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Honda Accord reliability

The Honda Accord fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 39.4% of 29,274 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.

6 to 10 years old
22.4% failed their MOT
About average
From 1,139 MOT tests of Honda Accords this age.
Where it does worse than other cars this age
Fails 40% more oftenTyre condition4.9% vs 3.5%Fix about £90
Fails 2× as oftenPosition lamps3.3% vs 1.5%Fix about £30
Fails 88% more oftenHeadlamps3.2% vs 1.7%Fix about £30
Fails 42% more oftenBrake performance2.7% vs 1.9%
Advised 3× as oftenAnti-roll bars4.6% vs 1.5%
Advised 2× as oftenBrake performance4.3% vs 2%
Over 10 years old
39.4% failed their MOT
About average
From 29,274 MOT tests of Honda Accords this age.
Where it does worse than other cars this age
Fails 48% more oftenHeadlamp aim8% vs 5.4%Fix about £30
Fails 85% more oftenHeadlamps7.2% vs 3.9%Fix about £30
Fails 36% more oftenPosition lamps7.2% vs 5.3%Fix about £30
Fails 33% more oftenSuspension arms6.8% vs 5.1%
Advised 45% more oftenSuspension arms17.5% vs 12.1%
Advised 2× as oftenAnti-roll bars13% vs 6%
Advised 3× as oftenHeadlamps11.7% vs 3.7%Fix about £30
Advised 35% more oftenBrake performance6.2% vs 4.6%
Safety recalls

16 DVSA recalls for the Honda Accord

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2020/06123 Oct 2020The absorption of moisture into the driver's air bag propellant could lead to slow deployment or inflator rupture

The absorption of moisture into the driver�s airbag propellant could lead to slow deployment or inflator rupture.

Fix: Replace the airbag inflator or the airbag assembly. Honda is still preparing for the development and production of the remedy parts.

Recalled models: ACCORD · 42,435 vehicles

R/2019/24329 Aug 2019Built 2000–2014Possible air bag inflator rupture

Passenger air bag may not deploy correctly.

Fix: The inflator inside the passenger�s airbag module is to be replaced.

Recalled models: ACCORD TOURER · 122,397 vehicles

R/2019/12529 May 2019Built 2000–2007Inner pressure of the inflator may irregularly rise upon airbag deployment rupturing the inflator container

Driver air bag may not ignite correctly.

Fix: Replace the drivers air bag assembly.

Recalled models: ACCORD · 9 vehicles

R/2018/34230 Jan 2019Built 2010–2015Takata passenger airbag inflator may rupture

Passenger airbag inflators may not operate as intended.

Fix: Replacement of Airbag Assembly on affected vehicles.

Recalled models: ACCORD TOURER · 119,827 vehicles

R/2018/02923 Feb 2018Built 2009–2010Passenger airbag may fail to deploy correctly

The propellant used in certain air bag inflators may degrade over time due to heat cycles and exposure to moisture. In the event that the airbag is activated it may overinflate due to overly aggressive combustion of the propellant. The excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to rupture and metal fragments may pass through the cushion material possibly causing severe injury to the vehicle occupants.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the airbag inflator unit.

Recalled models: ACCORD TOURER · 20,298 vehicles

R/2017/01728 Mar 2017Built 2008–2010Airbag may fail to deploy correctly

Abnormal deployment pressure may lead to rupture of the passenger's air bag inflator case. In the event of an inflator rupture metal fragments could be propelled into the passenger compartment

Fix: On affected vehicles replace the inflator inside the passenger's air bag module.

Recalled models: ACCORD · 22,805 vehicles

R/2015/10429 Jun 2015Built 2003–2008Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly

Abnormal deployment pressure may lead to rupture of the inflator case. In the event of an inflator rupture metal fragments could be propelled upward toward the windshield or downward toward the front passenger�s foot well potentially causing injury to a vehicle occupant.

Fix: On affected vehicles replace the inflator inside the front passenger�s airbag module with a new one.

Recalled models: ACCORD · 242,653 vehicles

R/2015/04316 Mar 2015Built 2003Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly

The subject vehicles are equipped with front passenger airbag inflators which could have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant wafers. Improperly manufactured propellant wafers could cause the inflator to rupture and the front passenger airbag to deploy abnormally in a crash. This could result in increased risk of injury to the occupant or in a thermal issue in the interior compartment which may lead to fire.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to inspect and where necessary replace the airbag inflator module.

Recalled models: ACCORD · 31,135 vehicles

R/2013/04917 Apr 2013Built 2002–2003Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly

The subject vehicles are equipped with front passenger airbag inflators which could have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant wafers. Improperly manufactured propellant wafers could cause the inflator to rupture and the front passenger airbag to deploy abnormally in a crash. This could result in increased risk of injury to the occupant or in a thermal issue in the interior compartment which may lead to fire.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to inspect and where necessary replace the airbag inflator module.

Recalled models: ACCORD · 60,365 vehicles

R/2011/0554 Jul 2011Built 2008–2011Engine may fail

Due to an inappropriate software setting of the Engine Control Unit the oil level in the engine may increase due to fuel dilution during the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration. If the oil level increases too much it may prevent the engine from decelerating as intended the engine may continue to run even if the ignition is switched off. This may result in engine failure. The driver will not have any warning of this failure.

Fix: The dealer will rewrite the engine software and replace the engine oil and engine filter.

Recalled models: ACCORD DIESEL · 8,519 vehicles

R/2007/0615 Apr 2007Built 2005Engine may cut out

The fuel pump relay may fail which will result in either the engine not starting or stalling.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check and where necessary place the fuel pump relay.

Recalled models: ACCORD · 6,113 vehicles

R/2004/1611 Nov 2004Built 2003–2004Lack of protection to the wiring harness in the boot

It has been identified that a wiring harness located in the boot is not adequately protected and is therefore susceptible to damage. Should damage occur on e or more of the electrical functions fed by that harness may be rendered inoperative.

Fix: Likely to be affected vehicles will be recalled at which time the subject wiring harness will be protected by the fitment of a corrugated tube.

Recalled models: ACCORD · 16,685 vehicles

R/2004/1194 Oct 2004Built 1998–1999Instrument panel lights may fail

Due to the possibility of a transistor failure in the multiplex control system the instrument panel lights may fail.

Fix: Affected vehicles will be recalled and the affected part replaced.

Recalled models: ACCORD · 2,737 vehicles

R/2003/07716 Jul 2003Built 1996–1998Rear seat belts may not retract

The rear seat belt may suffer poor retraction due to a broken webbing spool. A loose seat belt may not provide sufficient restraint to avoid injury in an impact.

Fix: Examine all seat belts including the front ones and replace any that have damaged spools. Fit a guide clip to the seat belts where the spool is undamaged.

Recalled models: ACCORD · 21,667 vehicles

R/2002/0716 Aug 2002Ignition switch may fail

Electrical contacts within the ignition switch wear prematurely. This can eventually cause the engine to stall without warning.

Fix: Fit a new ignition switch.

Recalled models: ACCORD · 53,175 vehicles

R/1998/08115 Mar 1999Built 1995–1997Potential wiring chafe situation and short circuit

Potential chafing of the A/C wiring harness due to inappropriate routing. This can lead to a short circuit.

Fix: Affected vehicles are being recalled to have the A/C wiring harness re-routed and additional protection added. If any wire insulation is worn through and the copper is exposed the harness will be replaced.

Recalled models: ACCORD · 2,358 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Honda Accord before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.
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