Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Metro vs Honda Accord
How the Chevrolet Metro 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 Metro vs Honda Accord: Metro has 3 complaints over 2 years and 0 recalls, while Accord has 4,438 complaints over 10 years and 38 recalls. Metro reports rust and one sudden acceleration; Accord reports engine, electrical, and brake issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Metro or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Metro
The Chevrolet Metro is a small, older economy car with very few complaints on file—just 3 over 2 years, averaging 1.5 per year. Owners mainly report rust in the structure, such as corrosion under the doors and on the rocker panels, which can weaken the car over time. One owner also experienced sudden acceleration at low speed, leading to a crash into a garage. With no recalls on record, the Metro's issues are few but include a potentially serious speed control fault.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a much larger complaint volume: 4,438 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 444 per year. Owners report a wide range of problems, especially with the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance features. Some complaints involve serious safety concerns like sudden power loss, brake system failures, and unintended acceleration. There are also 38 recalls covering major systems, indicating ongoing reliability and safety issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Metro | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.5 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 144 |
| 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 Metro
- 01STRUCTURE2
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
Owners report rust and corrosion under the rear doors and on the rocker panels, which can compromise the car's structural integrity. This is important for a buyer because rust weakens the frame and can be expensive to repair.
One owner experienced spontaneous acceleration while pulling into a driveway at about 3 mph, causing a crash into a garage door and wall. This suggests a potential fault in the speed control system that could lead to loss of control at low speeds.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET METRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION UNDER THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR SWAY BAR ASSEMBLY WOULD HA…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET METRO. THE CONTACT OBSERVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE ROCKER PANELS UNDERNEATH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS EXHIBITED RUST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises, power loss, and multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS) appearing at highway speeds, leading to reduced speed and potential stalling. These issues can leave a driver stranded or cause a crash.
Complaints include TPMS warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses even on new vehicles. Electrical glitches can disable safety features and lead to dangerous situations.
Owners report intermittent failures of adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams, with warnings appearing and disappearing. These failures reduce the effectiveness of advanced driver aids, increasing crash risk.
Some owners experience brake system alarms and critical failures, sometimes accompanied by loss of speed. Brake problems are a serious safety concern because they directly affect the ability to stop the car.
“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 Metro
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 (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 Metro or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Metro has far fewer complaints per year (1.5 vs. 443.8), but its small sample includes a sudden acceleration crash and structural rust. The Honda Accord's much higher complaint rate and numerous recalls mean owners face a wider variety of potentially serious issues, from engine failures to brake problems. In practice, the Metro may have fewer reported problems, but the Accord's issues are more frequent and diverse.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Chevrolet Metro has 3 complaints over 2 years, while Honda Accord has 4,438 over 10 years—a massive difference in reported issues.
- Recalls: Metro has 0 recalls; Accord has 38 recalls covering major systems like brakes, air bags, and fuel pumps.
- Crash/injury data: Metro has 1 crash-related complaint and 0 injuries; Accord has 160 crash-related complaints, 144 injuries, and 3 deaths.
- Reported failure types: Metro issues center on rust and one sudden acceleration; Accord issues include engine power loss, electrical failures, forward collision avoidance glitches, and brake problems.
- Check for rust under the rear doors and on the rocker panels, as owners report corrosion that can weaken the structure.
- Test the speed control system at very low speeds (like pulling into a driveway) for any sign of unintended acceleration.
- Listen for unusual engine noises and watch for multiple warning lights (brake, ABS, hill descent) during a test drive, especially at highway speeds.
- Test all advanced safety features (adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, automatic high beams) for intermittent failures or warning messages.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for recalls and accident damage, especially for the Honda Accord.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Chevrolet Metro for rust in the door areas and rocker panels, and test the speed control.
- For the Honda Accord, scan for stored error codes and test all electrical and safety systems, including brakes and forward collision avoidance.
- Ask about any warranty or recall repairs completed, particularly for the Accord's electrical, brake, and fuel system recalls.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds and low-speed maneuvers to replicate reported conditions.
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 Metro or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Metro vs Honda Accord
- Chevrolet Metro total complaints
- 3
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Chevrolet Metro total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Chevrolet Metro avg complaints/year
- 1.5
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Metro
- Chevrolet Metro top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE