Is the 2016 Honda Accord a bad year?
611 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Accord years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2016 Honda Accord are in line with other Accord years. Electrical system, exterior lighting and fuel system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Accord owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 46,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 202 (33%) | 26k–64k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 128 (21%) | 34k–52k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 44 (7%) | 29k–98k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 46 (8%) | 18k–77k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 31 (5%) | 10k–76k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 29 (5%) | 9k–66k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Stability control | 13 (2%) | 5k–61k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 13 (2%) | 6k–54k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Brakes | 32 (5%) | 8k–42k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 31 (5%) | 1k–44k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 23 (4%) | 8k–39k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 20 (3%) | 1k–41k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 17 (3%) | 6k–26k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 16 (3%) | 8k–44k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 46,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 611 complaints: 31 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 21 report an injury · 26 say the car was towed.
77 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2016 Honda Accord: 4
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash. Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Particulates in fuel may adhere to the internal components of the fuel pump, reducing its performance. Reduced fuel pump performance can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
The case for the battery sensor, part of the battery management system, may allow water to get in, potentially causing an electrical short. An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 118
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Honda Accord. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
When cold-starting the engine and shifting to Reverse, the engine stalls in the first 10 to 14 seconds
There is a knocking or clicking from the engine during cold startup
Every Service Bulletin requires you to take an HDS snap shot and use the job aid or Tech2Tech to confirm the judder/shudder is coming from the torque converter
Servicenews article - Does the engine rattle at startup for about 1 to 3 seconds
Neighbouring years
2015 Accord: 602 complaints, keep it · 2017 Accord: 540 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda Accord year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Accord years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Honda Accord a bad year?
611 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Accord years. At 46,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda Accord?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (202), exterior lighting (128), fuel system (44), engine (46), steering (31).
How many recalls does the 2016 Honda Accord have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 26V-332), Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-858), Fuel system (NHTSA 19V-060), Electrical system (NHTSA 17V-418). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.