Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Both low beam headlights burn out at the "same time". This has happened twice in 1 year. I have not had any inspections done yet. If this happens at night or in a tunnel it could be life threatening. Purchased used from a friend who has taken care of the vehicle. I have not checked with him to see if he ever had it happen due to he is no longer living here. First time I just replaced both bulbs and they worked fine. Now about 8 months later same problem. No moisture visible. High beams work but only when switch is in automatic mode. I will replace again, nothing else I can do at the moment.
The Daytime Running lights are only half effective/lit. Apparently, Honda extended the warranty, but notified owners by regular mail and I did not receive it. Now, they claim the extended warranty (ten years) has run out, but I had noticed about half the LED strip was not working for about 2 or three years now. Too bad Honda chose to mail regular notices and is now using that as cover for not replacing my lights.
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Accord. The contact stated that after the battery was replaced, the headlight and low brake fluid warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I pushed on brakes and it accelerated real fast I turn to right and it hit a fence then fence on other side of road I made this turn 3 or 4 times and then it went thru a gate and hit the back fence and the car still was trying to go cut off key.
Months ago I was in a car accident because an air bag error popped up on my screen and by the time I looked up I hit another vehicle. There is always something wrong with this car and I haven't even had it for a full 3 years
Hey diycarmodz I'm a long time subscriber and bought a 2016 Accord coupe ex-l inspired by your vids. There's an issue on the 2016 & 2017 accords coupes and sedans that is becoming a huge headache for a lot of owners. The drl LED burns out which is expected to last the life of the car. The daytime running lights are listed as safety features by Honda.the light is not user accessible and the dealer has to replace the entire headlight assembly. I've had both sets of my headlights each replaced twice and just burnt out again. I have linked all the complaints online that I could find along with the comments on the videos. I was wondering if you could make the problem more known with your larger following so that Honda can put out a recall for this issue since it costs anywhere from $800-$1400 to get the problem resolved because of an LED light. …
The LED daytime running light on the passenger side of my car has gone out. It was working yesterday, this morning it was burnt out. This is considered a safety light per the specifications listed on the invoice or itemized spec sheet. Also on the window sticker of the car. My car has 52,000 miles on it. Extended warranty is said to not cover the issue and the whole headlight must be replaced which was quoted to cost me over $1,000. There are hundreds of complaints from other Accord drivers with the same exact issue and Honda is doing nothing about it. Based off of the reviews I have read and from seeing identical cars on the road with burnt out daytime running lights, I am expecting the other side to burn out as well which would end up being over $2,000 worth of repairs and result in me having no daytime running lights. This is unacceptable and it is a safety feature of the car! …
The drl (daytime running lamp) inside the drivers side headlight assembly has burned out. My Honda dealership has admitted that this is becoming a common failure with 2016/17 accords. If it happens after the warranty ends, it is a very costly replacement anywhere from $500. To $1,000. The passenger side drl in that headlight assembly as I am told in these accords is also burning out in time after the drivers side does, therefore incurring another huge expense. These drl lights are LED and supposed to last for several years. An electrical fault controlling these lamps or some kind of bad engineering design are causing the failure of the drls. These automobiles were built with this lighting system to aid in safety on our dangerous roads and owners of these autos expect them to stay working for more than a year, two or three when purchasing a new car. …
The daytime running lights have both stopped working. Within 13 months, my first drl went out. By 16 months, the second drl went out. After talking with my mechanic, I realized that it's not just a simple light change, the entire headlamp piece has to be replaced in order to correct the drl. Each one costs approx $1500, $3000/pair. Obviously the daytime running lights were designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle, which is clearly not happening. Technically this is a safety issue, since that's what this feature is intended to be used for. After researching how common of a problem this is, I was shocked to see this is a huge problem for 2016 accords. Honda has been unwilling to address this problem and correct it. The thought of leaving this to it's customers is ridiculous when it's intended to last the life of the vehicle.
Back in sept 2017, my drivers side drl LED strip went out, and Honda replaced it, but charged me a deductible of $100. Aroung May first, 2018, my passenger side drl LED strip went out, and Honda is saying that the first one was a courtesy, but I have to pay for the majority of the repair this time. Looking up different Accord forums, the 2016 model seems to have an issue with the drl LED strips. Many people have reported issues with the light, but Honda is claiming that no one has reported the issue at all, and my issue is due to me driving from milwaukee, to chicago everyday for work. Lights are not wear and tear parts, so should not be impacted by driving 60 miles in each direction. Honda is refusing to take responsibility for an obvious defect, and requiring people to pay well over $500 to replace the full headlight assembly.
Headlight complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2016 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 128 complaints about the lights of the 2016 Honda Accord, 21% of the model year's 610 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Honda Accord headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2016 Honda Accord, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Honda Accord headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.