2018 HONDA ACCORD HYBRID Complaints

Subject: Safety Complaint – Premature Head Gasket Failure in 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ) Dear NHTSA Representative, I am submitting this letter as a formal complaint regarding a serious and premature mechanical failure in my 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ). At approximately 96,000 miles, the head gasket failed, resulting in major engine problems and potentially unsafe vehicle performance. I am the original owner of this vehicle and have maintained it consistently in line with Honda’s recommended service intervals. The engine has never been overheated or misused, yet the head gasket has failed much earlier than expected for a modern vehicle, especially a hybrid model. After researching online, I have found multiple reports of similar issues involving 2018 Honda Accord models experiencing premature head gasket failure, many of them under or near 100,000 miles. I am concerned that this may point to a widespread defect that could compromise the reliability and safety of these vehicles. A sudden head gasket failure can cause the engine to overheat, lose power, or even stall — all of which present potential risks to the driver and passengers, especially at highway speeds. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate this issue further to determine whether a safety-related defect exists and if a recall or manufacturer action should be issued. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please feel free to contact me if any additional information is needed to support the investigation. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

About two weeks ago, I could have been killed on the New York State Thruway when my 2018 Honda Accord suddenly lost all power. One moment, I was driving normally—then, without warning, my check engine light came on, I had zero ability to accelerate and was forced to pull over as my car rapidly lost speed. II had my vehicle towed to Morehead Honda where they ran diagnostics and told me my car needed nearly $6,000 in repairs due to coolant leaking into the engine, which caused cylinder misfires and valve damage. But here’s the kicker—this same issue has happened to other Honda Accords of the same model year, yet Honda refuses to recognize it as a widespread problem. Morehead Honda admitted to me that they’ve seen this issue before in other 2018-2020 Honda Accords and 2017-2018 CR-Vs. In fact, they said Honda quietly fixed the problem in newer models (2021+)—but they still won’t acknowledge it as a defect in mine. That means my engine failure is not some one-in-a-million fluke—it’s something that has happened to multiple owners of the same model and year. But Honda refuses to take responsibility, leaving me on the hook for an absurdly expensive repair. Many others have had the same or similar issues. Below are some: 2017-2020 Honda Accord owners who have reported coolant leaks, cylinder head cracks, head gasket failures, or related issues: 2018 Accord 2.0T owner blew a head gasket, with a potential cracked engine block. The dealership diagnosed the issue on cylinder #3, with coolant mixing into the engine oil. A 2018 Accord EX-L 2.0T owner experienced a coolant loss leading to a blown head gasket and coolant leaking into cylinders 2 and 3. A 2018 Accord 1.5T owner had dashboard warnings and the car failed to accelerate. The dealership diagnosed a blown head gasket, with coolant leaking into cylinders 3 and 4. A 2020 Honda Accord owner suffered a blown head gasket at 58,000 miles. The dealership confirmed it was the fourth such case they had seen.

DEFECTIVE RECALLED-REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMP? NHTSA Campaign # 23V858000 “Fuel pump failure can cause engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.” My 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid had gotten 50 mpg in September & October of 2024 – as it had been getting consistently, reliably for the past six years. Also, I have Always driven 545 miles per tank of gas consistently, reliably for the past six years. My original fuel pump, which was recalled (NHTSA #23V858000), NEVER failed and operated perfectly efficiently for six years. In December 2024 I observed the NHTSA fuel-pump-recall and had the “perfect” original fuel pump replaced. As soon as the “New” fuel pump was installed at the dealership, my MPG dropped to 39mpg AND miles-driven-per-tank of gas dropped to 445 miles! Shocking! My 2018 Accord Hybrid lost 100 miles of driving Range, and mpg dropped to non-hybrid performance! This leaves me to question the SAFETY of the NEW Recall-Replacement fuel pump. Also, since the “New” replacement Fuel pump was installed, my High-Voltage Lithium-Ion Battery Pack has been “kicking-in” more frequently to assist the less efficient new fuel pump. This causes the gas engine to rev longer at high rpms whenever I start the car in order to constantly recharge the HV Lithium Ion Batteries that must assist the less efficient New fuel pump . It appears to be a precarious cycle of decline for both the fuel pump and HVLI batteries! Help! I would like NHTSA to determine: 1.Is the replacement fuel pump “failing” from the time of installation? 2.Was a “new” fuel pump actually installed, or was a “defective part replaced in the original recalled fuel pump? 3.Is the replacement fuel pump not designed technologically as the original fuel pump? 4.How SAFE is the “NEW Fuel Pump”? 5.Are other Honda Hybrid owners who had their fuel pumps replaced under # 23V858000 complaining of poor performance? Is this a serious indication of rapid replacement (New) fuel pump failure?

On 2/3/25 a warning light came on in my 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid while driving home (supplemental restraint system problem, see your dealer). I immediately called the Honda dealer where I get my car serviced to explain the problem. I was told I would need to bring the car in and pay $200 for a diagnostic and they would have to keep the car for a few days. Well I know the problem, MY DRIVER SEATBELT NO LONGER LOCKS WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES. I TESTED IT THE WHOLE 1 HOUR DRIVE HOME. I then called Honda Customer service and they were closed. However they did mention the car I have based on my phone number and said there were no recalls. I was in a panic driving home from work for an hour with no fully functioning seat belt. I went online and there is a seat belt recall on Honda cars but apparently not the year mine was made. I bought my car brand new, it's only 6 years old and I expect to have functioning seatbelts. I also do not expect to pay out of pocket for ANY DIAGNOSTIC COST WHEN MY SEAT BELT CLEARLY NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AS IT SHOULD. I would like this information reported to Honda ASAP. I do not have a second car and I'm in a panic about having to drive to work. Please HELP ME. I will also try again to call Honda corporate office tomorrow.

Since the recall has been in place, I have attempted to get it fixed. I have reported to Honda lights coming on and off since January 14th. On January 17th took photos and video. On Thursday [XXX], the emissions light came on regarding this issue and losing power. I called Napa Kastner Honda and reported the issue and spoke with Lizette at 330pm she said it was part of the recall, but I could continue to drive the vehicle and they would call me when parts become available. Each time I go in I have to pay for diagnosis testing. I don’t want to continue to wait and want to sell my vehicle now, but no dealer will accept a trade in or offer the actual value of my vehicle given the emission light. No one is helping me remedy this issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Honda of Kirkland (12420 NE 85th St, Kirkland, WA 98033) failed to remedy a recall on my vehicle within a reasonable period of time. I received notice by mail from American Honda in late November that the parts to remedy a recall on my vehicle were now available, and I could have it serviced for free at any authorized Honda dealer. I contacted Honda of Kirkland on December 2, and they told me the parts were not available and declined to schedule an appointment. I called them again on December 9, and they said they placed an order for the parts, and would call me back to schedule an appointment. On January 2 (24 days since last contact, 31 days since initial contact), they still had not called me back, so I called them again, and they informed me that the first available appointment would be on April 17. I then reached out another authorized Honda dealer, still on January 2, and they ordered the parts and said they would call back. A few days later, they called back to confirm they had the parts, and scheduled an appointment for January 27. So it was clearly possible to remediate the defect in a reasonable period of time -- Honda of Kirkland simply chose not to do so. In summary, Honda of Kirkland obstructed each of my three attempts to have this defect remediated, by: 1. Falsely claiming that the parts were not unavailable. 2. Promising and then failing to contact me to schedule an appointment. 3. Offering me a first-available appointment 136 days after I first contacted them.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Multiple times in the state of Oklahoma, driving from Oklahoma to Maryland, and in Maryland Washington DC area, the automatic brakes apply at highway speeds on the interstate whenever there is a shadow in the road. It is extremely frightening. I am having the fuel pump recall Repaired at the Honda dealership today. I told the Honda dealership about this problem and they said they were unaware of it. They said they would reset the calibration on the anti-breaking system. However, upon research, it looks like you are investigating this problem. Please add my car to the list of cars affected. I do not know the exact dates that this happened but it has been. I would say at least 20 to 30 times since 2020 when I bought the vehicle.