Diagsheet

2018 Honda Accord · symptom sheet

Battery dies or the car will not start

  • 42owner reports
  • 28,000median miles
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Sep 1, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

291 of the 1,867 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 42 of those describe dead battery.

Tick what matches of 42 reports

10
3
15
25
3
3

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (40 reports) and the alternator (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the electrical system covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

20V-771Dec 10, 2020
Electrical System:Body Control Module:Software

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles. A software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in communication between the Body Control Module (BCM) and other components. This may result in malfunctions of various systems such as the windshield wipers and defroster, rearview camera, exterior lights, audible warning of a stopped vehicle, and power window operation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems" and number 111, "Rear Visibility" as well as FMVSS numbers 104, 108, 114, 118, and 305.

Risk and remedy
Risk: Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X95.

NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Accord

EA09-001opened Jan 5, 2009
Electrical · model years 2003

Ignition shift interlock. Closed oct 14, 2010, led to recall 10V-364.

NHTSA summary
On August 4, 2010, American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a ignition interlock defect in approximately 384,220 model year (MY) 2003 Honda Accord and Civic and MY 2003 and 2004 Honda Element vehicles with automatic transmissions (Recall 10V-364).In a September 22, 2010 supplemental DIR, Honda expanded the scope of the recall population based on manufacturing and complaint data.The total population for the complete recall is approximately 551,498 vehicles.The information listed in this closing report refers only to the subject vehicles, MY 2003 Accords with automatic transmissions.According to Honda's DIR, Under certain conditions the interlock lever of the ignition switch may unexpectedly deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated if the driver does not follow the typical shut-down procedure of shifting the gear selector to the Park position before rotating the ignition key to the off position. Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the Park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.Honda's dealers will be instructed to inspect the ignition interlock switch and, if necessary, replace the original interlock pin and lever within the ignition switch and replace them with new, redesigned parts.This investigation is closed.
RQ08-006opened Sep 8, 2008
Electrical · model years 2002 to 2003

Ignition park-shift interlock. Closed jan 5, 2009, led to recall 10V-364.

NHTSA summary
ODI HAS RECEIVED 16 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FAILURES OF THE IGNITION PARK-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT ALLOWED THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION BEING SHIFTED TO PARK IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 AND 2003 HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.ELEVEN OF THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE FAILURE OF THE INTERLOCK RESULTED IN A ROLLAWAY CRASH.ONE OWNER ALLEGED THAT SHE WAS ALMOST INTO HER HOUSE WHEN SHE NOTICED THE CAR ROLLING OUT OF THE GARAGE AND DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND THAT WHEN SHE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR IT ALMOST RAN OVER HER, BEFORE CRASHING INTO A CABLE BOX AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY.ANOTHER OWNER ALLEGED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND STRUCK A TREE ACROSS THE STREET.THERE HAVE BEEN 28 COMPLAINTS MADE TO HONDA REGARDING IGNITION PARK-SHIFT INTERLOCK FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, 10 OF WHICH ALLEGE ROLLAWAY CRASHES. IN OCTOBER 2003, AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY INITIATED RECALL 03V-423 TO CORRECT AN IGNITION PARK-SHIFT INTERLOCK DEFECT IN CERTAIN MY 1999 HONDA ODYSSEY, MY 1997-99 ACURA CL, MY 1999 ACURA TL, AND MY 1998-99 HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES.IN JANUARY 2005, HONDA INITIATED ANOTHER RECALL TO ADDRESS DEFECTIVE IGNITION PARK-SHIFT INTERLOCKS (RECALL 05V-025), THIS TIME COVERING MY 1997-2001 HONDA PRELUDE, MY 1999-2000 ACURA TL, AND CERTAIN MY 1999-2002 HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES.NOT ALL MY 2002 HONDA ACCORDS WERE COVERED UNDER RECALL 05V-025.THE REMAINING MY 2002 AND ALL MY 2003 ACCORD VEHICLES ARE COVERED IN THE SCOPE OF
PE05-002opened Jan 13, 2005
Electrical · model years 1999 to 2002

Ignition-park interlock. Closed feb 2, 2005, led to recall 05V-025.

NHTSA summary
THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS ARE FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 - 2001 HONDA ACCORD MODELS THAT WERE NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF A RELATED HONDA RECALL ACTION (NHTSA 03V423); THESE VEHICLES WERE INVESTIGATED BY ODI UNDER DEFECT PETITION (DP) 04-006.COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR OTHER MODELS AND MODEL YEARS WAS NOT OBTAINED BY ODI.THE NOTED POPULATION INDICATES THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES (INCLUDING THE MY 2002 ACCORD PLUS THE PRELUDE AND TL MODELS) THAT ARE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HONDA?S NEW RECALL (NHTSA 05V-025, HONDA P68, P69); 402,525 OF THESE WERE INVESTIGATED IN DP04-006.SEEPART 573 DOCUMENTS RELATED TO 05V-025 FOR FURTHER DETAIL ON OTHER MODELS AND MYS.ODI NOTES THAT, ACCORDING TO HONDA?S ANALYSIS, INTERLOCK SYSTEM WARRANTY RATES FOR THE TL AND PRELUDE MODELS INVOLVED IN 05V-025 ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE ACCORD MODELS.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY HONDA DURING DP04-006 INDICATES THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES CONTAINING INTERLOCK SYSTEMS MADE BY ITS JAPANESE LOCK MANUFACTURING FACILITY MAY CONTAIN DEFECTIVE INTERNAL COMPONENTS.IN COMBINATION WITH CERTAIN WEAR AND USAGE FACTORS, THIS MAY LEAD TO A CONDITION THAT PREVENTS THE SYSTEM FROM BLOCKING REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK.IF THE DRIVER LEAVES THE TRANSMISSION IN A NON-PARK POSITION AND FAILS TO SET THE HAND BRAKE WHEN PARKING, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CRASH.INTERLOCK SYSTEMS MANUFACTURED BY HONDA?S U.S. LOCK MANUFACTURER DO NOT APPEAR TO CONTAIN THIS DEFECT AND ARE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ACTION. IN A
DP04-006opened Oct 8, 2004
Electrical · model years 1999 to 2001

Ignition-park interlock. Closed jan 13, 2005.

NHTSA summary
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) PRODUCED AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER DATED OCTOBER 14, 2004 WHICH DEFINED THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS MODEL YEAR 1999 - 2001 HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF PRIOR RECALL ACTION (03V423) HONDA CONDUCTED TO RESOLVE AN INTERLOCK DEFECT.HONDA SUBMITTED RESPONSES ON NOVEMBER 29 AND DECEMBER 21, 2004.THE FAILURE REPORTS NOTED ABOVE HAVE BEEN DETERMINED FROM ODI'S ANALYSIS OF NHTSA'S COMPLAINT DATABASE AND AN INITIAL ANALYSIS OF THE MANUFACTURER'S IR RESPONSE DATA (FURTHER ANALYSIS REQUIRED).SOME OF THE HONDA REPORTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF ODI.TAKING INTO ACCOUNT A SHORTER SERVICE LIFE, THE FAILURE INCIDENCE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS SIMILAR TO THAT DETERMINED WHEN ODI CONDUCTED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) 03-013, WHICH INVOLVED INTERLOCK FAILURES ON OLDER ACCORDS SUBSEQUENTLY RECALLED UNDER THE 03V423 ACTION.ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITON IS GRANTED AND ODI HAS OPENED PE05-002 TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE MATTER.
EA03-017opened Sep 9, 2003
Electrical · model years 1998 to 2001

Ignition-park interlock. Closed dec 17, 2003, led to recall 03V-423.

NHTSA summary
SIX OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF HONDA COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS FOUR OF THE CRASHES.THE ONE INJURY OCCURRED WHEN A ROLLAWAY VEHICLE STRUCK THE EXITING OPERATOR WHO HAD INADVERTENTLY PARKED THE VEHICLE IN AN UNSECURED STATE (NOT IN PARK, BRAKE NOT ENGAGED).HONDA IDENTIFIED THE WARRANTY CLAIMS FROM COMPLAINT DESCRIPTIONS THAT CONTENDED THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY.HONDA PRESENTED THE RESULTS OF THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES AT AN OCTOBER 16, 2003 MEETING WITH ODI IN WHICH HONDA IDENTIFIED A SUPPLIER AND AN ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION CHANGE FOR THE IGNITION CYLINDER BODY (CB), A SUBCOMPONENT OF THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY.RESULTS FROM HONDA?S ANALYSIS DEMONSTRATED A STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN THE PRODUCTION DATE RANGE OF VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCED HIGHER INTERLOCK WARRANTY CLAIM RATES AND THE IMPLEMENTATION DATES OF THE CHANGES.AN ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION FOR A SURFACE TREATMENT PROCESS FOR THE CB WAS ELIMINATED AT THE BEGINNING OF MY 1998.THE SUPPLIER OF THE CB WAS CHANGED IN FEBRUARY 1999.VEHICLES BUILT WITHIN THIS TIME PERIOD CONTAIN A CB WITH POOR SURFACE HARDNESS THAT CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.AS THE WEAR PROGRESSES, THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM BECOMES INCAPABLE OF PREVENTING KEY REMOVAL WHEN THE SHIFTER IS IN A NON-PARK POSITION.INTERLOCK FAILURE INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY AND SUBSEQUENT CRASH OR INJURY WHEN VEHICLES ARE PARKED UNSECURED.HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CHANGE INCLUDE MY 1998 AND MY 1999 THROUGH FEBRUA

None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 8,085 and 45,000 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.

318
219
420
921
522
323
324
725
626

What owners wrote

“2 weeks ago. All of my warnings and lights for my car came on. We undid my battery, charged it and did it again. The lights went away and about 3 days ago they came back on. Now my car is overheating and the system is reading wrong.”

Filed Aug 14, 2026

“Door locks alternate not locking/unlocking with either the door buttons or key fob buttons (battery is good). Available for inspection. Vehicle has not been inspected. No warnings prior. This has happened on and off for about 2 years and now seems like it’s 24/7 a thing with multiple doors at a time now.”

Filed Nov 9, 2025

“While accelerating car jerks at times. At time car will go in limp mode I’ll have to safely try to get to side of road turn car off. Restart and continue driving. I’ve changed spark plugs, coil packs, turbo, fuel injectors, fuel pump and battery. I continue to put money into my car and nothing helps.”

Filed Oct 30, 2025

“This is about the 5th time this has happened to the car. All warning lights appeared spontaneously while driving. The lights would turn off if the car was turned off for a long period of time or is we disconnected battery for a long period of time. We have tried to research the problem and no one seems to know what the cause or permanent fix is.”

Filed Jun 11, 2025

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 42 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

Other problems on this car