140 of the
1,191 complaints filed about the Honda Accord Hybrid
are about the engine —
12% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2023.
The engine failed catastrophically. White smoke out of the exhaust at 145,000 miles. Dealer checked out the car and they initially though it was a head gasket failure. After taking the engine head off, it turns out it was a 'structural defect' (verbatim words from the mechanic), which was a divot in the engine block. The head gasket was in great shape. Therefore, I needed a 'new' used engine (at $9K) instead of a head gasket replacement (at $4K). A search on the internet shows that forums (driveaccord.net, facebook groups) shows that many Honda Accord owners have similar head gasket failures. I contacted Honda USA and they said there's no recall so I won't get reimbursed.
NHTSA complaint #11753391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 2-252026 my wife and I were driving on highway I-15 in California when the car started to accelerate, decelerate and jerk and the engine light came on. It was very scary because we were on a major highway driving around 60 MPH and cars were behind us when the deceleration happened. We could have been hit by cars traveling behind us or either we could have caused a major accident. We had to get off the highway and have the car towed to Honda for assessment. There was no engine light warning or service warning from Honda prior to this happening, it just randomly happened. The car was repaired at a Honda dealership and they said there was a leaking head gasket on cylinder number 4. When we looked up information regarding this head gasket failure we saw that other Honda cars have had the same problem and Honda is currently involved in lawsuits regarding this leaking head gasket on cylinder number 4.
NHTSA complaint #11746562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on the highway at approximately 65 mph with my child in the vehicle during rush-hour on May 21, 2026, my 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring (105,746 miles) suddenly dropped speed, and began backfiring and stopped responding to the gas pedal. The check engine light flashed and the vehicle ran rough. I activated emergency flashers and drove slowly to the shoulder. Sunnyvale Honda (Sunnyvale, CA) diagnosed coolant intrusion into one of the cylinders and head gasket failure. The vehicle had never overheated and showed no prior warning signs. All maintenance was performed at Honda dealerships per the maintenance minder schedule. The dealership performed a head gasket repair costing $7,500+ out of pocket. On the first highway drive after pickup, again with my children in the vehicle, the identical failure occurred: backfiring, complete loss of throttle response, vehicle unable to exceed 48 mph with the accelerator fully depressed. The repair did not resolve the defect. The vehicle is currently back at the dealership for further investigation. This failure created an immediate safety hazard on both occasions: sudden loss of speed on highway with no warning. Honda Customer Service denied goodwill assistance. I am aware of numerous similar complaints involving coolant leak and head gasket failure on 2018-2022 Accord including complaints documenting the same failure on the Accord Hybrid 2.0L engine. NHTSA should investigate this as a potential safety-related defect affecting multiple Honda engine variants.
NHTSA complaint #11746305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Head gasket blown on engine. Burned off coolant so no leaks detected and just showed high temperature to pull over and let engine cool. Could have cause engine fire and/or disabled vehicle while on road. Very expensive fix and dealers who were contacted said they’ve had multiple vehicles repaired for same issue. Online is widely reported problem with this make and model and among the different trim types all same problems
NHTSA complaint #11745966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding my 2018 Honda Accord [VIN# [XXX] ] concerning what I believe to be a defective cylinder head or head gasket — an issue I have since learned is widely reported within the Honda owner community and is currently the subject of active class action litigation. Beginning at approximately 89,000 miles, my vehicle began experiencing episodes of engine rumbling followed by sudden shutoff. These episodes occurred two to three times before I brought the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealership at approximately 99,000–105,000 miles for diagnosis. At the dealership, I paid for a diagnostic inspection. I was informed that the technicians could not identify the root cause without performing a full engine pull and internal inspection, which they estimated would cost several thousand dollars — with an additional cost of $5,000–$8,000 if the diagnosis confirmed a cracked cylinder head or failed head gasket. Unable to absorb this expense, I did not authorize the repair. In an effort to keep the vehicle operational, I worked with independent mechanics and took the following corrective measures: replacement of spark plugs and ignition coils, replacement of the electric water pump, regular oil changes, maintenance of proper coolant levels, and avoidance of high or sudden acceleration. These measures allowed me to operate the vehicle for approximately one additional year without a recurrence of the shutoff events. Last summer, the vehicle failed to start entirely and could not be made operable. I was required to have it towed approximately 60 miles to its destination. The vehicle has not been operable since. Upon opening the hood, I observed coolant splashed across the engine cover consistent with a catastrophic head gasket failure. This failure occurred despite the vehicle being well maintained throughout my ownership. I believe this represents a known and systemic defect in Honda engine design for this model year. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOI
NHTSA complaint #11740669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed the vehilce intermediately misfired due to oil leak. No warning lights were illuminated The vehicle was taken to the local where it was diagnosed the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
NHTSA complaint #11736267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle was being driven on the highway when suddenly engine hesitated and started stalling. Speed was reduced from around 65MPH down to the low 40s. Cars were stacking up behind and passing, causing potential hazardous conditions. Vehicle was taken to a mechanic shop and diagnosed with misfiring, after reading OBD II with many alerts coming on. Further diagnostics revealed cylinder head gasket was leaking coolant into engine, as shown by borescope images. This is a known problem on 2018-2020 Honda Accords with both 1.5T & 2.0 engines. The multiple alert messages started to come on a few weeks ago, but the engine hesitation and stalling just started this week. At first we suspected a 12V battery issue, but testing confirmed battery was at 12.8V with no issues.
NHTSA complaint #11735893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not accelerate. Losing speed at highway speed was alarming and finally all dashboard went red with alert to stop driving and engine heating warming. Speed was in the range of 35-40 mph on a highway rated 70 mph. I had to pull over and tow car to dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11732538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at speeds above 50 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and lost automotive power. The check engine warning light was flashing. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was self-corrected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was engine coolant inside the cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 288,000.
NHTSA complaint #11731544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On second week of February, 2026, I was driving my 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid from Elkridge, Maryland to North Beach, the car lost power with a flickering Check Engine Light on. I managed to drive between 25-30 MPH on 55 MPH Highway to my local Honda dealership. The diagnosed the lost power to HEAD GASKET failure. I did some research and found that NHTSA has issued a part collection on Head Gasket Failure on 2018-2022 Honda Accord Hybrid. The NHTSA ID: MC-11009200. I paid over $5,000 to replace the Head Gasket. I think these model years should be recalled.
NHTSA complaint #11729843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. Component: The engine head gasket and the combustion system (specifically Cylinder 2). Specifics: A leak-down test confirmed a failure in Cylinder 2, leading to coolant intrusion. This was initially masked by a water pump code, but after the water pump was replaced and the code returned, a borescope confirmed "clean" pistons (steam-cleaned by coolant) and tap scarring. Availability: Yes, the vehicle and all diagnostic records are available for inspection. 2. Emergency Maneuvers: On multiple occasions, the car entered "Limp Mode" while driving 70–75 mph on the freeway. This caused a sudden, dangerous drop in speed, forcing me to maneuver through high-speed traffic to reach the median/suicide lane. Stranded: The vehicle overheated 5 times in one trip, leaving me vulnerable on the side of a busy freeway. 3. Yes. An independent shop confirmed the failure via a leak-down test, a borescope inspection, and physical analysis of the spark plugs. They confirmed that despite the computer throwing a water pump code, the mechanical failure is the head gasket. 4.Status: It has been inspected by an independent service center. I am now using their findings to pursue a lawsuit/claim against Honda for selling a vehicle with a pre-existing internal engine defect. 5. Timeline: Symptoms began in April 2024 (two months after purchase). Initial Signs: An "Emission System" warning light appeared. The diagnostic code indicated a water pump failure, which was replaced in April. Recurring Symptoms: In November, the car suffered multiple misfires and "Limp Mode." In March, the "Emission System" light and the same water pump code returned, but the shop confirmed the pump was functional and the true cause was the head gasket leak into the cylinders.
NHTSA complaint #11723059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. The car dropped to 15 MPH instantly, forcing me to maneuver across active lanes to a narrow shoulder with almost no space. I was nearly hit by high-speed traffic. This has occurred over 8 times since 2023. 3. Confirmation by Service Center: The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by an independent service center On Site Lube Auto & Tire. They utilized a borescope and leak-down test to verify the internal engine failure. 4. Inspections: The vehicle has been inspected by a certified independent technician. I am in the process of notifying the manufacturer (Honda) of these findings for their inspection and accountability. 5. Warning Lamps & Symptoms: Prior to the total power loss, the vehicle displayed engine temperature warnings and "check engine" lights. These symptoms first appeared approximately 8 months after purchase in 2023 and have progressively worsened, leading to the current engine failure. 6. Additional Notes: This failure is identical to issues cited in active class-action lawsuits regarding Honda's engine defects, affecting both standard and Hybrid models. I am communicating via written report/email for documentation and accessibility purposes.
NHTSA complaint #11722489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle is currently suffering a failed head gasket. I was alerted about this issue from local mechanics and friends way before it actually happened. I took it to services and regular maintenance even more frequently after that. However, it still failed no matter what. I took it to the dealership, they even admitted that this is a known problem for this generation of vehicle. They still proceeded to ask nearly $7000 to fix it, saying that even though this is a known issue, there was no recalls on the vehicles so they could not waive or deduct the fees.
NHTSA complaint #11721881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
City street driving speed < 35-40 mph, engine began rough idling at stop light after traveling just 1/8 mile. After driving less than 1 mile on level ground, engine slowed and would not accelerate above 20 mph. After another mile or so, increasing uphill grade caused speed to slow to 12-14 mph. Stepping on gas caused car to slow down even more, with shaking and jerky stop-start of vehicle. Maintaining 10-12 mph permitted vehicle to continue uphill climb for a few more miles so I could reach home. Downhill coasting was smooth with no gas pedal acceleration. Overnight parked in garage, and no problems driving vehicle to local independent auto mechanic. They were able to duplicate problem after 2 days and multiple test drives. Diagnosed permanent and temporary engine codes: misfires of cylinders 1 and 4 with ignition coil malfunction, misfires of cylinders 1, 2, 4, and random misfires. Also permanent codes: antilock brake ECM Failure, electric power steering vehicle stability assist System Malfunction, electric servo brake electric power train System Malfunction. Mechanic removed coils and spark plugs, found cylinder 4 has moisture. Coils, plugs cleaned and re-installed. Honda Dealer unable to duplicate problem after 3 days.
NHTSA complaint #11720056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Over the past several years, there have been multiple instances where I or my wife are driving on the highway and the engine light comes on or starts flashing, and I am unable to go faster than 50 miles an hour, and the engine itself feels to be underpowered. We have taken it to the dealership for repair at least five times over the past five years and in each case they have attempted to do a repair and said the issue has been resolved, but the issue continue. At at least one of those visits, they have diagnosed the issue as an engine misfire issue. The issue has intensified from the initial symptoms, (which were as I described, but resolved by turning the car off, waiting 30 seconds to a minute and then turning the car on again) to how it is now: in addition to the check engine light, every other light and warning system has gone off when driving on the highway and the engine was unable to go faster than 40 miles an hour, and it does not resolve by restarting the car. The dealership and Honda America’s main phone line have as of yet been unable to give me a clear answer as to why this is happening or whether it can be fixed. A sudden drop in speed and power on the highway as we have experienced many times over the last five years is inherently extremely dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11715485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car had a head gasket failure. I lost power and control of the vehicle. Mistlin Honda in Modesto confirmed it was a head gasket failure. No, all warning lamps came on at the sametime.
NHTSA complaint #11713297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased my vehicle in March 25th 2024 a message on my dashboard saying engine is too hot so in August of this year I took it to the shop for a diagnosis test and they told me that the car didn’t run hot when they drove it so again in October 10th I was driving home and my car lost power on the freeway so I pulled over and then all my lights on the dashboard came on so I took it to the shop on October 13th and they told me that my head gasket was faulty and my coolant system was faulty. To me a major problem should have not happened within a years time and I had my maintenance done on my car like I should have.
NHTSA complaint #11696661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car loses power. It starts as a misfire on cylinder 2 (P0302 code) and the engine starts to shutdown (or goes into a safe mode with no power). The result is loss of speed which creates a safety hazard especially on highways. This has happened multiple times and the car has been in the shop 4 times for this issue. We have to pull off the road, turn the car off, sit for a minute and restart the car. It will then run ok. This has happened during acceleration and when just trying to keep speed on an incline. The dealership has not been able to identify an issue. The head gasket was replaced in April 2025 because they thought there was a pin hole that was causing oil to push into the cylinder. The misfire continued to happen. It was in the shop on October 2025 and they found nothing wrong with the spark plug, induction coils, gas feed. Therefore no understanding of the root cause.
NHTSA complaint #11693248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wiring harness failed randomly at 42,000 with no damage to the harness, engine, or vehicle itself. Without the wiring harness the engine does not run properly and shakes violently, causing the car to lose power. This happened with no prior warnings, problems, or damage. Additionally the steering rack seems “loose” and changes direction quite quickly when hitting a pothole or uneven roads even at lower speeds. I have to make sure I constantly have a firm grip on the wheel so no sudden unexpected direction changes occur due to imperfections in the road.
NHTSA complaint #11690146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.