Complaint volume
339 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
339 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Honda Accord, grouped by component category.
339 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 82 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 31,265 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 31
AIR BAGS 25
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 17
SERVICE BRAKES 17
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 15
STEERING 14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8
339 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| May 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | CMS - collision mitigation system stops working completely. 2 warning lamps on dash. Cruise control completely inoperative. Vehicle was initially inspected by dealer on 11/19/21with DTC U0401-92 - Temporary stop of integrated driver support system (rejected control request), also found U0416-68 VSA system malfunction. This issue happens every 1-3 thousand miles. Also with the CMS/braking system, it will alert "brake" on dash and brake hard if encountering repetitive shadows from objects that are cast onto the road. My safety and others safety were compromised due to hard braking and cars behind me that then had to brake, nearly rear-ending my car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Driving on a two lane highway suburban area - 40 miles per hour in a 40 mph speed limit. No cars in front of me for at lease 1/2 mile - totally blank and clear road. A pick up truck behind me. Very little traffic. Suddenly without warning and knowing my foot is on the accelerator, the car brakes to a complete stop with no foot on the brake pedal! Complete random braking for no reason. Luckily the vehicle behind me was far enough and not too close which allowed him to swerve and avoid colliding into me. He passed me and probably thought I was crazy. I called Honda and they told me to bring it in which I did. They performed many tests in all areas and advised they could not locate anything wrong. I know there is an ongoing investigation with Honda Accords and dangerous random breaking, thus the reason for this incident to be documented. The general manager of the dealership was in touch with me and advised he would be doing some research. I could easily have been killed if not for quick thinking of the vehicle behind me, and also luckily no car in front of me. What do you advise? This is extremely disconcerting to know it could happen again. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | STEERING | At approximately 9,000 miles I noticed a steering problem with my accord. It started very subtle over a few weeks. Driving at a speed over 50 mph, the steering wheel felt as if it was sticking when trying to turn slightly to the right or left. It became more and more noticeable to a point where I did not feel safe driving it on the interstate at high speeds. When it would stick, I had to pull the wheel harder to the right or left to release it, making me feel I would over correct and run off the road or into another car. The problem was very noticeable after about 30 minutes of driving when the car was warmed up, and at a speed greater than 50 mph. The steering was normal at low speeds during slower traffic in town. The dealership duplicated the problem and replaced the car steering rack. This corrected the problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | If I have the lane keeping assistance on and go through an intersection the car beeps BREAK!! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Several times my car has slammed the brakes on its own when I have not touched the brakes and also when there is no car in front of me for it to detect the need to brake. The most recent time on 4/8 on the freeway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the tire pressure warning light and brake system warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the driver assists cruise control system, emergency brakes system, collision prevention system, and electrical steering assist all failed at the same time. The contact stated that the safety assist features became disabled but returned after the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure occurred more frequently. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 68,000 |
| Mar 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving at a slow speed (10-15mph) when my brakes automatically engaged. After the car stopped I began to accelerate and the brakes engaged again. There wasn’t any reason for the brakes to engage. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On 3/24/22 while driving on the freeway at 65mph my car stopped suddenly. The ABS alert appeared on the dashboard and it made me swerve my car, also in the afternoon when getting off the freeway the ABS system alert appeared and my car braked suddenly there was no car or person in front of me at that time either it stopped so hard the car behind me had to swerve. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I experienced phantom breaking while driving to work on 03/02/2022. I was driving on the right most lane before entering into north bound 101 highway when my 2020 Honda Accord Sport 2.0T abruptly stopped, there was no car or object in front of the car, and luckily there was no car behind me, otherwise I would have been hit and injured. A few days later, I brought the car to Capitol Honda dealer for checkout, but dealer could not find any problem. I have not driven my Honda Accord much during the past two years as I mostly work from home due to Covid-19 and my car has only 2800 miles when this incident happened. Since this is the 1st time I encountered phantom breaking, I would like to report the incident as I am concerned that it might happen again in the future. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | STEERING | Hi, Monday I bought a 2020 used certified Honda accord with approx 19k miles that is presenting problems with the electric steering box. considering the vehicle that I traded in for this, an 2019 honda civic had the same part replaced under warranty at approx 28k miles and my accord has similarities to that problem. today 03/02/22, I took my car to the dealer but the technician said couldn't see the problem. the problem is: in an intermittent way while driving, the steering wheel tends to do micro jumps instead of smooth moving. also, today driving at highway speeds (70, but it happens at different speeds) I noticed while making a very smooth right curve it got "stick" in the position it was forcing me to apply a little more strength to have it centered again instead of just letting it go by itself. I have mechanical knowledge and I can affirm there's something wrong with it once I already checked alignment and suspension parts and everything seems good. now, the problem is, the dealership doesn't see it and I'm concerned about having an accident or something. I work as a delivery driver in this car and I need it for making my living. Intermittent problems are complicated especially to be noticed/caught. but not less important, I fear for my life and other people's life on the road. I'm also contacting honda about this because there are other cars out there with similar problems. It's my second honda and I'm very disappointed. They need to add a heat shield or something similar between the steering box and the exhaust on their turbo-charged engines. Turbo engines produce great power and also heat. that might be damaging their car's steering system over time. I saw reports where people say they have it replaced 3 times already. anyways, I hope someone can help me with this issue. I'll also leave a link where people are discussing the same problem: https://www.accordxclub.com/threads/steering-issue-jumps-from-center.2144/ if you search. there is even more. Thank you. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Multiple times while driving the emergency braking has engaged briefly. At first I thought it was detecting something in the road or a vehicle to the side of my car. That is not the case. It will apply this brake no matter what is in front of or around me. I have not noticed it doing it on secondary roads but it does it on highways and the interstate. This has created an unsafe situation many times. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Five times over two years, the collision mitigation system has activated while the car was in motion but no object was in front of the car. Three minor activations, meaning a brief yellow glow on the dash, have occurred. Two more significant activations have also occurred with a yellow rectangle on the dash with the word BRAKE visible. The most serious activation was at highway speeds. I was concerned that the car was going to automatically brake on the highway. I have returned this two year old car to the dealership multiple times for evaluation and have found little motivation on the part of the dealership to deal with this problem and other more minor problems the car is demonstrating. I consider the above complaint to be potentially life-threatening. I will not drive in this car unless the collision mitigation is turned off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated while entering a parking lot at 10 MPH, he started to hear an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving the vehicle but shortly after the drive shaft fractured. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the driveshaft to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 39,000 |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | With seemingly no impediments ahead of it our 2020 Honda Accord will suddenly brake forcefully when changing lanes or exiting the freeway. it is not constant, but it is scary since there is no reason to brake at this point. this could cause us to be rear-ended the thing this system is supposed to keep us from doing. the dealer says unless it occurs when they drive it, unless, unless. The 'advisor' said he had heard of a few examples. they are all over the internet. What is being done to address this issue? oh, and he mentioned that we could always turn it off. we bought this car because being in our sixties and reflexes not necessarily being what they once were we wanted to avoid hitting someone from behind. this has happened on dozens of occasions. the listed date was the last. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |