Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2020 Accords with a customer complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the brakecruise switch DTCs in active fault. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Honda Accord lighting problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Honda Accord have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the lighting at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Accord | 10 |
| 2015 Accord | 5 |
| 2016 Accord | 112 |
| 2017 Accord | 18 |
| 2018 Accord (this page) | 18 |
| 2019 Accord | 8 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2018-2020 Accords with a customer complaint of the red BRAKE warning light on with the DTC C1120-14 (Electric Parking Brake Switch Circuit Malfunction) stored or in active fault. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report multiple, distinct lighting failures in 2018 Honda Accords. The most common complaint involves LED headlights developing internal condensation and cracking despite no accident history, causing intermittent failure as early as 28,000 miles. One owner has replaced headlights multiple times; another faces a $3,174 quote for two replacement assemblies. Because these are sealed LED units, the entire assembly must be replaced—individual bulb replacement is not possible—at costs ranging $700–$1,000 per side plus labor.
Condensation-related headlight failures often trigger blown fuses that cascade into multiple system failures: turn signals go dead, hazard lights stop working, lane-keeping assist and road-departure mitigation warnings light up, backup cameras fail, and trunk releases become inoperative. Dealers have replaced lighting modules and diagnosed water intrusion as the cause, yet Honda refuses warranty coverage on used vehicles and has not issued a recall.
Separately, one owner received interior and overhead lights that operate erratically on an unexplained timer—lights won't turn on when doors open despite correct switch position, then illuminate and fade on their own. The dealer replaced the lighting module, but the problem persists. Honda engineers from Japan were consulted and remained unable to identify the root cause.
Other reported issues include excessive low-beam brightness that creates dangerous glare, lens haze and internal crazing that reduces light output, and erratic brake-light and headlight switching after recall repairs.
Same Honda Accord lighting reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Interior and overhead lighting not functioning on demand
Interior lights, overhead lights, vanity mirror lights, and trunk lights fail to illuminate when doors open or switches are in correct position. Dealer replaced lighting module but problem persists. No root cause identified despite involvement of dealership technicians and Honda engineering.
When: Within days of vehicle delivery; Dec 2018
Symptoms owners cite: Lights won't turn on when door is open despite correct switch position; Lights come on by themselves at intervals and fade after 15 seconds; Lights operate intermittently on a timer-like pattern; No vanity mirror or trunk lights functioning
Repairs/costs cited: Lighting module replaced Dec 20, 2018 without resolving issue; potential full electrical system or computer replacement may be needed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda engineers unable to determine root cause; additional factory engineering consultation required
Headlight condensation and cracking with premature failure
Moisture and condensation accumulate inside LED headlight assemblies without impact or accident damage, causing headlights to crack and fail intermittently. Problem recurs in replacement assemblies. Owners report costs of $700–$1,000+ per headlight assembly replacement, with labor adding $500+. Some owners forced to replace multiple headlights over vehicle ownership.
When: As early as 28,000–34,000 miles; one case at 119,231 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Visible condensation and moisture inside headlight lens; Headlight warning light illuminates on dashboard; Low beam fails intermittently then completely; Cracks visible inside headlight assembly; Problem recurs in different headlight assemblies; High beam, fog lights, and other systems unaffected
Codes mentioned: Headlight malfunction warning
Repairs/costs cited: Full LED headlight assembly replacement required (cannot replace bulb alone); costs $700–$1,000 per assembly plus $500+ labor; quote for two headlights totaled $3,174
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer refused warranty coverage on used vehicles; claimed repair not covered; no recall issued despite multiple reports
Headlight failure causing cascading electrical system warnings
Headlight condensation and short circuit trigger blown fuses, which disable multiple vehicle systems including turn signals, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, blind-spot information, auto high beam, hazard lights, backup camera, and trunk release. Issues sometimes resolve after restart but recur unpredictably.
When: Various mileages; one case at 34,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate simultaneously; Turn signals fail to function; Hazard lights inoperative; Lane-keeping assist system warning; Road departure mitigation warning; Blind spot information system warning; Auto high beam warning; Backup camera fails; Trunk release inoperative
Codes mentioned: LKAS malfunction, Road departure mitigation system malfunction, Blind spot information system malfunction, Auto high beam malfunction, Blown fuse (detected)
Repairs/costs cited: Blown fuse replaced; headlight assembly replacement attempted but issues persist or recur in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No direct manufacturer inspection reported; Honda refused warranty coverage in at least one case
Excessive headlight brightness and glare
LED headlights produce painful, blinding glare in low-beam position that creates discomfort and disability glare for oncoming drivers. Brightness intensifies when vehicle goes over bumps. Owner considers issue a safety hazard and calls for recall.
When: Throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Excessively bright low-beam headlights; Painful glare even when glancing at headlights; Brightness increases when vehicle hits bump or road imperfection; Creates disability and discomfort glare for oncoming traffic
Headlight lens haze and crazing
Cloudiness and internal crazing visible on LED headlight lens surfaces, reducing light output. Dealers report haze as normal, but owners dispute this characterization on a new vehicle.
When: Variable; one report at 63,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Haze buildup on LED headlight lens; Internal crazing of lens surface; Reduced headlight brightness
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda service stated haze is normal condition
Daytime running light (DRL) burnout
Passenger-side DRL changes color to yellow and burns out. Dealers advise replacement is out of warranty and owner responsibility.
When: At 63,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Daytime running light yellows and fails; Passenger side DRL affected
Repairs/costs cited: Out-of-pocket replacement required per dealer
Brake and backup lighting control malfunction after recall repair
Following an unspecified recall repair, brake lights fail to illuminate when brake pedal is depressed. Simultaneously, headlights illuminate erroneously when brake is applied and lights are off. Vehicle not repaired or diagnosed.
When: Approximately 46,000 miles, post-recall
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brake lights fail to illuminate when brake pedal depressed; Headlights turn on when brake pedal is depressed with lights off; Multiple warning lights illuminate when brake pedal depressed
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired or diagnosed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified
Water intrusion into headlight and taillight assemblies
Water or mist enters sealed headlight and taillight assemblies during car washes or heavy rain, causing electrical shorts and component failure. Issue may occur with or without prior collision damage. Right-side assembly often contaminated even when left side fails first.
When: Varies; noted after car washes and heavy rain events
Symptoms owners cite: Water or mist visible inside headlight or taillight assembly; Water intrusion after car wash; Water intrusion after heavy rain
Repairs/costs cited: Full assembly replacement required; costs approximately $700 per headlight side at Honda dealer; cannot replace individual bulbs on LED units
Low-beam headlight abrupt failure
Low-beam headlights fail suddenly without warning during normal driving. High beams, fog lights, and interior lights remain functional. Failure triggers tire pressure and brake system warning lights.
When: Unknown mileage; reported as abrupt failure
Symptoms owners cite: Low-beam headlights stop working without warning; High beams still functional; Fog lights still functional; Interior lights still functional; Tire pressure warning light illuminates after failure; Brake warning light illuminates after failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership advised LED headlights do not typically fail and considered failure highly unusual
Backup and brake sensor alerts non-functional with dim headlights
Backup sensor alerts and brake sensor alerts fail to function. Separately, headlights fail to illuminate brightly during night driving. Dealer diagnosed sensor failures but did not diagnose or investigate headlight dimming. Owner received notice of a related NHTSA recall campaign.
When: Approximately 3,488 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Backup sensor alerts non-functional; Brake sensor alerts non-functional; Headlights fail to illuminate brightly at night
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed need for rearview mirror and bumper sensor replacement but did not repair vehicle or address headlight issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer did not assist; NHTSA Campaign 18V629000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility) issued but owner did not receive repair support
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had lighting trouble with your 2018 Honda Accord?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2018 Honda Accord?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 18 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 21,598 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Honda/Accord.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.