to the supporting outside structure . | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | I purchased a 2020 Honda Accord in 9/2020 brand new. Within one month I started having brake issues. It felts like shuttering. I took it back to Honda service department; they stated the rotors need to be shaved a little. This did take care of the problem for about 8 months to year. I then started having the exact same sensation when braking at low speeds and worse at high speeds. I took it back to Honda (living in a different state) they said tech forgot to look at the brakes (it was there for oil change and tire rotation too) schedule to bring back and apologized. I scheduled a new appointment about 2 weeks out. They have my car all day and state they could not duplicate the problem. Service advisor states they believe it's happening at high speed/brakes heat-up was it okay for Service Manager to drive home because he lives a distance away. I did not feel comfortable with that, so he said to just drop by when I'm out and it's happening that a mechanic would get in the car with me to see if he feels the problem. I work Monday-Friday 8-5, I can't just stop in I explained. I was out of town over the weekend on I-95 going around 74mph and cars in front of me start hitting their brakes to slow down for traffic ahead we were on a slight curve in the road, my car starts shaking uncontrollably and giving that shuttering feeling then the brakes lock up. Thank goodness the car behind me was able to move into the slow lane and not rearend me at a deadly speed. My neck is still hurting from the locking of the brakes at such a high speed. I called Honda yesterday and scheduled to bring it back in again for the 4th time. I explained I will not take this car back without something being done to these brakes. At this point I feel it's a death trap. Let's see what happens Wednesday. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | SEAT BELTS | Passenger front seatbelt stopped engaging. No damage — stopped working in between routes. Cause UNKNOWN— malfunction of manufacturer | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Driving on the freeway when the sunroof just exploded. there was nothing that hit us as there was no vehicle in close vicinity to us. Thankfully we had the cover closed or it could of resulted in personal injury from people inside and additional damage. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | LANE DEPARTURE | The lane departure has two separate problems with both happen frequently, these are not one-time problems. 1. The system seems to pull the vehicle in the wrong direction. For example, if you the car starts to deft to the left, and makes contact with the left lane line, it feels like the pressure exerted on the steering wheel, or the drivetrain itself, actually pulls the vehicle further left. This has the completely opposite effect of what is intended. This is not 100% of the time. Sometimes lane departure does nude the vehicle back towards the center of the lane as expected. 2. The vehicle cannot safely determine lane markings. It frequently mistakes tar lines on the road as a lane line and attempts to correct the vehicle's course. The vehicle also does not know how new lanes/ending lanes work. It will often see a new lane line, from a lane newly added to the road (like when a lane splits into two), as a lane departure and will direct the vehicle to one of the two lanes regardless of driver steering. Each time this happens I have to be aware and manually steer the car where I want to go, fighting against the lane departure system. The car is available for inspection and has not been inspected by Honda. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | VISIBILITY | Driving slowly down a residential street during daylight hours and suddenly there was a loud noise and the passenger side side view mirror exploded. There wasn’t an accident of any kind - the car had not come inti contact with anything and there was no other damage except the actual glass part of the mirror was completely gone. There were no scratches or other damage to the rest of the mirror assembly or the car and no evidence that anyone had thrown anything at the car. The car was driven immediately to the Honda dealer and they insisted that there must have been an accident and refused to cover the damage. A brief internet search revealed others with the same make and model had experienced the exact same thing. I strongly believe this is a manufacturing defect and it is a safety issue because the sound of the explosion was startling and there was broken glass flying around and now the car side view mirror is missing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | On 5/10/22, at approximately 43K miles, while driving my Accord on the interstate in a construction zone, the car lost engine power. Multiple warnings were displayed and lights flashed on the dash. I coasted and was fortunately able to find and safely pull into the berm, while vehicles sped by at 65-mph. From the berm, I attempted to accelerate but the car would not exceed 5-10 mph, and rumbled horribly. For over an hour, I sat and waited for a tow and had it towed to the nearest Honda dealer. Service began the afternoon of 5/10. Near closing time, they determined that the issue was the low pressure fuel pump. Remarkably, my VIN was not included in the 2020 Accord Fuel Pump Recall. Makes you wonder. Service would be completed on 5/11 (one night spent in hotel). On 5/11, the low pressure fuel pump was replaced. By day's end, there were still problems (night two in a hotel). Around noon on 5/12, and after what they described as many phone calls with Honda engineers, they determined the high pressure fuel pump needed replacement. I rented a car and drove home. They replaced the high pressure fuel pump and by 5:00 PM on 5/13 called and said the car was ready for pick up. Total cost for fuel pumps and labor was $1,100, which was mostly and finally compensated after hours of debate with Honda Customer Service. Lost were tow cost, 3-days of work, 2-hotel nights and the cost of the rental car. What good are warning lights when they all seem to illuminate at once? What good are safety messages when they all you to see a dealer? What good is any of this when your car loses power and you are stranded on a busy interstate? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | On 9/1/22, 8,600 miles after losing all power on the interstate, being stranded and having the car towed to the nearest dealer, paying for the tow, spending 2-nights in a hotel, renting a car to get home and having both the high pressure and low pressure fuel pumps replaced, my 2022 Honda Accord had yet another problem. After starting the car in a parking lot, 8-warning lights flashed and 9-12 warning messages were displayed. Since a very familiar situation happened 8,600 miles ago, I was very hesitant to drive anywhere, however, in the situation before, the car would not accelerate. In this instance, it would. I drove 10-miles to the nearest Honda dealer avoiding interstates. The dealer did a quick computer scan. The fault code (among others) was a P0172, "Fuel Mixture Too Rich". The tech said the problem is most likely fuel injector related. He assured me that it would be safe to drive another 30-miles to a dealer closer to my residence. I made it to the dealer safely and it turns out that the fuel injectors need replacing. Total cost will be $1,800. Could the fuel pump issues damaged the injectors? As mentioned in my prior complaint, what good are warning lights when 8-illuminate at once. What good are safety messages when they all tell you to see a dealer? How are owners supposed to understand the gravity of a malfunction? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated without warning. The contact stated that after several minutes the vehicle started to operate as needed. On another occasion, while driving 35 MPH, the brake assist activated independently causing the vehicle to brake suddenly. On another occasion, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start-up after several attempts. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 62,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 62,000 |
| Aug 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | when I am driving, there is no car in front of my car. Brake warning flash and randomly slam on the brakes without the I touching the brake pedal. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | This has happened more than one time.The first time it happened I was going down a 2 lane road no one in front or back of me and I was going 65 with my cruise set and the car slams on break and stays blink break on the dash. The second time it happened i was going down a 2 lane road at 45 no one around and it slams on breaks really hard and blinked break across the dash. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Driving on the interstate going about 60mph with no one in front of me or behind me and the car brakes by itself. This is the fourth time this vehicle has randomly brake | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | ENGINE | I brought my vehicle into the dealer for a recall software problem and to fix an oil leak coming from the valve cover. They replace the valve cover gasket and performed the software recall. As of now it still shows that my vehicle still needs the software recall. One week later after the oil leak repair, a massive oil leak formed at the valve cover causing oil to cover my engine bay and exhaust causing a burning smell and possible fire risk. Every weekend we drive out of state to tournaments and I was unaware of the leak. I brought it back to the dealer and they said it was residual oil from the previous repair. I was skeptical but believed them. One week later the same massive oil leak and problem occurred in my engine bay and driveway. Having no confidence in the dealer and being an ASE certified master mechanic, I decided to fix the problem myself by replacing the plastic valve cover assembly. I remove the old valve cover and found it to be extremely warped not providing a proper seal. The first time I brought my car into the dealer the service advisor said this is the second one this week that we’ve seen. I have a hard time believing that my vehicle is the only problem with this. I am extremely dissatisfied with the service from the dealership and the lack of concern that my life and my sons life was put in danger with a fire risk. I am currently seeking reimbursement for the part that I paid out-of-pocket. About US$150. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | The harness isn’t secured. It doesn’t click or fasten. We’ve had this car seat for about two months | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The ANC (active noise cancellation) software is not up to date. It's causing a loud, uncomfortable booming or humming noise from speakers while driving. 2018-2021 models are having the same issue. Many honda accord sport 1.5 or 2.0 owners I talk to are experiencing the same problem. And are being told by local Honda dealerships they don't see any issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and accelerating, the vehicle experienced phantom braking and abruptly stopped. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was experienced several times within a two-month period. The contact was able to continue driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 14,000 |
| Jun 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | Purchased new 2020 Honda Accord on September 28, 2020. On October 13, 2020 I was pulling into a parking space at a retail store. Going 2 or 3 miles per hour with foot on brake turning into space on my right with steering wheel turned to the right. Suddenly engine roared and car would not stop even with my foot firmly on the brake until it hit a pole. I have since learned it is called unintended acceleration. After crash I drove car to another parking spot. Car was in park and I was on the phone and all of a sudden engine roared - same sound when crash occurred. Honda sent their investigator out and told me all car functions were ok. Car was repaired for $7000.00 On June 1, 2022 the same exact thing occurred as I was pulling into a parking spot on my right with steering wheel turned to the right. As the first incident engine suddenly roared and with my foot firmly on the brake car would not stop until it crashed into the store concrete wall. This car has something wrong with it. There are other stories out there with same story as people are parking the car. The car was towed to a collision shop and I am going to the Honda Dealer I purchased it from to insist this car is a danger to me and others and I cannot drive this any longer. I first wanted to report this before I did anything else. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| May 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Today I was driving my Honda (Accord 2020) about 30 to 40 miles an hour and suddenly the car decided to brake for i guess a fraction of a second. It is hard to describe but literally felt that someone slam on the brakes. I also got the brake alarm and the sign on the dashboard "BRAKE" (orange sign). I was taken by surprise, even my wife asked me, what was I doing?. It was only a moment, but it was totally unexpected, lucky for me, there was no one in front or behind me. If you have questions please contact me at [XXX] or [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | Since purchased I’ve had to replace the rear break pads 3 times and the vehicle only had 79,000 miles. Front break pads have not been replaced. It seems to be going through break pads too quickly especially for the back breaks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | My front brake rotors needed to be re-turned at 22.6K miles. Based on my light-footed driving habits and general ownership experience, I think this is a very premature failure. I asked Honda Customer Service if they would consider this as a warranty repair, but they denied my request, saying it was normal wear-and-tear. In my opinion, Honda has used a substandard component or design that causes rotors to fail prematurely. This is supported by other reports of similar failure in the NHTSA database. I think that this failure could eventually present itself as a serious safety-related defect if left uninvestigated. I would urge NHTSA to look into the matter. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | Purchased as a new vehicle. Brakes went from operating normally to grinding and worn without warning around 20K miles. Pads replaced but no relief. Car was taken to dealership for service and rotors were turned. Vehicle operated fine after rotors were turned for approximately 2K miles then the same issue again. There is definitely a design issue with the braking system or rotor material. I have never had this many brake issues with any vehicle - new or used. The issue has caused increased braking distance and uncertainty around the reliability of the Accord braking system. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The vehicle automatically turned on the forward collision mitigation system when there was nothing to avoid. Vehicle went from 55mph to 20mph in about 2 seconds. Fortunately there was no vehicle approaching from behind. I had no control over trying to override the braking system. Had vehicle checked at Honda dealership & was informed there was nothing they could do other than make a note of the issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |