Why does my Honda Accord 1.5T have gasoline in the oil?

Short answer: Accord 1.5Ts can dilute oil with fuel on short cold trips. Check for a gasoline smell and a rising dipstick, get any Honda software update, and shorten oil intervals if you rarely warm the engine fully.

Symptom: Gasoline smell in the oil, oil level rising on the dipstick, thin-feeling oil, or a dealer noting fuel dilution on analysis.

What to check first

1. Smell the oil on the dipstick for gasoline.
2. Note whether the oil level is rising between changes.
3. Ask the dealer for any 1.5T oil-dilution software updates.
4. Take a longer highway drive before an oil change if you mostly do short trips.

Likely causes

1. Fuel dilution from short cold trips. On the 1.5T, unburned fuel can wash into the oil when the engine runs many short cold cycles. The dipstick can rise and the oil can smell like gasoline.
2. PCM / software calibration. Honda issued software updates aimed at reducing dilution on early 1.5T Accords. Ask the dealer to check for updates.
3. Long oil intervals making it worse. Stretching oil changes lets diluted oil stay in the engine longer. Many owners shorten intervals when they do mostly short trips.

What it usually costs

Extra oil changes are cheap. Software updates are usually dealer-covered when applicable. Engine damage from long-term severe dilution is the expensive risk.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Mild dilution is common with short trips. Severe dilution that thins the oil a lot raises wear risk—shorten intervals and get it checked.

DIY or shop?

Checking and changing oil is DIY. Software updates need a dealer.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Related recalls: NHTSA lists these recalls touching this area of the Honda Accord: 20V314000 (2018-2019 model years, fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump); 21V215000 (2019-2020 model years, fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump); 23V858000 (2018-2020 model years, fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 928 keyword-matched complaints for Honda Accord 2018–2020 (of 2968 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-07; keywords: oil, dilut, fuel, gasolin, crankcase). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 2018 Accord - Gasoline in the crankcase on Reddit r/Honda, an owner described fuel ending up in the oil on a new 2018 Accord 1.5T.
• In Accord 2018-2020 oil dilution issue on Reddit r/accord, owners compared notes on which years still dilute and how short-trip driving affects it.
• In Oil Dilution - '19 Sport 1.5T on Reddit r/accord, a 2019 Sport 1.5T owner asked about dilution after noticing fuel smell.
• In What's the latest with the 1.5 oil dilution issue?? on Reddit r/Honda, owners debated whether later Accords fixed the problem.

Quick tip

If your Accord 1.5T smells like gas on the stick, treat oil changes as non-negotiable and ask Honda about the dilution software before you stretch intervals.

Vehicle focus: Honda Accord 1.5T roughly 2018-2020, especially short-trip cold-climate drivers.

Safety / mechanic note

Severely diluted oil can starve bearings. Verify with a mechanic if the level keeps rising or the oil smells strongly of fuel.