2018 Honda Accord transmission problems

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Transmission · VA

The CVT automatic transmission is leaking fluid from the transmission input shaft seal. The leak was diagnosed by Pohanka Honda of Fredericksburg, Virginia in October 2026 at approximately 99,400 miles. The dealer recommended replacing the transmission input shaft seal, a repair that requires removing the transmission, estimated at $2,990.90 plus tax. American Honda reviewed the case (Case #[XXX]) and declined goodwill assistance on [XXX]. The repair has not yet been performed. Safety concern: continued loss of transmission fluid can cause transmission failure and a loss of motive power while driving. No crash, fire, or injuries occurred. The problem is ongoing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MD

My 2018 Honda Accord EX-L with the 2.0L turbocharged engine (K20C4) and 10-speed automatic has had a cylinder head gasket failure at approximately 111,000 miles. The vehicle has been maintained consistently. Starting in early October 2026, the vehicle began shaking violently under acceleration while the engine was cold, including when accelerating at highway speed and climbing hills. The shaking lasted for roughly the first 15 minutes of every drive. No check engine light or diagnostic trouble codes appeared. In mid-October 2026, a Honda dealership diagnosed coolant leaking past the cylinder head gasket into the combustion chamber and quoted approximately $5,000 for the repair. Replacement parts are on backorder with no estimated arrival date. Violent shaking during highway acceleration is a safety concern, and continued coolant leakage into the cylinders can cause further engine damage. In August 2026, American Honda extended head gasket warranty coverage to 10 years or 150,000 miles on 2018–2022 Accord 1.5T and hybrid models for the same condition: coolant entering the combustion chamber and causing misfires. The 2.0L turbo engine was excluded. A pending class action (Alcantara et al. v. American Honda, consolidated with Bissell v. American Honda, S.D. Cal.) alleges head gasket failure in Honda's 1.5L and 2.0L turbocharged engines. I ask that the federal safety agency investigate head gasket failures in 2018–2022 Accords with the 2.0L turbo engine, and whether this engine should be included in Honda's remedy.

Filed Sep 18, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · KY

this is a known issue with honda. the head gasket is blown causing all the warning lights to come up on the dash. my car has not got hot, it goes up to the H but goes right back down to normal setting. i have had my local honda dealer look at my vehicle and that is what they told me was the issue. since my car has a rebuilt title, honda won't cover the cost for the repair. i bought the car last year from an out of state small dealer with a rebuilt title. honda is being sued for this issue, because they know about it and still were making the vehicles. this is no fault of my own and honda should honor the recall and repair my car at no cost to me. as i am now unable to drive the car and i can't afford to have it repaired. i contacted honda of america and filed a claim and also a good-will request, but because of the rebuilt title, i was not eligible for help. every single honda made during these specific years 2018-2021 are having the same issues. not one car should be discriminated against because of a rebuilt title. the re-build has zero impact on the head gasket and the cylinders being too close together, and the turbo causing the head to blow. my car is right at 128,000 miles, and it’s known for the issue to start occurring around 120,000 miles. then come to also find out there’s an ongoing issue with gas leaking into the oil. they denied my request on that too. any help would be greatly appreciated! thank you for your time and consideration! -RF-

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NV

There is a hole in the engine block and it happed while I was driving, people could’ve been hurt on the road because of this mechanical failure. Vehicle has only been inspected by a private mechanic who found the problem. There was no warning of this besides a add air to tire warning.

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA

Car went into limp mode and was struggling to accelerate, went and got it diagnosed and was notified that my spark plugs needed to be replaced. Car began running fine but a few months went by and the issue came back. I was told I needed my spark plugs changed again. After the third time, I went and had my car diagnosed again and was told I needed a battery for the car because it was drained. Then I got the Turbo replaced and still the issue remains. All lights on the dashboard are on, car overheats and goes into limp mode, sometimes not accelerating over 20 MPH. My car went into limp mode on the highway, this scared me, so I haven't drove it since. Ive seen countless comments of users with the same make and model, experiencing the same issue. Its sad that Honda, known to be a trustworthy and reliable brand for years would do their customers like this, especially considering the state of the economy at the moment.

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MS

In September 2025, all dashboard lights came on while driving down the road. I immediately pulled over and turned the car off. When turning the car back on, all lights remained on and I drove to the nearest repair shop, where at this time it was beginning to run hot. I was told at this point that the head gasket had blown and this would need to be replaced. I replaced the head gasket for $4100.00. After that, in October 2025, I had to replace the fuel injectors and coil packs. In February 2026, driving down the road, the car was not running hot but all lights came on the dash again and it went into limp mode. The car had to be towed to a repair shop where it was stated that coil packs needed to be changed again. In August 2026, the turbo had to be replaced, resulting in an additional $2500.00

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · AL

The car dashboard Is lit up and loose power out of nowhere when driving .

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · NC

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.

Filed Aug 8, 2026 · Transmission · GA

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.

Filed Jul 11, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · VA

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.