The 1.5 liter turbocharged engine in the 2018 Honda Accord suffers from some notorious and potentially serious issues related to oil dilution, carbon buildup, turbo failure and more. As an experienced Honda mechanic, through this article, I aim to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of these problems to help owners understand, diagnose, and resolve them.
Most Common 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo Engine Problems
Table of Content
- 1 Most Common 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo Engine Problems
- 2 🛢️ Oil Dilution – The Most Notorious Issue in 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo
- 3 🚨 Symptoms of Oil Dilution in 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo
- 4 🧪 How to Diagnosis Fuel Dilution Issues
- 5 🛠️ Repairing Oil Dilution Problems in 2018 Accord 1.5 Turbo
- 6 🚘 Long Term Outlook for Diluted 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo Engines
- 7 🚀 Turbocharger Failure in 2018 Honda Accord 1.5L Models
- 8 🥵 Heating System Issues in 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo
- 9 🧊 Other Key Problems in 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo Engines
- 10 🔧 Fixing Other Problems in 2018 Accord 1.5 Turbo
- 11 Key Questions About 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo Engine Issues
- 12 Conclusion
The most widespread engine issues in 2018 Accord 1.5 liter turbo models include:
Problem | Description | Mileage When Issues Occur | Honda’s Fixes |
Oil Dilution | Gasoline mixing with engine oil, reducing lubrication and damaging internals | Around 40,000 miles or less | Honda attempted fixes |
Carbon Buildup | Accumulation of carbon deposits, leading to reduced performance | Around 40,000 miles or less | Not specified |
Turbo Failure | Failure of the turbocharger unit, cutting power and potentially causing breakdowns | Around 40,000 miles or less | Honda attempted fixes |
Heating Issues | Inability to retain heat, resulting in cabin comfort and engine warm-up problems | Around 40,000 miles or less | Not specified |
✔️ Oil dilution – Gasoline mixing with engine oil, reducing lubrication and damaging internals
✔️ Carbon buildup – Accumulation of carbon deposits, leading to reduced performance
✔️ Turbo failure – Failure of the turbocharger unit, cutting power and potentially causing breakdowns
✔️ Heating issues – Inability to retain heat, resulting in cabin comfort and engine warm up problems
These problems typically start around 40,000 miles or less in the 2018 Accord 1.5 turbo engines. While Honda has attempted some fixes, many owners continue reporting issues.
🛢️ Oil Dilution – The Most Notorious Issue in 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo
Excessive oil dilution is by far the most widely reported engine problem in the 1.5 liter turbo 2018 Accord.
👉 This involves gasoline mixing with the engine oil, reducing its lubricating capacity and damaging internal components.
Many owners face this issue before even hitting 40,000 miles on their 2018 turbo Accord.
🌡️ It tends to first occur in cold weather conditions, where unburnt fuel condenses in the oil. But over time, oil dilution can happen year round, even in warmer states.
😖 The effects range from reduced engine power and fuel economy to overheating, oil sludge build-up, and even complete engine failure in acute cases.
🔍 As per my diagnosis experience, oil dilution stems from faulty piston ring seals and fuel injectors that spray excessive amounts of gasoline.
🛠️ Honda attempted an ECU recalibration to reduce cold-start injector flow rates. But this doesn’t fully resolve the underlying hardware flaws.
🚨 Symptoms of Oil Dilution in 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo
Watch for these common signs of oil fuel contamination:
🔥 Strange engine smells – Like raw gasoline around the car
📉 Reduced fuel economy and acceleration
⛽️ Need to refill oil between changes
🔊 Knocking, ticking, or rattling engine noise
❄️ Lack of heat in winter driving
🚧 Flashing engine lights, breakdowns, or limp mode activation
Get the oil level and condition tested at the sight of any such symptoms. Severely diluted or contaminated oil must be flushed out and changed right away.
🧪 How to Diagnosis Fuel Dilution Issues
As a skilled Honda mechanic, I rely on these key diagnostic checks for oil dilution:
🔬 Oil analysis – Checking oil viscosity, fuel content, and particle metals
📝 Compression test – Identifies pressure issues from ring/seal failures
🔍 Scope inspection – Checks for internal wear, contamination, and damage
👂 Audio inspection – Listens for knocking or rattling, indicating issues
These advanced assessments allow early detection of oil issues before total engine failure. Reach out to a knowledgeable mechanic right away if you suspect fuel dilution problems.
🛠️ Repairing Oil Dilution Problems in 2018 Accord 1.5 Turbo
Resolving excessive oil contamination involves:
♻️Flushing the engine to clean out diluted, dirty oil
🛢️Changing the oil and filter to refresh the lubricating properties
📡ECU recalibration to optimize cold-start fuel injection parameters
📥Replacing faulty seals and gaskets, allowing fuel entry into oil
🛢️ Plus, using thicker oils designed for turbocharged engines
Cost ~ $350+ for flushing, parts replacement & programming
For owners facing repeat dilution issues, the ultimate fix involves engine, turbo, or seal replacements – but this runs over $4,000+.
🚘 Long Term Outlook for Diluted 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo Engines
The 1.5 turbo engine in the 2018 Accord is generally built to last over 200,000 miles with proper maintenance.
🚧 But serious oil contamination can significantly shorten this lifespan by gradually damaging internal components.
If unchecked, oil issues may lead to premature engine wear or failure – costing $6,000+ to replace or rebuild the motor.
😓 Many owners are understandably frustrated by such expensive repairs needed on relatively new Accord turbo models.
🚀 Turbocharger Failure in 2018 Honda Accord 1.5L Models
The small yet complex turbo unit is also a common failure point in the 2018 Accord 1.5 liter turbo engine.
💨 Like oil dilution, premature turbo failure typically occurs under 40,000 miles.
🛠️ It results from lubrication problems or component faults causing the turbo to stop working properly. This cuts engine power severely or causes non-starting.
😫 A dead turbo can leave drivers stranded and necessitate costly repairs or replacement. Debris from internal damage can also flow downstream, damaging other engine parts.
Symptoms of failing turbochargers in 2018 Accords include:
⚠️ Sudden loss of power
🔥 Burning smells
❄️ Lack of heat
💨 Visible exhaust smoke
⚡ Difficult starting or stalls after starting
🚦 Flashing warning lights on the dash
💸 💸 Replacing a failed turbocharger costs $1,800+ for parts and labor. Other repairs may also be needed if debris has damaged valves, cylinders, or sparked engine fires.
🥵 Heating System Issues in 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo
The Lack of cabin heating is another teething issue with the 2018 Accord’s 1.5 liter turbo engine.
❄️ Numerous drivers report being unable to adequately warm interiors – even when outside temperatures are not very low.
😖 This stems from poor heat retention in the engine itself. Coolant struggles to reach operating temperature due to the oil dilution and turbo failure issues outlined earlier.
Without sufficient engine heat, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) also cannot provide hot air to the vehicle interior.
🔨 Honda has attempted repairs like software updates to quicken engine warm up. However, many owners report heating problems persist post-fix as well.
🧊 Other Key Problems in 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo Engines
Beyond oil, turbo, and heating faults – a few other issues crop up in the 1.5 liter turbo engine of 2018 Accords:
🚗 Carbon accumulation – Direct injection causes carbon build-up on intake valves over time. This leads to reduced performance.
🔥 Spark plug faults – Oil contamination and cold operation degrade spark plug function. Resulting in misfires and rough running.
⚙️ Premature component failure – Bearings, sensors, and other internals fail earlier than expected due to either manufacturing defects or collateral damage from the problems described above.
In general, most engine issues start surfacing around the 40,000 mile period, sometimes even earlier. Honda has tried quick fixes but has not addressed the root causes fully.
Many customers have understandably lost trust in the 1.5 turbo engine’s longevity and reliability after multiple problems. Lawsuits have also been filed over high repair costs.
Through my mechanic’s lens, a recall and redesign of core components like piston rings and fuel injectors would have been warranted to resolve these teething troubles.
🔧 Fixing Other Problems in 2018 Accord 1.5 Turbo
👉 Carbon cleaning via walnut shell blasting removes deposits from intake valves and ports.
❇️ Spark plug replacement restores ignition performance issues. Use OE Iridium plugs for longevity.
📡 ECU tuning helps optimize parameters like boost, timing, and idle – alleviating associated issues.
🌡️Improving engine heat retention reduces cold-start problems. Methods include idle adjustments, coolant flushes, and exhaust wraps.
🛠️ Replacing failed gaskets, sensors, actuators, and bearings as needed.
Cost ~ Basic fixes from $350. Component replacement from $500+
For buyers eyeing used 2018 Accord 1.5 turbo models – factor in some provision for such maintenance needs down the road.
Key Questions About 2018 Honda Accord 1.5 Turbo Engine Issues
🤔 Why Does The 2018 Accord 1.5 Turbo Engine Have So Many Problems?
The combination of new engine technology like turbocharging and direct injection with tighter emissions constraints led to some inherent design issues. Cost cutting may have also played a role in vulnerabilities like oil dilution from faulty piston seals.
🚘 How Many Miles Will A 2018 Accord 1.5 Turbo Last?
When maintained well, these engines are built to last over 200,000 miles typically. But issues like oil dilution and carbon build up can reduce lifespan quite drastically if left unchecked. Engines with serious damage may fail under 100,000 miles.
💸 What Typically Breaks In The 2018 Accord 1.5 Turbo Engine?
The turbocharger, piston seals allowing fuel dilution, and intake valves accumulating carbon are key failure points. Spark plugs, sensors, and gaskets also commonly need earlier replacement than expected.
👨🔧 Is The 2018 Accord 1.5 Turbo Engine Reliable After Recalls And Fixes?
Honda’s software updates provide partial mitigation but don’t fully resolve inherent hardware flaws. Many owners still report repeat problems like oil dilution, Lack of heat, and turbo failures after “repairs”. So, reliability remains questionable.
🚖 Should I Buy A Used 2018 Accord 1.5 Turbo?
Excessive repairs needed on fairly new vehicles make their long-term ownership costs higher than average. If considering one, have a mechanic inspect the engine’s health, service records, and oil closely. And be prepared for higher maintenance bills.
Conclusion
The 2018 Accord’s 1.5 liter turbo engine clearly suffers from some frustrating teething problems, requiring repeated visits and high repair costs. Yet, for drivers who need an affordable midsize sedan, it does offer nice features and fuel economy when running well.
Understanding common issues like oil dilution and being prepared for higher-than-average maintenance costs in advance allows for mitigating, if not fully preventing, headaches. And working with a trusted mechanic for expert troubleshooting and repairs helps minimize downtime when problems do occur.
Also Read:
- Common Causes And Solutions For The Honda accord’s charging system problem
- 2018 Honda Accord Sport 1.5 T Problems
- Honda Accord Common Problems
- Why Does My Honda Accord Keep Overheating? 🥵 Here’s the Fix!
