Head-to-head reliability
Acura NSX vs Honda Accord
How the Acura NSX and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Acura NSX vs Honda Accord: The NSX averages 1.4 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Accord averages 452.4 per year. The Accord also has 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported, compared to 0 deaths and 4 injuries for the NSX. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Acura NSX or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Acura NSX
The Acura NSX is a low-volume sports car, so it sees very few complaints per year—about 1.4 over the last decade. Owners report a mix of fuel pump failures, brake noises, and airbag concerns, but the sample includes older MDX models, so some issues may not apply to the NSX itself. With only 14 complaints total, the data is thin, but the fuel pump issue appears in both complaints and recalls. For a buyer, this means fewer reported problems overall, but you should still check for open recalls and listen for unusual noises.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume family sedan, and it shows a much larger number of complaints—over 450 per year on average. The most common trouble spots are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with some owners reporting sudden power loss, braking failures, and false automatic braking. There are also 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported in the data, which is a serious signal. For a buyer, this means the Accord has many more documented issues, so a thorough inspection and recall check are critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Acura NSX | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 14 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.4 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 4 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Acura NSX
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
- 02AIR BAGS3
- 03SERVICE BRAKES3
- 04TIRES3
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
Owners report fuel pump module failures, sometimes identical to a known recall defect but not covered for their VIN. This can cause stalling or loss of power, so a buyer should verify the fuel pump recall status and listen for rough running.
Complaints describe a 'thud' noise when braking, often dismissed by dealers as normal. While not necessarily a failure, it can indicate brake wear or loose components, so a test drive should include braking at various speeds.
One owner reported the passenger airbag deployed but the driver airbag did not in a crash. This is a serious safety concern, so buyers should confirm all airbag recalls are completed and check for any warning lights.
Reports include sidewall damage and flats from curb contact, suggesting the low-profile tires may be vulnerable. Buyers should inspect tire condition and consider the cost of replacement.
“My vehicle is 2017 Acura NSX with VIN 19UNC1B08HY000777. My vehicle experienced a fuel pump module failure identical to the known defect under Recall 23V-858, but my VIN is not currently included in the recall. I believe it should be. This is a significant sa…”
“EVERY TIME YOU ACCELERATE IT MAKES A LOAD RATTLING NOISE & THE A.C. WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO ..”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden power loss with multiple warning lights. These issues can leave you stranded or cause a crash, so a pre-purchase inspection should include a scan for stored codes and a test drive at highway speeds.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. These are severe safety risks, so check for any open recalls on the electrical system and test all driver aids.
Owners describe unexpected automatic braking or failure to brake when needed, sometimes under adaptive cruise control. This can cause rear-end collisions, so verify that the software recalls have been applied and test the system in a safe area.
Reports include persistent sulfur odors and interior trim issues that can trap a driver's foot. While not always safety-critical, they point to build quality problems, so inspect the interior carefully and check for unusual smells.
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Acura NSX — 9 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 Acura NSX vehicles. Road vibrations may cause the metal screws that secure the printed circuit board for the high mounted center brake light to loosen and contact the circuitry, possibly resulting in the brake light fuse blowing and the bra…
The risk: Brake lights that do not work increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the center high mount brake light, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1-844-682-2872. Honda's number for this recall is B2B.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Acura NSX vehicles. The crossover pipe couplers between the left and right fuel tanks may leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel tanks, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are U29, and…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
Acura NSX or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Acura NSX has far fewer issues per year (1.4 vs. 452.4), but its low volume means less data to spot patterns. The Honda Accord's much higher complaint rate, including 3 deaths and 146 injuries, suggests more frequent and serious problems. In practice, the NSX may be less likely to leave you stranded, but the Accord's issues are better documented and may have more recall fixes available.
Key differences
- The Acura NSX has 14 complaints over 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524—a massive difference in reported issues.
- Accord owners report severe electrical failures like power steering and braking loss, while NSX complaints focus more on fuel pump and brake noises.
- The Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths; the NSX has 3 crash-related and 0 deaths, though the NSX data is limited.
- Both have fuel pump recalls, but the Accord also has recalls for hybrid software, seat belts, and airbag sensors, indicating a wider range of potential problems.
- Listen for a rattling noise on acceleration and check for a thud when braking—these are reported by owners and may indicate brake or engine mount issues.
- Verify that the fuel pump recall (23V-858) has been performed or that your VIN is not affected; a failing fuel pump can cause stalling.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control at highway speeds; unexpected braking or failure to brake has been reported.
- Check for any warning lights related to the electrical system, especially power steering and brakes, and confirm all recalls are completed.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to check for open recalls on both the Acura NSX and Honda Accord.
- Take a lengthy test drive that includes highway acceleration, braking, and use of driver-assist features.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on fuel pump, brakes, and electrical systems.
- For the Accord, specifically test the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking in a safe environment.
- Review the owner's complaint history on NHTSA for the exact model year you are considering to see if patterns apply.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Acura NSX | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 1 | 234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 362 |
| 2019 | 0 | 691 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 6 | 537 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Acura NSX or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Acura NSX vs Honda Accord
- Acura NSX total complaints
- 14
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Acura NSX total recalls
- 9
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Acura NSX avg complaints/year
- 1.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Acura NSX
- Acura NSX top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE