A man says his nearly new 2026 Honda Accord Hybrid has already been to the dealer three times for the same problem. And he claims Honda still hasn’t figured out what’s wrong.
TikTok creator @averageamex says his Accord Hybrid EX-L has about 5,000 miles on it and is “already having issues.”
In one clip, he records a tow truck dropping off the car after he says Honda failed to repair it. Despite the noise he was hearing, @averageamex says he was told the car was “supposedly drivable.”
He then records someone driving the Accord as a loud noise comes from it both in drive and reverse.
According to @averageamex, Honda told him it couldn’t fix the problem because technicians couldn’t replicate it. “They can’t find my issue,” he says.
That answer didn’t sit well with him after three separate service visits. So he tried documenting it himself.
He placed the microphone he normally uses to make videos for social media underneath the car, near a component he describes as the controller, and set out to record “what you guys can’t replicate.”
“Let’s go for a ride,” he says. According to the clip, it didn’t take long for the noise to return.
“Maybe actually diagnose it. Repair what’s wrong with it,” @averageamex says in a direct plea to Honda. He says he’s especially frustrated because he has children and doesn’t want to keep driving a vehicle he worries could be unsafe.
Later that night, @averageamex records himself driving again and shows the dashboard lit up with multiple warning lights.
“Honda, you have all the information in the world to figure out what you need to do to get on board to repair my vehicle,” he says.
He says a case manager, field representative, and service director have all failed to resolve the problem. “You guys are terrible. I should’ve bought a Camry.”
@averageamex’s verdict on the car itself is mixed: “Don’t buy a 2026 Honda Accord Hybrid EXL,” he says. He says it gets “great gas mileage,” but Honda hasn’t helped him resolve the recurrent problem. As of this writing, his video has more than 35,600 views.
What Happens When A Dealer Can’t Replicate The Problem?
A dealer saying it can’t reproduce a problem usually means technicians couldn’t confirm the symptom during the visit—not that the issue doesn’t exist, or that it suggests the customer is making something up.
Honda’s 2026 warranty booklet says every new Honda is covered by a new vehicle limited warranty for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Honda says it will repair or replace parts that are defective in material or workmanship under normal use, with covered repairs performed free of charge.
The powertrain has separate coverage. Honda’s powertrain limited warranty lasts five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first, and includes components such as the engine, transmission, and transaxle.
Of course, not every noise or warning light automatically qualifies for a repair because a dealer still has to diagnose the cause and determine whether it falls under the warranty, Kelley Blue Book warns.
It's also impossible to tell from @averageamex’s videos what’s causing the sound he recorded or the warning lights he later showed on the dashboard.
If a driver believes a recurring problem could affect vehicle safety, though, they have another option besides the dealership.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration allows owners to file safety complaints directly with the agency. NHTSA says it reviews every complaint along with other information to look for potential defect trends; the website suggests there’s no set number of complaints required before it can open an investigation.
Owners can also search NHTSA’s database by VIN to see whether their specific vehicle has an open recall.
Gallery: The Honda Accord Turns 50
Time For A Lemon Law Claim?
Ideas for what @averageamex should do next were plentiful.
“File a lemon buyback,” one person wrote, referring to a lemon law claim. Lemon laws allow people who've purchased new cars that have persistent issues a dealership is unable to fix to file a claim to essentially undo the sale and get their money back.
Another urged him to try a different Honda service department.
“Find a better dealership with a real foreman who can diag it,” they said.
Someone else suggested escalating the issue beyond the dealership.
“Take it to corporate, bro. The only reason they won’t fix it cause it’s #Warranty, and they’re mechanics. Don’t get paid #Warranty,” another commenter advised.
Other viewers attempted to diagnose the noise themselves.
“Sounds like possible rock jammed between the backing plate and rotor,” one commenter suggested.
Another had a similar theory. “Sounds like the backing plate is rubbing against the rotors in the back might have got bent?”
Those are only guesses based on the video, and there’s no way to tell from the clip whether either explanation is behind @averageamex’s problem.
Others recommended a different car altogether.
“You shoulda bought a Hyundai Sonata! I promise you. WE HAVE OUR CUSTOMERS’ BACKS!!!” one person, who apparently works for Hyundai in some capacity, wrote.
Motor1 contacted @averageamex via TikTok direct message. We’ll be sure to update this if he responds.
