2020 Honda Accord: sudden loss of power

Filed Nov 1, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

A mechanic inspected or evaluated the vehicle and told me that the small fuel filter/strainer inside the fuel pump assembly may be causing the problem. The vehicle has intermittent starting difficulties, rough engine operation, and sudden loss of engine power while driving. The accelerator sometimes becomes unresponsive until I pull over, turn off the engine, and restart the vehicle. I am concerned about a possible fuel delivery system malfunction and the risk of losing power unexpectedly while driving. I am requesting an investigation into the fuel pump assembly and its internal filter.

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Engine · CA

While driving, my vehicle experienced a sudden engine malfunction consistent with a failed head gasket. The engine began misfiring, shaking, and losing power, and the check engine light began flashing. The vehicle became unsafe to operate. The failed component is the engine head gasket, and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The sudden loss of engine performance created a serious safety concern. I was driving on a public roadway when the engine began misfiring and losing power, making it difficult to safely maintain speed and operate the vehicle. A sudden loss of power while driving increases the risk of being rear-ended or becoming involved in a collision, particularly in traffic, while merging, or at highway speeds. The vehicle was inspected and diagnosed by an authorized Honda dealership, which confirmed the head gasket failure. I also spoke with independent mechanics who were immediately familiar with this type of failure on Honda's 1.5L turbocharged engines. Although Honda diagnosed the problem, my request for goodwill assistance was denied because the vehicle was outside the warranty period. The vehicle has been inspected by Honda and is available for further inspection if requested. It has not been inspected by law enforcement or my insurance company because no accident occurred. As the condition progressed, the engine developed a rough idle and intermittent misfires. Eventually, the check engine light began flashing, and the engine began shaking and losing power while I was driving. These warning signs escalated into a condition that I believe presented a significant safety risk. I am submitting this complaint because an engine that suddenly loses power while being driven poses a serious safety hazard to both the driver and others on the road. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate whether this represents a recurring safety-related issue affecting Honda vehicles equipped with the 1.5L turbocharged engine.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Fuel system · LA

High pressure fuel pump failed at 100,000 miles cause the vehicle to lose power.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Fuel system · LA

Fuel injector began failing resulting in a loss of engine power.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Engine · MD

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The suspected failed components involve the 1.5L engine system and head gasket on my 2020 Honda Accord. The vehicle experienced frequent overheating along with repeated check engine light activation. Multiple mechanics, including Heritage Honda Parkville, indicated that head gasket failure is a common issue with this engine type. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My safety was put at risk due to the vehicle frequently overheating while driving. An overheating engine can lead to sudden vehicle breakdown, engine failure, loss of power, or being stranded unexpectedly in traffic or unsafe locations. The recurring check engine light and unresolved engine concerns created uncertainty regarding the reliability and safe operation of the vehicle during daily commuting and long-distance travel. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The concern was initially discussed by technician [XXX] at Heritage Honda Parkville during my service visit on March 19, 2026. The technician advised that the “most common issue” with these engines along with my vehicle is head gasket failure. Additionally, multiple independent reputable mechanics later echoed the same concern, stating they have seen numerous Honda Accord vehicles with the 1.5L turbo engine require head gasket replacement and, in many cases, full engine replacement. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle was inspected by Heritage Honda Parkville service personnel and has also been evaluated by multiple independent mechanics. The issue has additionally been reported to American Honda Corporate under Case Number XXX. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO

Filed Apr 3, 2026 · Fuel system, Lights · IL

I own a 2020 Honda Accord EX-L with a 1.5T turbo engine. The problem happened on January 20, 2026, when my car had 66,988 miles. While my husband was driving it, the engine warning light came on, and the car suddenly lost power in the middle of the road. Fortunately, there was no car behind me at the time. Otherwise, he could have been in a serious accident. He was able to pull into a nearby parking lot. To avoid further damage, we had the car towed to a certified Honda dealership for diagnosis. The dealer told me that the fuel injectors had failed and needed to be replaced. The total repair cost was $1,851. The dealer checked my vehicle identification number (VIN) and told me there was no recall for my car, even though some vehicles of the same model and year do have recalls for similar issues. Because of this, I had to pay the full repair cost out of pocket. I kept the repair receipt. I later contacted Honda’s customer service to report the issue. However, the representative informed me that Honda could not provide assistance because my VIN was not included in the recall list.

Filed Jan 3, 2026 · Transmission · IL

Complete loss of power on acceleration. Car goes limp while driving on highway or a 50 mph street - very dangerous to have loss of power when other cars are driving fast too. We have replaced the spark plugs, coils, and fuel injectors. That was a waste of time and money bc the same problem existing- loss of power again! Turns out, it’s bc the Head gasket has a design flaw - deep grooves between the cylinder heads and head bolts that are not strong or tight enough. I have lost all trust for Honda bc this has not been issued as a recall. After quick online research- Everyone is having the same issue who has these models, this needs to be a safety recall bc Honda created a faulty head gasket design. This car is not safe bc the head gasket design, and I’m making payments on a car that I can’t even drive. Unethical for Honda to not take accountability for this! I’m driving my 03 Toyota that has over 300k miles is more reliable than this 2020 Honda - paying for a car I can’t drive makes me despise Honda for not issuing this recall.

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · TX

While driving my 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, VIN [XXX] , the car would start exhibiting rough engine feels, and all of the dashboard lights would come on. The car would lose power at highway speeds, and I’d have to pull over to turn the car off and on. When checking on OBDII meter, getting P0301 codes. I have replaced the coils and plugs twice and still not better. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 15, 2025 · Engine · MI

Driving on the freeway and the car started to lose power and de-cellerate, eventually stopping. After leaving it overnight, I returned and the car started. I slowly drove it to a dealership within 3 miles. The dealer said they could not replicate the issue. They did find a "labor diag found in history code p0304" .

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · OH

It is unknown what system failed. While coasting to slow for the stopped car in front of me, the car began aggressively accelerating without warning. Adaptive and standard cruise control were both off. Lane keep assist and road departure were also switched off. Due to the slick nature of the road, the acceleration left me traveling far too fast with little space to stop. After sliding to a stop, I was within a foot from the car in front of me. This failure very nearly caused an at-fault accident which there was nothing more I could do. Note that this happened roughly 40 mins into a drive, which was otherwise uneventful. No warning lights were present before, during, or after the issue. This car has been having phantom braking issues and power loss issues consistently since March and has spent significant time in Honda's hands for this issue. The vehicle has come to a near stop on the highway from the previous braking issues and has lost power, stranding me in traffic on a highway. It is suspected that the same system failure that caused those issues has come back up again. To date, thousands have been spent on repair "guesses" and tow bills with no end in sight to these safety issues. This vehicle has become a liability and, as a result, inspections are strongly encouraged. I have included photos of the floor mats as they were at the time, properly secured and not near either pedal.

Filed May 4, 2025 · Engine · TN

Subject: Turbocharger Underboost – Safety Concern on 2020 Honda Accord EX-L I am reporting a serious safety issue with the turbocharger system on my 2020 Honda Accord EX-L with the 1.5L turbocharged engine. The vehicle has repeatedly triggered Diagnostic Trouble Code P0299 (Turbocharger Underboost), indicating the turbocharger is failing to generate sufficient boost. As a result, the vehicle suffers from sudden loss of power, especially during acceleration and highway merging. This power loss occurs without warning and severely impacts my ability to drive safely in traffic, increasing the risk of accidents. There are currently no recalls or manufacturer advisories addressing this issue, despite numerous online reports from other Honda owners with the same engine and problem. This suggests a possible design flaw or premature component failure in the turbocharging system. Given the frequency of this issue and its impact on vehicle safety, I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this matter and consider whether a recall or manufacturer service campaign is necessary. Symptoms include: •Sudden engine power loss •Error code P0299 •Inability to accelerate safely •Safety risk during lane changes and merges First occurrence: April 20, 2025 Ongoing issue: Yes Mileage at first occurrence: 111, 000 Crash or injury: No Thank you for your attention to this matter

Filed Apr 9, 2025 · Fuel system · CA

Detailed Statement of Defect and Manufacturer’s Acknowledgment – Honda Fuel Pump Recall (2017–2020 Acura and Honda Models) Overview of Recall: On December 21, 2023, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. publicly announced a voluntary safety recall affecting approximately 2.6 million Acura and Honda vehicles in the United States from model years 2017 through 2020. This large-scale recall concerns a critical defect in the fuel pump system that has the potential to cause engine stalling while the vehicle is in motion, posing a serious safety risk. Technical Description of the Defect: The issue stems from an improperly molded fuel pump impeller—a component responsible for fuel delivery within the pump. The molding defect results in the production of low-density impellers that are prone to deformation. Over time, these impellers can degrade and interfere with the fuel pump body, ultimately rendering the fuel pump inoperative. Should the fuel pump module fail during vehicle operation, the engine may not start or could stall without warning, which significantly increases the risk of a crash or injury due to the sudden loss of engine power, particularly at high speeds or in heavy traffic conditions. Manufacturer’s Response and Limitations: Honda has stated that it will replace the affected fuel pump modules free of charge, and claims that no crashes or injuries have been reported at the time of the announcement. However, it is critical to note: •Countermeasure replacement parts are currently unavailable in sufficient quantities to address all recalled vehicles simultaneously. •Honda plans to notify vehicle owners in stages, with initial notifications to begin in early February 2024, followed by additional notices as parts become available. •This delay in availability and communication may expose vehicle owners to ongoing safety risks without immediate remedy. Legal and Consumer Impact Considerations: While Honda has initiated recall efforts, the scope and severity o