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severe Owners of the 2020 Honda Accord have filed 45 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 17,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Accord | 179 |
| 2017 Accord | 139 |
| 2018 Accord | 248 |
| 2019 Accord | 82 |
| 2020 Accord (this page) | 45 |
| 2021 Accord | 49 |
| 2022 Accord | 76 |
Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
Tech Line Summary - Customers who have purchased the Accessory CarPlay /Android Auto upgrade are complaining that a pop-up message appears on the audio unit display stating, “Please insert USB drive containing valid software license file, and press OK button”. When this message is displayed, the audio unit is not responsive to control inputs, however the rear-view camera remains fully functional.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2022 Accords with customer complaint of Charging System Problem (battery icon) or Auto Engine Idle Stop Problem Lamp coming on the Multi-Information Display (MID). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to your attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2022 Accords with customer complaint of Charging System Problem (battery icon) or Auto Engine Idle Stop Problem Lamp coming on the Multi-Information Display (MID). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to your attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2022 Accords with customer complaint of Charging System Problem (battery icon) or Auto Engine Idle Stop Problem Lamp coming on the Multi-Information Display (MID). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to your attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2022 Accords with customer complaint of Charging System Problem (battery icon) or Auto Engine Idle Stop Problem Lamp coming on the Multi-Information Display (MID). To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to your attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The 2020 Honda Accord electrical system shows pervasive issues across multiple subsystems. Most common is a cluster of warning lights—LKAS, CMBS, ACC, brake system, check engine—that illuminate simultaneously, remain on despite battery resets and dealer visits, then recur within days or weeks. Several owners report dealers unable to identify root cause after multiple visits and fuse replacements; some cite suspected Body Control Module (BCM) defects.
Owners describe phantom braking at highway speeds with no obstacle present and no radar detection, followed by temporary recovery. Fuel delivery malfunctions—hesitation, stalling, rough idle—are reported across multiple vehicles, allegedly a known issue on the 1.5L turbocharged engine. One owner experienced unintended front and knee airbag deployment at 25 mph with no impact, brake failure, and 30–40 seconds of uncontrolled rolling; another reported brake system failure to respond during an emergency. Door locks actuate without input during acceleration and braking.
Touchscreen infotainment randomly presses buttons, switching screens without user action. Exterior lights stick on dimmest setting, backup camera doesn't activate, and turn signals fail—mechanics identified BCM as the cause in some cases. One vehicle caught fire in the wheel well at 7,000 miles with no warning; another suffered rodent damage to engine wiring, allegedly due to Honda's use of soybean-oil lubricant on wires. Dealers have refused warranty coverage or stated repairs unavailable, citing design defects outside warranty scope or lack of remedy availability.
Same Honda Accord electrical reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2021 · 2022
Dashboard warning lights illuminate unexpectedly, often in clusters—including LKAS, CMBS, ACC, check engine, brake system, lane departure, collision mitigation, and others. Lights may come on all at once, disappear after battery reset, then recur. Dealers replace fuses, perform software updates, or cannot diagnose root cause. Some owners report disconnecting the negative battery terminal for 5 minutes as a temporary workaround.
When: Early in ownership (within 1–4 months); recurring from 6,000 to 90,000 miles; intermittent or continuous.
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate simultaneously; Lights illuminate in groups (LKAS/CMBS/ACC/brake system); Lights appear then disappear after key cycle or battery reset; Lights recur within days or weeks of apparent fix; Vehicle may drive fine despite warnings, or warnings lock out features like cruise control
Codes mentioned: P0372 (spark plug/fuel injector related, one report), Unknown fuse replacement performed at dealers, Software updates: BMC 20-039, BGCM
Repairs/costs cited: Factory resets performed; fuses replaced; software updates applied; multiple dealer visits with no permanent resolution reported by several owners; one owner cited $3,400+ in work (fuel injectors and gaskets).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 20V771000 (Electrical System, Back Over Prevention, Visibility/Wiper, Visibility, Exterior Lighting); Recall 24V064000 (Air Bags, passenger seat circuit board); Honda Corporate stated 'nothing they can do' per one owner; dealers claimed unable to find root cause despite multiple visits.
Vehicle brakes suddenly with no visible obstacle, no driver input, and no other vehicle detected by forward collision radar. Occurs at highway speeds (70 mph reported) and in stop-and-go traffic. Feature temporarily disables; vehicle recovers after a few seconds or after turning off and restarting.
When: Unknown mileage in most cases; one report at approximately 35,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic hard braking while driving forward; No obstacle in front of vehicle; No brake pedal pressure applied by driver; Occurs on highway and in urban traffic; Brake warning message displayed; Vehicle recovers after seconds or restart
Codes mentioned: Forward Collision Avoidance system message
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's radar sensor indicated false crash detection and was repaired; no other repairs reported. Multiple owners did not take vehicle to dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified. Radar sensor repaired under warranty at one dealership after false-crash detection diagnosis.
Vehicle exhibits hesitation, stalling, rough idle, misfires, or acts as if running out of gas. Fuel injectors fail or misfire; one owner cited faulty fuel injectors on the 1.5L turbocharged engine as a known issue across multiple Honda models (CR-V 2019–2023, Civic 2019–2022, Accord 2018–2022). Fuel system design defect alleged. Check engine light and all dashboard lights come on when this occurs.
When: Various mileage; one owner 'every day' within first year; another at approximately 48,000 miles (extended start time).
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation during acceleration; Rough idle and misfiring; Vehicle stalls while driving; Check engine light illuminates; Loss of drive power or inability to accelerate beyond 20 mph; Extended (15-second) start time before engine catches
Codes mentioned: P0372 (one owner report)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injectors and gasket replacement cited; one owner reported $3,400+ in repairs; one owner replaced spark plugs repeatedly within one year; defective fuel system presumed at another dealership but not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued per owner research; owner states 'thousands of people are having the same issue' but Honda 'failing to release a recall.' Dealership stated issue 'widely reported' on 1.5L Sport model.
Instrument cluster fails to display warning lights correctly or lights remain illuminated despite no underlying fault. Vehicle continues to run but owner cannot confirm status of safety systems (brakes, airbags, etc.). Replacement of 12-volt battery does not resolve issue. Related to potential BCM (Body Control Module) malfunction.
When: Approximately 40,000 miles in one report; unknown mileage in others.
Symptoms owners cite: Warning lights remain illuminated despite battery reset; Lights illuminate but functions appear to work normally; Cannot verify actual system status (brakes, etc.); Low-pressure tire monitor light intermittently illuminates with no tire pressure issue
Repairs/costs cited: 12-volt battery replacement attempted without resolution; owner discontinued driving vehicle; no dealer diagnosis or repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified.
Driver-side and passenger-side front airbags deploy without collision or impact. Chemical smoke fills cabin. No warning light illuminated prior to deployment. Brake system failed to respond when driver attempted to stop vehicle. Vehicle rolled 30–40 seconds before hitting bicycle pole. Passengers (adult, adult, baby in car seat) sustained body aches and ringing ears. Dealer refused warranty coverage, attributing deployment to impact. Owner later received NHTSA Campaign 24V064000 (Air Bags) recall notice, suggesting defective airbag control circuit.
When: Unknown mileage; occurred while driving at 25 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Front airbags deploy without impact; Chemical smoke in cabin; Brake system fails to respond; Vehicle rolls uncontrolled; No prior warning light
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 24V064000 (Air Bags)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; dealer refused warranty repair claiming impact caused deployment. Vehicle towed to auto body shop; no diagnosis or repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall Campaign 24V064000 (Air Bags) issued; case opened but no manufacturer assistance provided per owner.
Doors lock and unlock while vehicle is in motion or during acceleration/braking. Presents safety hazard (occupant entrapment risk in emergency). One owner heard clicking or chattering under steering wheel prior to locking actuation. Related to suspected Body Control Module (BCM) defect per owner research.
When: During normal driving, acceleration, and braking; unknown mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Doors lock without driver input; Doors unlock without driver input; Actuation occurs during acceleration from stop or braking; Clicking or chattering noise under steering wheel before locking begins
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed in reported cases; owner suspects BCM is cause based on online research of other Accord owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified; owner notes other 2020 Accord owners report same issue.
Vehicle caught fire while parked after a short drive. Fire originated in driver-side front wheel well, spread down driver-side to rear wheel well, and was extinguished by fire department. Fire department determined cause was electrical system failure. No injuries reported. Vehicle was approximately 7,000 miles old. No prior warning lights or symptoms reported.
When: Approximately 7,000 miles; after a short drive, while parked.
Symptoms owners cite: Fire visible in driver-side wheel well area; Fire spread along driver-side of vehicle; No prior warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not taken to dealer or mechanic; not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified; no recall or TSB information provided.
Trunk opens while vehicle is in motion or during driving without driver input. Trunk release button on trunk exterior does not function. Related to electrical system failure or BCM defect per owner. Repaired under Recall 20V771000 but issue recurred.
When: Approximately 2,000 miles; recurred after repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Trunk opens while driving; Trunk release button does not function; Unknown warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired under NHTSA Campaign 20V771000; failure recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 20V771000 (Electrical System, Back Over Prevention, Visibility/Wiper, Visibility, Exterior Lighting).
Touchscreen radio/infotainment system either does not respond to touch inputs or randomly presses buttons as if ghost-touching. System randomly switches between phone, contacts, music, Bluetooth, navigation screens without user input. Navigation maps move and routes appear unexpectedly. Can cause significant driver distraction. Reported as a recurring issue affecting multiple users.
When: Unknown mileage; reported as ongoing daily issue.
Symptoms owners cite: Touchscreen does not respond to inputs; Touchscreen randomly switches screens (phone, contacts, music, Bluetooth, navigation); Navigation map moves randomly; Routes appear without driver request; Screen cycling can distract driver
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple individuals reported to dealer; no repair details provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified; Honda Link app also reported to crash repeatedly with only generic responses about 'reviewing the problem.'
Exterior lights stuck on dimmest setting with no ability to adjust brightness or turn off. Lights flicker uncontrollably. Turn signal does not illuminate on dashboard or function properly. Front turn signal does not work. Headlights replaced due to suspected LED issue but problem persisted; BCM (Body Control Module) identified as root cause.
When: Unknown mileage; onset appears sudden in at least one case.
Symptoms owners cite: Exterior lights stuck on lowest brightness; Unable to adjust light brightness; Lights flicker; Turn signal does not display on dash; Right front turn signal does not work; Turn signal light cannot be changed
Repairs/costs cited: Headlights replaced (incorrectly suspected as LED issue); BCM identified as actual cause; no further repair completed in reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner called Honda regarding BCM recall; told vehicle is not part of said recall despite similar issues reported across all 2020 Accord models regardless of manufacturing plant.
Backup camera does not activate when vehicle is in reverse. No video feed displayed on infotainment screen.
When: Unknown mileage; onset appears sudden.
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera does not activate; No video display when reversing
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted or completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified.
Adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and collision mitigation braking system display warning messages ('See Dealer,' 'Turn off engine then restart') and fail to function as intended. Warning lights illuminate and remain on. Features are disabled when warning lights are active. One owner reported loss of acceleration while cruise control and related systems are disabled.
When: Various mileage; one report at approximately 35,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Warning messages appear: 'Adaptive Cruise Control system has a problem,' 'Lane Departure Warning,' 'Collision Mitigation Braking See Dealer'; Features disabled when warnings active; Vehicle fails to accelerate as intended; Warning lights remain illuminated
Codes mentioned: Forward Collision Avoidance system message
Repairs/costs cited: One owner pulled to side of road and restarted vehicle to restore functionality; no dealer repairs completed in reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified.
Battery drains prematurely; vehicle will not start until Honda Link app and hands-free Bluetooth are reconnected. Electrical misfiring causes vehicle to shut off while driving, flashing brake warning. If battery fully drained, driver cannot reconnect app and car becomes immobile until battery recharged. Catch-22 situation: electrical drain prevents driver from using the app required to restart vehicle.
When: Unknown mileage; recurring issue.
Symptoms owners cite: Battery drains rapidly; Vehicle shuts off while driving; Brake warning message flashes; Vehicle will not start without Honda Link/Bluetooth reconnection; App reconnection required to start vehicle after electrical drain
Repairs/costs cited: No permanent repair completed; owner describes car as immobile when battery fully drained.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified.
Electronic parking brake malfunctions during cold weather conditions. Owner had to restart car due to e-brake not working properly. Presents safety concern for emergency use.
When: Cold weather conditions; unknown mileage (reported at approximately 67,000 miles).
Symptoms owners cite: E-brake does not engage during cold weather; Requires vehicle restart to restore function
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified.
ANC module malfunctions, producing a persistent annoying humming noise while driving. Noise stops when approaching a stop or when front windows are opened. Reported as occurring early in vehicle life (67,000 miles). Affects driving comfort and may indicate deeper electrical issue.
When: Approximately 67,000 miles; reported as recent malfunction.
Symptoms owners cite: Persistent humming noise while driving; Humming stops during deceleration or when windows open; Annoying/distracting to driver
Repairs/costs cited: No repair details provided; multiple 2018–2020 Honda owners report same ANC-related humming.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified.
Emergency brake release switch clip breaks, causing switch to come loose in center console. Occurs under normal use without owner error. Dealership refused to cover under 36,000-mile factory warranty, citing clip breakage as 'owner problem' rather than manufacturing defect. Repair cost: $750 out-of-pocket.
When: Under 36,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Emergency brake release switch clip breaks; Switch comes loose in center console; No visible damage to surrounding structure
Repairs/costs cited: $750 out-of-pocket repair required; dealership refused warranty coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership refused warranty coverage under 36,000-mile policy; Honda corporate did not provide assistance.
Supplemental Restraint System warning message appears on dashboard: 'Supplemental Restraint System Problem. See Your Dealer.' Warning light may flash occasionally or remain illuminated. Vehicle is subject to Recall 24V064 (passenger seat circuit board). Dealership states 'no remedy to the problem' currently available.
When: Unknown mileage; after recall notice received.
Symptoms owners cite: SRS warning message displays; Warning light illuminates or flashes; No airbag malfunction reported
Codes mentioned: Recall 24V064 (passenger seat circuit board)
Repairs/costs cited: No remedy available per dealership at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 24V064 (Air Bags, passenger seat circuit board) issued; dealership stated no fix currently available.
Engine leaks coolant into the engine system, indicating poor design of 1.5L engine. Owner characterizes engine as 'poorly designed' and expresses frustration that Honda continues to produce and sell vehicles with known defective engines despite awareness.
When: Unknown mileage; owner expresses it as an ongoing design flaw.
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leaks into engine system; Engine overheating likely
Repairs/costs cited: No repair details provided; owner frustrated with lack of manufacturer action.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified; owner states Honda knowingly produces defective engines.
Vehicle stalls or loses power while driving. Owner cannot accelerate beyond 20 mph on some occasions. Check engine light and all dashboard lights illuminate when stalling occurs. Vehicle shakes and jerks during stalling episodes. Occurs multiple times (fourth occurrence reported by one owner).
When: Multiple occurrences; unknown specific mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving; Loss of power/inability to accelerate; Vehicle cannot exceed 20 mph; Check engine light and all lights illuminate; Vehicle shakes and jerks
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: No permanent repair completed; one owner states issue occurs repeatedly despite prior service attempts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified.
BCM malfunction causes multiple electrical system failures including warning light illumination, feature disabling, and cascading sensor failures. Related to recalls 20V771000 and 24V064000. Dealers acknowledge BCM as root cause for turn signal, trunk release, door lock, and infotainment failures in some cases. BCM failure prevents deployment of safety systems (airbags, stability assist) during collision per one owner report.
When: Various mileage; one report describes failure during collision; another at 2,000 miles (trunk opening).
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple electrical feature failures; Warning lights illuminate; Safety systems may not function; Radar sensor false-crash detection; Forward collision avoidance system malfunction
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 20V771000 (Electrical System, Back Over Prevention, Visibility/Wiper, Visibility, Exterior Lighting), NHTSA Campaign 24V064000 (Air Bags)
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs under recalls attempted; failures recurred. One owner reports transmission replacement attempted as misdiagnosis; issue persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 20V771000 and 24V064000 issued; manufacturer stated inability to assist due to mileage in one case (84,000 miles).
Mouse/rodent entered engine compartment and chewed electrical wires, causing all dashboard lights to illuminate and system failures. Owner discovered Honda used soybean or peanut butter oil as wire lubricant, which attracts rodents. Repair cost: $1,700. Dealership refused to cover as 'factory defect' exception. Owner discovered Honda wire protection tape was out of stock due to high volume of similar rodent damage claims. Alleged design defect in lubricant selection.
When: Approximately 4 months after lease start; unknown mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard lights illuminate; Engine compartment electrical wiring chewed by rodent; Smoke from exhaust pipes; System failures cascading from wire damage
Repairs/costs cited: $1,700 repair cost; owner paid out-of-pocket; dealership refused warranty coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Corporate stated 'there is nothing they can do.' Owner reports wire protection tape out of stock due to widespread rodent damage claims. Alleged use of attractive lubricant (soybean/peanut oil) as design defect.
Transmission replacement performed as misdiagnosis attempt while vehicle had multiple warning lights and electronic system failures. Transmission was replaced but electrical warning lights and feature failures persisted, indicating transmission was not root cause. Original failure was likely BCM or electrical system.
When: Approximately 84,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warning lights illuminated; Lane Departure, Engine Problem, High Beam Problem messages; Vehicle inability to function properly
Codes mentioned: Related to NHTSA Campaign 20V771000
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced at specialist shop; failure persisted; no further diagnosis completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated inability to assist due to vehicle mileage (84,000 miles) exceeding warranty period.
Brake system fails to respond when driver depresses brake pedal, particularly during critical moments. Occurs in conjunction with unintended airbag deployment and loss of vehicle control. Also reported as brake system warning light illumination with subsequent loss of braking capability. One owner states chip was identified as 'no good' with braking failure continuing 8 months later despite repair attempt.
When: Unknown mileage; reported at 25 mph during unintended airbag deployment; recurring in another case.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depression does not stop vehicle; Brake warning light illuminates; Vehicle loses braking ability; Braking system failure during critical moments
Repairs/costs cited: Chip replacement attempted in one case; braking failure continued 8 months later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified.
Radar sensor located on front bumper falsely indicates vehicle was involved in a crash despite no collision occurring. Causes forward collision avoidance message to display. System misdiagnoses stationary or nearby objects as crash impacts. One owner's radar sensor was replaced; another case describes phantom braking triggered by false radar detection.
When: Unknown mileage; one report at approximately 35,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Forward Collision Avoidance message displays; Radar sensor indicates false crash; Phantom braking triggered by false detection
Codes mentioned: Forward Collision Avoidance system diagnostic code
Repairs/costs cited: Radar sensor replaced in one case; failure resolved temporarily.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified; one dealer repaired under warranty after diagnosis.
Synthesized from 45 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Accord. The contact stated that when attempting to start the vehicle, it would rev up and take an extended 15-second start before starting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was not able to duplicate the issue; however, did presume that a defective fuel system caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.…
A supplemental restraint message is occasionally flashing on my dashboard
I've noticed a very annoying humming sound while driving my 2020 Honda accord sport 1.5t. It will stop when approaching a stop or when opening the front windows. I did some research and lots of 2018-2020 Honda owner's are experiencing the same problem and mentioned it could be the anc system.
It's a meaningful issue. 45 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 7,000 and 40,000 miles, with the median around 17,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,000; a quarter make it past 40,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover electrical issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.