2016 Honda Accord Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2016 Accord most often describe stalling or a no-start condition traced to the fuel pump, along with electrical problems such as a weak or dying battery, hard starting and static from the speakers. Daytime running light failures and a blank backup camera screen are also common, and most reports in the sample arrive between roughly 30,000 and 100,000 miles rather than in the first year of ownership.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Stalling, sudden loss of power, no-start (fuel pump)

   • 77 complaints (13%)
   • median 49,750 mi at 4.1 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,550 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the engine cutting out at highway speed, while idling or while backing up, sometimes with several warning lights on; the car may restart only after repeated attempts or not at all. Dealers and independent shops diagnosed a failed fuel pump in several cases, and some owners note that their VIN was not covered by the fuel pump recall. Other reported findings for similar symptoms included a failed battery, coils or injectors, which did not always resolve the stalling. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 100,000 miles, with some cases above 140,000 miles.

   Recall 23V858000Recall 19V0600009 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump has been replaced and whether the VIN is covered by the open fuel pump recalls; a long crank or hesitation on a test-drive start is worth investigating.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After I did some research I believe the fuel pump of this vehicle constantly failed. The vehicle takes much longer to start up, sometimes it take couple of try to get it started, and, it also caused engine to stall and lose power during the drive or backing up.”

   NHTSA complaint #11337335, filed 2020-07, 29,682 miles

   “I was on my way to work on a major highway and my car started stalling a jerked forward almost causing a collision I pulled over to a safe area and called my family member he had to drive it to advance auto and they diagnosed it as a faulty fuel pump. I called Honda and my insurance company and got the car towed to Honda where it was also diagnosed as a fuel pump to be replaced per them my car had no other issues as I always keep up the maintenance on the car as I'm still paying for it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11325921, filed 2020-05, 84,700 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Hard starting, no-start, weak battery

   • 102 complaints (17%)
   • median 46,000 mi at 3.7 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe slow cranking, a high-pitched noise from the push-button start, and needing two or more presses before the engine catches, sometimes after the car sits for a day or two. Some had the battery replaced, and in several cases the starter was diagnosed as the source of the trouble. A few complaints describe the dashboard briefly losing power or the battery terminal overheating, and a service bulletin covers a no-start condition on V6 cars that calls for battery replacement. Reported across a wide range, from under 10,000 miles to over 100,000 miles, often when the car is not driven daily.

   Recall 17V4180001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Start the car from cold and check for slow crank or multiple attempts, ask for battery and starter service history, and confirm the battery sensor recall work was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “For more than a year, my car has been having issues starting up. It rarely starts on the first attempt. It usually starts on the second attempt. There are times when it takes multiple attempts to start. I have planned on having the starter replaced when I have the timing belt replaced in a few months. However, today I discovered this site and realized many others have the same issue. Have there been resolutions for anyone? If so, what was the resolution?”

   NHTSA complaint #11383681, filed 2020-12, 50,000 miles

   “When I push the push button starter it makes a high pitch noise and doesn't start. When I push it the second time it starts. Occasionally, after f I drive the car, cut it off and then try to start it, it won't start. I wait a second or two then try and it starts. This problem started in october 2019. Now it is happening more frequently, at least three - four times a week depending on how often I drive the car. The last time it happened was april 3, 2020. As a result of (covid-19), I am not driving it every day. The”

   NHTSA complaint #11320845, filed 2020-04, 82,976 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Static or loud noise from speakers

   • 115 complaints (19%)
   • median 112,000 mi at 9.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,255 (median of 16 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe a loud static or crackling sound from the speakers that can occur with the radio on or off and cannot be turned down; in some cases the infotainment screen also freezes or goes blank. One dealer said the system overheated in high outside temperatures and needed replacement, while others found no fault. Several complaints link the noise to lost audio or repeated dealer visits without a repair. Mostly reported between about 90,000 and 145,000 miles, sometimes in hot weather.

   What to check: Leave the radio on and off during a test-drive and listen for crackling or popping, and check whether the infotainment unit has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Infotainment system freezing freezes or goes blank while using iphone to navigate. Occurs with both google and apple maps. Resolving often requires waiting 10 plus minutes or turning car off and restarting it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11414392, filed 2021-04, 90,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the speaker made a static noise. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle, will sporadically make a static noise, which surprises her while driving. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11649117, filed 2025-03, 96,000 miles
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Backup camera blank or distorted

   • 35 complaints (6%)
   • median 38,718 mi at 4.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners report the rear-view screen going black or showing a dim, distorted image while the guide lines still appear, often after working intermittently for a few weeks. Some complaints suggest moisture getting into the camera housing, and dealers quoted diagnostic fees without a confirmed fix. In one report the vehicle was taken in for other work and the camera stopped working afterwards. Typically reported between about 37,000 and 54,000 miles, on cars a few years old.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Shift into reverse and check that a clear image appears, not just the guide lines, and ask whether the camera or display has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My backup camera has started to do exactly what the newer models are doing and not working when I put it into reverse. Im now looking into if it is covered under warranty or not which I doubt because it is now over 4 years old. The only thing my backup camera displays is the green lines but no picture. I would very much like help from Honda as it only has 37000 miles on it”

   NHTSA complaint #11316779, filed 2020-03, 37,000 miles

   “My backup camera stopped working when I took my car to the dealership to get an exterior replacement part. It worked fine when I dropped it off. Now the screen is completely black when you are in reverse but you can still see the backup camera lines. The dealership is trying to charge me $140 to even look at it. Somebody posted this exact complaint in july 2020. They stated that the camera housing might be letting condensation and water inside, causing it to short out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11387735, filed 2021-01, 44,000 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Daytime running light LEDs out

   • 98 complaints (16%)
   • median 42,600 mi at 3.0 yrs old (68 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 32 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners report that part or all of the daytime running light LEDs stop working or appear half lit, and that the only repair is replacing the whole headlight assembly. Several owners mention a warranty extension and service bulletin for the DRL LEDs but say their own vehicle was not covered. Quoted repair costs in the complaints are commonly described as over a thousand dollars. Reported from roughly 25,000 to 100,000 miles, often around three to four years of ownership.

   7 related service bulletins

   What to check: Turn the car on and walk around the front to confirm both DRL strips light fully, and ask the dealer whether the DRL warranty extension applies to this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Daytime running lights LED both partially burnt and only half of the LED light come on. This happen this weekend 7/24/2020 and 7/25/2020. Per service bulletin 19-042 dated 4/16/2019 from Honda on NHTSA website, this is a common problem with 2016 Honda accords. However the recall does not apply my 2016 model per VIN. I need help as dealer cannot assist. There's lots of information online about this recall. Totally reflects the situation we are having and again even the same year and model as my vehicle but why are some cars excluded? …”

   NHTSA complaint #11341466, filed 2020-07, 35,000 miles

   “Front right drl, part of the running light burned out, to replace the running light you must replace the entire headlight assembly which can be up to $1500 or more. Most people that purchase a Honda Accord cannot afford to repair something that burns out just like any other light for $1500. This is unacceptable, Honda motor co. Needs to recall and repair this mistake for free. This is ridiculous to have to replace the entire headlight assembly.”

   NHTSA complaint #11349189, filed 2020-08, 101,000 miles

Buying note. Check the fuel pump recall status and service history for this VIN first, then verify the daytime running lights and backup camera work and listen for speaker static on a test-drive. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a cold start will help confirm how the battery and starter behave.

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.