Head-to-head reliability
Daewoo Nubira vs Honda Accord
How the Daewoo Nubira 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
Daewoo Nubira vs Honda Accord: The Nubira has 436 complaints over 3 years and 9 recalls, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years and 38 recalls. The Nubira's complaints often involve engine fires and brake failure, while the Accord's include electrical and forward collision issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Daewoo Nubira or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Daewoo Nubira
The Daewoo Nubira is a compact car from a brand that left the U.S. market, so parts and dealer support are scarce. Over three years, owners filed 436 complaints, with engine and brake problems dominating. Many complaints mention fires, brake failure, and suspension defects, and some owners report difficulty getting recall work done because no Daewoo dealers remain.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream midsize car with long-term dealer support and many more vehicles on the road. Over ten years, owners filed 4,524 complaints, with engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance issues most common. Some complaints describe sudden power loss, braking failures, and unintended automatic braking, but the Accord's higher production volume means many issues are addressed through recalls and service campaigns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Daewoo Nubira | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 436 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 13 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 145.3 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 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.
Daewoo Nubira
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING281
- 02SERVICE BRAKES101
- 03HYDRAULIC97
- 04SUSPENSION33
- 05AIR BAGS12
Owners report engine fires and camshaft position sensor failures that trigger the check engine light. A fire can destroy the car, and the sensor defect has been subject to a recall, but some owners say repairs were refused or delayed.
Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor while driving, with the vehicle continuing to accelerate. This is a severe safety risk, and owners report that recall notices were not received or that no dealer could perform the fix.
The same brake pedal-to-floor and acceleration issue appears under hydraulic complaints, often tied to brake hoses, lines, or fittings. This suggests a systemic brake hydraulic defect that can leave the driver unable to stop normally.
Owners report front lower control arm bushings going bad, causing unstable steering and jerking to the sides at low speeds. If the bushings fail completely, steering control could be lost, and some owners note a similar recall in another country.
“UNTIL 1:30 P.M. TODAY (JUNE 3, 2004), I THOUGHT MY 2002 DAEWOO NUBIRA WAS A GOD-SENT BECAUSE OF ITS EXCELLENT GAS ECONOMY (~30 MPG). THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE THIS AFTERNOON AND NOW IT'S A PIECE OF JUNK. I HAVE BEEN DOING MY OIL CHANGE EVERY 3000 MILES AND SO…”
“THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN DIAGNOSED IT WAS RELATED TO A DEFECT IN THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I CAME TO KNOW ABOUT A RECALL REGARDING MY VEHICLE MODEL ON THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR W…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden power loss, alarms for brake and stability systems, and rough transitions between electric and gas modes. Rattling noises while accelerating are also described, and some say the manufacturer has not resolved the issue.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire pressure monitoring system warnings followed by tire failure. These electrical faults can cause loss of control or leave the driver stranded.
Owners describe unintended automatic braking or acceleration changes under adaptive cruise control, sometimes on clear roads. This can surprise the driver and increase crash risk, and some report repeated incidents after service visits.
Fuel pump and hybrid management issues appear in complaints and recalls, including software problems with the power control unit. These can cause stalling or loss of power, and the fuel pump recall affects many vehicles.
“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.
Daewoo Nubira — 9 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.
The risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO AT 1-877-362-1234, OPTION 6, OR FIND A LOCAL DEALER THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.DAEWOOU…
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.
The risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO PUERTO RICO AT 1-877-362-1234 OPTION 6.
The defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES." A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE OUTER RUBBER LAYER OF THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE(S).
The risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE, BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, AND LOSS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW REDESIGNED FRONT BRAKE HOSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 27, 2002. 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…
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.
The risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO AT 1-877-362-1234, OPTION 6, OR FIND A LOCAL DEALER THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.DAEWOOU…
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
Daewoo Nubira or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Daewoo Nubira has far fewer complaints per year (about 145) than the Honda Accord (about 452), but the Nubira's complaints are concentrated in severe engine, brake, and suspension failures with no dealer network. The Accord's higher count reflects many more vehicles on the road and a wider range of issues, but it has better parts and service support. In practice, the Nubira is riskier for a first-time buyer because breakdowns can be hard to repair, while the Accord is easier to maintain but still needs recall checks.
Key differences
- Daewoo Nubira owners report engine fires and brake pedal-to-floor failures, while Honda Accord owners more often report electrical glitches, unintended braking, and power loss.
- The Nubira has no U.S. dealer network, so recall repairs and parts are difficult; the Accord has widespread dealers and many recalls for fuel pump, electrical, and airbag issues.
- Nubira suspension complaints focus on lower control arm bushings causing unstable steering; Accord suspension is not a top complaint area.
- The Accord has far more complaints per year, but that is partly because many more Accords are on the road and the model spans ten years versus three for the Nubira.
- Check for any signs of engine fire damage or a strong burnt smell under the hood, and ask whether the camshaft position sensor recall was completed.
- Test the brakes at low speed for a pedal that sinks or feels soft, and inspect front lower control arm bushings for cracks or play that could cause steering wander.
- During a test drive, watch for sudden warnings for brake, ABS, or hill descent systems, and feel for any loss of power or unintended braking.
- Ask for proof that the fuel pump and hybrid power control unit software recalls were done, and check for a rotten-egg odor that could indicate a fuel or emissions issue.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on the NHTSA recall site and confirm all open recalls for the specific vehicle were repaired, especially engine, brake, fuel pump, and electrical campaigns.
- For the Daewoo Nubira, verify that a trusted independent shop can still source brake and suspension parts before buying.
- For the Honda Accord, ask for service records showing hybrid software updates and fuel pump replacement if applicable.
- Test drive both cars on the highway and in stop-and-go traffic, paying attention to braking feel, power delivery, and any warning lights.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Nubira's brake lines and control arm bushings, and the Accord's electrical system and forward collision avoidance sensors.
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 Daewoo Nubira or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Daewoo Nubira vs Honda Accord
- Daewoo Nubira total complaints
- 436
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Daewoo Nubira total recalls
- 9
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Daewoo Nubira avg complaints/year
- 145.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Daewoo Nubira
- Daewoo Nubira top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE