Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Express vs Honda Accord
How the Chevrolet Express 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 Express vs Honda Accord: The Express averages 45 complaints per year with 28 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Express has 0 deaths reported, the Accord has 3. Both have safety-related issues, so inspect carefully. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Express or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Express
The Chevrolet Express is a full-size van often used for work or hauling, and its owner complaints over ten years average about 45 per year. The most common trouble spots are service brakes, power train, and electrical system, with reports of trailer brake control issues, automatic braking, transmission failure around 65,000 miles, and intermittent defroster operation. With 28 recalls and 27 crash-related complaints, it's a vehicle that demands attention to brakes and transmission health.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year over ten years. Owners frequently report engine problems, electrical glitches, and forward collision avoidance issues, including loss of power, rattling noises, electronic power steering and braking failures, and adaptive cruise control malfunctions. There are 38 recalls and 162 crash-related complaints, with 3 deaths reported, so buyers should be aware of these patterns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Express | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 450 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 28 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 45.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 20 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.
Chevrolet Express
- 01SERVICE BRAKES152
- 02POWER TRAIN108
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM74
- 04AIR BAGS46
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE42
Owners report the integrated trailer brake control not sending proper output to trailer brakes, causing the van to do almost all braking work, and some say brakes apply automatically while driving. This matters because it can lead to longer stopping distances or unexpected braking, especially when towing.
Complaints describe transmission failure around 65,000 miles with hard shifting and slipping, and fluid changes not fixing it. A buyer should budget for potential transmission repair or verify service history.
Reports include the same trailer brake control issue and a defroster that intermittently fails, sometimes working when driving over bumps. This can affect visibility and towing safety, so check these functions carefully.
There are 46 complaints about air bags, though specific owner text isn't provided. This is a safety concern because air bag failures can increase injury risk in a crash.
“WHILE PULLING A VARIETY OF 3 DIFFERENT TRAILERS, THE INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL DOES NOT PROPERLY SEND OUTPUT TO THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS CAUSES THE TRUCK (TOW VEHICLE) TO DO ALMOST ALL OF THE BRAKING WORK ON ITS OWN. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I'VE HAD THE…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY. TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING ABRUPTLY, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO CONTINUE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE INDICATOR…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of speed with multiple alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS, critical failure) and rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These issues can leave a driver stranded or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include electronic power steering and braking systems failing and locking up at highway speeds, and tire pressure monitoring system warnings followed by tire failure. Such failures can cause loss of control, making this a serious safety concern.
Owners describe the system failing to resolve threats, with incidents of unexpected braking or adaptive cruise control malfunctions under similar conditions. This could lead to rear-end collisions or loss of confidence in driver-assist features.
There are 602 complaints about fuel/propulsion, though specific text isn't given. This area matters because fuel delivery issues can cause stalling or power loss, and hybrid components may be costly to repair.
“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 Express — 28 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Express Cutaway, and 2025-2026 Savana Cutaway vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a tire with sidewall damage.
The risk: A tire with sidewall damage may experience sudden air loss or driver loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect all tire sidewalls and replace tires with sidewall damage, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. Incorrect software in the transmission control module (TCM) may result in harsh shifting, reduced power, unintended deceleration, rear wheel lockup, or cause the vehicle to move in an unintended direc…
The risk: Rear wheel lock-up or moving in an unintended direction can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the transmission control module software calibration, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-80…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. The gear shifter may provide inaccurate gear selection feedback to the driver due to an incorrectly manufactured steering column assembly.
The risk: Inaccurate gear selection may result in unexpected vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Until the remedy is performed, owners are advised to visually verify the shift position indicator each time a gear is selected and always use the parking brake when the vehicle is parked. Dealers will replace the transmission control on th…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Express, and 2025-2026 Savana vehicles. The steering gear assembly may have a nut that was not properly tightened.
The risk: A loose nut that separates from the steering gear assembly while driving can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-8…
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 Express or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Express has far fewer complaints per year (45 vs. 452), but both have serious safety-related reports. The Accord's higher volume means more owners are experiencing issues, especially with engine and electrical systems, while the Express problems cluster around brakes and transmission. In practice, the Express may be simpler but still needs careful inspection, while the Accord demands attention to advanced electronics and engine reliability.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Honda Accord averages 452 complaints per year vs. Chevrolet Express at 45, so the Accord has many more reported issues.
- Top problems: Express owners report brake and transmission failures, while Accord owners report engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance problems.
- Safety outcomes: Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths; Express has 27 crash-related complaints and 0 deaths, though both have injuries.
- Recalls: Express has 28 recalls, Accord has 38, covering different systems like tires, steering, and hybrid software.
- Test the trailer brake control if equipped, and check for any automatic brake application or warning lights.
- Listen for transmission slipping or hard shifting, especially around 65,000 miles, and check fluid condition.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems for any lock-up or warning messages, especially at highway speeds.
- Check for engine rattles, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and any history of forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been addressed.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brakes, transmission, and electrical systems, focusing on the specific complaint areas.
- Test drive at various speeds, including highway, and try all driver-assist features if equipped.
- For the Accord, check for hybrid system health and any software updates; for the Express, verify towing equipment works.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and brake repairs.
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 Express | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | 0 | 109 |
| 2024 | 1 | 219 |
| 2023 | 2 | 226 |
| 2022 | 32 | 252 |
| 2021 | 67 | 234 |
| 2020 | 89 | 362 |
| 2019 | 48 | 691 |
| 2018 | 62 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 149 | 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 Express or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Express vs Honda Accord
- Chevrolet Express total complaints
- 450
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Chevrolet Express total recalls
- 28
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Chevrolet Express avg complaints/year
- 45.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Express
- Chevrolet Express top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE