Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler TOWN AND Country vs Honda Accord
How the Chrysler TOWN AND Country 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 TOWN AND Country vs Honda Accord: The Chrysler averaged 363 complaints per year with 152 injuries, while the Honda averaged 452 per year with 146 injuries. Both had 3 deaths. The Chrysler's top issue is electrical (1695 complaints), while the Honda's is engine (1006). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler TOWN AND Country or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler TOWN AND Country
The Chrysler Town and Country is a minivan that owners often rely on for family hauling, but the complaint pattern shows a vehicle with a high rate of electrical and powertrain problems. Over 10 years, it averaged about 363 complaints per year, with the electrical system being the most common trouble spot. Many owners report sudden loss of power, transmission shuddering, and random shutdowns, which can be both frightening and expensive to fix. Recalls for airbag inflators and ignition switches add to the ownership burden.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize car that generally has a strong reputation, but the data shows a higher annual complaint rate than the Chrysler, at about 452 per year. The most frequent issues involve the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance features. Owners describe alarming events like simultaneous power steering and braking failure, unintended automatic braking, and engine rattles. Recalls cover hybrid software, fuel pumps, and seat belt retractors, indicating a range of safety-related concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler TOWN AND Country | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,633 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 45 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 79 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 363.3 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 152 | 146 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 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 TOWN AND Country
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,695
- 02ENGINE598
- 03POWER TRAIN467
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER418
- 05SEATS276
Owners report electronics putting the vehicle into limp mode, causing sudden slowdowns, and random shutdowns while driving. These failures can leave you stranded or create a dangerous situation on the highway, and they often require costly diagnosis and repair.
Complaints describe the engine losing propulsion power while driving, sometimes coming to a complete stop at intersections. This can happen without warning and may require a tow, making it a serious reliability and safety concern.
The transmission may shudder during acceleration or fail to shift properly, with the engine revving abnormally. Owners have faced expensive rebuilds or replacements, and the problem can appear at various speeds.
The front seat active head restraint can spontaneously deploy without a crash, leaving it dangling and useless. This is a safety defect that could increase injury risk in a rear-end collision and is costly to fix.
“Transmission completely failed and had to be risky rebuilt. I was just driving down the highway and the transmission went into limp mode and I came to a fast slow down as it dropped the gearing. Also have noticed a huge issue with electronics putting me into…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report the vehicle losing speed with multiple dashboard alarms, including brake and stability system failures. Others hear rattling noises while accelerating and feel rough transitions between electric and gas modes, which can indicate internal engine issues.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, creating a near-collision risk. A TPMS warning led to a tire failure shortly after service, showing that electrical glitches can have dangerous consequences.
The system may activate unexpectedly, such as automatic braking on an open road with no obstructions. This can cause sudden deceleration and increase the chance of being rear-ended, and owners report difficulty getting it fixed.
Some owners notice a persistent rotten-egg or sulfur odor, which can indicate fuel or emissions problems. This may lead to repeated repairs and could signal a failing component in the fuel delivery system.
“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.
Chrysler TOWN AND Country — 45 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the dri…
The risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numb…
The defect: Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Compan…
The risk: Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600. Freedom Motors' number for this recall is ENGF0216-3.
The defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling ce…
The risk: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of func…
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is…
The defect: FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control un…
The risk: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S07.
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
Chrysler TOWN AND Country or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Chrysler Town and Country has fewer complaints per year (about 363) than the Honda Accord (about 452), but both have similar numbers of deaths (3 each) and the Chrysler has slightly more injuries (152 vs 146). In practice, the Chrysler's issues tend to cluster around electrical and transmission failures that can cause sudden loss of power, while the Honda's problems often involve advanced driver aids and engine quirks. Neither vehicle is trouble-free, so the better choice depends on which specific failure patterns you are more willing to manage.
Key differences
- The Chrysler Town and Country has a much higher rate of electrical system complaints (1695) compared to the Honda Accord (895), often involving limp mode and random shutdowns.
- The Honda Accord has more forward collision avoidance complaints (837) than the Chrysler has in any single non-electrical category, with reports of unintended automatic braking.
- Transmission shuddering and failure to shift are common in the Chrysler, while the Honda more often shows engine rattles and rough hybrid transitions.
- Both have 3 deaths, but the Chrysler has 152 injuries versus 146 for the Honda, and the Chrysler's recalls include airbag inflators and ignition switches, while the Honda's include hybrid software and fuel pumps.
- During a test drive, watch for any hesitation, shuddering, or sudden loss of power, especially when accelerating or at highway speeds, as these can indicate transmission or engine issues.
- Check that the front seat head restraints are intact and not deployed; a dangling or loose head restraint may mean the active head restraint system has failed.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system by driving at various speeds and noting any unexpected braking or alarms, as owners report false activations.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and feel for jerky transitions between electric and gas modes in hybrid models, which can signal engine or hybrid system problems.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially airbag inflators and ignition switches on the Chrysler and hybrid software or fuel pumps on the Honda.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection that includes scanning for stored trouble codes in the electrical and powertrain systems.
- During the test drive, deliberately accelerate from a stop and at highway speeds to check for transmission shuddering or power loss in the Chrysler.
- For the Honda, test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control on a safe road to see if it brakes unexpectedly or shows warnings.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes on the Chrysler and hybrid system servicing on the Honda.
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 TOWN AND Country or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler TOWN AND Country vs Honda Accord
- Chrysler TOWN AND Country total complaints
- 3,633
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Chrysler TOWN AND Country total recalls
- 45
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Chrysler TOWN AND Country avg complaints/year
- 363.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler TOWN AND Country
- Chrysler TOWN AND Country top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE