Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Malibu Limited vs Honda Accord
How the Chevrolet Malibu 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 Malibu Limited vs Honda Accord: The Malibu Limited averages 803 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year and has 38 recalls. The Malibu often suffers sudden power loss to 25 mph; the Accord has reports of brake and steering failure. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Malibu Limited or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited
The Chevrolet Malibu Limited is a used sedan that shows a very high complaint rate for a single model year, averaging 803 complaints per year. Owners frequently report sudden engine power reduction, often limiting speed to 25 mph, along with electrical and power train issues. With no recalls on record, these problems are not addressed by a factory campaign, so buyers should expect to handle repairs themselves. The pattern suggests a car that may leave you stranded or in limp mode without warning.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular used sedan with a much lower complaint rate per year, averaging 452.4 complaints annually over 10 years. However, it has 38 recalls and reports of serious issues like electronic power steering and braking failure, forward collision avoidance malfunctions, and fuel pump problems. The higher total complaints reflect its longer production run and larger sales volume, but the per-year rate is lower than the Malibu Limited. Buyers should still be aware of the potential for safety-related defects, especially in newer hybrid models.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Malibu Limited | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 803 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 20 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 803.0 | 452.4 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 11 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 Malibu Limited
- 01ENGINE291
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM217
- 03POWER TRAIN170
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER168
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL151
Owners report the car suddenly entering 'engine power reduce mode,' which limits speed to about 25 mph, often while driving. This can happen without warning and may be tied to broader engine and electrical defects, making it a serious safety concern.
Complaints include the same power reduction issue and also a trunk and rear seat release mechanism that fails, making it impossible to access the trunk or fold the seats. These electrical faults can leave you unable to use key features.
Owners describe sudden loss of power and 'Engine Power Reduced' messages, along with the trunk/rear seat release problem. These issues can affect drivability and everyday usability.
With 151 complaints, this area likely relates to the power reduction mode that caps speed at 25 mph. It means the car may not maintain highway speeds, creating a risk of being rear-ended.
“I had my vehicle for about 2 years. I noticed that after I went over a certain amount of mileage, my car went into an engine power reduce mode. With the engine power reduce mode my vehicle could only go 25 mph. This was happening to me when I was driving on m…”
“I am filing a complaint regarding ongoing and worsening issues with my Chevrolet vehicle, which appear to point to broader defects involving the engine and electrical systems. Months ago, while driving, the car suddenly lost power and displayed "Engine Power…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report alarms for brake, hill descent, ABS, and critical failure, followed by loss of speed. Others mention rattling noises while accelerating and rough transitions between EV and gas modes, indicating engine and hybrid system troubles.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and a tire failure after a TPMS warning was supposedly fixed. These are severe safety issues that could lead to a crash.
Owners describe the system failing to resolve threats, with incidents occurring under similar conditions, such as adaptive cruise control suddenly braking or not reacting. This undermines a key safety feature.
With 602 complaints, this area likely includes fuel pump problems, as indicated by a recall for fuel delivery. A failing fuel pump can cause stalling or loss of power.
“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 Malibu 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 Malibu Limited or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Honda Accord has far fewer complaints per year (452.4) than the Chevrolet Malibu Limited (803.0), despite the Accord's much longer production span. In practice, this means the Malibu Limited is more likely to have frequent, recurring problems that could leave you stranded. However, the Accord's higher total complaints and recalls show it is not trouble-free, especially in newer hybrid models.
Key differences
- The Malibu Limited averages 803 complaints per year, while the Accord averages 452.4 per year, meaning the Malibu has nearly double the annual complaint rate.
- The Malibu Limited has no recalls, but owners report sudden power loss and 25 mph limp mode; the Accord has 38 recalls, including for fuel pumps and electrical issues.
- The Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported, while the Malibu Limited has 0 deaths and 11 injuries, though the Malibu's data covers only one year.
- The Malibu Limited's top complaints are engine, electrical, and power train; the Accord's include forward collision avoidance and fuel system, showing different failure patterns.
- Check for any history of 'Engine Power Reduced' messages or limp mode; test drive at highway speeds to see if the car suddenly loses power.
- Inspect the trunk and rear seat release mechanism to ensure it works, as owners report it failing and making the trunk inaccessible.
- Ask about any recalls, especially for fuel pump and electrical system, and confirm they were repaired; test the electronic power steering and brakes at low and high speeds.
- Check the forward collision avoidance system by driving with adaptive cruise control if equipped, and look for any warning lights or erratic braking.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website for the specific VIN.
- During the test drive, accelerate to highway speeds and watch for any power reduction or warning messages, especially on the Malibu Limited.
- Test all electrical features: trunk release, rear seat fold, power steering, brakes, and any driver-assist systems like forward collision warning.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for fuel pump or electrical repairs on the Accord, and engine/electrical fixes on the Malibu Limited.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine, transmission, and electrical systems for both cars.
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 Malibu Limited or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Malibu Limited vs Honda Accord
- Chevrolet Malibu Limited total complaints
- 803
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Chevrolet Malibu Limited total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Chevrolet Malibu Limited avg complaints/year
- 803.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Honda Accord
- Chevrolet Malibu Limited top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE