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: The Cruze averages 370.8 complaints per year with 44 recalls, while the Accord averages 429.0 with 38 recalls. The Cruze has more engine and transmission failures; the Accord has more forward collision avoidance issues. 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, a compact sedan, shows a high complaint rate averaging 370.8 per year, with engine issues dominating at 1253 complaints. Owners report persistent musty smells, oil leaks, and engine misfires, alongside electrical problems like frozen infotainment screens and transmission failures. With 44 recalls and 290 crash-related complaints, the Cruze demands careful inspection before purchase.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a midsize sedan, averages 429 complaints per year, slightly higher than the Cruze, but with fewer recalls (38) and crash-related complaints (154). Engine issues (924) and electrical system problems (820) are common, but the standout is the Forward Collision Avoidance system (798 complaints), with reports of sudden loss of drive power and false activations. Owners also report sunroof glass explosions and tire failures.
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 | 3,708 Better | 4,290 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 44 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 290 | 154 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 370.8 Better | 429.0 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 198 | 141 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
- 01ENGINE1,253
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM754
- 03POWER TRAIN674
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER467
- 05SERVICE BRAKES380
Owners report musty smells inside the cabin, oil leaks at the front of the engine, and significant misfires triggering Stabilitrak and ABS warnings. These issues often require repeated shop visits and can lead to loss of power.
The infotainment touchscreen frequently freezes with an error screen, becoming unresponsive. Some owners also link electrical problems to transmission failures and clicking shifters, indicating broader system vulnerabilities.
Transmission failures are reported, with some owners experiencing complete transmission blowouts and alarming clicking noises from the shifter. Recalls address automatic transmission issues, but failures persist.
“For a year I have had my car to the shop multiple times due to a musty smell inside my car. I have never been able to find any fluids or moisture inside the car, however, the inside of my windshield tends to get a weird film on it, I am constantly cleaning to…”
“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…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE924
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM820
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE798
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER696
- 05SERVICE BRAKES577
Owners report unusual noises and sudden loss of power at highway speeds, accompanied by brake, hill descent, and ABS warnings. The vehicle may lose speed and become unable to accelerate, posing a safety risk.
Problems include TPMS warnings leading to tire failures and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, even on low-mileage vehicles. These electrical gremlins can cause unexpected breakdowns.
The system can falsely activate or cause loss of drive power, leading to crashes. Owners report the system failing to resolve despite dealer visits, with incidents occurring at moderate speeds on open roads.
“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.
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 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…
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 are expected to be mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is availa…
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
Chevrolet Cruze or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Cruze has fewer complaints per year (370.8 vs 429.0) but more recalls (44 vs 38) and more crash-related complaints (290 vs 154). In practice, the Cruze's engine and transmission issues are more severe, while the Accord's problems center on driver-assistance systems. The Accord may feel more modern but carries its own risks.
Key differences
- The Cruze has more engine complaints (1253 vs 924) and more recalls (44 vs 38), indicating deeper powertrain issues.
- The Accord has a high number of Forward Collision Avoidance complaints (798), a system the Cruze lacks in the data.
- The Cruze has more crash-related complaints (290 vs 154) and injuries (198 vs 141), suggesting more severe failure modes.
- The Accord's electrical problems include tire failures and sunroof explosions, while the Cruze's electrical issues center on infotainment and transmission.
- Check for musty cabin smells and oil leaks at the front of the engine, as these indicate common engine seal or HVAC issues.
- Test the infotainment system for freezing and listen for clicking noises from the shifter, which may signal transmission problems.
- Test the Forward Collision Avoidance system on a clear road for false activations or loss of power.
- Inspect the sunroof for cracks or previous explosions, and check the tire pressure monitoring system for proper function.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for open recalls on both models.
- On the Cruze, have a mechanic inspect the engine for oil leaks and perform a compression test.
- On the Accord, test-drive at highway speeds to check for sudden power loss and verify the collision avoidance system.
- Check the infotainment system on the Cruze for freezing; on the Accord, inspect the sunroof glass and wiring harnesses for rodent damage.
- Review NHTSA complaint databases for the specific model year you are considering.
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 | 20 | 653 |
| 2018 | 109 | 1812 |
| 2017 | 201 | 528 |
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.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Cruze vs Honda Accord
- Chevrolet Cruze total complaints
- 3,708
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,290
- Chevrolet Cruze total recalls
- 44
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Chevrolet Cruze avg complaints/year
- 370.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 429.0
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Chevrolet Cruze top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE