Head-to-head reliability
Buick Encore vs Honda Accord
How the Buick Encore 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 Encore vs Honda Accord: The Encore averages 60 complaints per year and 25 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints and 38 recalls. The Accord has more crash-related reports (162 vs. 52) but also higher sales. Both have engine and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Encore or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Encore
The Buick Encore is a subcompact SUV that averages about 60 complaints per year over a decade, with 25 recalls. Owners frequently report engine problems like check engine lights and reduced power, plus electrical glitches and transmission issues. It's a vehicle that may demand more frequent attention to engine and electrical systems as it ages.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year—but that's partly because far more are on the road. Owners report engine and electrical issues, and notably, forward collision avoidance problems that can trigger unexpected braking. With 38 recalls, it's a complex car with advanced safety tech that sometimes malfunctions.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Encore | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 601 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 52 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 60.1 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 76 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 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 Encore
- 01ENGINE223
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM88
- 03POWER TRAIN77
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER74
- 05AIR BAGS70
Owners describe check engine lights, 'reduce power' warnings, and sensors needing replacement. Some report the engine entering limp mode, which can leave you unable to accelerate safely.
Complaints include emission control codes, fuel evaporator problems, and even air bags deploying unexpectedly. These electrical gremlins can be intermittent and costly to diagnose.
Turbocharger failures are reported, often throwing code P0299. Owners also note downshifting and lack of power, which can affect drivability and lead to expensive repairs.
There are reports of air bags deploying without a crash, causing injuries. This is a serious safety concern that potential buyers should be aware of.
“EARLY THIS YEAR WE START HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON THEN THE REDUCE POWER TO ENGINE COMING ON, SO WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WE BOUGHT IF FROM. SO FIRST WE HAD TO HAVE THREE SENSORS CHANGED, WE DID THAT AND AFTER THAT WAS DON…”
“LATELY I'M HAVING A ISSUE WITH THIS CAR, FIRST MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ON AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN I CAN BE AT A LIGHT OR DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE WARNING COMES ACROSS MY DISPLAY SCREEN, I CAN'T ACCELERATE SO I HAV…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report alarms for brake, hill descent, and ABS failures, along with loss of speed. Rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes are also common in hybrid models.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking, and TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. These electrical faults can create dangerous driving situations.
Owners describe unexpected braking or failure to avoid collisions, sometimes under adaptive cruise control. This can happen without warning and may not be easily fixed by dealers.
Persistent rotten-egg odors and fuel pump issues are reported. These can indicate fuel system problems that may affect performance and emissions.
“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 Encore — 25 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor…
The risk: If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4…
The defect: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use.
The risk: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may con…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.
The risk: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th…
The risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increa…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267,…
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 Encore or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Buick Encore has far fewer complaints per year (60 vs. 452), but the Accord's higher volume reflects its much larger sales. In practice, the Encore may have fewer overall issues, but the Accord's advanced safety features can introduce complex failures. Buyers should weigh frequency against severity.
Key differences
- The Buick Encore averages 60 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages 452, but the Accord sells in much higher numbers.
- Encore owners frequently report engine power loss and turbo failures; Accord owners report forward collision avoidance malfunctions and electrical failures.
- The Accord has more crash-related complaints (162 vs. 52) and injuries (146 vs. 76), though these are raw counts not rates.
- Both have recalls, but the Accord's include hybrid software and fuel pump issues, while the Encore's include brakes and transmission.
- Check for a history of check engine lights or 'reduced power' warnings, especially related to turbocharger codes like P0299.
- Inspect air bag system for any signs of accidental deployment or related recalls, as owners report unexpected deployments.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system and adaptive cruise control for unexpected braking or failure to detect obstacles.
- Check for electrical issues with power steering and braking, and ensure any recalls for hybrid software or fuel pump have been addressed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission, focusing on turbo and sensor issues for the Encore and hybrid components for the Accord.
- Test drive extensively, including highway speeds, to check for power loss, rough shifting, or unexpected braking.
- Verify that all safety systems (air bags, forward collision avoidance) are functioning and have no warning lights.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if common problems like electrical faults or fuel odors have been addressed.
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 Encore | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 252 |
| 2021 | 9 | 234 |
| 2020 | 19 | 362 |
| 2019 | 86 | 691 |
| 2018 | 74 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 89 | 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 Encore or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Encore vs Honda Accord
- Buick Encore total complaints
- 601
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Buick Encore total recalls
- 25
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Buick Encore avg complaints/year
- 60.1
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Buick Encore
- Buick Encore top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE