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 the federal safety agency 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.
2018 Honda Accord engine complaints
Page 7 of 21: complaints 161 to 190 of 587, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was driving and all the lights on the dash board came on. Including the engine light. I took the vehicle to the dealership service center and they said the turbo function of my engine was failing. and it was still covered under warranty so they fixed that. One day after the picking it up all the lights came back on. I took it back and they stated that the fuel injectors are failing thus causing engine misfires resulting in the engine light coming back on and the car randomly stalling or slowing. They indicated that the fuel injectors are NOT covered and repairs are around 2,400.00, I believe this should be covered because there was a previous recall on the fuel on the fuel pump (which is connected to the injectors). Also I don't understand how the "turbo" was still covered under warranty but the injectors are not. Upon doing my research this is a known problem on this make and model and Honda should correct the known defect.
Head Gasket caused multiple issues with coolant burning quickly. Multiple ignition coils also got damaged and had to be replaced. Though the underlying issue with the gasket was not addressed by the dealership. The head gasket is currently broken and does not function at all and the car has only driven 84000 miles.
Head Gasket Failure at 121,000. It has also affected the spark plugs. We were quoted a $4300+ repair at the Honda Dealership in Carlsbad. Engine displayed all lights and went on power loss mode and suddenly couldn't go more than 5-10 MPH, so we had to tow it. Was dangerous getting such a slow car into a parking lot safely.
A 2018 Honda Accord suddenly displayed multiple dashboard warning messages at the same time after previously operating normally. The warnings include: Emission System Problem (avoid heavy acceleration), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) problem, Brake System problem, Brake Hold System problem, Electric Power Steering system problem, Vehicle Stability Assist problem, Hill Start Assist problem, Adaptive Cruise Control system problem, Collision Mitigation Braking System problem, and Road Departure Mitigation System problem. These alerts appeared simultaneously when the vehicle was started, even though the car had been driven the night before without any issues. The vehicle still starts and runs, but the number of system warnings suggests a possible electrical, sensor, or control module issue affecting multiple vehicle systems.
Blown head gasket
There are many warming lamps on in the car. My car won't pick up speed it in limp mode once I crank up. I have to turn it off and restart any order for it to go and pick up speed. My number 3 plug keep showing something wrong it has been replaced multiple times but still having the same issue. I had it checked out it's saying the same problem fuel. I have had my fuel pump change and still having problems. 2018 are bad models for honda and there should be multiple recalls because everyone having the same problems. Head gaskets,fuel injection, turbo problems as well as fuel pump
All dash lights are on and the Honda dealership told me I have a blown head gasket, need a turbo replacement & fuel pump in which I wasn’t able to drive the car for 7 months at 112,276 miles..This seems like a known issue for this make and model vehicle after 100,000 miles
On February 26, 2025 I was driving my 2018 Honda Accord Sport (118,000 miles) with a 1.5t engine on a 55mph 2 lane roadway at approximately 55mph with 4-5 cars behind me when the engine suddenly went into "limp" mode and quickly decelerated to approximately 25 mph. I could see the cars behind me suddenly brake to avoid hitting me. I pull off on the shoulder, turned my car off and restarted. The car then drove normally to home. I took the car to the Honda dealer who diagnosed a blown head gasket. The sudden deceleration was caused by a misfire due to coolant entering the combustion chamber during the combustion cycle. The sudden deceleration almost caused an accident. When this happens the Accord does not warn the drivers behind with brake lights or flashers. I had the head gasket replaced at a cost of $4000+ The dealer's mechanic believes the cause is improper head bolt torque specs at the factory. Honda is aware of the a head gasket problem with the 2018-2020 Accord 1.5t engine, see Honda's the federal safety agency filings attached offering visa cards to mechanics who report head gasket failures, yet refuses to recall the engine or pay for replacing the head gasket unless under warranty. This is my 4th Accord (1985, 1986, 2007, 2018). I have never had any engine problems with my other three Accords. Honda needs to recall this engine and correct the head gasket problem so as to avoid unannounced, uncontrolled, and unintended deceleration at highway speeds due to going into limp mode (70-75 mph on interstates down to 25 mph) that can cause following cars to crash into the Accord. I purchased the car with 22,000 miles on the odometer and performed regular maintenance since I purchased it. See comments beginning on page 2: https://www.driveaccord.net/threads/blown-head-gasket-any-recall.559243/?post_id=6844792#post-6844792
Wastegate actuator is no longer working and turbo on vehicle is no longer working as needed. My car currently has every warning light on the dashboard and fails to provide all advanced driver assistance systems that come with my vehicle making it unsafe. The problem has been addressed by Honda dealership service themselves as my code came back that it is a turbocharger wastegate sensor issue. Car has not been inspected by a manufacturer, police, insurance. All warning lights went off on car over two years ago from 2026.
The high-pressure fuel pump on my 2018 Honda Accord failed even though the vehicle had previously been repaired under a recall for the same issue. While driving, multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, including the check engine light and other system warnings. The vehicle began running rough and lost power, creating a dangerous driving condition, especially in traffic. This is the second occurrence of fuel system failure despite the recall repair being completed. The recurrence of this issue raises serious safety concerns, as sudden power loss or engine malfunction while driving increases the risk of an accident. The vehicle is currently not safe to drive due to the risk of stalling or loss of power. The problem appears to be related to the high-pressure fuel pump system that was previously addressed under recall.
It appears to be either the fuel pump or fuel injectors, at certain times of acceleration the car stops accelerating, the engine light blinks, I have to shut the car off and restart it. It seems like if I slow my car down then try to accelerate, like going through a roundabout or sitting in stop and go traffic really seems to set the problem off. I took it to a Honda dealership a couple years ago and they informed me it was fuel injectors but they were not in stock, they assured me the car was fine to drive, I called a couple times to ask if they had gotten the part, they sternly told me they would call me, anyways they never called me and it still happens, there is a recall out for other 2018 Honda Accords that seem to have a similar problem. All my lights are constantly on due to this problem, none of the features on my car work. Sometimes if I reset my battery the lights are fine for a while but the problem still persists. If I "Rev" my car up and gas it pretty hard when I immediately start driving it seems to help.
I was driving on the interstate and suddenly I could no longer accelerate, my engine light started blinking and I had to pull over to a gas station as my car would not go above 25-30mph. I turned it off and back on and it work so I took it home. I took it to Honda’s the next day and after diagnosis they said that my head gasket was damaged causing coolant leaking into my engine cylinder and warping of the engine. They recommended an engine replacement. I never had any warning indications on my dashboard until then. I filed a case with American Honda to assist with repairs and it has been over two weeks without resolution. I no longer felt safe continuing to drive my car and I traded my car in for safety.
Engine Head gasket failure even after regular proper maintenance
I had to have $6400.00 worth of repairs (2018 Honda Accord Sport ) due to stalling & engine light came on and then it wouldn't go-due to the head gasket not being recalled and since they had the engine out, i also had to have other repairs they said were necessary plus car rental on top of that...I had only made my 2 car pymts when this happened!
The car can't start because of the recall
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.
The cylinder head gasket on this vehicle has failed, causing engine coolant to leak into the combustion chambers (coolant intrusion). This has resulted in a recurring and dangerous loss of motive power that has put my safety and the safety of other motorists at risk on multiple occasions. Specifically, the vehicle has repeatedly entered "Limp Mode" while in active traffic, causing a sudden, drastic loss of acceleration that left me unable to maintain the flow of traffic or safely maneuver. This component failure is available for inspection upon request. The problem has been officially confirmed by Holman Honda of Fort Lauderdale, where technicians diagnosed the blown head gasket and confirmed the presence of coolant in the cylinders. The manufacturer's authorized dealership has inspected the vehicle and provided a formal repair estimate. Prior to the multiple "Limp Mode" failures, the vehicle exhibited clear warning symptoms starting in late 2025, including violent engine stuttering and a "shimmering" vibration during cold starts. Additionally, a distinct "gurgling" or bubbling sound was audible behind the dashboard, indicating combustion gases displacing coolant. During the actual failure events, the dashboard displayed a "Christmas Tree" effect of warning lamps, including "Emissions System Problem," "Brake System," and "Power Steering System" alerts, which disabled critical safety and driver-assist features while the vehicle was in motion. This persistent design defect has created a high risk for rear-end collisions and total engine seizure.
Head gasket failure. Dealership did inspect vehicle and said this is a common issue. No warning prior to headgasket issue.
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 the federal safety agency investigate.
After I took my car in for a fuel pump recall, it caused one of my injectors to be bad which will be 3000 dollars fix out of my pocket. this happened a few months after I took my car to the dealership, and it was doing fine before taken to the dealership for the recall. there are many other owners who reported they experienced the same thing, with all the dash lights came on but couldn’t find the exact cause until they replace their fuel injectors. First, all the alarms appeared, even the engine light was on but they would all go away after a few days. It had been on and off randomly for the past 4 months. the car is still driving fine but the alarms will pop up and stay for a few weeks to a month. It would randomly not letting me accelerate and slow me down, which if i was driving on the highway all the way in the left with traffic, that would cause a traffic jam and eventually an accident with other drivers.
The first time was at 93,000 miles where my car started to surge and went into limp mode but once I shut the car off and turned it back on everything went away and the car was fine. It did happen a couple more times, but as soon as I would shut the car off and turn it back on the code was cleared and by the time I got it to a mechanic there was no known code.This last time was at 220,000 miles I was just entering the freeway and once on the freeway, my car started to power surge really bad jolting me back-and-forth back-and-forth. This did not let me continue to finish reaching my highway rate of speed with cars coming up fast behind me nearly hitting me. Car continued to surge, and then went into limp mode and I had to pull over on the side of the freeway. I brought my car into Honda of San Bruno, California. They informed me after inspection that I had a cylinder three misfire due to a bad head gasket. They are receiving 3 to 4 of these a day and is a huge problem. I later found out that there’s a class action lawsuit for this head gasket failure that put me in danger and now has my car sitting in front of my house unable to drive.
Serval warning lights come on in my vehicle I’ve have seen this happen in other models of this car and nothing has fixed it. Car drives fine.
Headgasket seems to be forming a leak. Checked coolant today, zero leaks on coolant system but coolant was extremely low. It is sad to see that Honda has become so unreliable.
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.
The vehicle experienced a rough idle and white smoke blowing out the exhaust on a cold startup. It did have coolant loss over a period of time with no visible leaks. I waited until I got a check engine code that revealed a misfire in cylinder 4. Upon further diagnostic testing it was revealed that the head gasket was blown between cylinders 3 and 4. I paid for the repair out of pocket only to see that this is a very common issue with the 1.5 turbo engine.
When I was accelerating the vehicle on 12/21/2025, a flashing check engine light came on, and the car started driving very roughly immediately, with an intense vibration. I noticed a lack of engine power, but the hybrid motor and battery kept me going for roughly 1 mile until they were depleted, after which I was unable to accelerate the vehicle. At that time, the car continued to decelerate, no matter how much I depressed the accelerator. I was able to safely pull over and turn the car off. I let it sit for one minute before turning it on again, at which point it behaved normally. I drove very cautiously to my destination, making sure to accelerate very gradually. This sudden lack of power put myself and others on the road at risk, as it was very sudden with no prior symptoms/warning lights, and I had no recourse besides pulling over as soon as possible. Over the next few days, I researched the problem online, and owners of Honda Accords from that generation (10th generation, model years 2018-2022) reported head gasket failure on all engines Honda offered the 10th generation Accord, including the 1.5 turbo, 2.0 turbo, and 2.0 hybrid engines. This problem is also reported on a slew of other Honda vehicles from roughly that time period. I brought it to Motor Werks Honda in Barrington, IL on 12/24/2025. After they completed their analysis, they determined it was a failed headgasket.
All dashboard lights are on & will not go away!
Blown head gasket at around 91,500 miles even though car have been kept up with oil change around 5,000k mile. It is currently in the mechanic shop as of 1/12/2025 awaiting repairs (parts are being order as we speak). So, probably can't have it inspected if requested unless it is soon. The random/early head gasket getting blown with not such high miles would have been devasting if I was driving on the highway. Since, it would cause the engine to over heat as the coolant is leaking into the engine piston and some case could cause lost of power on the highway. This problem seem to be quite common or expected as talking to the dealer and they were aware that a portion of these 1.5l turbo engine head gasket are getting blown. The vehicle or component has been inspected by an independent service center. I got misfire detected on cylinder 3 on 12/17/2025. I replace the sparks plug and it ran fine till 1/10/2026 when all of a sudden I can see the temperature gauge climbing. I stop driving the car that day on 1/10/2026. I check the coolant overflow reservoir on 1/11/2026 and found it strange that it was almost empty. I decide to take it to the mechanic on 1/12/2026 because I didn't see leaks anywhere and that was when they found the head gasket has failed and was slowly dripping coolant into the cylinder.
Head gasket failed after car was fully serviced at authorized Honda dealer.It is a common issue with the 1.5t Honda engine.
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