Source: Pixabay
The Honda Accord has been a staple of the sedan market since its debut in the late 70s. Honda’s venerable midsize sedan is one of its best-selling models of the past four decades and remains a popular choice for drivers despite increased and tougher competition. In addition, the Honda Accord is a go-to option for used car buyers, thanks to its dependability, reliability, longevity, and good value retention. In other words, it’s hard to go wrong when buying a used Honda Accord.
But not all used Honda Accord years are created equal, and some are certainly more reliable than others. After all, if you buy a used model, you might as well ensure your car will last and not cost you thousands in repairs right out the gate.
Today, we go through recent Accord generations and determine the most reliable Honda Accord year. So what is the most reliable Honda Accord year? Let’s take a look.
The Most Reliable Honda Accord Years
1998-2002 Honda Accord
Unless you really want to buy very old Honda Accord models, you’ll want to go only as far back as the sixth generation (1998-2002). In the sixth generation, Honda remodeled the Accord to have more interior space, which is a welcome change. However, it’s hard to recommend this Accord generation for various reasons.
Avoid this generation despite attractive prices in the used car market. Consumer Reports (CR) gave this generation a relatively low reliability score of 2-3 out of 5, although they have high owner satisfaction ratings. However, the automotive complaint resource website CarComplaints.com gave all five of the 6th-gen Accord models the dreaded “Avoid Like the Plague” seal of disapproval. Unfortunately, this generation suffered from widespread transmission failure and body integrity issues.
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2003-2007 Honda Accord
The seventh generation Accord debuted with even more potent powertrains. Honda also offered a 240-horsepower V6 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission for the coupe version. Barring some problems, the 2003-2007 Accord models are solid used car options, plus they’re practical and surprisingly fun to drive. In terms of reliability, many people swear by the seventh generation of this popular midsize sedan.
However, owners have reported various mechanical issues once they cross the 100k mile threshold. Notably, the early models (2003 and 2004) had widespread transmission issues, including outright failure and slippage. Therefore, we can’t recommend the 2003 and 2004 Accord models. The 2005 model year also had some problems with the transmission, but they’re not as widespread.
Thankfully, the 2006 and 2007 years are great used Accord models, and both earned CarComplaints’ “Pretty Good” seal of approval. Therefore, the 2006 and 2007 models get our recommendation for the most reliable Honda Accord year for this generation.
2008-2012 Honda Accord
The 2008 model was another redesign year for the Accord, where it grew larger and was treated by consumers as a “large” car. True enough, the eighth Accord generation features a more extensive, roomier interior with spacious rear seats to match. However, with the new generation comes a new set of mechanical woes for the Accord.
The 2008 Honda Accord received thousands of NHTSA complaints and was a recipient of the Car Complaints’ “Avoid Like the Plague” award. According to the website, the 2008 Accord had severe defects like excessive oil consumption, wildly uncomfortable seats, and poor brakes. The 2009 Accord fared better in terms of reliability the following year, but it’s still considered a “Clunker” by Car Complaints due to the same problems as the 2008 model. We recommend avoiding the 2008 and 2009 Accord models.
What about the most reliable Honda Accord year in the eighth generation? Thankfully, the last two models for this generation are top-notch used cars, the 2011 and 2012 Honda Accord models. We also put the 2012 Accord as the best year of the sedan in a previous writeup.
THE HONDA ACCORD YEARS TO AVOID
Some years are better than others when it comes to the uber-popular Honda Accord. Let’s review which Honda Accord years to avoid based on commonly-reported problems.
2013-2017 Honda Accord
The ninth generation of the Accord saw a significant redesign and shrank in size but remained spacious and family-friendly. It’s an impressive lineup because plenty of standard safety features were introduced, including backup cameras, lane departure warnings, front-collision detection, etc.
Unfortunately, this Accord generation opened with particularly problematic models, the 2013 and 2014 models. Both of these models suffered electrical problems and were made worse because it happened after the 36K mile warranty expired, earning them the “Beware of the Clunker” seal from CarComplaints.com. Furthermore, many complaints were about the OEM battery not having enough amp to start the Accord’s V6 engine reliably. We recommend skipping the 2013 and 2014 Accords.
Thankfully, the rest of the ninth generation (2015, 2016, and 2017) has improved in terms of reliability. The most reliable Honda Accord year for this generation is the 2015 model. It has the least number of complaints out of this generation and only has four recalls under its belt. Also, the 2015 Accord has primarily minor issues, including clear coat problems and sudden loss of power. All things considered, the 2015 model is one of the most reliable years for the Accord sedan.
8 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING A USED CAR
So you’re in the market for a used vehicle? We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.
2018-Present Honda Accord
The current generation of the Accord sedan sports another major redesign with its coupe-like silhouette and a lower stance. This current generation offers what you usually expect from the Accord: a comfortable ride, responsive handling, and many standard safety features.
The least reliable models for the tenth generation are 2018 and 2019 years. They received many complaints but are relatively minor, including cracked windshields, rattling in the dash, and faulty ABS. Consumer Reports rated the 2018 and 2019 Accords with 3 out of 5 scores in Reliability and Owner Satisfaction. If you’re going to avoid models from this batch, it has to be the 2018 and 2019 Accord years.
On the other hand, the 2020 and 2021 are arguably the better cars to buy as used since they’re reportedly more reliable. Plus, these are some of the best-reviewed Accords in many years, proving that sedans are not going away anytime soon. Both models were rated highly by CR in reliability and owner satisfaction. However, if you’re determined to invest in the 2020 or 2021 Accord, prepare to pay for higher used car prices since they’re newer.
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FAQs
Which Years Of Used Honda Accords Are Most Reliable? ›
Thankfully, the 2006 and 2007 years are great used Accord models, and both earned CarComplaints' “Pretty Good” seal of approval. Therefore, the 2006 and 2007 models get our recommendation for the most reliable Honda Accord year for this generation.
What year Honda Accord is the most reliable? ›2004–2007, 2010–2011, 2014–2017, and 2019–2021 are the best years for the Honda Accord. But Accord buyers should stay away from the 2001-2003, 2008–2009, 2012–2013, and 2018 model years. The troubles with these Accords usually involve expensive repairs to the engine and catalytic converter.
What is the best generation of Accord? ›Tenth Generation (2018-2022)
This is probably the closest the Accord has ever come to being a legit sports sedan for the family. Aside from the great styling, the best part about this generation of the Accord was its sweet 2.0L turbocharged I4.
The Honda Accord's engine can last well over 200,000 miles, but it does begin to form a bad habit after the 70,000-mile mark—it suffers from excessive engine oil consumption.
How many miles is good for a used Honda Accord? ›Expect to Reach 200,000 Miles in Your Accord, but Don't be Surprised to Fly Right Past 250,000. You've no doubt heard of Honda Civics maxing out the odometer and passing a million miles. But the automaker's other compact, the Accord, has some high-mileage record-holders, including a million mile 1990.
What is the least reliable Honda Accord? ›The least reliable models for the tenth generation are 2018 and 2019 years. They received many complaints but are relatively minor, including cracked windshields, rattling in the dash, and faulty ABS. Consumer Reports rated the 2018 and 2019 Accords with 3 out of 5 scores in Reliability and Owner Satisfaction.
What year of Honda is the best? ›| Best Years | Why? | Worst Years |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-2015 | Excellent dependability scores, reduced likelihood of costly problems >> See 2013-2015 Honda Civics for sale | 2011 |
| 2016-2021 | Solid reliability ratings, great MPG performance and crash test scores >> See 2016-2021 Honda Civics for sale | 2012 |
Quick Answer: Avoid 1998-2005, 2008-2010, 2013, and 2014 Honda Accords. The turn of the century was not an easy time for Honda. The transmission in the new sixth-generation Accord had issues slipping or making thuds while shifting and often outright failing, while several engines stalled out while driving.
What is the top tier Honda Accord? ›The Touring Hybrid trim sits at the top of the 2023 Honda Accord model range. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels and a black decklid spoiler distinguish it from the EX-L Hybrid.
Can a Honda Accord last 500000 miles? ›The Honda Accord's track record shows that this sedan could last as long as 300,000 miles with proper care and driving habits. A few have made it to the 500,000-mile mark, and a couple of documented Accords have hit one million miles.
How many miles is too many for a used Honda? ›
Considering that a properly maintained Civic can potentially last 150,000 to 200,000 miles, anything below 80,000 miles is considered good mileage. If you can find a used Civic that had a careful owner who mostly drove on the highway or in the countryside, it can be a safe choice even if it has reached 100,000 miles.
What is the longest mileage for Honda Accord? ›11 1991 Honda Accord EX
This bulletproof Honda stayed in the owner's family for two generations, ending at 1.16 million miles. The original owner kept the car until his death, and in his will, he passed it down to his son, who kept driving it until it reached that critical seven-digit mark.
Even “poor performing” Hondas are still better rated than most cars on the road. Generally speaking, a Honda can last 200,000 to 300,000 miles and 15-20 years.
Can a Honda Accord last 300k miles? ›Honda Accord Lifespan
Even though the Honda Accord's average miles are 200,000, they can easily last up to 300,000 miles. If you drive it 13,500 miles a year, for example, you can keep your vehicle for 20 years.
| Rank | Vehicle | Potential Lifespan (miles) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇯🇵 Toyota Avalon | 245,710 |
| 2 | 🇺🇸 Chevrolet Impala | 230,343 |
| 3 | 🇯🇵 Honda Accord | 226,168 |
| 4 | 🇯🇵 Toyota Camry | 223,249 |
US News says that J.D. Power awarded the 2019 Civic with a below-average predicted reliability rating of 2.5 out of five. The 2019 Honda Accord earned an average rating of three out of five, making it the preferred option in this category.
What is the most miles driven in a Honda Accord? ›Justin Kilmer owns a 2003 Honda Accord with more than 982,000 miles on its odometer. It's a rare combination of a 3.0-liter V6 and a manual transmission, which Kilmer's wife purchased while dating.
What year did Honda Accord go to timing chain? ›From 2018 to the present, your Honda Accord will have a timing chain, but those specs vary a bit for previous model years. Here are the details: 2013-2017: V6 models have timing belts & 4-cylinder models have timing chains. 2008-2012: V6 models have timing belts & 4-cylinder models have timing chains.
Can a Honda Accord last 20 years? ›lasts will depend on how well it is cared for and how often you drive it. But given proper maintenance, it should last 15-20 years or 200,000 - 300,000 miles. , make sure to follow the recommended maintenance schedule, stay up to date on your oil changes, and have any required repairs addressed promptly.