What 591 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Honda Accord Plug In Hybrid

The Radio emits static noise VERY Loud sometimes when the car is driven. It is so loud sometimes that my grandchild will scream and cry. Sometimes it is just a small static noise that doesn't get louder, but you never know. I have to stop and turn my car off and restart to try and get it to stop, sometimes it works other times it doesn't. This happens when the radio is off or on. And when you try and turn the radio off, it won't turn off periodically. It seems to happen more when someone is in the passenger seat, so I thought it might have something to do with the weight sensor, but no.. it also does it when you are by yourself. And it is happening almost every single time we get in the car. I have been looking this up and a lot of people say they just unplug the fuse for the radio, but I shouldn't have to do that. If there are this many people having the same issue, they should do a recall on it. The noise is so loud and sudden sometimes that it shocks you and could potentially make someone have a wreck. There have been no warning messages on the screen and this first happened a few months ago. I have not had it inspected by anyone yet. I can get a recording from the car the next time it does it and send it. It just the fact that you will be driving down the road not expecting it and it goes off full blast static noise which has almost made me crash several times. It's very startling.

NHTSA ODI 11666200

Please note this is reported by tens of thousands of 2016-2017 Honda Accord. When the inside temperature is above a threshold, there is continuous high volume static and high pitched sound coming from all speakers. The head unit does not respond to any user interaction like switching off the radio system or volume control or anything. The high volume and high pitched static sound just continues. This poses a safety hazard because of the super loud noise inside the car and cannot hear anything from outside, plus it will cause deafness after prolonged high noise with high pitch and static. It causes distraction for the driver as well, particularly on highways. The only way to stop this sound is to stop the car, switch off the engine and wait for some time and start again. But still the high static sound may come anytime after , if the temperature is still warm or high. This is an issue with the Head Unit fan as reported by many. There is no warning and the high volume sound suddenly comes out from all speakers, startling the driver and passengers. This is a serious issue and will cause distraction and annoyance for drivers. There is no resolution from Honda for this and they are not even acknowledging this issue. Please consider this a safety risk for 2016-2017 Honda Accord. Please review the link below for comments from several people who got he same issue. [XXX] [XXX] Hope you will take this seriously and work with Honda to solve this for hundreds of thousands of car owners. Thank you for your support and appreciate any help! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11658819

Radio head unit started making extremely loud static noise from speakers around 60k miles. Turning radio off does not stop static nor does turning volume down. Radio is still functional but no audio just loud static when car is cranked up and continues until car is turned off. The loud static is harmful to people ears because after a while your ears start to hurt so I’m sure the decimals are too loud for people’s ear. No warning lights are illuminated on dash for this problem. Independent service center mechanic said radio needed head unit to be replaced due to being faulty. Radio has not been inspected by manufacturer. There was no prior warnings or symptoms before this problem.

NHTSA ODI 11658344

During days when the temperature is warm, meaning above 70F, or the car in in direct sunlight, the speakers will produce a very loud, uncontrollable, static sound. This happens whether the radio/audio is on or fully powered off or whether the volume is on or fully off. It's is so loud that earplugs are required until the car is able to cool off enough for it to die down.

NHTSA ODI 11652435

The issues has been reported by many others about the very loud and distracting static noise from car radio . It makes it very to drive with such a loud noise . It is a honda issue that should really be addressed . It is a safety issue just like any other thing that can and would be wrong with the car . It is a piercing noise that would really just get under you're skin and and distract you from the road . Again , there have been numerous reports and complaints about the this issue with the vehicle with the piercing static noise .

NHTSA ODI 11651965

Car having issues with fuel pump as described in recall but it does not include my VIN number. See other campaign IDs NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 19V060000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 17V418000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 23V858000

NHTSA ODI 11650344

The audio system in my car blares, often without notice, a loud static noise that makes my vehicle unsafe to drive. The only way to get the noise to turn off is to pull over and completely turn off the car, and sometimes that does not even work. This is a driving hazard and could also be damaging long-term to my hearing. I have contacted Honda who says they have no recalls associated with this issue, but there are NUMEROUS complaints from customers online.

NHTSA ODI 11647227

Car is making loud static noise and other people are having the same exact problem. I called Honda they don’t know what’s wrong. This is so unsafe because wrecks can be cause do to this BIG ISSUE .

NHTSA ODI 11647113

My 2016 Honda accord has a horrible static noise that happens randomly. The noise is deafening and cause a huge distraction while driving, not to mention you cannot hear any police or ambulance sirens approaching. The only fix is to pull over and try to restart your car and hope that the static noise isn't present upon restart. It is simply not safe to drive the vehicle while the issue is present

NHTSA ODI 11642293

Very frequenly after idling for more that 5 minutes with the heat on before beginning to drive, the vehicle will create extremely loud and disorienting scratching static noise. This condition is recreated under a number of other conditions and is heavily reported and documented on various forms and youtube pages. Can be found by searching "2016 accord head unit static" This issue has been reported to honda and has not been recognized as a defect. They quote a repair cost to solve the issue with the defective head unit. The issues can only be stopped by pressing the power button on the head unit it self. Sometimes, frequent start and stops of the ignition can remedy the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11641546

Steering wheel locked up and all dashboard lights turned on while driving

NHTSA ODI 11641013

As I am driving my speakers (all of them) will randomly sound like static and its very loud and obnoxious. Its disturbing and can be a huge hazard while driving. I have looked it up and it seems tons of people are having the same issues in their 2016 and 2017 honda accords. Seeing how common it seems to be online in these cars i do not think its fair for us to have to pay for this issue…

NHTSA ODI 11640298

Battery Management Sensor recall came out in 2017. My vehicle was taken in and they inspected it but did not change the part. In 2018 I took it in a they claim to have switched the sensor out. Fast forward to the years ahead, I have continued to have issues with my battery. I took my car in last week on Thursday. Turns out the battery management sensor is the culprit. Honda claims the recall no longer applies as this was a recall in 2017 and it had been repaired.

NHTSA ODI 11637649

There has been a problem going on with my 2016 Honda Accord Touring and it’s unbelievably terrible it has something to do with the sound system in the car and it can’t be stopped even if you try to power off the Radio it still occurs and it’s an on going problem until the vehicle is powered off, basically it’s a static noise that comes through all speakers that starts off not too loud then it gets really loud! To where you can’t even hear the person in the passenger seat and it is so bad it can possibly cause hearing damage and also to mention you can’t hear any sirens of like an ambulance for instance it happened to me other day where an ambulance was behind me and I didn’t hear it because of the horrible static sound coming from the speakers I found out the ambulance was behind me because of the cars in front of me pulling over to the side of the road and also I have little cousins and I would to go on trips with them but it worries me I can hurt their ears and they might start to panic to how bad the sound is.

NHTSA ODI 11637664

I have the same problem with my 2016 Honda accord. Loud Static noise is driving me nuts. I took mine to my local Honda dealer and they said that they need to change the whole GPS radio worth $1400. They charged me $86 for diagnostics only and did not bother even unplugging the radio for the meantime while there is no head unit available. I am not happy. I really believe Honda should recall these units. The volume from the radio is at zero and the noise is too much that’s not even safe to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11636987

Uncontrollably loud static noise coming from speakers, even when the head unit is turned off. This noise gets so loud, it becomes a safety issue and a distraction while driving. This noise cannot be turned down or off.

NHTSA ODI 11634737

The audio system in these car is failing for multiple owners. Complaint was filed with Honda and all they do is to turn their back on the customers and not acknowledge the issue. You have the complete engine noise amplified through the speakers of the car if you don't stop the car you can easily get your hearing impaired(My wife and I are health care professionals) The issue: Atrocious noise( intermitting ,cycling engine noise amplified through speakers even when the radio is turned off). The vehicle has been inspected by certified mechanics and audio specialists and have been unable to pin point the issue(The car amplifier is currently disconnected on our car) There no sign or message on the car that would alert you that is anything wrong. Symptoms first appear on April of 2024. We did not know where to complaint about this. We read on a forum of more complaints being filed, so we decided to file ours.

NHTSA ODI 11633545

Based on extensive research and the replacement of the factory amplifier, I’m assuming that the component that’s failing is the head unit for the radio. It unpredictably makes this loud static noise come out the speakers that cannot be turned down or off even when the audio power is off. This is a risk to my and other drivers’ safety due to the volume of this noise and the fact I cannot do anything to stop it while driving. The only solution is to pull over and turn the car off. The static noise is so loud that I can’t even hear a horn honking at me and can barely hear emergency vehicles. The problem is hard to reproduce as the static happens unpredictably but I’ve taken it to an audio repair shop and we were able to produce the static noise after about 10 minutes of music playing. This component has apparently been complained about by many people having the same issue as me yet Honda is not recalling or owning up to this failure. I have yet to take it to a Honda dealership to have it inspected but from other’s experience they’ve mentioned that the technicians said nothing can be done but replacing the entire head unit for about $1000. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. This problem first appeared about 6 months ago. I don’t understand why so many people are having this issue yet the part has not been recalled yet. PLEASE recall the head unit of 2016-2017 honda accords.

NHTSA ODI 11630805

Static in the speakers due to electrical issues and air coolant system

NHTSA ODI 11625387

RSA Modulator is the problem is a big Risk The Car can Loose Stability Whithout Any Warning and get into a big accident putting the risk of me my Family and others. i took my car to the Dealer to have service done and they found the Code storage about the RSA Modulator Faulty low Voltage and no Service light was showing in my Dashboard I know there is A Recall abouit it, but not for my car I don,t think is ok for me to pay amost $3000.00 for the repair when this is a safety issue. please i need help in this.

NHTSA ODI 11625357

The factory stereo is defective and produces a terrible static noise that is uncontrollable and regularly reaches over 100 decibels. All 2016-2017 Honda accords will have this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11624990

Located in the radio system in the center of the dashboard, others have discussed that there is a cooling fan that fails to cool an audio control chip a few years after the car has been being driven. This audio control chip then overheats destroys itself and will cause the car to permanently blast unbearable static at over 100 DB constantly, and the only way to make it stop is to come to a stop and shut the car off repeatedly until you get lucky and the static noise becomes a deeper popping and crackling sound. There is hundreds, if not thousands of people documenting this on YouTube, Reddit, DriveAccord, and other Honda forums and sites. It happens to all 2016-2017 model year Honda accords regardless of trim. It is so bad, that I recently jumped a curb into oncoming traffic and nearly totaled my vehicle. It does not matter if the vehicles audio system is powered on or off, volume doesn’t affect it, media mode doesn’t affect it. It is a manufacturing fault and this needs to be recalled and replaced. The only current option is for the consumer to dish out $2500- $5000 from our own pocket for a junkyard stereo that will inevitably have the same issue. Someone needs to start a class action.

NHTSA ODI 11624456

I am writing to report an issue with my 2016 Honda Accord. The radio frequently produces a static noise, which poses a distraction and potential safety risk while driving. Component/System Failed: The radio system. Availability for Inspection: Yes, the radio is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The static noise distracts me while driving, potentially endangering my safety and that of others. Problem Reproduced/Confirmed: Yes, the issue has been confirmed by an independent service center. Inspection by Manufacturer/Authorities: The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer or any authorities. Warning Symptoms: The static noise started occurring intermittently about one months ago and has become more frequent. Other people have made forums online complaining about this issue. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] This tend to be a common problem with the Honda Accord and should be recalled as it is a safety risk and Honda refuses to fix the radio for free even though it is a manufacturing issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11621413

There is a problem with the infotainment system. Apparently when the car is exposed to warmer temperatures, the sound system begins to produce static sounds from the speakers. The sound persists even with the radio turned off. The static is so loud, I have recorded decibel levels up to 90 on my Apple Watch. I have researched this problem and it is an issue that many owners have encountered. Honda has reacted to many owners as if they are unaware of this issue and charge customers to diagnose the problem and fix the issue at the owners expense. I am wearing ear plugs in order to drive my vehicle to and from work. In order to make the sound stop is to remove the fuse under the hood, which in turn dismantles safety features such as side view camera, AM radio, and the reverse camera. Honda denies knowing about this issue and it is extremely dangerous to drive this vehicle due to the deafening sound created from the speakers.

NHTSA ODI 11620280

ABS system failed and is not working properly. Also the screen in the car for all of my interaction with my car including Bluetooth and any errors involving the car. If my brakes go out in the middle of driving it could cause me and my family to be unable to protect ourselves. I have confirmed the system with 2 different mechanics and both agree there should be a recall. The warning lamps go off and on and are unpredictable.

NHTSA ODI 11620128