Buy Honda Accord Hood

Overview

The hood-also called the bonnet, engine cover, or front lid-sits on top of every Honda Accord to guard the engine from rain, rocks and road grime, while cutting wind drag and absorbing crash energy. From 2018 forward, the Accord switched to a lightweight aluminum hood that helps the car shed up to 110 lb overall and boosts fuel economy, yet it still folds in set "crush zones" during a crash for safety. (Honda Tech Info, Repairer Driven News) Proper latches, hinges and padding keep the panel quiet, but if the latch striker weakens-or the hood vibrates at highway speeds-it can pop open and block the driver's view, which is why Honda and NHTSA monitor latch recalls closely. (NHTSA, RepairPal.com)

Function & Design

Honda engineers build the Accord hood to do four jobs:

1. Shield the engine. It keeps water, dirt and debris away from belts, plugs and electronics. (Honda Tech Info)
2. Guide the air. The smooth outer skin reduces drag and helps mpg. (accordracing.com)
3. Absorb energy. Inner beams have pre-stamped collapse zones so the hood buckles upward, not into the cabin, in a crash. (I-CAR)
4. Protect pedestrians. A pop-up mechanism raises the rear of the panel about 4 inches if sensors detect an impact, creating a softer landing area. (Honda News)

Materials

• 2008-2017 Accords use stamped high-strength steel (HSS).
• 2018-2025 Accords use an aluminum-alloy skin bonded to an HSS inner frame. (Honda Tech Info, Repairer Driven News)

Aluminum trims about 12 lb off the hood itself, resists rust, and is infinitely recyclable-saving up to 95 % of the energy needed to make new metal. (Aluminum Association) When repainting or repairing aluminum, shops need isolated work bays and non-steel tools to avoid galvanic corrosion. (I-CAR, Repairer Driven News)

Safety & Recalls

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Accord a "Good" performer in frontal and side tests, which relies in part on the hood's ability to stay latched. (IIHS Crash Testing) Honda issued campaign 21V-932 after tests showed hood vibration could crack the striker plate on several models; owners were advised to have a support plate installed or get a new hood at no cost. (NHTSA, RepairPal.com) Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA recall site before buying or installing a replacement panel. (RepairPal.com)

Common Problems

• Latch or cable sticks. Dirt or lack of grease lets moisture corrode the cable or latch pawl. Regular cleaning and white-lithium grease fix the issue. (YourMechanic)
• Hood flutter. Thin aluminum can flex in cross-winds above 60 mph. An easy cure is to raise the two adjustable rubber bump stops a half-turn so the panel sits tighter. (CarComplaints)
• Dings & dents. Small hail dents can often be removed with paintless dent repair (PDR) if the inner frame isn't bent. (I-CAR)
• Mis-alignment. If the corners sit high, loosen the hinge bolts slightly, shift the hood forward or back 1-2 mm, retighten, and re-test.

Maintenance Tips

• Monthly: Pop the bonnet and wipe the latch spring with a rag; apply one drop of machine oil. (YourMechanic)
• Every oil change: Inspect the underside sound pad-this mat muffles noise and protects paint from engine heat. Replace it if torn or soaked. (Reddit)
• After body work: Use a multimeter to be sure any aluminum repairs have been isolated from bare steel parts to prevent corrosion. (Repairer Driven News)

Opening & Closing

Honda outlines three simple steps: pull the release lever near the driver's kick panel, slide the safety catch under the hood center, and prop the rod into the marked hole. Always drop the hood from 12 inches so it latches fully. Full instructions with pictures are in the 2025 Owner's Manual.

Fitment Guide

← scroll table horizontally →

Measure diagonals before ordering: width ≈ 55 in, length ≈ 70 in on 2018-2025 models. (Repairer Driven News)

Performance & Aerodynamics

Because the panel is lighter, the center of gravity sits lower, sharpening turn-in. The smooth under-hood lining plus active grille shutters cut drag, helping the turbo Accord reach 38 mpg highway. (, accordracing.com) Track drivers sometimes add louvers to vent heat, but cutting vents weakens crush zones, so reinforcement plates are required under most racing rules. (I-CAR)

Environmental Impact

Re-smelting an old aluminum hood saves roughly 95 % of the energy of mining new ore and keeps valuable metal in circulation; about 75 % of all aluminum ever made is still in use. (Aluminum Association) Many scrapyards pay a premium for undamaged bonnets, so recycling can offset replacement costs.

DIY Replacement Steps

1. Disconnect battery (prevents accidental fan start).
2. Support hood with a helper or stand.
3. Mark hinge bolt outlines with a marker for alignment.
4. Remove washer-nozzle hose and under-hood light, if equipped.
5. Undo the two 12 mm bolts per hinge; lift hood off.
6. Reverse steps to install new panel, lining up marks, then torque bolts to 16 lb-ft.
7. Check gaps and safety latch operation before road test. (I-CAR)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is my 2018 Accord hood made of aluminum?
A: Honda switched to aluminum to cut weight and improve fuel mileage without sacrificing strength. (Repairer Driven News)

Q: Can I repair small dents myself?
A: Shallow dings often pop out with PDR suction tools, but creases near the edges usually need professional work because of the hood's internal bracing. (I-CAR)

Q: How do I stop hood flutter?
A: Turn each front rubber bumper ½-turn clockwise to raise support, then road-test; this usually cures vibration. (CarComplaints)

Q: What grease should I use on the latch?
A: White-lithium or silicone paste resists water and stays in place longer than oil. Clean old grime first. (YourMechanic)

Q: My release cable broke-now what?
A: Replacement requires snaking a new cable from the cabin lever to the latch; many owners let a shop handle it because the bumper cover must come off for access.

Q: Is there an open recall on Accord hoods?
A: As of 2025, no Accord-specific campaign exists, but Honda's PBV recall on similar latch designs shows why you should check your VIN at NHTSA. (RepairPal.com)

Q: Does an unpainted hood rust?
A: Aluminum will oxidize slowly but will not form red rust; however, paint and clear coat still protect it from pitting, so finishing is recommended. (Honda Tech Info)

Q: Will an aftermarket carbon-fiber hood pass inspection?
A: Only if it keeps the factory latch and secondary catch; inspectors will fail a car if the safety latch is missing. (I-CAR)

Q: Why is there insulation under the bonnet?
A: The pad reduces engine noise and shields the paint from heat. Replace it if soaked or sagging. (Reddit)

Q: Can I recycle my old hood?
A: Yes-clean, paint-free aluminum gets top scrap prices and saves 95 % of the energy versus new metal. (Aluminum Association)