NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Honda Accord Safety Ratings
The 2020 Honda Accord scores 89 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 5 recalls, and 334 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Honda Accord achieved a NHTSA Safety Index of 89/100, securing its place in the Strong band. This assessment is underpinned by perfect crash-test scores and a comprehensive suite of standard avoidance technology. However, five distinct recall campaigns and a defect-record sub-score of 9/20 prevented it from ascending to the highest safety tier.
The 2020 Honda Accord holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 89/100 and a 5-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 105 Sedans from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Honda Accord ranks 47 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 89 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 9.3% |
| Recalls on file | 5 |
| Owner complaints | 334 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 47 of 105 Sedans tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Honda Accord?
The 2020 model year marks a one-point gain in the NHTSA Safety Index, moving from 88/100 in 2019 to 89/100, both within the Strong band. That incremental improvement is supported by the crash-protection and avoidance-tech sub-scores, which are both maxed out at 70/70 and 10/10 respectively, meaning the Accord absorbed every available point in those two categories. The drag on the composite score comes entirely from the defect record, which lands at 9/20 - a direct reflection of the five recall campaigns attached to this model year. Two of those campaigns involve air bag occupant-classification sensors, a safety-critical system, and two more involve fuel-pump delivery, a component with fire-risk implications. The body-control-module software recall, issued in late 2020, was specific to 2018-2020 Accord sedans and the Accord Hybrid. The 334 owner complaints filed with NHTSA are notable in volume, and the 93 alleged reports centered on Forward Collision Avoidance are worth attention given that the system is listed as standard equipment and is a key reason the avoidance-tech sub-score is perfect. Those complaints are unverified allegations, but their concentration in a safety-critical system is a data point a careful shopper should not ignore.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Honda Accord perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Honda Accord achieved a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in all of NHTSA's crash-test categories: overall, frontal, side, and rollover. This consistent top-tier performance is further underscored by a low 9 percent rollover risk, with the dynamic tip test confirming a "No Tip" result. No star ratings for this model year were absent or unrated.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14818
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Honda Accord have any recalls?
Five recall campaigns cover the 2020 Accord. Two address front-passenger air bag occupant-classification sensors, two address fuel-pump delivery failures spanning a broad range of Honda models, and one targets body-control-module software that could cause an unintended system error. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the data provided, but shoppers should verify remedy status by VIN.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER26V332000
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involve
Reported 2026-05-21
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER24V064000
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Reported 2024-02-01
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP23V858000
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Reported 2023-12-18
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP21V215000
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
Reported 2021-03-25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE20V771000
Risk: Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X95.
Reported 2020-12-10
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Honda Accord?
Owners have filed 334 unverified complaints with NHTSA, including alleged reports of 13 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries, and 1 death. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Forward Collision Avoidance (93 reports), Engine (64), Service Brakes (55), Electrical System (47), and Fuel/Propulsion System (43). All are unverified consumer allegations.
334 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Honda Accord?
Five recall campaigns on record for the 2020 Accord necessitate a thorough VIN check through NHTSA's recall lookup tool for any prospective buyer. Confirming that all remedies have been completed, particularly for the air bag sensor and fuel-pump campaigns, stands as the most critical safety precaution at the point of sale.
- The 2020 Accord carries five NHTSA recall campaigns, more than the prior model year, and the defect-record sub-score of 9/20 is the sole reason the Safety Index does not reach the top of the Strong band.
- Two separate air bag occupant-classification sensor recalls affect this model year - one issued in early 2024 and one in 2026 - meaning remedy work may still be pending on vehicles already in the used market.
- Owner-reported complaints to NHTSA total 334, with Forward Collision Avoidance generating the highest single-component allegation count at 93 reports - a concentration worth noting given that the system is standard equipment on this year.
- The body-control-module software recall issued in December 2020 was specific to 2018-2020 Accord Sedan and Accord Hybrid vehicles, making it a 2020-model-year-specific item to verify as completed on any candidate vehicle.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Honda Accord places
The 2020 Honda Accord qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Honda Accord safety questions
Was the 2020 Honda Accord crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Honda Accord, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 89 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 Honda Accord crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Honda Accord earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 5 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 9.3%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Honda Accord have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Honda Accord. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Honda Accord?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 334 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Honda Accord. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Accord years
Rivals in Sedan (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Acura RLX | 99/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Acura RLX Sport | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2020 Audi S5 Sportback | 99/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Infiniti Q50 | 99/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Mazda Mazda3 | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2020 Nissan Maxima | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 14818), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Honda Accord 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 47 of 105 in the Sedan class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.