Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Cruze vs Honda Accord
How the Chevrolet Cruze 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
Chevrolet Cruze vs Honda Accord: Over 10 years, the Cruze averaged 372.2 complaints per year with 44 recalls, while the Accord averaged 452.4 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Cruze had 292 crash-related complaints and 200 injuries; the Accord had 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries. Both had 3 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Cruze or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Cruze
The Chevrolet Cruze is a compact car that owners often describe as having a range of reliability issues, with the highest number of complaints filed for engine and electrical problems. Over 10 years, it has averaged 372 complaints per year, and the sample complaints show that issues like engine misfires, oil leaks, and transmission slipping can appear even with regular maintenance. Recalls cover major systems like the transmission, brakes, and fuel system, indicating that some problems are widespread enough to require manufacturer fixes. For a used-car buyer, this means budgeting for potential repairs and being extra careful during inspection.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize car that generally has a strong reputation, but NHTSA data shows it still accumulates a significant number of complaints, especially for engine and electrical issues. With an average of 452 complaints per year, the Accord's complaint rate is higher than the Cruze's, though many complaints involve advanced driver-assistance features like forward collision avoidance. Recalls address hybrid software, fuel pumps, and seat belts, suggesting that even this popular model has its share of safety-related defects. Buyers should be aware that newer Accords, particularly hybrids, have reported sudden failures of steering and braking systems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Cruze | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,722 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 44 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 292 | 162 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 372.2 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 200 | 146 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 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.
Chevrolet Cruze
- 01ENGINE1,260
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM760
- 03POWER TRAIN678
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER469
- 05SERVICE BRAKES382
Owners report engine misfires, violent vibrations, and significant oil leaks, often accompanied by warning lights like Stabilitrak and ABS. These issues can lead to costly repairs and may affect the car's drivability and safety.
Complaints include infotainment touchscreens freezing with error messages and electrical glitches causing shuddering and knocking sounds. These problems can be frustrating and expensive to diagnose, and may distract the driver.
Manual transmission owners report complete clutch loss with the pedal sticking to the floor, while automatic models may slip gears and shake violently. Such failures can leave you stranded and pose a safety risk if they occur at speed.
There are 382 complaints about brakes, and recalls for brake calipers suggest potential issues with braking performance. Brake problems are critical for safety and should be inspected thoroughly before purchase.
“Purchased new in 2019 – 32k miles - Oil changes every 6 months. Lightly driven, no modifications, all original engine components and tune. Engine developed a significant miss. Several warnings on Stabilitrak, ABS, and P0300. Significant oil leak at front of e…”
“I got my vehicle through a local dealership in town, in July of 2020 and only a couple months later my problems started. The vehicle started to vibrate violently and almost jerk back and forth on its own whenever I would drive it. And whenever I did come to a…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe alarms for brake, hill descent, and ABS failures, as well as rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes in hybrids. These symptoms can indicate complex engine management issues that are costly to fix.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. Such electrical faults can be dangerous and may require dealer-level diagnostics.
With 837 complaints, owners report the system activating unexpectedly or failing to respond, sometimes under consistent driving conditions. This can cause sudden braking or a near-miss, undermining trust in the safety technology.
There are 602 complaints, including a rotten-egg sulfur odor that persists after repairs, and recalls for fuel pumps. Fuel system issues can lead to performance problems and potential fire risks.
“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.
Chevrolet Cruze — 44 recalls
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,…
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 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme…
The risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrol…
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
Chevrolet Cruze or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Cruze has fewer complaints per year (372.2) than the Honda Accord (452.4), but the Cruze's complaints often involve core mechanical failures like engine and transmission, while the Accord's complaints are more spread across advanced electronics and safety systems. In practice, the Cruze may require more frequent repairs to major components, whereas the Accord's issues, though more numerous, might be less severe on average—but both have serious reported defects.
Key differences
- The Cruze has a higher proportion of engine and power train complaints, with owners reporting misfires, oil leaks, and clutch failure, while the Accord's top complaints include forward collision avoidance and fuel system issues.
- The Accord has more complaints per year (452.4 vs. 372.2) but fewer recalls (38 vs. 44), suggesting the Cruze's defects are more often addressed via recalls.
- The Cruze's sample complaints include violent vibrations and transmission slipping, while the Accord's include sudden loss of power steering and braking, indicating different safety risks.
- Both have 3 deaths reported, but the Cruze has more crash-related complaints (292 vs. 162) and injuries (200 vs. 146), though these numbers don't account for exposure.
- Check for engine misfires, oil leaks, and warning lights like check engine or Stabilitrak; listen for abnormal knocking sounds and feel for vibrations during a test drive.
- Test the manual transmission for clutch pedal sticking or difficulty engaging gears, and automatic transmission for slipping or violent shaking during acceleration.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems for any warning messages or loss of assist, especially at highway speeds; ensure the forward collision avoidance system doesn't activate unexpectedly.
- Inspect for fuel odors, especially a rotten-egg smell, and check for any pending recalls related to fuel pump or hybrid software.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any unusual noises, vibrations, warning lights, or hesitation during acceleration.
- For the Accord, specifically test the forward collision avoidance and electronic power steering; for the Cruze, test the clutch and transmission operation.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that all recall repairs have been completed.
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 | Chevrolet Cruze | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 22 | 691 |
| 2018 | 109 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 201 | 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 Chevrolet Cruze or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
No VIN yet? Ask the seller.
A genuine seller should be happy to share it. Send this, then paste the VIN into the box above when it comes back.
Going to see one?
Get the Chevrolet Cruze inspection checklist by email, so you know what to look for when you're standing next to it.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Cruze vs Honda Accord
- Chevrolet Cruze total complaints
- 3,722
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Chevrolet Cruze total recalls
- 44
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Chevrolet Cruze avg complaints/year
- 372.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Chevrolet Cruze top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE