Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 356 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Honda Accord, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 58 | 16% |
| Engine | 32 | 9% |
| Air bags | 26 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 19 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 19 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 17 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 15 | 4% |
| Steering | 14 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 8 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The Break light flash on my dashboard when I was driving on route 42 doing 65mph
NHTSA complaint: Forward collision avoidance
I was driving on 42 at 2:05 a.m. And I was heading towards the exit to get off and I started slowing down and after I took my foot off the brake, the brake light illuminated on my dashboard for me to hit the break, like
NHTSA complaint: Forward collision avoidance
I was driving on route 42 at 11:52 PM and my brake light illuminated on my dashboard indicating me to hit the brake so I stepped on the break so my car wouldn't brake itself. There was nothing directly in front of me for
NHTSA complaint: Forward collision avoidance
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the messages "Emissions System Failure," "Electric Power Steering Failure," "Hill Start Assistant Failur
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I’m taking my car to the body shop over five occasions and have to take it back one due for it being a computer chip, which was replaced, but the lights on my dash all of them comes on after the second start up. Cruise c
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I was driving on [XXX] at around 1252AM, and my Brake light lite up on my dashboard, indicating me to press on the break or the car was going to break its self. The roads were clear and dry, there was barely any traffic.
NHTSA complaint: Forward collision avoidance
This has happened on numerous of occasions. All the lights appear on the dash as I'm driving. I've noticed they only appear when I'm driving on rough roads or just sitting in the car while it's running. The next day or s
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
On July 9-11, 2026, an authorized Honda dealership performed Honda Safety Recall 24-040 involving the fuel pump motor and Honda campaign 21-076 involving replacement of the fuel tank. Approximately five days and 371 mile
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2020 Honda Accord. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles. A software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in communication between the Body Control Module (BCM) and other components. This may result in malfunction
Risk: Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. H
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgelin
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note:
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, F
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RD
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-
| Reliability | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 84 | excellent |
| Performance | 53 | average |
| Efficiency | 52 | average |
| Safety | 100 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 356 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and forward collision avoidance is the most reported area with 58 of them (16%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2020 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 78/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.