Head-to-head reliability
Buick Rainier vs Honda Accord
How the Buick Rainier 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 Rainier vs Honda Accord: The Rainier averages 97.5 complaints per year with 15 recalls, while the Accord averages 443.8 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Rainier's issues often involve electrical and fuel systems, whereas the Accord's complaints span engine and advanced safety features. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Rainier or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Rainier
The Buick Rainier is a mid-size SUV that averages about 98 complaints per year, with electrical and fuel system issues dominating owner reports. Many complaints involve window motors failing repeatedly and fuel gauges giving false empty readings, which can be annoying and potentially dangerous. With 15 recalls and 14 injuries reported, it's a vehicle that requires diligent maintenance and recall checks.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 444 per year—but spread across many systems including engine, electrical, and advanced driver aids. Owners report serious issues like engine noises, sudden loss of power, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions. With 38 recalls and 3 deaths reported, it's a complex vehicle where safety features may themselves become a concern.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Rainier | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 390 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 16 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 97.5 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 14 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 Rainier
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM145
- 02FUEL SYSTEM80
- 03GASOLINE62
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING54
- 05POWER TRAIN28
Owners frequently report power window motors and controls failing, sometimes multiple times, leading to windows that won't roll up or down. This can be a safety issue if a window gets stuck in bad weather, and repairs can be costly.
The fuel gauge often gives inaccurate readings, showing empty when the tank is full or vice versa, and triggering false low-fuel warnings. This can leave drivers stranded or cause them to overfill, and the issue seems persistent across model years.
Low-beam headlights may suddenly turn off while driving, especially at night, creating a serious visibility hazard. Owners also report windshield wipers activating on their own, which can be distracting.
While fewer complaints, some owners report power train issues, though specifics are not detailed in the sample. Buyers should still check for transmission or drivetrain problems during a test drive.
“Window motors and window controls failing. I replaced two window motors at in 2017, at dealer because they failed, then the rear passenger window motor failed in 2020 and was replaced at mechanic shop with factory replacement, this rear passenger window is se…”
“MY RECALL WAS JAN 2015 THAT LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS GOES OFF . MINE ARE OFF ALL THE TIME. NO PARTS AVAILABLE SO THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. IF REPAIRS ARE AVAILABLE THEN WHY DO THEY PAY TO FIX. BILL APP.300.00 CAN NOT DRIVE NIGHT ONLY HAVE HIGH AND FOG LIGH…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises, loss of power, and multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS) appearing simultaneously, sometimes leading to reduced speed. These symptoms can indicate serious engine or sensor failures that may be expensive to diagnose and fix.
Complaints include tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warnings that may not be resolved, and even rodent damage to wiring harnesses in newer models. Electrical gremlins can cause cascading failures and are often hard to trace.
Many owners report intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams, sometimes with no obstruction present. These malfunctions can undermine trust in the safety features and may require software or sensor repairs.
Some complaints involve brake system issues, though the sample text does not provide specific details. Given the high number of brake-related complaints, buyers should have the braking system thoroughly inspected.
“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 Rainier — 15 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlam…
The risk: Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this reca…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy vehicles, and 2006 GMC Envoy XL and Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT vehicles. Fluid may enter into the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result…
The risk: The protective coating may not eliminate the risk that the circuit board could short and result in a fire, even while the vehicle is unattended.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new driver's door switch module, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corro…
The risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the part number on the door module, and install a new door module if necessary, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. An interim letter was mailed to owners in Aug…
The defect: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, SAAB 9-7x, and Isuzu Ascender vehicles, originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine…
The risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
The fix: Parts for this recall are expected to available in March 2013. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners when parts are available. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, and G…
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 Rainier or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Buick Rainier has far fewer complaints per year (about 98 vs. 444 for the Honda Accord), but its issues tend to cluster in electrical and fuel systems that can be persistent. The Honda Accord's higher complaint rate reflects its greater complexity and advanced features, which can introduce more varied problems. In practice, the Rainier may be simpler to own but requires vigilance for recurring faults, while the Accord demands attention to a wider range of potential failures.
Key differences
- The Buick Rainier averages about 98 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages about 444 per year, indicating a much higher complaint volume for the Accord.
- Buick Rainier complaints are concentrated in electrical (window motors) and fuel system (gauge inaccuracy) issues, whereas Honda Accord complaints span engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems.
- The Honda Accord has 38 recalls and 3 deaths reported, compared to 15 recalls and 0 deaths for the Buick Rainier, suggesting different levels of safety-related incidents.
- Owners of the Buick Rainier report sudden low-beam headlight failures, while Honda Accord owners report intermittent advanced driver aid malfunctions and engine power loss.
- Test all power windows multiple times and listen for slow or stuck motors, as window regulator failures are common.
- Check the fuel gauge accuracy by filling the tank and observing if the gauge reads full and stays consistent; also look for any recall-related headlight issues.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any unusual engine noises or sudden loss of power, and check if multiple warning lights appear on the dashboard.
- Verify that forward collision avoidance features (adaptive cruise, lane keeping) work without intermittent warnings, and inspect tires for uneven wear or TPMS issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool.
- For the Buick Rainier, test every electrical component (windows, lights, wipers) and have a mechanic inspect the fuel system and gauge.
- For the Honda Accord, scan for stored error codes related to engine, ABS, and forward collision systems, and test all driver-assist features.
- Take a prolonged test drive that includes highway speeds to replicate conditions where power loss or warning lights may occur.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the specific complaint areas for each vehicle.
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 Rainier or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Rainier vs Honda Accord
- Buick Rainier total complaints
- 390
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Buick Rainier total recalls
- 15
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Buick Rainier avg complaints/year
- 97.5
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Buick Rainier
- Buick Rainier top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE