Overview & Reviews

Why are Honda vehicles so highly regarded by American drivers? Certainly, their excellent reputation for reliability and quality is a major factor. But it also has to do with the overall driving and owning experience. Read any Honda review and you'll likely notice common themes such as thoughtful design, a friendly nature, better-than-average fuel economy and attention to safety.

Japan-based Honda Motor Company was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda. The company got its start making motorbikes. Japan had been rendered cash poor and fuel-starved after World War II, and its citizens were hurting for an inexpensive, fuel-efficient mode of transportation. Honda's first motorcycles mated engines with bicycles to create a motorbike that was cheap to make and operate.

Honda's bikes quickly evolved into vehicles far more sophisticated than small engines stuck into bicycle frames. The manufacturer's 1949 D-Type could reach speeds of up to 50 mph, and offered front and rear suspension. The 1950s saw the launch of the successful Juno scooter, built to steal market share from the Vespa knockoffs that were popular in Japan at that time. In the latter part of that decade, Honda introduced the ultra-successful C100 Super Cub. The motorbike was remarkably easy to operate and featured a crossbar-free frame that made it popular with women. It went on to become the first Honda motorbike sold in the U.S. via then-new American Honda Co. in 1959.

By the early 1960s, Honda had built its first automobiles for the Japanese home market and entered Formula One racing. But it wasn't until 1970 that it exported its first car, the diminutive N600, to the U.S. The automaker initially had a hard time sparking interest among American buyers, but that all changed in 1973 with the introduction of the Civic. The car was larger than Honda's previous models even though it was still very petite compared to compact American cars. The Civic's high fuel efficiency (an important selling point given that decade's energy crisis) and affordability made it Honda's first American success story. By 1976, the Civic had been joined by the Accord, which quickly became a favorite with U.S. consumers as well.

By the 1980s, Honda's success and its reputation as a maker of well-built reliable cars and motorcycles continued to grow. It began building Accords in the U.S. in 1982 and by 1989 had earned the distinction of making America's most popular car. This was also the decade in which Honda created the Acura brand as a way to sell more upscale and luxurious vehicles. Throughout this decade and into the 1990s, the Civic and Accord were huge sellers and considered class benchmarks. Also during this time, Honda continued to innovate through such technologies as variable valve timing, aluminum body construction and improved safety features.

Today, Honda's lineup runs the gamut. Included are fuel-sipping hybrids, a spacious minivan, reliable family sedans, practical SUVs and even a pickup. Although the latest Civic and Accord aren't quite the benchmarks they once were for their respective classes, Honda's brand as a whole continues to be one of the most well respected in the industry, with millions of loyal and satisfied customers.

User Reviews:

• 

  Honda equals No Support - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Fed Up with Honda - November 2 - 3:40 pm

  Tires wearing out at 13,000 miles. Went to Grand Forks, ND dealership and told should have rotated tires at 8,000. They couldnt do it because it was Saturday and understaffed. In 2009 and 3 sets of tires later, I find Honda service bulletin 08-001 describing rear suspension control arms defective and causing rapid tire wear. Went to Bemidji, MN Honda dealer who put in required replacement kit. The dealer charged me $384 which I appealed. They contacted Honda and a month later my request for a no charge was denied as I was out of warranty. The car was in warranty when the bulletin was issued but Honda does not send bulletins to owners. Fend for yourselves Honda owners!

• 

  Big Mistake - 1999 Honda Civic
  By Ginger - November 1 - 10:31 pm

  I owned an 87 Honda Civic for 11 years without one single problem...so of course I wanted another. This one is the lemon of the bunch. Ive had nothing but problems. Its been in the shop with the oxygen sensor from day one and the service technicians cant get it fixed, Im on my 3rd transmission...the first one had to be replaced at only 9,000 miles and the third one doesnt seem to be doing well and my air conditioning had to be replaced at 18,000 miles. This car has nickled and dimed me to death. I think I got one that was made in the USA. Im officially done with Honda.

• 

  Awful van - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By amy - October 28 - 11:47 pm

  Initial problem started only a few months after purchase! There was a squeaking noise with braking and dealership said it was the brake pads. It had to be replaced twice, then rotors was resurfaced. To this day, I still have problems with the brakes and they cannot find anything wrong with it. It whines at low speeds when I turn, and whines when I slowly release the brakes! After 2 1/2 years, air conditioning failed! Then the axle seal leaked. I took the van several times for vibrations when vcm was on and for a year I was told there was nothing wrong! It turns out the rear engine mount collapsed! Have changed the batteries twice. Called corporate about probs. but nothing.

• 

  Ok but not up to what I expected - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By Steve - October 28 - 1:48 pm

  I sold a 4-runner when getting this, and despite it being a Honda, it has been far more problematic than it should be. Ill start with the pros though... Pros: Comfortable seats, roomy, third row, good view out, good power. Cons: Handling is boatlike around corners, road noise is more than I would have wanted, the interior has so many squeaks and rattles that Ive given up having it at the dealership to fix them, various delivery defect: tire belt problem, warped rear brake rotor, multiple key FOB problems. I am hoping that the long term reliability outweighs the various downsides.

• 

  Useless Warranty - 2001 Honda Accord
  By jspreitz - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Hondas warranty is not worth the paper that it is written on. My problem is with the fog lamps which are a dealer- installed option. Both lenses cracked twice and Honda is telling me that it is because some debris hit them. Thats 4 lenses in a 20 month period and theyre telling me that the part is not defective. Also, Honda issued a Technical Service Bulletin which admits that this as a problem with a defective part. Regardless, they want to charge me in excess of $350 to replace what is obviously an situation covered under the warranty. I am pursuing this with the Attorney Generals office.

• 

  2014 Accord Sport Strut Problem - 2014 Honda Accord
  By Dan - October 27 - 10:03 am

  I dont normally write negative reviews but this will be an exception. There are three things that are less than expected for a car that has the reputation that Honda has. First the road noise was a lot louder than it should be, but being a sport model might be the reason for that. Second the radio reception is the worst that Ive ever had in a car. Third I had to have the drivers side rear wheel bearing replaced at 12,523 miles then the passengers side rear wheel bearing replaced at 21,273 miles. This was done under the warrantee, but when I asked if there could be a reason for wheel bearings to fail with such low mileage, I was told that they were just defective. They were replaced at no charge to me so I didnt think any more about it. After returning from a driving vacation my wife and I heard the familiar roar of worn wheel bearings so I took it to the dealer again to have it fixed again. The car only has 26,000 miles on it. I was told that it was not the bearings this time but the rear tires were "cupped" because of being out of alignment. I asked how bad it was because the car doesnt pull one way or the other. They checked and found that it was not out of alignment (I have the readout) on their own machine but they still said it was out and needed new tires and an alignment. I went to the tire dealer (not sure if I should use company names but this is a well-respected national chain). They told me that "cupped tires are not an alignment issue and that my struts were "shot". They said thats what causes tires to "cup" or "chop". I talked to several mechanics and researched this issue on the internet to find that the tire people were right. As a reference in this case, I had my tires checked for alignment and again found that they were good. I approached the car dealers service department about my findings and asked if the struts were covered under the warrantee. They said yes if they were bad, but they said they were not bad because they werent leaking and would not replace them. I called Honda America to see if they would help me with this. Their policy is to not accept "third party" solutions to problems. To make a long story a little shorter, Honda will not stand behind this problem. Having new struts installed would cost over $725.00 just for the rear struts plus to replacement tires to match the one that are on the front of the car would cost over $600.00 plus a four wheel alignment $100.00. Hondas recommendation was to replace the two rear tires and get an alignment. After the research and recommendations of several mechanics, that would be a waste of time and money as the cupping problem would continue and I would see the same problem in another 20,000 to 25,000 miles, wearing out tires in half their lifetime. So even Hondas have problems and if there is a way Honda can get out of fixing the problem under warrantee, they will.

• 

  Transmission Beware! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By ALS - October 22 - 12:36 pm

  I loved this van! I do a lot of driving as a taxi mom of three children-135,000 miles to be exact. Then, I had three lights appear on the dash that indicated that the transmission was going out. I got a quote for $3500 from Honda and $2800 from a local transmission guy. The local guy told me that the month before I talked to him that he replaced more Honda transmissions than GM cars. Honda doesnt make the cars that they used to. Quite frankly, they dont care because they are selling plenty of vehicles. Please investigate this before making the same mistake that I did.

• 

  What happened to Honda reliability? - 2001 Honda CR-V
  By B20ZFailed - October 21 - 6:30 pm

  Please do research on the valve/cylinder head failures that plague the 1997-2001 CRV. Mine burned a valve at 123k miles. This is a prevalent issue that will literally cost thousands of dollars to replace. If I would have known this I would have never bought this truck.

• 

  This Will Be My Last Honda!!! - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By jcwouts - October 20 - 7:29 am

  We have about 65 kms on it. First off paint quality is garbage, the hatch has been repainted once already because of rust around the license plate trim. The car is full of rock chips, my sisters 05 Civic had the same paint issues! Had the rear diff fluid changed 3 times at 3 diff Honda dealerships as a precautionary service. They refuse to admit there is a problem. RIDICULOUS!! Still makes a noise! Rear pads and rotors replaced at 45kms! Sometimes the car wont even crank over on the first try. My 94 Accord winter beater has 300kms and has never had any serious issues. Honda better wake up and do something fast because they are losing very loyal customers. They lost us!! Time for a Subaru.

• 

  Headrest and Parking Brake Defect - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Wanda - October 15 - 9:17 pm

  I admired the new CR-V body style for a couple of years before buying one. I did a test drive and mentioned to the salesman that the headrest was uncomfortable. He said not to worry, it was adjustable. After purchasing the vehicle, the dealership did not provide an overview of any of the features -- all they wanted to do was make the sale. I recently drove my CR- V on a 6 hour day trip. By the time I got there, I had a massive headache. I also had a bruise on my left leg because the parking break is placed right where I normally rest my leg. Can you say buyers remorse? I hate this car. The headrest is not adjustable and the parking break is going to stay where it is. Back to Toyota next time.