Service Bulletin - Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Honda Accord engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2022 Honda Accord have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Accord | 350 |
| 2019 Accord | 86 |
| 2020 Accord | 41 |
| 2021 Accord | 18 |
| 2022 Accord (this page) | 18 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Service Bulletin - During engine start in cold conditions, a miscalculation in the PCM causes the air-fuel ratio to exceed DTC rich criteria, resulting in the vehicle experiencing drivability concerns. This issue is most common in regions with cold weather.
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 failure pattern owners describe
Fifteen 2022 Honda Accord owners report a cluster of engine failures centered on cylinder head integrity. The most common complaint is coolant loss—owners discover low coolant at routine oil changes or notice white smoke and active leaks from the cylinder head, with some having the leak confirmed by independent mechanics and dealership pressure testing. Multiple narratives describe hairline cracks or porosity in the cylinder head itself, not just gasket failure.
These defects trigger misfire codes (cylinders 1 and 3 cited) and check engine lights, often followed by hesitation, loss of power, and stalling mid-drive—one owner couldn't exceed 20-25 MPH accelerating onto a highway, creating a safety hazard in traffic. Another vehicle stalled at 55 MPH with multiple warning lights (brake, admission, TPMS, stability assist) illuminated.
Dealership teardowns have identified damaged timing chains and head gaskets alongside cylinder head cracks, though owners contend the cracks were the root cause. One owner was quoted nearly 7,000 USD for repair; another had water found inside the cylinder during inspection and required head gasket replacement. Owners note that some dealerships blamed secondary components rather than addressing the visible head crack, and one narrative suggests this defect is not isolated to a single vehicle.
Same Honda Accord engine reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Cylinder Head Crack / Porosity
Hairline crack or porosity in cylinder head allowing coolant to leak into combustion chamber or externally. Independent mechanics and dealership teardowns have confirmed cracks; owners report visible leaks under pressure testing.
When: Reported between 22 miles and 3 years of ownership; some owners discovering during routine maintenance
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant loss between oil changes; White smoke from engine bay; Active coolant leak by exhaust manifold; Water visible in cylinder during inspection; Coolant leaking from cylinder head itself
Codes mentioned: P0300 (multiple misfire), P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire), P0301 (cylinder 1 misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Teardown inspection at dealership; some repairs included head gasket replacement and cylinder head replacement; repair costs cited as nearly 7,000 USD
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed in at least one case; dealership performed teardown inspections; one narrative mentions other owners treated similarly with dealership blaming other components
Head Gasket Failure
Head gasket deterioration or failure allowing coolant and combustion gases to mix, often secondary to cylinder head issues or as independent failure mode.
When: Discovered during routine maintenance, diagnostic checks, and after check engine light events
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light / misfire codes; Hesitation and loss of power during acceleration; Stalling while driving; Engine temperature warning light illumination; Reduced acceleration (unable to exceed 20-25 MPH on highway); Radiator fluid loss or rapid depletion
Codes mentioned: P0300 (multiple misfire), P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire), P0301 (cylinder 1 misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket replacement performed; some cases found water in cylinders; repair costs approximately 7,000 USD in one documented case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership diagnosis and repair; manufacturer informed in at least one case
Variable Valve Timing (VTC) Failure
VTC system malfunction causing sudden engine stall and illumination of multiple warning lights, though root cause (cylinder head crack or timing component damage) may be upstream.
When: 22 miles on one reported vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine stall while driving 55 MPH; Brake system warning light illuminated; Admission system warning light illuminated; TPMS warning light illuminated; Vehicle stability assist warning light illuminated; Vehicle not drivable
Repairs/costs cited: VTC replacement performed at dealership; engine required further diagnosis after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership diagnosis and repair; manufacturer informed
Coolant System Overheating / Temperature Management
Engine temperature gauge rising rapidly to unsafe levels, often triggered by coolant loss from cylinder head defects or head gasket failure. Owners report sudden temperature warnings mid-drive.
When: Random occurrence during highway driving and heavy traffic acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Engine temperature warning light illumination; Check engine light illumination; Temperature gauge rising above midpoint; Engine temperature near limit; System requesting acceleration reduction
Codes mentioned: P0300 (multiple misfire)
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Car started overheating randomly while driving and pulled over to see why. Opened the hood to white smoke everywhere and an active leak of coolant by the exhaust manifold. Took it to a mechanic and was told the cylinder head itself has porosity and/or a hairline crack. Pressure tested as well and can visibly see the leak coming from the cylinder head itself.
Blown head gasket
The contact bought his goddaughter a 2022 Honda Accord. The contact stated while his goddaughter's husband was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated the brake system, the admission system, the TPMS, and vehicle assist stability warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The owner towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with…
Had engine trouble with your 2022 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 engine problem on the 2022 Honda Accord?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2022/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.