What 1,812 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Honda Accord Plug In Hybrid

Head gasket issues and turbocharger issues

NHTSA ODI 11706114

My fiance has a 2018 Honda Accord Sport Touring, this past Sunday he was giving me a ride and about 5 min of driving , after stopping for a red light , the light turned green he pushed the pedal and the car starting moving then all of a sudden warning lights were flashing , the engine light , remote not in car, oil light, air bag , low tire, etc. there was alot at the same time when the warning lights came on as he pushed the gas pedal the car stopped accelerating, and he said he had no power in the pedal ,there was heavy traffic, a car could of rear ended us but he was able to put his hazards on and coast around the corner before the car stopped. He shut the car off and back on and it drove like normal again. I was scared of course and just wanted to go home. When we got home he remembered he still had his fathers Obd scanner tool so he plugged it in the car and it showed no error codes. So that was really strange. He went to the store down the street the next day, but other then that he drives his work van and I have my own car. I was reading newsbreak and seen that honda recalled only hybrid and newer years and thought thats odd I should let someone know this happen to his 2018 accord , because Im sure it has to happen to others. We didnt take it in or call the police , but this clearly could of caused a crash had he not remained calm and put his flashers, everything happened so fast. Im sure he would let you inspect it, he works during the morning. I have no clue why it did that and neither does he. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA ODI 11706200

I had to have the injectors replaced in April 2025. In November I was told a had a busted head gasket $5800.00 to fix. Many Honda owners have had this problem. Honda customer services refuses to help.

NHTSA ODI 11705023

While driving on the NJ Garden State Parkway on an incline, the car went into LIMP HOME MODE in the middle of heavy traffic causing the speed to get dangeriousily very slow. I had to make my way across many lanes to get the edge of the road. After shutting off car I was able to restart and drive to work. My father came to my work and looked at car and added Honda antifreeze becuase it had seeped into combustion chambers Then drove the our Honda dealer. Just before he got to dealer driveway the car missed and hesitated but was able to make it to dealer. Dealer determined it was the common problem with the 1.5T engines, the head gasket failed. Check engine light never went on or any overheating (I was lucky) .While engine was apart, other work was agreed to as being cost-effective. The car prevousily had Honda car with 0 deductable until 100,000 miles. Car has always been serviced by dealer with more service than Honda requires and I have all service records from purchase to prove it. Last service before incident was 10/14/2025 . What makes this worse is that my son (2018 Civic) and my brother (2020 Accord) also have Honda cars that are destined for the same failure based on what is known about the defective 1.5T engines.

NHTSA ODI 11704549

I had a coolant link problem they couldn't find or fix even after taking it in over 4 times ,how I have a blown head gasket ,also different components in my Ac keep going out have had to fix 3 times in the last 3 years, both these are know issues for this year honda

NHTSA ODI 11704366

After vehicle got serviced an open recall for fuel pump, my car has been having issues. I know is related to the head gasket/fuel injections. My car has been great, monthly maintenance service up until I got that recall fixed. I now regret it getting repaired, but I had to, to be able to receive my DMV tags. I was driving about 45 MPH and vehicle stopped accelerating will not speed over 20 MPH and the check engine light turned on. Just got full transmission flush and oil change and this happened. I read many article online that this happens after this recall repair to the ACCORD 1.5T EX2018

NHTSA ODI 11704056

All my warning lights keep coming on in dashboard and my car isn’t accelerating in cold weather after sitting overnight

NHTSA ODI 11703674

Head gasket caused by 1/4 inch head bolts and torqued to 50 lbs multiple people have filed a class action lawsuit regarding this and it’s affecting most Hondas with a 1.5L engine. It caused misfiring and jerking it was inspected and confirmed by Honda service center that my head gasket was blown and I had purchased the car 12k miles ago.

NHTSA ODI 11703410

I am submitting this complaint to report a potential safety-related defect in the 1.5L turbocharged engine used in the 2018 Honda Accord. My vehicle experienced a sudden and severe head gasket failure that appears to be related to a known design flaw affecting a significant number of Honda 1.5T engines. Many owners are reporting the same. Vehicle Information: Owner: [XXX] VIN: [XXX] Mileage at failure: 127,000 miles Location: [XXX] Phone: [XXX] or [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11701606

The problem I am having with my vehicle Honda accord 2018 is with the head gasket. I was on the highway and as I was driving suddenly all the signs came on the display and gave a warning that my vehicle is overheating and it came down to 20mph while I was on the highway. This was very risky to me and the other vehicle around me.

NHTSA ODI 11700713

Car has lost power or gone into "limp mode" while driving on multiple occasions. Car was never listed under the fuel pump recall but had all associated symptoms & problems. Had to have fuel pumps replaced in December 2023 due to car not starting because of faulty fuel pumps. Car has been properly maintenced since purchased brand new in February 2018. currently around 121,000 miles. Car overheated this past summer, Coolant seems to be leaking somewhere as just filled with coolant month ago and needed to refill with about quarter to refill to correct amount. Oil also seems to be having slow leakage problem somewhere within the engine as there is excessive oil on drip pan. Had all 4 spark plugs changed in March of 2025. Car has been going into limp mode and looses power for few seconds to minutes sometimes, almost causing multiple accidents while driving on highways. Pull over to shut off and give few minutes to restart and able to resume driving No warnings before this occurs. Randomly all dashboard lights light up 2 weeks ago and put car into limp mode, was driving on highway at high rate of speed (65mph) safety was compromised several times while this occurs. Engine seems create knocking sounds to known due to oil dilution problem. Cold weather seems to affect issues to onset more often. Also been having stalled or rough start ups in colder weather or when engine is not warmed up. Researching these issues seems to be that 2018 Honda Accords had known head gasket failure. This should become a class action lawsuit and also a recall

NHTSA ODI 11700574

After having fuel pump replaced by recall at random times dashboard will light up with all system lights, car will go into limp mode and loose power for a few seconds and then I am able to resume driving. Extremely scary as there is no warning. This has happened both on the freeway at high rates of speed and on neighborhood roadways. Safety has been compromised several times and Honda dealer is not able to reproduce the issue, retrieve any warning codes or offer any assistance. This has randomly been occurring for several months. When not having this exact issue car runs with no other issues.

NHTSA ODI 11700101

The problem I am having with my vehicle Honda accord 2018 is with the head gasket. I was on the highway and as I was driving suddenly all the signs came on the display and gave a warning that my vehicle is overheating and it came down to 20mph while I was on the highway. This was very risky to me and the other vehicle around me. Then when I took it to the dealership to diagnose they said it is a head gasket failure. The repairs they have recommended are very expensive and after researching this problem it shows this is a very common problem Honda vehicles are having. This is a manufacture problem which they should have a recall on hence with such expensive repair and I only have 93K miles on my vehicle. I always thought Hondas were the best vehicle going long term and as I am first time owner and this being my first vehical brand new I am very disappointed with the problem I have been facing with my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11699742

I was driving in my car cut off in the middle of the highway. I was able to coast to side of the road. I took my car to the Honda accord dealership after that and was told it was my head gasket. After that repair, my car cut off once again. I took it back to Honda and was told that I now needed to replace the turbo charger which I’m unable to pay for after paying several thousands of dollar for the head gasket.

NHTSA ODI 11699792

Engine knock caused by oil dilution which is known manufacturing issues with my model of car.

NHTSA ODI 11699977

defective turbocharged engine that is prone to overheating, head gasket failure and other problems. Design defect that causes engine coolant to leak into the cylinders

NHTSA ODI 11699140

Emission system, low acceleration to the point it becomes a safety hazard in the freeway, I almost got rear ended twice, the car jolts, it stops out of no where, head gasket issues at only 65k. Maintenance was kept up but there’s a Facebook group called Honda sport 2018 to 22 on these models of the same issue “Christmas tree lights”

NHTSA ODI 11699077

*The engine head gasket- The engine sucked the water from the radiator. *The car overheat in Highway and I had to wait for help to open the radiator to fill it with water *By an independent service center *Not yet- I will take it to a dealer Wednesday the 12th *All the dash lights came up and the next day the temp indicator was going up and down

NHTSA ODI 11698666

I am writing regarding my recently purchased used 2018 Honda Accord. The car has low mileage and initially ran well, but it has developed a recurring cylinder misfire problem. When this happens, the car slows down and cannot exceed 20 mph. This issue has occurred several times—once while my daughter was driving on the highway, creating a dangerous situation as she tried to pull over safely. I took the car to both a Honda dealership and an independent mechanic. The dealership diagnosed a head gasket issue and quoted over $6,000 for repairs. However, the independent shop could not identify the issue—no error codes appeared during their diagnostic scan. After I shared the dealer’s diagnosis, the independent mechanic mentioned that this may be a known design flaw in certain Honda Accords from this model range. From what I’ve learned, the problem involves the engine’s cooling system design. The coolant travels inside the engine around the outside of the cylinders, and Honda used a small channel between cylinders to allow coolant flow. This channel appears to be the failure point, leading to head gasket problems in multiple vehicles. I believe this may be a systemic issue affecting many Honda Accords with this design, and I urge someone from this office to investigate and make Honda take responsibility for these repairs. I am in a position where I am able to transition away from this vehicle, so this will not help me. So I hope you are able to help other, because the repair bill could cripple people and hinder them for using a vehicle that they rely on to provide for themselves and their family.

NHTSA ODI 11698388

I was driving the car and it stopped working the car was just rolling, it lost speed in the road! All the warning lights were displaying, including the engine light. I took this car in to have a dynastic test at the Honda dealership. They reported it was the head gaskets. I’m very disappointed and don’t have the extra money for experience repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11698154

I was driving on a highway when a warning popped up about engine temperature being high, advising I avoid heavy acceleration. No other codes came. I parked the car and it sat for about 8 hours. I had a short drive and no warnings came on. I drove on a highway about 30 minutes the next morning and again, no warnings. I was about 2 hours from home. About half way, we stopped for food, still no issues, but when we got on the highway, within about 5 miles warning lights came on about engine temp and the car went into limp mode. I had to have it towed to our loacl honda dealer. They confirmed COOLANT INTRUSION CYLINDER 3 AND 4 CONFIRMING HEAD GASKET FAILURE . Cost setimate was $6063. My car is on;y 6 12 year old, 140,000 miles and has always been maintained.

NHTSA ODI 11698222

I took my 2018 Honda Accord into the dealership to get the Fuel pump Recall fixed, which took a year to get scheduled. I got that fixed in August, prior to getting the replacement I hadn’t had any issues with the car. About a week ago my car started sputtering and bucking while I was driving it. It felt like it wasn’t getting any fuel. The car left me sit on the highway, threw an engine misfiring code and almost caused an accident because it wouldn’t accelerate, and there were angry drivers behind me. I called the dealership, managed to get it there and they are now telling me I have a bad Head Gasket, which they want $5000 to replace. I had no prior issues and there initial inspection of the car after changing the fuel pump recall, had nothing about any issues with my coolant or gaskets. Is this a recurring problem with the 2018 Honda Accords 2.0T. Since this was the first year this Engine was made.

NHTSA ODI 11697681

My Honda vehicle experienced a blown head gasket at approximately 123,000 miles, despite being properly maintained according to the manufacturer’s service schedule. This is a known and recurring issue in this engine type, which has been the subject of numerous consumer complaints and a pending class action lawsuit alleging a design defect that causes premature head gasket failure. The engine failed without warning signs such as overheating or coolant loss prior to the incident. I contacted Honda’s customer service and the Goodwill Program, but they declined to assist, stating the vehicle was out of warranty. A head gasket should not fail at this mileage, and this appears to be a widespread safety and reliability issue that may affect other vehicles with the same engine design. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this pattern of premature head gasket failure in Honda vehicles and take appropriate action to hold Honda accountable for the defect and ensure consumer safety.

NHTSA ODI 11697509

2018 Honda Accord Sport, 1.5 l motor, 60k miles. loss of power under throttle. Bad head gasket. Diagnosed by dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11697147

I had submitted last year a complaint about my vehicles head gasket being blown. Had to take a loan out to replace it and the turbo . Now a year later the head gasket failed again which shouldn’t have since I’ve been on top of maintenance. My vehicle is a 2018 Honda accord 1.5T .

NHTSA ODI 11697058