Head-to-head reliability
Buick Regal Tourx vs Honda Accord
How the Buick Regal Tourx 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 Regal TourX vs Honda Accord: The TourX averages 11.7 complaints per year with no recalls, while the Accord averages 443.8 complaints per year with 38 recalls. Owners report electrical and transmission issues on the TourX, and engine, electrical, and forward collision problems on the Accord. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Regal Tourx or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Regal Tourx
The Buick Regal TourX is a rare wagon with a modest complaint history: 35 complaints over three model years, averaging about 12 per year. Owners report a mix of electrical gremlins, transmission messages, engine starting issues, and brake noises—often with repeated dealer visits. It's not a high-volume problem vehicle, but the issues that do surface tend to be nagging and electronic rather than catastrophic.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, in contrast, has a massive complaint volume: 4,438 complaints over ten years, averaging over 440 per year, with 38 recalls and 160 crash reports. The top issues span engine failures, electrical glitches, forward collision avoidance false alarms, and brake problems. While the Accord is a popular and generally reliable sedan, the sheer number of complaints and recalls indicates a more complex and sometimes safety-critical set of issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Regal Tourx | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 35 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 11.7 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 Regal Tourx
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
- 02POWER TRAIN8
- 03ENGINE7
- 04SERVICE BRAKES6
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
Owners report multiple electrical problems, including a blank instrument panel and no power when trying to start, as well as ongoing issues that require repeated service visits. This suggests potential battery, wiring, or module failures that can leave you stranded.
A common complaint is an intermittent 'Shift to Park' message even when the vehicle is in park, caused by a poorly designed shift position switch. This can be confusing and may prevent the car from starting or shutting down properly.
Engine-related complaints include a no-start condition with no clicking sounds and a blank dash, pointing to a possible electrical or battery issue rather than a mechanical failure. Another owner mentions a brake-scrubbing noise that led to service, but it's unclear if it's engine-related.
Brake complaints include a persistent scrubbing noise and a reference to a GM recall for loss of vacuum brake assist. While the TourX itself has no recalls on record, owners report brake issues that could affect stopping performance.
“Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a 2019 Buick Regal, which I purchased as a used vehicle in 2023 with approximately 19,000 miles. Since owning the car, I have added only 14,000 miles, yet I have experienced multiple significant and ong…”
“I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 866-790-5600. I PURCHASED THE CAR 11/23/18 BRAND NEW WITH 12 MILES ON IT. I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO GET IT SERVICED DUE TO KEPT HEARING SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THE BRAKES KEEP SCRUBBING, IN WHICH I THE…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Engine complaints are the most common, with reports of unusual noises from new vehicles and sudden loss of power accompanied by warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS. This suggests potential engine or drivetrain failures that could be dangerous on the highway.
Electrical issues include TPMS warnings that lead to tire failures and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, which can cause a range of malfunctions. These problems may be intermittent and hard to diagnose, leading to repeated shop visits.
Many owners report false activations of the forward collision warning and automatic braking, sometimes at highway speeds with no obstacles. This can be startling and may increase the risk of rear-end collisions if the system behaves unpredictably.
Brake complaints include sudden loss of braking power and warning lights for ABS and hill descent control. These issues are critical for safety and may be linked to the antilock brake control module, which has been subject to recalls.
“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 Regal Tourx
No recalls on record.
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 Regal Tourx or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Buick Regal TourX has far fewer complaints per year (about 12) compared to the Honda Accord (about 444), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the TourX's problems are still significant, and the Accord's higher volume may reflect its larger sales base. In practice, the TourX may offer a more trouble-free ownership experience based on complaint frequency, but the Accord's issues are more varied and include safety-critical systems.
Key differences
- The TourX has no recalls on record, while the Accord has 38 recalls, including for fuel pumps, air bag sensors, and brake control modules.
- The TourX's top issues are electrical and transmission-related, such as 'Shift to Park' messages, while the Accord's top issue is engine problems, with many complaints of sudden power loss.
- The Accord has a high number of forward collision avoidance complaints, with false activations, which the TourX does not report.
- The TourX has a much lower complaint rate per year (11.7) compared to the Accord (443.8), but the Accord's data spans 10 years versus 3 for the TourX.
- Check for any electrical gremlins by testing all dashboard lights, infotainment, and starting the car multiple times to ensure no blank screen or no-start issues.
- Listen for brake noises and test the brakes at various speeds; also verify that the 'Shift to Park' message does not appear when shifting into park.
- Inspect the engine for any unusual noises and check for any warning lights related to ABS, hill descent, or brake system; also test the forward collision warning on a safe road to see if it activates without obstacles.
- Check the wiring harnesses for signs of rodent damage, especially in the engine bay, and ensure the TPMS system is functioning properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the specific VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the electrical system, brakes, and engine.
- Test drive the vehicle and replicate common complaint scenarios, such as shifting into park and driving at highway speeds with adaptive cruise control.
- Ask for service records to see if previous owners addressed any of the common issues.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls for the exact model year and trim.
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 Regal Tourx | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 355 |
| 2019 | 18 | 677 |
| 2018 | 14 | 1864 |
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 Regal Tourx or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Regal Tourx vs Honda Accord
- Buick Regal Tourx total complaints
- 35
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Buick Regal Tourx total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Buick Regal Tourx avg complaints/year
- 11.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Buick Regal Tourx
- Buick Regal Tourx top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE