general problems of the 2018 Honda Accord - part 1

I am reporting a safety concern involving my 2018 Honda Accord. I purchased my vehicle used in January 2024 at approximately 90,000 miles and have kept up with the recommended maintenance during my ownership. At approximately 120,000 miles, a Honda dealership diagnosed head-gasket failure with coolant intrusion involving cylinders 3 and 4. Before diagnosis, the vehicle experienced rising engine temperature while idling, coolant loss, jerking during acceleration, numerous warning lights, and severely reduced acceleration. The problem progressed to loss of power and stalling while driving and slowing/stopping, requiring me to place the vehicle in park and restart the engine to continue driving. The vehicle also developed unstable rpms and engine surging while in park. Honda performed a cooling-system pressure test and borescope inspection and confirmed coolant intrusion. Head-gasket replacement cost approximately $5,000. I contacted american Honda (case #16533411), but goodwill assistance was denied because the vehicle is outside warranty and Honda stated it had no Honda-dealership service history. I am reporting this because the head-gasket failure resulted in loss of propulsion and stalling while operating the vehicle, creating a serious safety concern.

I own a 2018 Honda Accord lx 1. 5t. The vehicle has developed an intermittent hard-start condition after sitting overnight. The engine cranks for approximately 5–6 seconds before starting and runs very rough for the first 2–5 seconds before smoothing out. Warm restarts are normal. While driving, the vehicle hesitates and stumbles during acceleration, is slow to build rpm, and fuel economy has noticeably decreased. During one hard acceleration event, the vehicle lost power and the check engine light flashed. I also observed that if I turn the ignition on and allow the fuel pump to prime for several seconds before starting the engine, the vehicle starts noticeably quicker than if I start it immediately. This makes me concerned that the fuel system may not be maintaining proper fuel pressure after the vehicle sits. Because of the hard starting, hesitation, intermittent loss of power during acceleration, and the improvement after allowing the fuel pump to prime, I am submitting this complaint for investigation because these symptoms could create a safety risk when entering traffic or accelerating.

Head gasket failure, coolant leaking into cylinder 1 and 3. Car stuttering when try to accelerate and has trouble getting up to speed on highway. Coolant mixing with oil, rear main seal leak. It is available for inspection currently at dealership where it was diagnosed. My safety was jeopardized because I barely can accelerate on the highway causing cars to tail gate me and potentially crash into the back of me. The issue has been confirmed by Honda service department as a faulty head gasket. There were no warnings signs, no overheating nor any smoke indications of a faulty failing head gasket only stuttering at low spreads and not being able to accelerate. The problem first appeared a day or so before I brung it to Honda for a diagnosis. These are well none litigated issues with these head gaskets and are safety concerns that they’re failing to address.

Dashboard displayed multiple messages and icons/warnings. Steering wheel locked, acceleration was low, barely any power to drive. Engine running rough condition. Obd2 scanner p0302 and p0303 detected. Engine misfire. Honda dealership diagnosis car. Main concerns include a head gasket blown or crack. Coolant leaking into cylinder 2 and 3. Tie rod cracked. Pressure test low. The vehicle has no prior history of cylinder head removal or head gasket replacement. Vehicle has been properly maintained through consistent oil changes.

Blown head gasket after multiple spark plug replacements for misfires.

All lights on head dash are on , all components are not working properly or effected because of this. (engine light brake light abs light tire light traction control light , sensors out all) while driving vechile reduces power does not operate randomly , have to pull over shut the car off and turn it back on. Has high vibrations lot of shaking, stauling. I have had it looked at with multiple shops and dealer . Everybody is playing a guessing game and can not pin point what exactly it is . Was told it was spark plugs and coils, alternator , fuel injectors. All have been repaired, and still have all lights on dash and still facing every problem listed after repairs. Been inspected by manufacturer. Say not been resolved was told if it wasn’t what was already fixed they don’t know and that this is very common right now . It first April 2026 (3) times. May 2 times 2026.

While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle experienced a sudden jerking and a catastrophic loss of motive power (limp mode). Simultaneously, multiple safety systems failed, including the collision mitigation braking system (cmbs), adaptive cruise control, and road departure mitigation. The vehicle became a road hazard in active traffic. A certified Honda dealership technician inspected the vehicle and confirmed a premature head gasket failure with coolant intrusion into cylinders 2 and 3. The engine is non-drivable and the vehicle is at 84,000 miles. Despite the documented nature of this design defect and its current litigation, american Honda motor CO. Has denied any assistance. The vehicle also has an open safety recall (24-009) for a fuel pump failure which presents identical safety symptoms.

My fiancé was driving my 2018 Honda Accord when the vehicle suddenly jolted violently while accelerating up a bridge. Immediately afterward, multiple warning lights, including the check engine light, came on and the vehicle lost all power. Thankfully, she was able to coast down the bridge and pull into an empty parking lot. This was extremely dangerous because the vehicle lost power while being driven and could have caused a serious accident. After turning the vehicle off and restarting it, the car appeared to operate normally. Because the issue was intermittent, I initially suspected the battery. I had the battery tested multiple times, but it was fine. Since the problem continued, I took the vehicle to a Honda dealership. They diagnosed a blown head gasket and estimated the repair would cost approximately $6,000. The vehicle is only worth about $6,000, making the repair financially unreasonable. Apparently this is a known/common issue with 2018 Honda Accords. I requested Honda goodwill assistance, but Honda declined. I then took the vehicle to a second independent repair shop for another opinion. They advised that the head gasket needed for the vehicle was on back order and therefore could not provide a repair estimate. The fact that this replacement component is currently on back order is concerning and raises further questions about how frequently this repair is being needed. If Honda cannot keep enough replacement parts in stock to service affected vehicles, it further suggests that this may be a widespread issue that deserves additional investigation. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and has been inspected by both a Honda dealership and an independent repair shop. I am extremely concerned that a vehicle can suddenly lose all power while being driven and that a repair for a known/common issue costs nearly the entire value of the car. I believe this issue warrants further investigation by Honda and consideration of a recall or assistance.

Transmission started bucking at 50k miles, the problem has gotten substantially worse at 60k miles. Rough downshifting and upshifting in low gears. Will slam into gears 2-3 often and cause driver and passengers to lurch forward. Will cause very rough acceleration at times and causes a danger in traffic given the speed becomes unpredictable. Transmission does not know what gear to be in even after atf type 2. 0 fluid change following dealer procedure. This is putting me and other drivers at risk because I cannot control my speed when transmission is slamming in between gears. No warning lamps, undetected by cars tcu.

After recent service from local Honda dealership vehicle started to drive sluggish. Had all fluids changed and the coolant flushed when serviced at the dealership. The vehicle now displays several different alerts upon start up "emissions systems failure" brake system failure" hill assist failure" power steering failure". Vehicle was returned to dealership and it was determined the head gaskets need to be replaced due to coolant leaking. This vehicle has been maintained consistently with documentation and shouldn't have this type of failure with only 100k miles. Repairs are $4800 and this should definitely be investigated because this is common in Honda Accord model years 2018-2022.

Head gasket failed at 58k miles without overheating per assessment at Honda dealership. Safety was affected by going into limp mode instantly turning left onto 55 mph 4 lane road, no warning lights prior going into limp mode. Brief misfire occurred prior to incident, (did not know at time because it did not seem significant and no warning light). Dealer reports multiple 2018 Honda Accord 1. 5l head gasket and fuel injector failures. Unknown if manufacture would inspect. In addition fuel injector has completely failed and requires replacement per Honda dealership assessment, this occurred after dealership repaired head gasket. Waiting for final repair invoice, can and will provide upon request.

My turbo and fuel injectors went out at the same time. It has been fixed, so I don't think it can be inspected my safety was put at risk. The car randomly went into limp mode on the interstate at high speeds and suddenly came to almost a complete stop yes, it was inspected by a mechanic, everyone with a 2018 Honda Accords are having this issue yes, it was inspected by a mechanic. No warning lamps or anything, just a blinking check engine light that appeared for the first time ever.

I have a blown head gasket which is a common problem with this vehicle. I have 85k miles. The car started to blow out smoke from the tailpipe which is very heavy.

The car can't start because of the recall.

My Honda is shifting harsh going into 5th gear and sometimes reverse is not available. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership and they are telling me I need a new transmission to the tune of $9,600. It only has 64,000 miles and the warranty recently expired. I took the car to another mechanic and he told me the same thing. There is no way that the transmission should go out at such low miles. Honda needs to step up and take care of this problem. There are many complaints about this issue but nothing is being done. I have the 7 year/100,00 mile warrany but the car is a 2018. This was the first year of the 10-speed transmission and many people are having problems. This needs to be addressed.

I purchased this 2018 Honda Accord sport brand new from the dealership, relying on Honda’s longstanding reputation for reliability and longevity. At approximately 120,000 miles, the vehicle suffered a blown head gasket during normal driving conditions. The vehicle has been properly maintained According to Honda’s recommended schedule. I have already opened a claim with Honda corporate regarding this issue and am currently awaiting their response. Despite proper maintenance, this catastrophic engine failure occurred, suggesting a design or manufacturing defect rather than misuse. This issue presents both a safety concern and a substantial financial burden, as I am a single mother of four who depends on this vehicle for daily transportation. Based on reports from other owners, this appears to be a widespread defect affecting 10th-generation Honda Accords with the 1. 5l turbo engine, which I respectfully request NHTSA investigate.

Transmission keeps malfunctioning from 1-2 and 2-3 gear shifts. Mainly prominent on the 2-3 gear shift having issues. Severe transmission jerk and sometimes slams into the next gear. This has been happening since I bought the car at 52k miles and it is currently at 62k miles. It can be available for inspection upon request. It also jerks on downshift. The transmission fluid has been drained and filled with Honda genuine atf 2. 0 but the issue still persists after the service. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer. It has put my safety at risk because in low speed traffic my speed is unpredictable and I am worried of hitting a car in front of me. It is also an issue for vehicles behind me as well because the vehicle cannot find the gear and doesn't accelerate properly. When it slams into the next gear it seems to be a severe safety hazard for me and my passengers.

A 2018 Honda Accord 1. 5t developed an engine misfire, coolant loss, and reduced acceleration shortly after purchase from a dealership on 01/07/2026 (around 156,000 miles / $15,000). On 01/23/2026, during a Honda dealer inspection at about 157,255 miles, the technician noted misfires on startup, found the coolant overflow reservoir empty, pressure-tested the system, and confirmed coolant leaking into cylinders 3 and 4 from the head gasket. The dealer recommended head gasket replacement plus spark plugs, drive belt, and valve adjustment. I was told that continued driving could worsen the condition, leading to overheating and further engine damage. After that diagnosis, the vehicle’s drivability worsened, and it became unsafe to rely on due to misfires and loss of acceleration, especially on the highway. The selling dealership refused to assist, claiming the defect was not present at the time of sale; Honda America acknowledged the head gasket concern but denied a goodwill claim, citing the high cost of the issue and lack of NHTSA enforcement on this issue. An independent repair shop then provided a second inspection/estimate consistent with the same head-gasket repair scope. The vehicle and repair records are available for inspection. No crash or injury occurred, but the defect caused a sudden loss of power and overheating while driving; I was stuck on the highway on two occasions with my hazard lights on after acceleration completely halted. Warning symptoms (the engine light) only appeared when the car suddenly stopped accelerating. Two days after an around-$5,000 headgasket repair, drivability problems and multiple dashboard warnings appeared, including turbo-related concerns; this concern is ongoing.

The vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine malfunction resulting in a no-start condition. The vehicle is currently inoperable and is available for inspection upon request. The engine failure caused the vehicle to lose power and become unreliable, creating a risk of breakdown while driving, which could have resulted in being stranded in traffic or an unsafe location and posed a risk to my personal safety and the safety of others. Yes. An independent repair facility confirmed the vehicle would not start and diagnosed the engine as failed. The vehicle was subsequently towed to another facility, where the condition was again documented. The vehicle has been inspected by independent repair facilities. The extended warranty company, route 66, reviewed the claim and denied coverage based on their assessment. No inspection by the manufacturer or law enforcement has occurred. Prior to the failure, the vehicle exhibited warning indicators and operational issues, including overheating symptoms. These issues worsened over time and ultimately resulted in complete engine failure and a no-start condition.

My 2018 Honda experienced a catastrophic engine failure (blown head gasket) at only 30,012 miles. A head gasket is not a wear item and should not fail at such low mileage. I previously reported related symptoms during dealer service visits in July 2024 and August 2025, including signs consistent with cooling or engine performance issues, prior to the complete failure. The vehicle has been properly maintained, has not been abused or modified, and shows no signs of neglect. Honda has denied goodwill assistance solely due to vehicle age, despite the extremely low mileage and premature nature of the failure. This appears to be a durability defect resulting in premature engine failure well below expected service life.

The head gasket leaked and a piston warped. The symptom was feeling a piston misfire and then the car wouldn't go over 10 miles per hour. Our safety was compromised because we were on a busy (45mph) road and couldn't turn off quickly nor go fast to keep up with traffic. The problem has been reproduced at an independent service center. The vehicle has only been inspected by the mechanic. The previous week all the electrical systems reported a failure. That was repaired by replacing some hose that collapsed on itself. During the misfire, the check engine light flashed, but it didn't before or after (when we were driving very slowly).

Turbo charger split causing engine failure which almost created a serious accident.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact stated that one of the tires was punctured by a nail, and after the tire was replaced, the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto zone, where it was diagnosed, and determined that there was a misfire in cylinder #2. The vehicle was then taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the cylinder, engine, ignition coil, and spark plug. After the vehicle was repaired, it was returned to auto zone to be diagnosed again. The contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinder #2. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic, and it was confirmed that the spark plug in cylinder #2 was new. The contact continued driving the vehicle; however, a month later, several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #2. The dealer recommended replacing the fuel injectors and that an alignment of the radar was needed, and there was a failure with the transmission fluid, the cvt, and a software failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously included in a recall for the failure; however, the recall repair was already performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Coolant leak through the gasket into a cylinder so now I need a new head gasket. When I start my car, it starts to shake and don’t accelerate. I just got my turbo done in April because of the same issues.

Car stalled/went into limp mode in the middle of turning onto a busy road almost hit by oncoming traffic. Check engine light came on, as well as all other warnings. Ran diagnostics and show fuel running lean and cyl 2 misfire. Checked all other possible issues related to codes and all signs point to bad fuel injectors.

Upon commuting to work, the car failed to accelerate causing the car to almost suddenly stop while driving; at the same time of the failure warning lights and beeping occurred. No warnings prior to failure. By god’s grace, I was not yet on the expressway and avoided what would have been a horrible accident jeopardizing not only my life but the lives of anyone that would have been behind me. The gasket failed (cylinder #3) and is available for inspection upon request. It was a significant safety issue as the failure occurred without warning causing the car to stop no warning. Yes, the dealer has confirmed the failure and I was quoted a $5800 repair cost in spite of a owning a lifetime power train warranty. No, the vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance. I did place a call to american Honda and we were given a case #15822812 (but this case has since been closed without action. ) no warnings occurred before the failure. (beeping and messages occurred at the time of failure. ) had the failure occurred at a high rate of speed, on an expressway, loss of life could have occurred and no one would know what caused the accident since cars are usually towed away and declared “totaled. ” fortunately, I was on a road of 35mph but in just a few more minutes would have been at a speed of 65mph. There is a further safety concern that the dealer admits that there is a known problem with the oem component but plans to continue to replace with the same product. Note: this car has a superior care record and only 110,000 miles which means the failure is likely to occur again with the same parts. Internet searches are confirming this is a known product failure with no recall.

The head gasket needs replaced because of a faulty design. . . . This is an expensive fix and one I think Honda knows about, but because the fix if almost all labor, they don't care because it is making them a ton of money on repairs. The engine block cooling is designed to cause a head gasket failure with can ruin the engine and even if you catch it, is very expensive to fix. And Honda doesn't even offer an adequate fix and this will happen again. I have talked to Honda techs who have confirmed that belief.

My car is always having some electrical issue but when I type in my VIN number, no recalls are listed under my VIN number and then for the last couple of days I've been experiencing acceleration problems when I look up a 2018 Honda Accord it is saying that fuel pumps have been an issue, but my VIN number pulls up no information as far as me falling under that recall what are the proper steps to get my car looked at to see if my VIN number even though it's not populating, any recall falls under the recall.

As I was driving myself and child on the interstate 65 mph the vehicle all of a sudden dropped speed and would not accelerate. I drifted the car off the interstate off ramp and pulled into a store parking lot. Luckily, we did not cause an accident or hit anything or anyone. All the lights on car's dashboard blinking some examples are eps, vsa, malfunction lamp, breaking system, check engine light, etc. My car did not show that it was running hot, was not smoking, however would not accelerate. The car had a slight rattle, running bad, shaking slightly; all in all, not working appropriately. No earlier indication that something was wrong just came all of a sudden, no warning at all. Car was brought to billy navarre in lake charles, la, where they concluded that head gasket was blown. I had to come out of pocket to fix the head gasket and all of the other problems that it caused. Car milage 84,097, bought brand new in 2018. This is a major safety issue for the public! multiple people have this same problem. I have documentation on all the work the dealership completed. And I have filed a report to Honda.

I currently own a 2018 Honda Accord 1. 5l 4 cylinder with only 62,800 miles at the start of the issue. Around the end of July 2025 the car started to jerk. It started with a slight jerk and escalated daily, over about a week, until the car started going into limp mode. The car was taken to a repair shop near my house. This shop said they were receiving an engine misfire code, replaced all spark plugs, and car driving good again. Around 8/15/2025, I started having the same issues. On 8/19/25 the car went into limp mode again in a busy highway. Took it to a Honda/Acura repair shop. They again found the same misfire codes, replaced 1 spark plug, and the car was driving okay. This Honda/Acura shop found low coolant in the engine and believed I had a leaking head gasket as they have been seeing a high number of Honda 1. 5l engines, similar years, with this issue. The shop suggested I contact Honda as it is a known issue. On 8/19, the Honda dealer service department told me they are seeing a lot of that issue but Honda has no current plan to extend warranties or issue a recall, despite the widespread, known issue. The dealership’s service department instructed me to call Honda corporate to discuss the issue and potential coverage. Corporate did open a case for a potential good faith repair. I was told that I would have to take it to a Honda dealership for official diagnostics, pay that fee out of pocket, then submit documents and info for coverage review. The car was driving okay for about 1 week and on 8/27/25, began having the same problems. I was able to get an appointment on 9/2/25 at the dealership. On 9/2/25, the dealership confirmed the head gasket is bad and the car requires head gasket, head bolt, belts, fuel injector, and coolant replacement, and oil change. The dealership again acknowledged this is a known issue with the vehicle. These vehicles are stopping on busy highways (with speed limit of 50mph) and interstates or going into limp mode, not going over 20mph.

I have a 2018 Honda Accord 1. 5t I have always done oil changes and maintenance Accordingly. My car went into limp mode over the summer. I brought it to my dealership who said the head gasket was bad and it was going to cost over 5,000$ to fix. This is a known problem on these cars as I have gathered information all over the internet. Honda refuses to do the right thing and have a recall. I do not have the money to replace the head gasket at the hefty dealership level. I have been waiting over 3 months in an attempt of a diy replacement. The company I have been ordering with has had many issues and I am still without a vehicle. The vehicle only has 138,000 miles.

After having the fuel pump recall completed on my Honda Accord, I began experiencing serious engine problems that I had not had before the recall repair. Shortly afterward, my vehicle developed a blown head gasket, coolant leaking into the engine, and turbo issues. These failures occurred outside of my extended warranty (which has also since expired), but they started only after the recall work was performed. I contacted my dealership and Honda corporate for assistance through a goodwill request, but they denied coverage, stating I am outside of warranty and they cannot determine fault. However, I have since learned that other Honda owners have reported experiencing the same or very similar engine issues after this recall repair. Currently, the vehicle is undriveable without risking complete engine failure. The cost of repair is extremely high, leaving me at a financial loss for a problem I believe is directly related to the manufacturer’s recall repair.

I am writing regarding my recently purchased used 2018 Honda Accord. The car has low mileage and initially ran well, but it has developed a recurring cylinder misfire problem. When this happens, the car slows down and cannot exceed 20 mph. This issue has occurred several times—once while my daughter was driving on the highway, creating a dangerous situation as she tried to pull over safely. I took the car to both a Honda dealership and an independent mechanic. The dealership diagnosed a head gasket issue and quoted over $6,000 for repairs. However, the independent shop could not identify the issue—no error codes appeared during their diagnostic scan. After I shared the dealer’s diagnosis, the independent mechanic mentioned that this may be a known design flaw in certain Honda Accords from this model range. From what I’ve learned, the problem involves the engine’s cooling system design. The coolant travels inside the engine around the outside of the cylinders, and Honda used a small channel between cylinders to allow coolant flow. This channel appears to be the failure point, leading to head gasket problems in multiple vehicles. I believe this may be a systemic issue affecting many Honda Accords with this design, and I urge someone from this office to investigate and make Honda take responsibility for these repairs. I am in a position where I am able to transition away from this vehicle, so this will not help me. So I hope you are able to help other, because the repair bill could cripple people and hinder them for using a vehicle that they rely on to provide for themselves and their family.

Honda needs to recall all the newer vehicles starting with 2018 to 2024. All lights on the dashboard is on and while I’m on highway, the car would apply the brake itself and when I released my foot from the pedal, the car run smoothly again. I took the car to Honda dealership last year and I was charged over 1500 dollars, still the car is having the same issue. This is frustrating. Today, the car is showing the camera like I was trying to back up, even though the car was on drive mode. Unbelievable.

This car had a manufacturer recall for the "fuel pump". I was advised by Honda to go get the car checked by the dealer to evaluate if the issues I was getting were related to the recall. I paid close to $400 to get the car diagnosed and about 3/4 months after that I was told that the part is available for the recall service. I got the repair scheduled at the dealership and got the part replaced. Ever since I got this fuel pump replaced, now the car is struggling to pickup. It looks like a miss fire but it doesn't show any errors on display. In this condition, this car is not safe to drive around as it is skipping the engine thrusts. I have looked at Honda website and other online resources and people are talking about these issues but Honda hasn't said or done anything about it. It all started after I got the fuel filter replaced.