Head-to-head reliability
Buick Cascada vs Honda Accord
How the Buick Cascada 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
Buick Cascada vs Honda Accord: The Cascada averages about 13 complaints per year with 1 recall, while the Accord averages about 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Cascada's issues often involve engine PCV failures and rear window separation, whereas the Accord reports electrical and collision-avoidance defects. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Cascada or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Cascada
The Buick Cascada is a low-volume convertible, so you'll see fewer complaints simply because fewer were sold. Over four years, owners filed 53 complaints, averaging about 13 per year, with one recall and one crash-related report. The pattern centers on engine issues like PCV valve failures and a rear window that separates from the convertible top. Living with it means watching for oil leaks, rough idling, and water intrusion.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume sedan with 4,524 complaints over ten years, averaging about 452 per year. It has 38 recalls and a much higher count of crash-related reports (162) and injuries (146). Owners report engine stalling, electrical failures, and forward collision avoidance problems. The volume of complaints reflects both popularity and a wider range of potential issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Cascada | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 53 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 13.3 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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.
Buick Cascada
- 01ENGINE15
- 02STRUCTURE15
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
- 04VISIBILITY/WIPER6
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
Owners report rough idle, check engine lights, and squealing from the top of the engine, often traced to a failed camshaft cover or PCV valve. Some had low voltage output and needed a special coverage adjustment for the camshaft cover. This can lead to oil leaks and drivability problems if not addressed.
The rear windshield can separate from the convertible top's plastic frame, allowing water to enter during rain. Owners describe the glass pushing upward and out of the frame, and some resort to glue to hold it. This is a known assembly issue that can worsen over time.
The rear window separation is also reported under visibility, with owners noting the glass detaches from the top material due to insufficient primer. This creates stress points and can lead to leaks and poor rear visibility. A service bulletin exists, but owners say repairs aren't always covered.
Some owners report the front collision alert doesn't work at all, failing to light up or sound a warning. Others experienced a loss of power and a loud whistle, diagnosed as a PCV system failure that caused a camshaft leak. These issues can affect safety and engine health.
“I brought the 2017 Buick Cascada in for repair following rough idle and check engine light. This vehicle only has 46,200 miles. The mechanic put it to the computer and the mechanic found the issue that was ultimately identified as the camshaft cover/pc valve.…”
“A squealing sound was coming from the top of my engine and I had low/rough idle and it progressed to a low voltage output and check engine lights. I was able to use GM's Special Coverage Adjustment N232395320 Camshaft Cover (for the 2019 Cascada) and Special…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe sudden alarms for brake, hill descent, and ABS failures, with the vehicle losing speed and unable to accelerate. Others hear rattling noises while accelerating and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These can indicate serious powertrain or hybrid system problems.
Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing a near-collision. Another owner had a TPMS warning followed by a catastrophic tire failure after a dealership repair. Electrical glitches can compromise critical safety systems.
Owners report the system failing to intervene or issuing false warnings, sometimes under adaptive cruise control at highway speeds. One incident occurred twice on the same route under similar conditions. This undermines a key safety feature that drivers may rely on.
Some complain of persistent rotten-egg odors that remain after filter replacements, and one owner's foot slipped behind a center console panel, causing a loss of control. These odd issues can be distracting and potentially dangerous.
“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.
Buick Cascada — 1 recall
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Cascada vehicles manufactured December 1, 2015, to February 24, 2016. The affected vehicles may have had the original convertible roof control module (CRCM) replaced with an incorrect CRCM, that allows the windows to close automatic…
The risk: If the windows close automatically or can be closed remotely in ways that do not meet all the requirements of FMVSS 118, the unexpected closure can increase the risk of injury to the passengers.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the CRCM with correct module, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 16126.
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
Buick Cascada or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Buick Cascada has far fewer complaints per year (about 13) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), but the Cascada's low sales volume means each complaint represents a larger share of owners. The Accord's higher counts include many recalls and crash-related reports, suggesting a broader range of safety concerns. In practice, the Cascada may have fewer overall problems, but the Accord's issues are more numerous and sometimes more severe.
Key differences
- The Buick Cascada averages about 13 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages about 452 per year, but the Accord sold in much higher numbers.
- Cascada owners report engine PCV/camshaft cover failures and rear window separation, while Accord owners report electrical failures, stalling, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- The Honda Accord has 38 recalls and 162 crash-related reports, compared to 1 recall and 1 crash-related report for the Buick Cascada.
- Accord complaints include simultaneous power steering and braking failure, a severe safety risk, while Cascada complaints are more often about leaks, rough idle, and water intrusion.
- Check the rear windshield for any separation from the convertible top frame, especially around the edges where water can enter.
- Listen for squealing from the engine and check for rough idle or check engine lights that could indicate a failing PCV valve or camshaft cover.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system and adaptive cruise control for false warnings or failure to intervene.
- Look for any signs of electrical issues, such as warning lights for brake, ABS, or power steering, and check for unusual rattles or jerks during acceleration.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles, especially the Honda Accord's electrical and fuel pump recalls.
- For the Cascada, inspect the convertible top and rear window seals for leaks or separation, and test the engine for rough idle or oil leaks.
- For the Accord, test drive at highway speeds to check for stalling, electrical warnings, and proper function of collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control.
- Ask for service records to see if the Cascada had the camshaft cover special coverage adjustment and if the Accord had any electrical or fuel system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Cascada's PCV system and the Accord's hybrid components and electrical grounding points before purchase.
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 | Buick Cascada | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | 691 |
| 2018 | 11 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 15 | 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 Buick Cascada or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Cascada vs Honda Accord
- Buick Cascada total complaints
- 53
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Buick Cascada total recalls
- 1
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Buick Cascada avg complaints/year
- 13.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Buick Cascada
- Buick Cascada top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE