Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Tracker vs Honda Accord
How the Chevrolet Tracker 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 Tracker vs Honda Accord: The Tracker averaged 38.6 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the Accord averaged 452.4 complaints per year and had 38 recalls. Tracker issues often involve rusted suspension, whereas Accord complaints include engine and electrical failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Tracker or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Tracker
The Chevrolet Tracker is a small SUV that, based on owner complaints, can develop serious rust and suspension problems as it ages. Over 10 years, it averaged about 39 complaints per year, with no recalls on record. The most common issues involve the suspension and structure, often due to corrosion. This suggests that living with a Tracker means being vigilant about rust, especially in older models.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year—but also 38 recalls, indicating more active safety campaigns. Complaints span engine, electrical, and advanced driver-assistance systems, with some reports of sudden failures. While the Accord has more reported issues overall, the recalls show that Honda has addressed some defects. Buyers should weigh the higher complaint rate against the broader recall coverage.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Tracker | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 386 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 63 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 38.6 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 58 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 Tracker
- 01SUSPENSION93
- 02STRUCTURE70
- 03AIR BAGS43
- 04SERVICE BRAKES41
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING39
Owners report the front crossmember rusting and breaking, causing the lower control arm to disconnect and leading to uncontrollable shaking. This is a critical safety issue that can make the vehicle undrivable.
Complaints describe the front suspension crossmember corroding and cracking in half, often attributed to road salt. This structural failure can render the car unsafe and is expensive to repair.
Some owners report air bag issues, including the driver-side airbag popping out repeatedly or deploying unexpectedly. One complaint mentions a loud bang and loss of control, though the cause is unclear.
Reports include corroded brake lines and dust shields, with parts becoming obsolete. This can lead to brake failure and difficulty finding replacement components.
“2001 CHEVY TRACKER WITH RUSTED FRONT CROSS MEMBER. THE CROSS MEMBER RUSTED AND BROKE LEAVING THE LOWER A ARM DISCONNECT FROM THE FRAME ON ONE END. THIS CAUSES AN UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKE AND TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHW…”
“MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER IS RUSTED TO THE POINT THE IT WILL SNAP OFF. WHEN I MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN OR GO OVER BUMPS I CAN HEAR CRACKING NOISES. CONTACTED CHEVY (GM) WAS ADVISED THAT I AM 4 YEARS TOO LATE IN CONTACTING THE…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe sudden power loss, alarms for brake and stability systems, and rattling noises during acceleration. These issues can occur at highway speeds and may indicate hybrid system faults.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. These electrical glitches can create dangerous driving conditions.
Reports of the system failing to intervene or activating unexpectedly, sometimes under consistent conditions. This undermines driver confidence in the safety technology.
Some owners report rough transitions between EV and gas modes, jerking when charging, and fuel pump issues. These can affect drivability and may require costly repairs.
“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 Tracker
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 Tracker or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Tracker has far fewer complaints per year (about 39 vs. 452 for the Honda Accord), but its issues often involve severe rust and structural failures. The Accord's higher complaint rate is partly offset by 38 recalls, meaning some problems are being addressed. In practice, the Tracker may be simpler but prone to age-related corrosion, while the Accord has more complex systems that can fail but also more manufacturer support.
Key differences
- The Tracker has no recalls, while the Accord has 38, indicating more manufacturer-identified defects.
- Tracker complaints center on rust-related suspension and structure failures; Accord complaints focus on engine, electrical, and driver-assist systems.
- The Accord has a much higher complaint rate per year, but also more injuries and deaths reported (146 injuries, 3 deaths vs. 58 injuries, 0 deaths for the Tracker).
- Tracker issues often stem from corrosion in older models, while Accord issues include sudden electronic failures in newer models.
- Inspect the front suspension crossmember for rust or cracks, especially on 2001 models, as owners report it breaking and causing loss of control.
- Check brake lines and undercarriage for excessive corrosion, as complaints mention rotted brake lines and obsolete parts.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control systems for unexpected braking or failure to respond.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and check for smooth transitions between EV and gas modes on hybrid models.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for rust-related repairs or recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Tracker's front crossmember and brake lines for corrosion.
- For the Accord, test all electronic safety systems and check for software updates or recalls.
- Ask about any hybrid system repairs or jerking issues on the Accord.
- Verify that all recall work has been completed on the Accord by checking the NHTSA VIN lookup.
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 Tracker | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 362 |
| 2019 | 0 | 691 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 Tracker or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Tracker vs Honda Accord
- Chevrolet Tracker total complaints
- 386
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Chevrolet Tracker total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Chevrolet Tracker avg complaints/year
- 38.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Tracker
- Chevrolet Tracker top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE