Honda Accord

As an automotive enthusiast and Honda Accord owner, I'm often asked which model year is the best for the Honda Accord. Having owned several Accords over the years, I've experienced the highs and lows of this popular sedan. In my opinion the greatest years for the Honda Accord are 2004–2007, 2010–2011, 2014–2017, and 2019–2021. However, the 2001–2003, 2008–2009, 2012–2013, and 2018 model years are not recommended for Accord purchasers. These Accords' issues typically necessitate pricey engine and catalytic converter repairs. In this blog post, I'll break down the best and worst years for the Honda Accord to help buyers make an informed decision. The Best Years for Honda Accord 2004-2007 The 2004-2007 Accords saw significant improvements in performance, comfort, and styling. Here's a quick overview of what made these years so good: Powerful and fuel efficient engines - The 2004-2007 models had 2.4L 4-cylinder or 3.0L V6 engines that provided brisk acceleration while still delivering excellent gas mileage. The V6 models made 240-244 hp. Sporty handling - Honda improved the suspension and steering for sportier handling. The Accords felt nimble and fun to drive. Upscale interior - The interiors gained soft-touch materials, better fit and finish, more room, and great seats. The cabin was comfortable and classy. Reliability - These years hit the sweet spot for reliability. Most owners reported few major issues, outside of normal wear items. The 2004-2007 Accords brought improvements across the board, making them a smart buy on the used market. Low miles examples can still be found for reasonable prices. 2010-2011 After a disappointing 2008 redesign, the Accord bounced back impressively for 2010-2011: Sharp styling - Honda gave the Accord a sleek makeover, with coupe-like lines and sportier details. The 2010-2011 models look modern and upscale. Fuel economy gains - A new 6-speed automatic transmission helped boost gas mileage to 23/32 mpg city/highway. 27/34 mpg for 4-cyl models. Nicely equipped - Even base LX models came well-equipped with Bluetooth, USB input, steering wheel controls, and premium interior trim. Fun to drive - Handling remained agile and balanced. The 4-cyl had 177 hp, while V6 models made 271 hp. Strong acceleration for passing and merging. Low ownership costs - Excellent reliability and low maintenance needs made for an affordable, hassle-free ownership experience. The 2010-2011 Accords offer the complete package. Shoppers should target low mileage examples for the best value. 2014-2017 The Accord saw another ambitious redesign for 2014, including these upgrades: Efficiency leader - The 2014 Accord Hybrid debuted with mileage up to 50 mpg combined. The 4-cyl and V6 engines also gained efficiency without sacrificing performance. Refined interior - Higher end materials, improved tech, and added rear legroom gave the cabin a truly premium feel. The seats were supportive and comfortable. Advanced safety - Forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and other driver assists became available - rare for midsize cars of this era. Crash test scores were also excellent. Crisp handling - The chassis gained improvements for sportier, more confident handling. Steering and suspension upgrades enhanced the driving experience. Low ownership cost - Consistently above average reliability and inexpensive maintenance costs made the 2014-2017 Accords cost effective. For a blend of efficiency, comfort, driving dynamics, and value, the 2014-2017 Accords are hard to top. 2019-2021 The current 10th generation Accord shows Honda's continued commitment to excellence: Efficiency champion - The optional turbo 1.5L engine delivers 192 hp and 38 mpg highway. The hybrid approaches 50 mpg. Performance doesn't suffer for efficiency. Cutting edge tech - Standard Honda Sensing includes collision mitigation braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. Large touchscreens and digital gauges also impress. Refinement - Cabin materials quality, noise levels, ride quality, and overall comfort rival luxury cars. Front and rear seat room are extremely generous. Engaging performance - Sporty suspension tuning and responsive steering make even base models fun to drive. The turbo brings strong acceleration. High safety scores - Crash protection and collision avoidance tech earn Top Safety Pick+ awards from the IIHS and 5-star ratings from NHTSA. The 10th generation Accord maintains Honda's decades-long run of outstanding midsize sedans. Lightly used examples give you most of the benefits for big savings over new. The Worst Years for Honda Accord While the Accord has generally been very reliable, a few model years did have significant trouble spots. Here are the years I suggest avoiding: 2001-2003 The 2001 Accord redesign lowered Honda's standards uncharacteristically: Transmission woes - Automatic transmission failure was common, often requiring expensive rebuilds or replacements. Manual models also had clutch issues. Engine sludge - Poor engine airflow and PCV valves caused oil sludge to build up, blocking oil circulation. This killed many engines prematurely. Electrical gremlins - Various glitches plagued the power windows, sunroof, door locks, audio system, and other electronics. Reliability took a hit. Cheapened interior - Cabin materials looked and felt one class down from the prior generation. Sound deadening was also reduced. Unless you can find an ultra low mileage example, it's best to avoid 2001-2003 Accords. There are too many potential headaches and expenses. 2008-2009 Honda slipped again with the 2008 redesign: Unimpressive handling - Heavier curb weight dulled the Accord's traditionally agile handling. Steering feel and body control were compromised. Polarizing styling - The bulky exterior styling lacked the elegance and precision of earlier Accords. The busy dash design also drew complaints. Less refined - More road, wind, and engine noise intruded into the cabin compared to rivals. The driving experience felt economy car-like. Spotty automatic transmission - The 5-speed auto could shift erratically and suffer premature failure in some cars. Repairs ran $2000-3000+ in some cases. Reduced value - Resale value and long-term reliability were below par. Ownership costs were higher than expected. Unless the price is very tempting, I'd pass on the uncompetitive 2008-2009 models and consider other years. 2012-2013 Unusual for Honda, the 2012 refresh brought a few stumbles: Poor seat comfort - The redesigned front seats received widespread complaints for being too firm and lacking support. Long trips became painful. Chintzy interior - Interior materials were oddly cheapened after the 2011 refresh. Cost cutting was noticeable. Rough automatic - The new CVT automatic transmission was slow to respond and made the engine sound noisy and strained. The 5-speed auto was better. Reduced visibility - The sloped rear window and thick A-pillars created larger blindspots. Vision suffered compared to other Accords. Higher prices - MSRPs rose by several thousand dollars across the lineup without adding much value or improvements. I'd recommend trying to find a 2011 or 2013+ Accord instead. You'll likely be much happier with your purchase. 2018 The Accord was all new again for 2018, but first year bugs hampered the experience: Sluggish turbo engine - The 1.5L turbo engine suffered from vapor lock and hesitation issues. Acceleration often felt slower than expected. Honda issued a software fix for this. Problematic infotainment - The touchscreen systems were plagued with glitches and slow response. Subpar voice controls also frustrated users. Excess road noise - Coarse pavement amplified road noise into the cabin significantly. Long drives became tiring. Honda added more sound insulation for 2019 to help. Cramped rear seat - While interior space increased overall, the sloping rear roofline cut into rear headroom and felt confining. Front seat space remained generous. Expensive options - Honda limited key safety features like adaptive cruise control to higher trim levels only, hiking up costs compared to rivals. Given the first model year hiccups, I suggest looking for a 2019+ Accord unless you find a lightly used 2018 at a compelling discount. My Other Related Blogs: Supplemental Restraint System Problem Honda Accord 2003 Honda Accord Radio No Sound Honda Accord Whining Noise Accelerating Closing Thoughts While the Honda Accord has had a few off years, it still remains one of the best values for a reliable, efficient, and enjoyable midsize sedan. By focusing on the well-regarded 2004-2007, 2010-2011, 2014-2017, and 2019-2021 model years, you're setting yourself up for an Accord ownership experience you'll love. Do your research, take your time, and don't compromise on condition or service history. A high quality used Accord can provide many years and miles of practical and satisfying transportation. I hope this overview of the best and worst Accord model years assists you in finding the perfect match. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Honda Accord

Best and Bad Years of Honda Accord

P1157 Honda Accord – Fixed