Consumers love their Honda Accords. This popular car has been an American favorite for generations. When you sell as many cars as Honda has with the Accord, you’re bound to run into the occasional issue. As with every vehicle on the market, there are a few Accord model years that have been more problematic than others. We checked out which Honda Accord years have the most consumer complaints and wanted to highlight the most common concerns.

What’s new for the Honda Accord in 2020?

This stylish midsize sedan is still winning fans with its 2020 model and 10th generation Accord. It’s offering a sporty and comfortable ride, loaded with safety features and tech, and Honda fans can’t get enough.

With various engine options, it’s easy to find your perfect balance of fuel efficiency and power. If you’re thinking about buying a new Accord, you won’t be disappointed in the latest model, even if not much has changed from 2019.

Which model years have the most complaints overall?

Based on the volume of various vehicle complaints, there are a few older model Accords that present common issues. There are sporadic concerns across several years, but 2003, 2008, and 2009 sedans have the most complaints overall. So, what problems have Accord owners been reporting?

The model year with the most complaints

According to carcomplaints.com, a platform that collects and analyzes specific vehicle concerns says the 2008 Honda Accord has the most complaints of all Accord model years. The most common problem for the 2008 Accord involves premature brake wearing.

With over 1,090 claims, and at only around the 26,000-mile mark, it’s evident this is more than an isolated claim. The average cost to repair the brakes, according to those consumers is around $230. Honda enacted a recall for the brake system, for 278 of these complaints.

While this might seem a relatively bad year, according to CarComplaints.com, there’s actually another model year they deem the worst year for Honda Accord overall.

The worst model year for Accord ever

There is one model year you should avoid at all costs, at least according to the volume of complaints and charges for necessary repairs. The 2003 Accord suffers from transmission problems, including failure altogether, along with stereo backlight failure.

These failures and issues are most reported around the 101,000-mile mark. And, based on the data for repairs, it came with a hefty $2,700 price tag. If transmission problems weren’t significant enough, 2003 had a roster of other equipment concerns as well. There were over 240 complaints regarding interior accessory features and over 100 claims of engine problems.

Other model years afflicted by transmission problems

While 2003 presented the most complaints about transmission failure, there are different model years that also experienced problems with the transmission. If you’re driving a 2001 or 2002 Accord, you too might find yourself at a repair garage or dealership with issues.

There were almost 800 complaints regarding transmission hiccups in 2002 and over 350 in 2001. In reviewing subsequent model years, there appear to be transmission concerns for 2003 and 2004, as well.

If you look long enough, you can uncover complaints about most any vehicle, including the Honda Accord. It’s often best to sift through the obscure to find overarching trends that might be helpful in your quest to either buy a used Accord or maintain your older model.

When it comes to transmission issues, these years have been brutally problematic. But, knowing what to expect is half the battle. Considering just how beloved the Accord is to consumers in general, these issues may just be worth the repair bill.