2020 Honda Accord Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 73about this part
- Share
- 20%of 365 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 73 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Honda Accord, 20% of the 365 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Was driving on the freeway approximately 70 mph on saturday October 4th, When car goes into limp mode and throws a engine light on, leaving me stranded on the freeway. Another occurrence one week later on Saturday October 11th when car went into limp mode again driving around 35 mph in the city. Both cases I turned the car off and on and returned back to normal, come to find out with the dealer it is a blown head gasket and their is coolant leaking into cylinder 3. A BLOWN HEADGASKET!!!!! Everyone is having these problems”
NHTSA complaint #11693208, filed 2025-10, 85,741 miles“From oct 10 to oct 14, I parked my car at off airport parking lot for 5days. When I came back, my car didn't start. My car was towed to the closest Honda dealership. I got the inspection report from the dealership stating that the reason why my car didn't start is due to bad gas. I went to the gas station, where I pumped my gas last time before I flew out of atl, to check with them. They provided me a copy of the system status report of 10/9/20 showing that there were no issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #11372484, filed 2020-10, 15,525 miles“2020 Accord 2.0t sport 10,600 miles I was traveling across the state with periods of light and heavy rain. About halfway into my ~280 mile trip I stopped for a red light. When accelerating from the light, my car lost power and the accelerator did not work. I coasted to the side of the road and noticed the check engine light blinking, with no other warning messages. I shut the car off and restarted to find no engine light or warning. I was in the middle of nowhere late in the evening so I continued to the destination. …”
NHTSA complaint #11383480, filed 2020-12, 10,600 miles“Driving on i95 near lumberton nc at 78mph in econ mode with cruise on, went to pass vehicle after cruise slowed me down, stepped on gas and response felt different, realized I was slowing down while stepping on the gas. Noticed cel light and continued to slow down. I thought car was drifting but the rpms still showed engine on. Got to safety apron and realized car was in limp mode. Managed to get to exit ramp. Sitting on ramp noticed that the engine, when you tapped the gas pedal, was rough but seemed to idle ok. Towed to nearby dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11395939, filed 2021-02, 7,251 miles“I leased my vehicle a year ago, I had electrical issues with my old car so I wanted a brand new car that was reliable and safe for me and my children. In the first months the car was fine but after about 4 months the car would smoke from the exhaust pipes randomly. I took it for maintenance as the car system directed but the repair shop never said there was anything wrong with the exhaust system. A month or so past and one day I got in the car and all the lights on the dash board were in. I was so freaked out because it was a new car and no warning lights should of been on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11406198, filed 2021-04, 17,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11037688Sep 25, 2026Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or…
- 11037687Sep 25, 2026Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or…
- 11036424Aug 26, 2026Dealer Message - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire, and/or…
- 11036403Aug 26, 2026Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire…
- 11036336Aug 26, 2026Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire…
- 11021744Jul 29, 2025Service Bulletin - Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover.
- 11011792Dec 3, 2024Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2024 Accord 1.5Ls, 2021-2024 Civics 1.5Ls, 2023-2024 CR-Vs 1.5Ls, and 2017 Fits with customer…
- 11010549Nov 5, 2024Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2024 Accord 1.5Ls, 2021-2024 Civics 1.5Ls, 2023-2024 CR-Vs 1.5Ls, and 2017 Fits with customer…
- 11006533Aug 16, 2024Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2022 Accord 1.5Ls (no 2.0L) & FHEVs, as well as 2017-2022 CR-V 1.5Ls (no 2.4L), & 2020-2022…
- 11005519Jul 26, 2024Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2022 Accord 1.5Ls (no 2.0L) & FHEVs, as well as 2017-2022 CR-V 1.5Ls (no 2.4L), & 2020-2022…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 11 | 7% |
| 2023 | 11 | 13% |
| 2022 | 32 | 12% |
| 2021 | 38 | 16% |
| 2020 | 73 | 20% |
| 2019 | 185 | 27% |
| 2018 | 559 | 29% |
| 2017 | 62 | 12% |
| 2016 | 44 | 7% |
| 2015 | 106 | 18% |
| 2014 | 179 | 18% |
| 2013 | 179 | 13% |
| 2012 | 43 | 12% |
| 2011 | 25 | 8% |
| 2010 | 116 | 20% |
| 2009 | 111 | 15% |
| 2008 | 210 | 14% |
| 2007 | 29 | 6% |
| 2006 | 21 | 5% |
| 2005 | 29 | 4% |
| 2004 | 28 | 3% |
| 2003 | 51 | 3% |
| 2002 | 19 | 2% |
| 2001 | 14 | 2% |
| 2000 | 11 | 1% |
| 1999 | 28 | 2% |
| 1998 | 18 | 2% |
| 1997 | 10 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 0% |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 2 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2020 Honda Accord
103 complaintsFuel system
63 complaintsBrakes
58 complaintsElectrical system
53 complaintsOther or unknown
43 complaintsAir bags
36 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsLane departure
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Honda Accord
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology