Head-to-head reliability
Buick Regal vs Honda Accord
How the Buick Regal 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 vs Honda Accord: The Regal averages about 64 complaints per year with 28 recalls, while the Accord averages over 450 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Accord also has more reported crash-related complaints (162 vs. 24). Both have serious issues, but the Regal has fewer reported problems overall. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Regal or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Regal
The Buick Regal is a mid-size sedan with a relatively low complaint volume—about 64 per year over a decade—but owners report recurring problems with the engine, electrical system, and exterior lights. Many complaints involve stalling, no-start conditions, and moisture in headlights, which can be frustrating and costly. Brake issues, including a recall for loss of power assist, are also notable. Overall, it may appeal to buyers who prioritize a quieter complaint history, but specific defects should be checked.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular mid-size sedan with a much higher complaint rate—over 450 per year—and a wide range of reported issues, from engine and electrical failures to advanced safety system glitches. Owners frequently describe sudden loss of power, braking problems, and forward collision warnings that trigger without cause. While many complaints may be resolved under warranty, the volume suggests that some owners experience significant reliability problems. Buyers should be aware that the Accord's complexity can lead to more frequent visits to the shop.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Regal | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 635 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 28 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 24 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 63.5 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 26 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 Regal
- 01ENGINE169
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM160
- 03EXTERIOR LIGHTING127
- 04SERVICE BRAKES80
- 05POWER TRAIN77
Owners report issues like a scraping noise similar to brakes and sudden no-start conditions with a blank instrument panel. These can indicate underlying electrical or mechanical faults that may be expensive to diagnose and repair.
Complaints include repeated electrical problems that persist despite dealer visits, such as battery drain and instrument panel failures. Such issues can leave a driver stranded and are often difficult to trace.
Moisture accumulation inside headlight housings is a common complaint, potentially damaging bulbs and wiring. This can reduce visibility and lead to costly replacements.
There are reports of engine revving and loss of braking power, along with a recall for partial or full loss of vacuum-brake assist. This poses a serious safety risk if not addressed.
“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…”
“The contact owns a 2019 Buick Regal. The contact stated that when he attempted to start his vehicle there was no battery power, and no clicking sounds from the ignition. The contact stated that the instrument panel was blank. The contact stated that he had th…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of speed with multiple warning lights. These symptoms can indicate hybrid system or engine management faults that may be costly to fix.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire pressure monitoring system issues that may lead to tire failure. Such failures can be dangerous and undermine confidence in the vehicle.
Owners report that the system can activate unexpectedly or fail to respond, sometimes under identical driving conditions. This unpredictability may cause driver distraction or increase crash risk.
Issues include fuel pump failures and hybrid power control unit software problems that can cause stalling or loss of power. These can leave the vehicle inoperable and require dealer attention.
“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 Regal — 28 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. The driver or passenger front seat frames may have a lower crossbar that was improperly welded.
The risk: Seats with improper welds may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crossbar welds on the front seats. If the crossbar is improperly welded, the seat back frame will be replaced, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mai…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. In the event of a vacuum-power brake assist failure, a software error in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may result in a loss of power brake assist. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the EBCM software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters advising owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 19, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Buic…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insu…
The risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrole…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. The driver or passenger front seat frames may have a lower crossbar that was improperly welded.
The risk: Seats with improper welds may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crossbar welds on the front seats. If the crossbar is improperly welded, the seat back frame will be replaced, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mai…
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 Regal or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Buick Regal has far fewer complaints per year (about 64) compared to the Honda Accord (over 450), suggesting that Regal owners report fewer problems overall. However, the Accord's higher volume may reflect its greater popularity, and both vehicles have serious safety-related complaints. In practice, a buyer may spend less time dealing with repairs on a Regal, but should still verify that specific recalls and common issues have been addressed.
Key differences
- The Buick Regal averages about 64 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages over 450, indicating a much higher reported problem rate for the Accord.
- Buick Regal complaints often center on engine no-starts, headlight moisture, and brake assist loss, whereas Honda Accord complaints frequently involve hybrid system failures, unexpected forward collision warnings, and electrical shutdowns.
- The Honda Accord has more crash-related complaints (162 vs. 24) and injuries (146 vs. 26) reported, though these numbers don't prove fault and may reflect higher vehicle numbers on the road.
- Both vehicles have recalls for critical systems: the Regal for brake vacuum assist, and the Accord for fuel pumps and hybrid power control software.
- Check for any signs of brake pedal feel changes or loss of power assist, as this was a recalled condition on 2018-2020 models.
- Inspect headlight housings for moisture or condensation, which owners report as a common defect that can damage bulbs and wiring.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at low and high speeds for any hesitation or warning lights, as sudden failure has been reported.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and check for rough transitions between electric and gas modes, which may indicate hybrid system issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm that all open recalls, especially brake-related for the Regal and fuel pump/hybrid software for the Accord, have been performed.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the brake system, including vacuum assist components, on the Buick Regal.
- For the Honda Accord, ask the seller to demonstrate the forward collision avoidance system and check for any stored trouble codes related to the hybrid or electrical systems.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds, to check for warning lights, unusual noises, or loss of power.
- Review NHTSA complaints for the specific model year you are considering to see if common issues have been addressed or persist.
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 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 362 |
| 2019 | 19 | 691 |
| 2018 | 19 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 20 | 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 Regal or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Regal vs Honda Accord
- Buick Regal total complaints
- 635
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Buick Regal total recalls
- 28
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Buick Regal avg complaints/year
- 63.5
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Buick Regal
- Buick Regal top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE