1980 Honda Accord problems

General information about Honda-Accord
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Honda Accord (Japanese: ホンダ・アコード, Hepburn: Honda Akōdo, /əˈkɔːrd/), also known as the Honda Inspire (Japanese: ホンダ・インスパイア, Hepburn: Honda Insupaia) in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States since 1989. The Accord nameplate has been applied to a variety of vehicles worldwide, including coupes, station wagons, hatchbacks and a Honda Crosstour crossover.

Since its initiation, Honda has offered several different car body styles and versions of the Accord, and often vehicles marketed under the Accord nameplate concurrently in different regions differ quite substantially. It debuted in 1976, as a compact hatchback, though this style only lasted through 1989, as the lineup was expanded to include a sedan, coupe, and wagon. By the sixth-generation Accord at the end of the 1990s, it evolved into an intermediate vehicle, with one basic platform but with different bodies and proportions to increase its competitiveness against its rivals in different international markets. For the eighth-generation Accord released for the North American market in 2007, Honda had again chosen to move the model further upscale and increase its size. This pushed the Accord sedan from the upper limit of what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines as a mid-size car to just above the lower limit of a full-size car, with the coupe still rated as a mid-size car. In 2012, the ninth-generation Accord sedan, with smaller exterior dimensions, was once again classified as a mid-size car at 119 cubic feet (3.4 m3), falling just shy of the "Large Car" classification. However, the tenth-generation Accord sedan, with similar exterior dimensions, returned to full-size car status with its combined interior space of 123 cubic feet (3.5 m3); the coupe was discontinued in 2017.

In 1982, the Accord became the first car from a Japanese manufacturer to be produced in the United States when production commenced in Marysville, Ohio at Honda's Marysville Auto Plant. The Accord has achieved considerable success, especially in the United States, where it was the best-selling Japanese car for sixteen years (1982–97), topping its class in sales in 1991 and 2001, with around ten million vehicles sold. Numerous road tests, past and present, rate the Accord as one of the world's most reliable vehicles. The Accord has been on the Car and Driver 10Best list a record 38 times.

In 1989, the Accord was the first vehicle sold under an import brand to become the best-selling car in the United States. As of 2020, the Accord has sold more than 18 million units.

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Common 1980 Honda Accord problems

Based on complaints from owners of the 1980 Honda Accord, several common problems have been reported:

Transmission Problems:
Owners have reported high rates of transmission issues with the 1980 Honda Accord. Problems range from outright transmission failure to jerking and slipping when switching gears. Fixing these transmission issues often requires a costly transmission replacement, which can be a significant expense, especially considering the expected lifespan of a transmission. These problems can lead to a loss of driving performance and reliability.
Brake Problems:
Another prevalent issue with the 1980 Honda Accord is related to its brakes. Owners have reported rapid wear and tear of brake pads, potentially caused by the Electronic Brake Distribution system. While car brake pads typically last around 30,000 miles before replacement, Accord owners have had to replace them as frequently as every 12,000 miles. Replacing brake pads this often can become costly, with an estimated cost of around $200-$300 each time. Although replacing brake pads is a straightforward solution, the frequent need for replacement can add up in terms of maintenance costs.
Misfire Problem:
Engine misfiring is another commonly reported problem with the 1980 Honda Accord. Symptoms of engine misfiring include stuttering and jerking caused by one or more cylinders failing to function correctly. This issue often results from ignition or fuel-related problems and can lead to a loss of engine power. Identifying the exact cause of engine misfiring can be challenging, with potential reasons including faulty spark plugs, wires, or ignition coils, broken piston rings or valve springs, burnt or bent valves, and worn-out camshafts. Resolving engine misfiring is crucial to maintaining the performance and reliability of the vehicle.

These problems reported by owners of the 1980 Honda Accord highlight key areas of concern that can impact the driving experience, safety, and overall maintenance costs of the vehicle. Addressing these issues promptly and effectively is essential to ensure the continued performance and longevity of the 1980 Honda Accord.

What year is bad for Honda Accord?

Q: Which Honda Accord generations have had the most problematic model years? A: The sixth generation (1998-2002) and parts of the seventh (2003-2005), eighth (2008-2010), and ninth generations (2013-2014) have had Honda Accord model years that are best avoided due to various issues and excessive complaints.

What is the most common problem with Honda Accord?

One of the Honda Accord's most talked-about issues revolves around its transmission. Owners have reported cases of slipping, abrupt shifting, and, in some unfortunate instances, complete failure.

Are old accords reliable?

2020 and 2021 are also strong contenders but the used car price on these demand a premium. Honda Accords are known for their reliability and longevity. The best years for a used Honda Accord are 2006–2007, 2011–2012, 2015, 2020, and 2021.

How much is a 1980 Honda Accord?

All 1980 Honda Accord pricing and specs

If all was well with the car, and it was in good driving condition it's only worth $3000-$4000, but if the automatic transmission has to be replaced it's probably worth $500 or so.

1980 Honda Accord car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Honda Accord problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Equipment problems
Latches/locks/linkages problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1980 Honda Accord vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1980 Honda Accord complaints

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1980 Honda Accord.

1996-09-19

EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-07-11
Components: EQUIPMENT
Summary: PURCHASED THE CAR NEW, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED, TOOK TO DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, STILL CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK *SLC

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1996-03-11

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-03-18
Number Of Injuries: 1
Crash: 1
Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Summary: DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY FAILED, ALLOWING PERSON TO BE EJECTED FROM VEHICLE IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY. *DH

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1980 Honda Accord problems:

Rust a common problem with older late model Accords? - Honda-Tech

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-accord-1990-2002-2/rust-common-problem-older-late-model-accords-2186389/

Dec 29, 2007 ... my 1980 hatchback has drastically less rust on it than my 94 accord and I've had to have the mustang repainted once because the paint had ...