The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that after coming to a stop, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power, accompanied by multiple warning lights illuminating on the instrument cluster and an abnormal coolant odor entering the cabin. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where an inspection determined that the head gasket failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where diagnostic testing determined that the engine and head gasket required replacement. The dealer informed the contact that coolant leaked into the engine, causing damage to the timing chain guides and timing chain tensioner. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: 26-003. The failure mileage was 112,000.
Honda Accord overheating problems
245 of the 24,246 owner complaints about the Honda Accord describe engine overheating, most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 245
- worst model year
- 2018
- typical repair cost reported
- $5,000
- typical mileage
- 85,000
By model year
Often reported together
Misfire 53Loss of power 45Check engine light 36Stalling 33Warning lights 30Engine failure 26Won't shift 17Fuel pump 13
Trouble codes mentioned
P0303 4P0302 3P272D 1P2601 1P1399 1P0741 1P0301 1P0300 1
What owners say
The check engine light came on. I took it to the dealership where I bought it. They instructed me to go to an authorized Honda repair facility. I took it in July 17, 2025 for a check engine light. The auto repair dealership said the head gasket was no good. So they repaired it my extended warranty paid for the cost. Then the repair facility did an unauthorized second disassembly without my permission So they repaired it my extended warranty paid for the cost. Then the repair facility did an unauthorized second disassembly without my permission then I was expected to pay for the engine repair. There was coolant leaking into the engine which caused the engine block to be warped. Pistons rings cylinder was completely messed up.
I am reporting multiple recurring safety concerns involving my 2025 Honda Accord, including apparent electronic parking brake malfunctions, Auto Brake Hold failures, electrical system warnings, violent engine restarts, and a possible battery or charging-system defect. While stopped in traffic, particularly when the Auto Idle Stop system shuts off and restarts the engine, my vehicle sometimes experiences an unusually violent shaking or jerking motion. The restart can feel like a sudden, forceful kick. During these episodes, the electronic parking brake appears to engage unexpectedly without my manually activating it. Multiple dashboard warning lights and messages intermittently illuminate, including Brake System Problem, Brake Hold warnings, and other braking-related alerts. I have also experienced braking-related warnings or abnormal operation when traveling on inclines. The warning indicators sometimes disappear afterward, but the problems recur. I am concerned that these malfunctions could interfere with normal braking, acceleration, or vehicle control, particularly in traffic or on hills, creating a collision risk. Additionally, an AAA roadside assistance technician advised me that my vehicle’s battery appeared to be leaking fluid and needed replacement. A subsequent battery check at an auto parts store did not identify the same concern. I have repeatedly noticed a strong rotten-egg, sulfur, or sewage-like odor near the front of the vehicle and entering the passenger compartment through the air-conditioning vents. Another occupant independently noticed the foul odor. I am concerned about possible battery overheating, charging-system malfunction, electrical faults, and potentially hazardous fumes entering the cabin. The exact cause of these recurring problems has not been determined. I am requesting that these braking, electrical, engine restart, and ventilation-related safety concerns be investigated. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
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.
Air conditioning failure: The A/C was blowing warm air on the first day of ownership. • Cooling system failure: The vehicle subsequently experienced overheating issues and left me stranded. • Coolant loss and radiator leak: All Star Honda identified a leaking radiator and found the cooling system out of coolant. • Failed thermostat: A failed thermostat was identified during the diagnostic and repair process. • Stop-leak substance found in the cooling system: Stop-leak material was observed in the cooling system. I have concerns about why it was present and not disclosed initially • Water pump and cooling-system repairs: Repairs included work on the thermostat and water pump, followed by radiator replacement and a coolant flush. • Continued overheating concerns: Despite repairs, I continued experiencing overheating alerts. • Engine performance problems: The vehicle experienced a loss of power, with a reported inability to maintain speeds above approximately 60 mph during one incident. • Check-engine warning: A prior repair-order history documented a blinking malfunction indicator light during a driving incident. • Diagnostic trouble codes: Codes P2601 and P272D were subsequently reported. • Potential head-gasket concerns: The possibility of a head-gasket problem has been raised during the ongoing dispute. Honda has referenced a multi-model cylinder-head-gasket warranty extension, but I have not received approval for coverage on my vehicle. • Warranty denial: Honda corporate has declined to approve the requested warranty coverage. Despite the repeated problems, diagnostic visits, and repair attempts, I am still dealing with the consequences of purchasing a vehicle that has not provided the reliable transportation I paid for. I have spent time and money trying to get answers, and I have been left facing the financial burden of a vehicle that I cannot confidently depend on. I am sharing this timeline because consumers deserve trans
The infotainment system glitches and will not respond to touch or will have phantom “touches” where the system will make inputs on its own. This is worse when it’s really hot and was told by dealership that this is due to components overheating and malfunctioning, and it requires the full system to be replaced. This can be a major safety issue when driving the vehicle.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INFOTAINMENT HEAD UNIT / AUDIO AMPLIFIER. While driving my 2016 Honda Accord, the vehicle's infotainment head unit and factory audio amplifier suffered a sudden, catastrophic hardware failure. Without warning or driver input, the audio system emitted an explosive, deafening static screech at maximum volume (estimated at 85–90 decibels).This unexpected, extreme noise triggered an immediate startle response, nearly causing a loss of vehicle control on a busy road. The infotainment head unit completely locked up; the power button, volume knob, and steering wheel controls were entirely unresponsive. Anything can trigger this static response such as connecting to Bluetooth using the radio using navigation system, etc. The only way to stop the deafening noise was to abruptly pull over into a hazardous roadside situation and cycle the vehicle's ignition.Furthermore, this hardware failure caused the internal components to overheat, resulting in a complete blackout of the touchscreen. This caused a total loss of federally mandated safety equipment, specifically the backup camera and the passenger-side LaneWatch blind-spot camera. The extreme, uncontrolled volume of the static screech also completely masked external ambient sounds, preventing me from hearing emergency sirens, police horns, or surrounding traffic. This is a severe, recurring safety defect that causes dangerous driver distraction, disables critical visibility features, and cannot be mitigated while the vehicle is in motion.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while her son was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle shut off with several warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact's son pulled off to the shoulder of the highway and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. While at the dealer, the mechanic discovered coolant leaking into cylinder #2, causing an engine misfire. The dealer replaced the head gasket. After the repair, the failure returned immediately upon driving the vehicle home from the dealer. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the failure persisted upon return of the vehicle. While checking the repair order, the contact discovered that the service report was blank. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the issue. The contact was not notified of the issue after retrieving the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was 43,881.
The engine continues to overheat and shut down while driving. The engine often goes into "limp" mode while driving. The entire set of gauges and lights on the dashboard light up like a Christmas tree, alerting me that all systems in the car are malfunctioning. I fear that I may have a malfunctioning head gasket. I've replace injectors, radar sensors, new turbo, gas pedal, etc and I have spent nearly $10,000 dollars and MANY, many hours at multiple Honda dealers, across various different states. This car is a lemon and I am upside down on the value of the car and what I still have financed. I wish Honda would take responsibility for their new turbo driven CVT engines that are failing.
Car was overheating while driving. Received warning signs on the dash to pull over and turn car off immediately. Which I did. Very dangerous to do, especially with my three year old on a 90° summer day. I felt fear for my life while waiting on the side of a busy road during rush hour for the engine to cool and figure out what to do. Here the head gasket blew. A defect in the engine that Honda knows about. As a matter of fact, they have lawsuits for this exact occurrence.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured July 29, 2014, to July 31, 2014, 2015 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured August 14, 2014, to January 30, 2015, and 2015 CR-V vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to February 6, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with improperly torqued connecting rod bolts, which can cause the engine to lose power or leak oil.
- Risk
- Loss of engine power may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine leaks oil in the proximity of hot engine or exhaust components, there is an increased risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine short block, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is JP2 (for Accord models) and JP3 (for CR-V models).
Recall number 15V121000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans, sedans, coupes, and sport utility vehicles equipped with v6 engines, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a bolt on the cylinder head. Eventually the belt could be damaged and fail.
- Risk
- If the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the water pump and if it is one of the defective pumps, the water pump and timing belt will be replaced. Owner notification began august 30, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 02V226000 · Recall details
Questions about the Honda Accord overheating
Which Honda Accord years have engine overheating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (92 complaints), 2019 (33 complaints) and 2003 (13 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine overheating on the Honda Accord?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,000 (median of 38 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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