Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Impala Limited vs Honda Accord
How the Chevrolet Impala Limited 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 Impala Limited vs Honda Accord: The Impala averaged 562 complaints per year with no recalls, while the Accord averaged 452 complaints per year but had 38 recalls and 3 deaths. The Impala's issues are more frequent but often less severe; the Accord's are fewer but can involve dangerous safety failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Impala Limited or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Impala Limited
The Chevrolet Impala Limited is a full-size sedan with a straightforward, older-school feel. Over three years, it averaged 562 complaints per year, with no recalls on record. The most common trouble spots are electrical gremlins, engine noises, and power steering failures. For a used-car buyer, this means you'll likely face annoying and potentially costly repairs, but the car is simple enough that many issues are well understood.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mid-size sedan with a strong reputation, but this data shows a more complex picture. Over ten years, it averaged 452 complaints per year, with 38 recalls and a higher total of crash-related reports. Owners report serious issues like engine stalling, electronic power steering failure, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions. While the annual complaint rate is lower than the Impala, the Accord's problems often involve advanced safety and propulsion systems that can be dangerous and expensive to fix.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Impala Limited | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,686 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 48 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 562.0 | 452.4 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 25 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 Impala Limited
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM516
- 02ENGINE355
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER295
- 04STEERING217
- 05POWER TRAIN213
Owners frequently report infotainment screens going blank, sunroof sunshades breaking, and warning lights like Stabilitrak appearing randomly. These glitches can be distracting and costly to diagnose, with one owner quoted $800 just for the infotainment unit.
Complaints include loud clanking noises, gasoline odors, and intermittent power loss. These symptoms can indicate serious internal wear or fuel system issues, and they often appear without warning, leaving you stranded or facing a major repair bill.
Power steering failures are a recurring theme, with owners reporting sudden loss of assist and 'Service Power Steering' messages. This makes the car hard to steer at low speeds and can be frightening, especially for new drivers.
Many owners describe Stabilitrak warnings that cause the car to slow down unexpectedly on the highway, plus air conditioning evaporator leaks that smell of freon. These issues affect drivability and comfort, and repairs like the evaporator core can cost around $2,000.
“1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The sunroof sunshade is the specific component that has malfunctioned. It is readily visible and accessible for inspection upon request. A mechanic or techni…”
“2015 Chevrolet Impala Lt Vin# [XXX] infotainment center & Steering went out 2 years ago Greg Chevrolet in savannah MO told me $800 for infotainment unit only car only had diag code B127E car only 3 years old at the time still does not work! Earlier this year…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises during acceleration, rough transitions between electric and gas modes, and sudden loss of speed with multiple dashboard alarms. These problems can leave you with reduced power or a car that feels unreliable, and some say Honda has not resolved the issue.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. These are severe safety concerns that could lead to a crash if they occur while driving.
Owners describe the system braking unexpectedly or failing to intervene when needed, sometimes under adaptive cruise control. This undermines a key safety feature and can cause sudden, dangerous maneuvers.
Reports include persistent rotten-egg odors from the climate system and interior trim pieces that trap the driver's foot. These may seem minor but can be distracting and indicate poor build quality or design flaws.
“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 Impala Limited
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 (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 Impala Limited or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Honda Accord has fewer complaints per year (452 vs. 562), but its issues are often more severe, involving safety systems and recalls. The Impala Limited's problems are more frequent but tend to be less complex. In practice, the Accord may spend less time in the shop, but when it breaks, it can be more dangerous and expensive to fix.
Key differences
- The Impala Limited has no recalls on record, while the Accord has 38 recalls covering electrical, fuel, airbag, and seat belt systems.
- Accord owners report dangerous simultaneous failures of power steering and braking, while Impala owners report power steering loss but not combined with brake failure.
- The Impala's most common complaint is electrical (516), often infotainment or sunroof issues; the Accord's top complaint is engine (1006), including stalling and rough operation.
- The Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported, compared to 0 deaths and 25 injuries for the Impala, though these numbers don't account for exposure or mileage.
- Check for any signs of power steering failure: test drive at low speeds and listen for whining, and look for 'Service Power Steering' messages on the dash.
- Inspect the air conditioning for freon leaks or odors, and ask if the evaporator core has been replaced, as it's a known costly repair.
- Test all advanced safety systems: forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping, as owners report unexpected braking or failures.
- Listen for engine rattles during acceleration and check for smooth transitions between electric and gas modes on hybrid models, as rough operation is a common complaint.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially on the Accord.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system, including infotainment, power steering, and all warning lights.
- Test drive on both city streets and highways to feel for transmission shifting, engine noises, and steering assist.
- For the Accord, specifically test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control functions.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for the Impala's air conditioning and the Accord's hybrid system if applicable.
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 Impala Limited or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Impala Limited vs Honda Accord
- Chevrolet Impala Limited total complaints
- 1,686
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Chevrolet Impala Limited total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Chevrolet Impala Limited avg complaints/year
- 562.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Honda Accord
- Chevrolet Impala Limited top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE