Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet TRAX vs Honda Accord
How the Chevrolet TRAX 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 TRAX vs Honda Accord: The TRAX averages 76 complaints per year with 9 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. TRAX owners report turbo and suspension failures; Accord owners report engine and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet TRAX or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet TRAX
The Chevrolet TRAX is a subcompact SUV that averages about 76 complaints per year over the past decade, with 9 recalls. Owners frequently report sudden turbocharger failures, glitchy electrical systems like the infotainment and camera, and suspension problems including tie rods and rear axle separation. While the overall complaint count is lower than some rivals, the nature of these issues—especially those affecting steering and braking—means a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume: about 452 per year, along with 38 recalls. Common owner-reported problems include engine stalling or loss of power, electronic power steering and braking failures, and forward collision avoidance system malfunctions. There are also reports of fuel pump issues and electrical glitches. The higher complaint rate suggests that while the Accord is popular, it may demand more attention to maintenance and recall checks.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet TRAX | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 756 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 54 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 75.6 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 57 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 TRAX
- 01ENGINE205
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM203
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER130
- 04SUSPENSION75
- 05SERVICE BRAKES73
Owners report sudden turbocharger failure without warning, sometimes leading to costly repairs. There are also complaints of communication errors between engine and transmission, and even hardware melting. These can cause loss of power or stalling, which is dangerous at speed.
Frequent issues include intermittent CarPlay disconnects, glitching vehicle cockpit units that flicker or go blank, and dash failures where the entire instrument cluster cuts out for seconds. These electrical gremlins can distract the driver and may indicate deeper wiring problems.
Reports include loose tie rod ends after dealer repairs, which can cause steering loss if they fail. One owner described the rear axle separating from the vehicle, leading to a crash with skid marks and front wheels disengaging. Such failures are rare but catastrophic.
Some owners report braking problems, though specific details are limited in the sample. Given the suspension issues that can affect braking ability, any brake-related complaint should be taken seriously during a test drive.
“The Turbo Charger failed suddenly without a prior display of a warning light and was replaced by an independent service center in June 2025. I received a letter from GM in November 2025 stating there was a known "condition" that may cause the Turbo Charger to…”
“The vehicle has 2 permanent codes. One is a communication blackout, the other code means the hardware is melting. GM is doing a formal inspection in April. The Ucode meant that the engine stopped talking to the transmission or visa versa. The vehicle “ran my…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe sudden loss of power at highway speeds with multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS). Others report rattling noises during acceleration and rough transitions between EV and gas modes in hybrids. These can leave you stranded or cause accidents.
There are reports of electronic power steering and braking systems failing simultaneously at highway speeds, causing near-collisions. Also, TPMS warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure after service. Electrical faults can disable critical safety features.
Owners report the system activating unexpectedly or failing to intervene when needed. One complaint describes repeated incidents under identical conditions, suggesting a software or sensor flaw. This undermines a key safety feature.
Fuel pump issues are noted in recalls and complaints, which can cause stalling or failure to start. In hybrids, propulsion system problems may lead to loss of motive power. These issues affect reliability and safety.
“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 TRAX — 9 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2024-2025 Buick Envista, 2024-2026 Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
The risk: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, if necessary, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 17, 2026. Another letter will be mailed once the parts are available. Owners may contact…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower-control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle.
The risk: A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 14, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower control arm from the vehicle.
The risk: A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. G…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Poli…
The risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners…
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 TRAX or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet TRAX has far fewer complaints per year (about 76) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), but the TRAX's issues often involve sudden turbo failures and suspension defects that can be severe. The Accord's higher volume means more reported problems, but many are electronic or software-related and may be addressed by recalls. In practice, the TRAX may have fewer overall incidents, but the Accord's issues are more frequently reported and may require more frequent dealer visits.
Key differences
- The TRAX has about 76 complaints per year vs. the Accord's 452, but the TRAX's complaints include sudden turbocharger failure and rear axle separation, which are severe.
- The Accord has 38 recalls vs. the TRAX's 9, with Accord recalls covering hybrid power control, fuel pumps, and seat belts.
- TRAX owners report electrical glitches like CarPlay disconnects and dash blackouts; Accord owners report electronic power steering and braking failures at speed.
- The Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported, while the TRAX has 0 deaths and 57 injuries, though these figures don't account for exposure or miles driven.
- Listen for turbo whine or loss of power during acceleration; check for stored codes related to turbocharger or communication errors.
- Inspect suspension components, especially tie rod ends and rear axle mounts, for looseness or signs of repair; test drive over bumps and at highway speeds.
- Test all electronic safety systems: forward collision warning, adaptive cruise, and lane keeping; look for warning lights or erratic behavior.
- Check for fuel pump recall completion and listen for rattling noises from the engine, especially during acceleration or mode transitions in hybrids.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the TRAX's rearview camera and suspension, and the Accord's fuel pump and hybrid software.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic focusing on the TRAX's turbocharger, electrical grounds, and suspension; for the Accord, check electronic power steering, braking, and forward collision sensors.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or hesitation; test all infotainment and driver-assist features.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes (critical for turbo health) and any electrical or transmission repairs.
- Verify the vehicle's mileage and usage; higher-mileage Accords may have more electronic wear, while TRAX turbos can fail early if maintenance was neglected.
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 TRAX | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 17 | 10 |
| 2025 | 87 | 109 |
| 2024 | 175 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 9 | 252 |
| 2021 | 24 | 234 |
| 2020 | 96 | 362 |
| 2019 | 134 | 691 |
| 2018 | 101 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 113 | 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 TRAX or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet TRAX vs Honda Accord
- Chevrolet TRAX total complaints
- 756
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Chevrolet TRAX total recalls
- 9
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Chevrolet TRAX avg complaints/year
- 75.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet TRAX
- Chevrolet TRAX top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE