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Honda Accord HybridModel year report

2018 Honda Accord Hybrid Problems

Compared with other Honda Accord Hybrid years

More complaints than typical for this model

70/100 1.6× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2015, 2017, 2021

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
116filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
7,320miles, 56 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
47 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 47 city / 47 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2018 Accord Hybrid most often describe an Active Noise Cancellation system that produces a loud humming, roaring or booming sound, typically around 50-55 mph and worse in cold weather, which dealers repeatedly could not reproduce or fix. Other recurring reports cover false forward-collision braking with no obstacle present, intermittent electrical and driver-assist warnings, a steering bind at highway speeds, and reduced fuel economy compared with the window-sticker rating.

  1. Other or unknown

    Loud humming/roaring noise (noise cancellation system)

    • 17 complaints (15%)
    • median 12,000 mi at 2.1 yrs old (13 state mileage)
    • filed 2018–2021

    Owners describe a loud humming, droning, roaring or booming sound while driving, loud enough that some open a window to stop it. It is repeatedly linked to the automatic noise cancelling system; dealers sometimes confirmed the sound and replaced microphones or tested them per a service bulletin, but many owners say the noise returned or the dealer could not duplicate it. Usually appears at low mileage, often between roughly 35 and 55 mph, and is reported as worse in cold weather.

    What to check: Drive the car at steady speeds around 50-55 mph, ideally on a cold day, and listen for a humming or booming tone from the cabin speakers; ask whether any microphones or noise-cancelling components were replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “A loud humming noise comes out of the speaker and I believe I've identified as being the automatic noise canceling system. It's malfunctioning to the point that I have to open a window slightly to get it to turn off. I feel like it's at such a decibel that I'm having hearing loss from it.”

    NHTSA complaint #11382720, filed 2020-12, 15,000 miles

    “2018 Honda Accord Hybrid touring purchased 9/25/20 with 44k miles. Within the 2 weeks I've owned this car I have already noticed two large issues. The first and most disheartening is the terribly reduced gas mileage compared to what it's rated for. I'm topping out in the low 30's when it's rated for 47mpg. The second issue is the loud humming noise while driving. A quick search online shows that many other owners also have both these issues.”

    NHTSA complaint #11363525, filed 2020-10, 44,000 miles
  2. Forward collision avoidance

    False forward-collision braking with no obstacle

    • 20 complaints (17%)
    • median 10,000 mi at 2.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2018–2025

    Complaints describe the car braking hard on its own at highway or local road speeds when no vehicle is ahead, sometimes with the brake warning light flashing. Owners also report the crash mitigation, lane keeping and road departure warnings lighting up, and some say a dealer software update did not stop the problem. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to over 40,000, at both low and highway speeds.

    What to check: On a test drive, note any unexpected braking or warnings, and ask the dealer whether camera and radar-related software updates were applied and whether any camera replacement was done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I purchased a new 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid on june 30, 2018 from Honda of kirkland for my daughter. On monday, february 25, 2019, when she was driving back from class on a road at 35 MPH, the collision mitigation system brake warning flashed then braked immediately, stopping the car in traffic. No obstacles or cars were in front of her. Fortunately, the cars behind her were far enough away that they were able to stop. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11183779, filed 2019-03, 4,000 miles

    “On sunday night (11/10/19) around 5:15 pm, I was driving down the left lane of a 2-lane highway at ~55 MPH. The closest vehicle was no less than 5 car lengths ahead of me. Randomly, the orange brake light came on in the dash and the car automatically slammed on the brakes almost to a complete stop causing my head to jolt forward. Luckily the car behind me was able to stop as I started to accelerate again. I believe there was nothing in front of me or on the road that should have caused this safety feature to engage. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11279449, filed 2019-11, 10,000 miles
  3. Electrical system

    Multiple warning lights and driver-assist system failures

    • 18 complaints (16%)
    • median 15,000 mi at 2.6 yrs old (14 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2018–2026

    Owners report bursts of warnings for lane keeping, road departure, blind spot, auto high beam, adaptive cruise and collision mitigation, sometimes together with loss of turn signals, hazards, brake lights, the back-up camera or the center display. Dealers have retrieved trouble codes they could not explain, replaced cameras or performed software updates, and in some cases the warnings returned. Often at low mileage, from a few hundred to a few thousand miles, and some complaints mention rain or cold temperatures.

    Recall 20V7710003 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for a full history of software updates and any camera or body control module work, and check that all warning lights go out after start-up and that the touchscreen and driver-assist features work consistently.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “On my way back to home in san diego ca in late jan 2019 the panel started showing warning signs like brake system light on, adaptive cruise control/road departure mitigation/lane keeping assist system (lkas) lights are all on saying failure. This was the second time for my around 2000 miles Accord Hybrid. The first time it was able to resolve by re-power on the car but second time it was completely failed. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11180892, filed 2019-02, 2,100 miles

    “While driving the display audio portion of the car will shut off randomly and restart, or freeze, then shut down, and restart. There is sometimes an audio warning (beep) often times it will just randomly shut down. I have experienced it no fewer than 8 times while driving since august. It has happened in both city driving and highway driving. It always occurs when the vehicle is in motion. Most instances have occurred when using my motorola g5 plus connected via usb and using android auto for directions, however, not every instance. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11162155, filed 2018-12, 3,000 miles
  4. Fuel system

    Lower fuel economy than rated

    • 22 complaints (19%)
    • median 4,500 mi at 1.3 yrs old (14 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2018–2026

    Owners report fuel economy far below the rated figure, with the engine running more than expected and the battery gauge rarely showing a full charge. Some say the drop came after a software update, and some describe the gas engine cutting in and out abruptly or the car losing speed briefly during the electric-to-gas transition. Reported from very low mileage up to around 45,000 miles, and several owners note the figures get worse in cold weather.

    Recall 23V858000

    What to check: Reset the trip meter and check real-world mpg over a mixed test drive, watch whether the battery gauge moves through its full range, and ask about any software updates and whether the fuel pump recall was completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “First 7,000 miles got 47 mpg, Honda did back up camera software update, and mpg dropped to 42, then 38, and now 34, on all the same types of driving. Electric engine hardly runs and not nearly as much as earlier. Seems to be related to the temperature, the colder the temperature, the lower the mpg.”

    NHTSA complaint #11173087, filed 2019-01, 7,200 miles

    “When going around a corner and the switch from electric to gas (hybrid vehicle) occurs the car seems to stall and consequently looses speed for a second or two. This happens when starting from a stop and at highway speeds.”

    NHTSA complaint #11307558, filed 2020-02, 16,650 miles
  5. Steering

    Steering binds or sticks at highway speed

    Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners describe the steering wheel sticking near center and then breaking free with a jerk when making small corrections to stay in a lane, requiring over-correction. One owner reports the dealer replaced the steering gear box and the problem was resolved. Mostly reported under about 15,000 miles, and several complaints mention highway speeds or temperatures below about 35 degrees.

    What to check: Test on a highway at steady speed and feel for sticking or notchy steering near center; ask whether the steering gear has been replaced or inspected.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Have a problem steering binding at speeds above 50 MPH while making small adjustments to stay in lane. It seems to be most noticeable 65 MPH on interstate and temp below 35 degrees. Moving left or right it gets hard then cuts loose then you need to over correct back to stay in center. Not safe to drive in center lane. Was ok first 5000 miles.”

    NHTSA complaint #11174421, filed 2019-02, 6,127 miles

    “The steering wheel is not a smooth transition from 12 o'clock to 1 o'clock or to 11 o'clock. It is as if the pavement is uneven or as if the steering wheel is stuck at 12 o'clock. This is not safe on the highway and especially in the rain. It hasn't snowed yet but I would imagine it is going to very difficult to drive it safely in the snow with this major issue.”

    NHTSA complaint #11150248, filed 2018-11, 14,900 miles

Buying note. Check for a humming or booming noise on a highway test drive, confirm all updates and recall work are done, and verify the steering feels smooth at speed; the complaints suggest these are the points worth testing directly rather than taking on faith.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 116 consumer complaints for the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid. 56 of the complaints include a mileage, and 91% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 7,320 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 63 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 7 Honda Accord Hybrid model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 70 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Wheels (6), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (4), Electronic stability control (3), Seat belts (3), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (2), Suspension (2), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “I'm barely reaching close to 6000 miles and I'm already hearing clunk sounds on my suspensions when I slowly go into a dip or drive across a bump, now sometimes the engine would have this rattling sound when I accelerate between 2000-3000 rpms and sometimes when I remove the parking brake and go reverse the braking system would randomly brake on me violently and put it on park. I bought the vehicle at 84 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #11173632, filed 2019-02, 5,000 miles

Fuel system: “After filling the fuel tank, a strong odor of gasoline was smelled in the car. The car was taken to the local Honda dealer and after 5 days they still haven't found the cause of the problem. They have attempted to deodorize the car each day and ventilate it using fans but I don't know if the fuel system has been checked.”

NHTSA complaint #11310622, filed 2020-02, 21,900 miles

Other or unknown: “The windshield on my 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid touring cracked spontaneously while it was being backed out of a downtown parking space. It has fewer than 7,500 miles on it. I'm told there is a 4 to 8 month backorder for an oem replacement - the only kind that Honda will accept if I'm to maintain their warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #11210348, filed 2019-05, 7,100 miles

Electrical system: “I was slowly pulling into my garage to park. When I pressed on the parking break, the car revved to full speed, slammed into garage and would not respond to the brakes, or any attempt to turn off the ignition or to control the car, including failure of the automatic emergency braking, forward collision or parking collision to function, even though they were all turned on. …”

NHTSA complaint #11376459, filed 2020-11, 15,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

91% of the 56 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,300 and 20,000 miles.

55%0–1023%10–2513%25–504%50–752%75–1004%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (56 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 7,320 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20182019272020202120222023202420252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Accord Hybrid · sedan FWD★★★★★5 / 5555 · 9.3% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating; 2019: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Accord Hybrid FWD2.0L 4-cyl · hybridCVT474747$1,450

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 63 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 63 bulletins →

Other model years of the Honda Accord Hybrid

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2025245,3003548—Too new
2024784,2005548Too new to compareToo new
202314413,7807548100 · MoreToo new
20225512,900154740 · TypicalRising
20214838,000354830 · FewerRising
2020391,700554858 · TypicalFalling
20199412,000554865 · MoreStable
20181167,320454770 · MoreStable
20174532,000254816 · FewerRising
20153920,00015470 · FewerFalling
20142418,2401547—Stable
200530103,5000—28Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Honda Accord Hybrid model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid?

Owners of the 2018 Accord Hybrid most often describe an Active Noise Cancellation system that produces a loud humming, roaring or booming sound, typically around 50-55 mph and worse in cold weather, which dealers repeatedly could not reproduce or fix. The issues reported most often: Loud humming/roaring noise (noise cancellation system); False forward-collision braking with no obstacle; Multiple warning lights and driver-assist system failures.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 116 consumer complaints for the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 25 complaints (22% of the total), followed by fuel system with 24.

Has the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid (Accord Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 47 mpg combined, 47 city and 47 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid reported?

Among the 56 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 7,320 miles and the middle half falls between 3,300 and 20,000 miles; 91% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.