Head-to-head reliability
Buick Envision vs Honda Accord
How the Buick Envision 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 Envision vs Honda Accord: The Envision has 217 complaints over 10 years (21.7/yr) with issues like brake failure and electrical glitches, while the Accord has 4438 complaints (443.8/yr) including engine and forward collision problems. The Envision has fewer complaints but more safety-critical failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Envision or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Envision
The Buick Envision, in ownership terms, is a compact luxury SUV that has generated a moderate but concerning stream of complaints over the past decade. The pattern points to electrical gremlins that can knock out warning chimes and even cause sudden power loss, along with brake failures that demand a hard push on the pedal. Engine issues include stalling and oil consumption, making it a vehicle that may require frequent dealer visits for safety-related fixes.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a popular midsize sedan, has a much higher complaint volume, but that's partly due to its larger sales base. The complaints cluster around engine problems, electrical system glitches, and a forward collision avoidance system that can trigger false alerts or fail to work as expected. Owners also report brake system warnings and unexpected part failures, like a sunroof that shattered, suggesting that even a mainstream reliable nameplate has its share of issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Envision | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 217 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 8 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 21.7 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 Better | 144 |
| 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 Envision
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM63
- 02SERVICE BRAKES46
- 03ENGINE33
- 04POWER TRAIN29
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER28
Owners report sudden loss of audio including safety belt and turn signal chimes, traced to a faulty amplifier. More seriously, some experience a total loss of power and engine stall while turning, accompanied by warning lights, which could be a safety hazard.
Several complaints describe a complete loss of braking power or an extremely firm pedal that makes stopping difficult, often accompanied by a 'service brake assist' warning. This suggests potential issues with the brake booster or assist system.
Engine problems include sudden stalling and loss of power, as well as excessive oil consumption where the dipstick shows no oil before the first recommended oil change. This could lead to engine damage if not monitored.
Power train complaints mirror engine issues, with sudden loss of power and sluggish acceleration. One owner mentions a whining noise that increased over time, possibly related to a vacuum sensor or other component.
“We have two problems what we would call safety issues. First, all the sound in the vehicle was lost which included safety belt warning alarm, turn signal bells, door open alarms, etc. We were told by the dealership that it was a faulty amplifier. Secondly, th…”
“Description of Safety Defect: While operating the vehicle at approximately 25-30MPH and make a right turn, the vehicle experienced a sudden and total loss of power/engine stall, accompanied by a "Check Engine" light and a "Reduced Engine Power" notification.…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Engine complaints range from unusual noises reported soon after purchase to sudden loss of speed accompanied by multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS). This suggests potential issues with engine management or related systems.
Electrical issues include TPMS warnings that led to a tire failure shortly after service, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, which can cause various malfunctions. These highlight vulnerabilities in the electrical system.
Many owners report the forward collision avoidance system activating without reason or displaying intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise, lane keeping, and other driver assists. This can be distracting and undermine trust in safety features.
Brake complaints include warnings and failures that affect stopping ability, sometimes linked to the antilock brake system or control module. Owners describe situations where braking becomes difficult or unresponsive.
“I purchased this vehicle at 0 miles in July 2025 from Honda Accord in Pensacola Florida. I reported in July 2025 that there was a noise and I was unhappy with the vehicle and would like to exchange the vehicle within the 30 days months later, the noise got lo…”
“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…”
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 Envision — 10 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Buick Envision vehicles. The vehicles are missing the label that states the tire size, pressure, and the loading information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Se…
The risk: Missing tire and load rating information may result in driving with improperly inflated tires or an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install the label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2024. Owners may contact Buick Customer Service at 800-521-7300.
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate wh…
The risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chev…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate wh…
The risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chev…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM),…
The risk: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521…
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 (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an…
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.
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 Envision or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
Based on NHTSA data, the Buick Envision has far fewer complaints per year (21.7) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), but the Envision's issues are more concentrated on safety-critical systems like brakes and electrical. The Accord's higher volume is partly due to its popularity, but it also has a significant number of complaints about driver assistance features. In practice, the Envision may present a lower risk of frequent issues, but the nature of its problems could be more severe.
Key differences
- The Buick Envision has a much lower complaint rate (21.7 per year) than the Honda Accord (443.8 per year), but its complaints often involve sudden power loss and brake failure, which are critical safety issues.
- The Honda Accord has a high number of complaints about the forward collision avoidance system, which can activate falsely or show warnings, while the Envision has no such complaints.
- Electrical system issues are common in both, but the Envision's electrical problems can disable warning chimes, while the Accord's include TPMS and wiring harness damage.
- Engine problems in the Envision include oil consumption and stalling, whereas the Accord's engine complaints include noises and loss of speed with multiple warning lights.
- Check for any history of electrical system repairs, especially related to the amplifier or warning chimes, as these are common failure points.
- Inspect the brake system for any signs of brake assist failure, such as a firm pedal or warning lights, and have the brake booster checked.
- Look for any previous repairs to the forward collision avoidance system or related sensors, as false activations are a common complaint.
- Ask about any electrical issues, such as TPMS warnings or wiring harness damage, and ensure the vehicle has no outstanding recalls.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the specific VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the brake system on the Buick Envision, including the brake booster and assist module.
- For the Honda Accord, test the forward collision avoidance system in a safe area to ensure it does not activate without reason.
- Check the engine oil level and condition on the Buick Envision, and ask about any oil consumption issues.
- Review the service records for both vehicles to see if any of the common complaints 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 Envision | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | 8 | 101 |
| 2024 | 10 | 214 |
| 2023 | 24 | 224 |
| 2022 | 25 | 238 |
| 2021 | 23 | 226 |
| 2020 | 10 | 355 |
| 2019 | 23 | 677 |
| 2018 | 13 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 81 | 534 |
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 Envision or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Envision vs Honda Accord
- Buick Envision total complaints
- 217
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Buick Envision total recalls
- 10
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Buick Envision avg complaints/year
- 21.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Buick Envision
- Buick Envision top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE