Buying a 2018–2022 Honda Accord: the honest guide

By AutoVetting Editorial · Published June 3, 2026

The 10th-generation Honda Accord — sold from 2018 through 2022 on the "CV" chassis — is one of the best mid-size sedans of the last decade and, today, one of the smartest used-car buys in its class. It drives sharper than a family sedan has any right to, swallows passengers and cargo like a car a segment larger, and carries Honda's reputation for going 200,000 miles on basic maintenance. It also won North American Car of the Year in 2018, and the press praise was earned.

But "Accord = reliable" hides the one decision that actually determines your ownership experience: which engine is under the hood. The 10th gen ships with two completely different turbocharged engines that share almost nothing in their long-term risk profile. Get that decision right — and verify a couple of cheap-to-check items — and you'll own one of the most satisfying used sedans on the market. This guide walks through exactly what to look for.

TL;DR: The 2018–2022 Honda Accord (10th gen, CV chassis) is one of the best used mid-size sedans of the decade, and the decision that defines your ownership is the engine. The 1.5L L15B7 turbo¹ (LX, EX, EX-L, base Sport) is the common choice but shares the Civic's cold-climate fuel-in-oil dilution issue; the 2.0L K20C1 turbo (Sport 2.0T, Touring) is more powerful and free of that concern. The biggest named recall is the Denso low-pressure fuel pump campaign,² which can cause stalling — confirm it's closed by VIN. The safest buy is a 2020–2022 example with a closed recall and, on a 1.5T, the PCM update applied and a clean dipstick.

The engine split: trim tells you more than the year

The single most important thing to understand before shopping a 10th-gen Accord is that there are two engines in this generation, set by trim, with different inspection priorities.

1.5L L15B7 turbo (192 hp) — fitted to the LX, EX, EX-L, and the base Sport. This is the engine in the large majority of used Accords you'll find. It's paired to a CVT (continuously variable transmission). The 1.5T is the same fundamental engine family as the 10th-gen Civic's turbo four, and it shares the Civic's most-discussed weakness: cold-climate fuel-in-oil dilution (more below).

2.0L K20C1 turbo (252 hp) — fitted only to the Sport 2.0T and Touring 2.0T. This is a detuned cousin of the engine in the Civic Type R, and it is the enthusiast's pick: more power, a more eager character, and — importantly — it does not share the 1.5T's dilution issue. It's paired to a 10-speed automatic (10AT) rather than the CVT. Sport trims through 2020 were also available with a genuine 6-speed manual on both engines, a rarity in a modern mid-size sedan.

There was also a 2.0L Atkinson-cycle Accord Hybrid (i-MMD two-motor system) sold across this generation. It's an excellent, reliable powertrain, but it has a different inspection checklist than the turbo cars and isn't the focus of this guide.

To confirm which engine is in the specific car you're considering, don't trust the listing — read the trim badge on the trunk and then decode the full VIN, which returns the engine family from NHTSA's vPIC database. The 10th VIN digit gives the model year: J = 2018, K = 2019, L = 2020, M = 2021, N = 2022.

Known issues

1.5T cold-climate oil dilution (the one that matters)

On the 1.5L turbo, in cold climates and on short trips, unburned fuel can wash past the rings and accumulate in the engine oil¹, raising the oil level and diluting its protective properties. Honda issued a powertrain control module (PCM) software update (TSB 19-049-class) that changes warm-up and fuel-injection behavior to reduce the effect, and the issue was the subject of a class-action settlement (Browning v. American Honda). The update reduces but does not entirely eliminate dilution in the worst cold-weather use cases.

This is the check that should drive your 1.5T purchase decision. On any 1.5T car, pull the dipstick with the engine off and look at the oil level: oil at or above the MAX mark, or a strong gasoline smell on the dipstick, signals active dilution. Then confirm with the seller (and ideally service records) that the PCM update has been applied. A 1.5T with active dilution and no update applied is a walk-away in a cold-climate car; the same car in Phoenix or Los Angeles, with the update applied, is a non-issue — short-trip cold operation is what drives the problem, and warm dry climates rarely see it. Worst-case engine replacement runs $5,500 and up, which is exactly why this two-minute dipstick check matters.

Denso fuel pump recall (stalling)

The 10th-gen Accord is among the millions of Honda and Acura vehicles covered by the Denso low-pressure fuel pump recall;² the 2018–2020 Accord was swept in under NHTSA campaign 23V-858 (related to 21V-215). A failure-prone impeller can cause the pump to stop working, leading to a no-start or — more dangerously — a stall while driving. The fix is a free pump replacement at a Honda dealer. Verify the recall has been completed by running the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup³ before you buy; if it hasn't, factor a dealer visit into your plan (the part has long since been in stock).

A/C condenser leaks

Honda condensers of this era are prone to refrigerant leaks, and Honda extended the condenser warranty in response (covered under a Honda service bulletin / warranty-extension program). A failed condenser means no cold air and a roughly $700–$1,200 repair if out of coverage. Test the air conditioning thoroughly during your inspection — it should blow cold within a minute — and ask whether the condenser has been replaced.

Honda Sensing windshield and camera calibration

Every 10th-gen Accord comes standard with Honda Sensing, the driver-assistance suite, which uses a camera mounted at the top center of the windshield. The practical consequence: a cracked windshield is not a cheap fix. Replacing the glass requires recalibrating the camera, pushing the bill to roughly $1,000–$2,200 rather than the few hundred dollars a basic windshield costs. Inspect the top-center windshield zone for chips or cracks, and confirm the safety systems (adaptive cruise, lane-keeping) function on a test drive.

Infotainment maturity (first-year 2018)

The 2018 cars launched with an infotainment system that drew complaints for sluggishness and occasional Bluetooth/Apple CarPlay glitches, plus a backup-camera display delay that Honda addressed with a software fix. These were improved through running changes and software updates across the generation. It's not a reliability concern, but it's a reason the later years feel more polished.

Best years

For the lowest-risk, best-value purchase, target 2020–2022. By 2020 the infotainment software had matured, the fuel-pump recall remedy was widely applied, and Honda had several years of running refinements in the cars. A 2021 or 2022 Accord in either engine is about as sorted as the generation gets.

If you want the enthusiast's car, a 2018–2020 Sport 2.0T with the 6-speed manual is a future-interesting configuration — genuinely fun, free of the 1.5T dilution concern, and increasingly rare.

Which year to be cautious on

There's no "avoid" year in the 10th gen — this is a fundamentally sound generation — but the 2018 1.5T in a cold-climate car is the configuration that demands the most diligence. First-year infotainment quirks plus the earliest fuel-pump batches plus dilution risk all stack on the 2018 1.5T. It's still a fine car if the PCM update is applied, the recall is closed, and the dipstick reads clean — just verify all three before you negotiate, and price accordingly.

What to pay

Used 10th-gen Accord pricing in mid-2026 spans a wide range by trim, engine, and mileage:

• 1.5T LX / EX (CVT), 2018–2019, 60k–90k miles: roughly $15,000–$19,000
• 1.5T EX-L, 2020–2021: roughly $19,000–$23,000
• 2.0T Sport / Touring (10AT), 2019–2022: roughly $20,000–$26,000
• Accord Hybrid (Touring), 2021–2022: roughly $24,000–$28,000

A clean 1.5T EX-L with documented service and a closed fuel-pump recall is the value sweet spot. A 2.0T Touring is the move if you want the better engine and the loaded feature set and you can stretch the budget. Always price a car with an open recall or no proof of the PCM update below a comparable car that has both — those are negotiating levers, not dealbreakers. See where a given car lands against our editorial picks on the Accord's Pinpoint card.

Inspection priorities

Before you buy, run the full 10th-gen Accord inspection checklist, but the short list is:

1. Identify the engine. Read the trim badge and decode the VIN. 1.5T and 2.0T are different cars to inspect.
2. On any 1.5T: dipstick check + PCM update. Oil at/above MAX or a fuel smell = active dilution. Confirm the software update is applied.
3. Fluid service history. CVT (1.5T) wants Honda HCF-2 fluid on schedule; the 10AT (2.0T) benefits from service around 60k. Ask for records.
4. Close the fuel-pump recall. Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup³; the Denso pump fix should be done.
5. Test the A/C for the condenser-leak issue, and inspect the windshield for the Honda Sensing calibration cost.
6. Drive it. Both engines should pull smoothly; the CVT should be seamless and the 10AT should shift cleanly without harshness.

Verdict

The 2018–2022 Honda Accord is one of the strongest used mid-size sedans you can buy, and the reasons to be careful are specific and cheap to check rather than expensive surprises waiting to happen. Decide between the 1.5T (value, ubiquity) and the 2.0T (power, no dilution concern, 10-speed auto) based on how you drive and what you can spend. On a 1.5T, the two-minute dipstick check and a glance at the recall and PCM-update status tell you almost everything. Buy a clean, recall-closed example with service records and you'll have a sharp, spacious, genuinely enjoyable sedan that should run for many years and hold its value while it does.

Ready to look at a specific car? Start with the 10th-gen Accord inspection checklist, confirm the engine by decoding the VIN, and see where the Accord lands against the alternatives on its Pinpoint card.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Honda Accord reliable?

Yes — the 10th-gen Accord (2018–2022) is one of the strongest used mid-size sedans, built to run 200,000 miles on basic maintenance. The reasons to be careful are specific and cheap to check rather than expensive surprises: on a 1.5T, confirm the oil-dilution PCM update and a clean dipstick; on any car, confirm the Denso fuel pump recall is closed and the A/C condenser is healthy.

Which Honda Accord engine is better, the 1.5T or 2.0T?

The 1.5L L15B7 turbo is the value, ubiquity, and economy choice, but it shares the Civic's cold-climate oil-dilution issue. The 2.0L K20C1 turbo (Sport 2.0T, Touring) is a detuned Civic Type R engine — more power, a more eager character, a 10-speed automatic, and no dilution concern. Choose the 1.5T for value, the 2.0T for performance.

What is Honda 1.5T oil dilution on the Accord?

In cold weather and on short trips, the 1.5L turbo can let unburned fuel collect in the oil, raising the level and thinning it, which accelerates wear over time. Honda issued a PCM software update and settled a class action (Browning v. American Honda). On any 1.5T, pull the dipstick — oil at or above MAX or a gasoline smell signals active dilution — and confirm the update was applied; warm, dry climates rarely see the problem.

Does the 2018 Honda Accord have a fuel pump recall?

Yes. The 2018–2020 Accord was covered by the Denso low-pressure fuel pump recall (swept in under NHTSA campaign 23V-858, related to 21V-215), where a defective impeller can cause the pump to fail and the engine to stall. The fix is a free pump replacement at a Honda dealer; verify it's completed by VIN before buying.

What's the best year for a used 10th-gen Accord?

2020–2022 is the lowest-risk window: the infotainment software had matured, the fuel-pump recall remedy was widely applied, and Honda had several years of running refinements. For an enthusiast, a 2018–2020 Sport 2.0T with the 6-speed manual is a future-interesting, dilution-free configuration.

Sources

1. Honda L15B7 oil-dilution issue, explained (1.5T cold-climate fuel-in-oil dilution mechanism and PCM remedy).
2. NHTSA — Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-858 (Honda Denso low-pressure fuel pump; covers 2018–2020 Accord and Civic).
3. NHTSA — Recalls VIN lookup (check open recalls by VIN).

Researched and written by AutoVetting Editorial. Recall, specification, and failure-pattern detail draw on the numbered sources above and the NHTSA complaint database; always confirm recall status and vehicle specifics by VIN before purchase.