2019 Honda Accord Hybrid Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe two kinds of trouble: engine problems (head gasket failures with coolant loss, overheating and misfires, plus sudden loss of power at speed) and the Honda Sensing driver-assist systems braking or steering on their own with nothing in front of the car. A third large group of complaints is about the fuel pump recall, mostly owners describing how long they waited for parts rather than an actual failure. Many reports arrive at low mileage, but the engine complaints cluster at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Engine

   Head gasket failure / coolant loss and misfires

   Mentioned in 13 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe overheating, coolant disappearing, a flashing or steady check engine light and rough running, with technicians confirming a leaking or cracked head gasket and coolant entering a cylinder. Several say the car lost power or entered a reduced-power mode while driving, and that they had to pull over and restart it. Repairs reported at dealers include head gasket replacement, and some owners mention tests sent off before work was approved. Complaints also note misfire codes and, in some cases, spark plug replacement. Most reports fall between roughly 40,000 and 136,000 miles, with several in the 70,000-125,000 mile range.

   18 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check coolant level and look for residue or bubbles in the expansion tank, ask whether a leak-down or combustion gas test has been done, and have a pre-purchase inspection watch for misfire codes. Ask whether any head gasket or cooling-system work has already been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am writing to express my serious dissatisfaction with the engine head gasket on my 2019 Honda Accord EXL. Following my Honda consultant, I have experienced a engine head gasket malfunction where it has a head gasket crack. This led to leaking into the engine piston which will cost me $5000 to repair. There was no signs and symptoms that the incident was going to happen. I would also say I am a pretty conservative driver when commuting. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11649611, filed 2025-03

   “Description of Incident: 1. Component/System Failure: The engine cooling system and head gasket failed. A certified shop has confirmed coolant intrusion and a failed leak-down test on Cylinder 2. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. Safety Risk: My safety and the safety of my family and other drivers were put at extreme risk. On March 1, 2026, the vehicle suffered a sudden loss of motive power while traveling at 70 MPH on the freeway. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11722489, filed 2026-03
2. 2
   Forward collision avoidance

   Honda Sensing brakes or steers with nothing ahead

   Mentioned in 11 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the car braking hard on its own at highway or city speeds when no vehicle is in front of it, often while passing a vehicle to the right or rounding a curve, and sometimes with adaptive cruise engaged. Some describe the steering pulling or the lane-keeping system nudging the wheel when the car is not leaving its lane, and warning lights appearing at the same time. Dealers are reported to have performed software updates or reflashed modules, and some owners say the behavior continued or the system did not work afterward. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 40,000 miles, at speeds from around 20 mph to highway speeds, and often described as intermittent and hard to reproduce.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the Honda Sensing software updates have been applied, and during a test drive try adaptive cruise and lane keeping on a multi-lane road. Confirm the forward collision and lane departure warnings actually come on rather than switching off immediately.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car suddenly brakes, panic breaking, with no warning and for no reason, causing me to be in danger of hitting from behind as there is nothing in front of me causing the people behind to slow. Once this happened on the interstate, with all 3 lanes clear in front of me. I was surprised the guy behind be didn't hit me, as most drivers are following to close, counting on seeing any danger in front of them through my windshield, and in this case there was nothing.”

   NHTSA complaint #11307661, filed 2020-02, 12,000 miles

   “On december 26, 2020, I was leaving work, after a 12 hour shift at the hospital. While backing into an alleyway my car struck a large roll-off dumpster (which was caddy cornered in the alley) of the back, driver quarter panel and back driver door. The rearview camera, blind spot warning, parking collision warning, the rear cross traffic warning, nor the automatic emergency braking kicked in. I was going at a very low speed at the time of the incident (~1-2 MPH). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11387057, filed 2021-01, 34,856 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump recall parts unavailable

   • 15 complaints (16%)
   • median 41,700 mi at 6.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Many owners describe receiving a recall notice for the low-pressure fuel pump but being told by the dealer that parts are not yet available, sometimes over several visits or months. A few report hesitation on acceleration or a sputtering sound and loss of power, with the dealer replacing fuel system parts and spark plugs. In most of these complaints the owner states no failure had occurred and the concern was the unresolved recall. Reports span roughly 40,000 to 108,000 miles, spread across 2024 and 2025 filings.

   Recall 23V858000Recall 21V215000

   What to check: Check the VIN against open recalls and ask for written confirmation that the fuel pump recall was completed with the part installed, not just scheduled. If the car hesitates under acceleration or loses power momentarily, have the fuel system checked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have received one letter I have recall. I went two diffrent time to dealer for making appointment to change my part what I have recalled. But they are saying we don't have part we will call you. It's been like last december 23. No one is giving me appropiat answer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11614067, filed 2024-09

   “Hello, I am writing to you about my 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid. This vehicle make and model had over 600,000 safety recalls for the Denso fuel pump. When I Input the vehicle on Honda for recall info, nothing shows up. I took it to a local Honda dealer but they did not check the fuel pump instead told me it was other issues. I was driving my vehicle on the freeway after my first Honda visit and my vehicle suddenly lost power and the check engine light started flashing ( I have videos of this if needed). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11475415, filed 2022-07
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Door locks and electrical glitches

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report door lock actuators failing so the doors will not unlock with the remote or the interior button, sometimes requiring the physical key. Others describe the center display changing screens or registering inputs on its own, and multiple warning lights appearing for brake system, adaptive cruise and collision detection at the same time. Dealers are reported to have reflashed modules, replaced a pedal simulator, or said the behavior could not be fixed. Reported from under 10,000 miles up to higher mileage, with several complaints in the first few thousand miles.

   Recall 20V771000Recall 26V3320003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test each door with the remote, the interior button and the physical key, and check that the center display responds normally when warm. Ask whether the body control module software recall update has been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The major problem is that the passenger air bag will not activate when somebody between 65 pounds and 89 pounds set in the passenger seat. Honda owner's manual on page 63 states that the air bag is activated at 65 pounds. In the year that we have had this car, with my wife in the passenger seat, the air bag has never been active. The seat bell warring will say put on seat belt, but the air bag will never activate while driving. See attached email to NHTSA and Honda in february, april and may. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11326251, filed 2020-05, 10 miles

   “The Lane Departure Warning. Auto Dimming Headlights,, and traffic sign Recognition system stopped working at about 40000 miles. The dealer says they can't fix it. Also, my windshield, like so many others I've read about, spontaneously cracked while parked, on a day with moderate temperature and no hail. The camera was realigned. Still, the 3 sensing aids above still don't work. Uncertain about exact date”

   NHTSA complaint #11565024, filed 2024-01
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Loud drone or booming noise from noise-cancelling system

   • 12 complaints (13%)
   • median 4,100 mi at 2.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2025

   Owners describe a loud low-frequency hum or roar through the interior at steady speeds, typically in the 45-55 mph range, often louder in cold weather, that comes and goes without warning. Some say it has been present since the car was new, and that dealers replaced speakers or told them no fix was available. The complaints attribute it to the active noise cancellation system rather than the engine. Often reported under about 7,000 miles and in some cases within the first few hundred miles, with many noting cold weather or steady cruising speeds.

   What to check: During a test drive, hold a steady 45-55 mph on a highway and listen for a low booming hum; repeat with the audio system off. Ask the seller whether any noise-cancellation or speaker work has been attempted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This is an Accord Hybrid problem! In cold weather the vehicle roars so loudly you can't hold a conversation or drive safely - it sounds like a diesel truck is trying to pass you. Then it suddenly stops! A few minutes later it will do it again. This happens at speeds between 25 and 55 - surface make no difference, but much greater when temperature is below 40 degrees. I put 2500 miles on my first accord (2018) before replacing it, now the new one (2019) is doing the same thing! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11297755, filed 2020-01, 1,200 miles

   “Very loud roaring noise when driving about 50 MPH in cold weather on a highway. This not engine noise, but seems to a glitch in the automatic noise cancelling system that causes a feedback loop resulting in an alarming roaring sound that can cause driver to panic or otherwise be distracted from driving safely.”

   NHTSA complaint #11388622, filed 2021-01, 150 miles

Buying note. This model year has a strong record of head gasket and cooling-system repairs reported by owners, so a leak-down or combustion gas test before purchase is worthwhile. Also confirm the open fuel pump and body control module recalls were completed, and check that the Honda Sensing features actually engage during a test drive.

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.