Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler Concorde vs Honda Accord
How the Chrysler Concorde 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
Chrysler Concorde vs Honda Accord: The Concorde averages 115.6 complaints per year, with 326 engine-related issues, including stalling. The Accord averages 443.8 complaints per year, with 821 forward collision avoidance problems. The Accord has more complaints but fewer dangerous engine failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler Concorde or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler Concorde
The Chrysler Concorde, a full-size sedan from the late 1990s and early 2000s, shows a reliability profile dominated by engine and cooling system failures. Owners report sudden stalling and loss of power at highway speeds, often leading to dangerous situations. The frequency of these complaints (over 300) suggests a systemic issue that could leave you stranded. While other areas like steering and airbags have notable issues, the engine problems are the most concerning for a potential buyer.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a popular midsize sedan, has a much higher total number of complaints, but this is spread over a decade and includes many modern models. The complaints are heavily weighted toward advanced driver assistance systems (forward collision avoidance) and electrical gremlins, which can be annoying and costly to fix. However, the engine complaints, while numerous, are less about catastrophic failure and more about specific incidents, often in newer models. The Accord's overall reliability is still considered good, but the high-tech features can be a source of frustration.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler Concorde | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 578 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 14 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 115.6 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 32 Better | 144 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 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.
Chrysler Concorde
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING326
- 02STEERING38
- 03AIR BAGS37
- 04STRUCTURE37
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30
Owners report the engine suddenly shutting off while driving, losing power, and struggling to exceed 60 mph. Some have gone through multiple engines with the same stalling issue, and the check engine light often comes on without a clear diagnosis. This is a serious safety concern as it can happen at highway speeds.
There are reports of clunking and grinding noises when turning, often diagnosed as worn tie rods. This can affect steering control and alignment, leading to premature tire wear and potential loss of control if not fixed.
The airbag light may illuminate intermittently, and in one case, the passenger airbag deployed without any impact, startling the driver and nearly causing an accident. This indicates a potential electrical fault in the airbag system that could lead to unexpected deployment or failure to deploy in a crash.
“MY 2003 CONCORDE SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON 695 EXPRESSWAY. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I STARED TO LOSE POWER. ON 06/30/08 QUICKLY I PUT MY CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED BACK UP AND CONTINUE TO WORK BUT WOULD NOT GO PASS 60 MPH. LUCKY FOR ME…”
“ON OUR SECOND ENGINE NOW. THE SECOND ENGINE IS NOW DOING THE SAME AS THE FIRST BEFORE IT QUIT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO TELL ME WHY THE CAR KEEPS STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS. WHEN IT ST…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Complaints range from unusual noises in new vehicles to sudden loss of power and a cascade of warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS) at highway speeds. While some issues are isolated, the severity of losing power while driving is a safety risk.
Problems include TPMS warnings that lead to tire failures, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, which can cause various malfunctions. Electrical issues can be intermittent and difficult to diagnose, leading to repeated trips to the shop.
The system may trigger false alerts or warnings for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic high beams. In some cases, the system may apply brakes unexpectedly, which can be startling and potentially cause a rear-end collision.
“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.
Chrysler Concorde — 14 recalls
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES…
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES…
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERNAL HOOD LATCH COMPONENT MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A CRACK, WHICH COULD PROPAGATE AND BREAK, ALLOWING THE PRIMARY/SECONDARY LATCH SPRING TO DISENGAGE.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HOOD LATCH FUNCTION, ALLOWING THE HOOD TO OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
The risk: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD C…
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
Chrysler Concorde or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Chrysler Concorde has fewer complaints per year (115.6) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), but the nature of the Concorde's engine stalling is more dangerous. The Accord's issues are more about annoying technology and electrical gremlins, which are less likely to leave you stranded but can be costly to fix. In practice, the Concorde's engine problems are a deal-breaker for safety, while the Accord's issues are more about convenience and cost.
Key differences
- The Concorde's engine stalling is a recurring, dangerous issue, while the Accord's engine problems are more varied and often tied to newer models.
- The Accord has a much higher number of complaints about advanced safety systems (forward collision avoidance) that can malfunction, while the Concorde's airbag issues are less frequent but include unexpected deployment.
- The Concorde has fewer total complaints but a higher proportion of engine-related ones, indicating a systemic problem. The Accord has more complaints overall but they are spread across many systems.
- The Accord's electrical issues include rodent damage and TPMS failures, which are not typical of the Concorde's problems.
- Check for any history of engine stalling or replacement. Ask if the engine has been replaced and why.
- Inspect the tie rods for wear by listening for clunking when turning and having a mechanic check them.
- Test all driver assistance features (adaptive cruise, lane keeping, automatic braking) to ensure they don't trigger false alerts.
- Look for signs of rodent damage under the hood, such as chewed wires or nesting material, and check the condition of the wiring harness.
Before you buy
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic, focusing on the engine and cooling system for the Concorde, and the electrical and ADAS systems for the Accord.
- Check the vehicle's recall status and ensure all recalls have been addressed.
- For the Concorde, ask for maintenance records, especially for the engine and cooling system. For the Accord, ask about any software updates for the ADAS.
- Take both cars for a test drive, including highway speeds, to see if any stalling or warning lights occur.
- Consider the age and mileage: the Concorde is likely older with higher mileage, so expect more wear and tear.
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 Chrysler Concorde or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler Concorde vs Honda Accord
- Chrysler Concorde total complaints
- 578
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Chrysler Concorde total recalls
- 14
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Chrysler Concorde avg complaints/year
- 115.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler Concorde
- Chrysler Concorde top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE