Honda Accord electrical problems, 2016–2026
1,168 of the 5,524 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Honda Accord 2016–2026 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2018 (313), 2016 (198), 2017 (163). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Honda Accord electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 10% | — | 2 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 15 | 14% | — | 9 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 | 38 | 17% | — | 10 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2023 in depth | 72 | 32% | — | 24 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2022 in depth | 112 | 37% | — | 33 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 71 | 25% | — | 53 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2020 in depth | 62 | 15% | 12k | 89 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 123 | 16% | 11k | 91 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 313 | 16% | 12k | 91 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 163 | 28% | 32k | 23 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 198 | 33% | 46k | 34 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 20 · 2018: 44 · 2019: 94 · 2020: 71 · 2021: 81 · 2022: 67 · 2023: 100 · 2024: 143 · 2025: 272 · 2026: 275
Across the model years, half of the 287 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 8,000 and 56,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
If the car is not driven for about 5 days, it will not start. I told this to the local Honda dealer and he says I am not alone. All modern Accords do this because the computer performs a self-check every 2-3 hours and this drains the battery.
Driving southbound on 101 south on sunny clear day 65 degrees with almost full fuel tank and 2 battery bars (almost empty) and climbing up incline on 7 degree grade and check engine light went on and lost all power and car completely slowed down to a stop (luckily was able to pull over with no problem)
Second time on the last four days that my car will not start. I took it in for service at eh Honda autonation in costa mesa ca and they told me that everything checked out fine. I was working in los angeles four days later and once again the car wouldn't start.
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v418000 (electrical system); however, the remedy was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue.
On three different occasions earlier this year 2025, my car electric system would completely shut down. My safety was put at risk because this would often happen while I was driving.
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V785000 HighNov 13, 2025 · 256,603 vehicles
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
- 20V798000 HighDec 17, 2020 · 27,838 vehicles
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2020-2021 Insight vehicles. The DC-DC converter may shut down and prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, possibly resulting in a loss of drive power.
- 17V418000 CriticalJun 29, 2017 · 1,148,550 vehicles
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Honda Accord vehicles. The case for the battery sensor, part of the battery management system, may allow water to get in, potentially causing an electrical short.
NHTSA investigation
- DP22005 Pedestrian alert soundsopened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023
- NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
3 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 16, 2026
- Dealer Message - On August 21st, 2026, American Honda issued a Product Update for certain 2018-2022 Accord and Accord Hybrid models that received the accessory Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto upgrade. Refer to Service Bulletin 26-068 for additional information regarding the Product Update.
- Aug 31, 2026
- Tech Line Summary - Customers may report that the center display unit changes screens on its own, registers unintended inputs, or operates erratically without user interaction. The condition may be more noticeable when vehicle interior temperatures are elevated.
- Aug 21, 2026
- Service Bulletin - On certain 2018-2022 Accord and 2018-22 Accord Hybrid vehicles equipped with the Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto software upgrade, a programming issue within the Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto software may cause an invalid "License Authentication Error" message to appear on the display audio screen after approximately 1,500 ignition ON/OFF cycles.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Honda Accord
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Honda Accord problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Honda Accord years have the most electrical complaints?
2018, 313; 2016, 198; 2017, 163. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2022 (37%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Honda Accord?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V785000 (2025), 20V798000 (2020), 17V418000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the Honda Accord?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 27,500 miles across the model years; half of them between 8,000 and 56,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.