Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Caliber vs Honda Accord
How the Dodge Caliber 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
Dodge Caliber vs Honda Accord: The Caliber averages 277 complaints per year over 7 years, while the Accord averages 452.4 over 10 years. The Caliber has 10 recalls and 4 deaths; the Accord has 38 recalls and 3 deaths. Both have serious reported issues, so a thorough inspection is essential. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Caliber or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Caliber
The Dodge Caliber is a compact hatchback that, based on owner complaints, can be a headache to own. Over 7 years, it averaged 277 complaints per year, with many reports of suspension and steering failures like leaking struts and clunking noises. Electrical gremlins and structural rust also appear frequently, and there are 10 recalls, including seat belt pretensioners and door latches. For a first-time buyer, this means budgeting for potential repairs and being extra careful during inspection.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher annual complaint rate—452.4 per year over 10 years—but many of those complaints involve advanced driver-assist systems and hybrid components on newer models. Engine and electrical issues are common, with reports of sudden power loss and electronic steering/braking failures. There are 38 recalls, covering fuel pumps, air bag sensors, and hybrid software. While the Accord has more complaints overall, the types of problems vary widely by model year.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Caliber | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,939 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 121 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 277.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 95 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 4 | 3 Better |
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.
Dodge Caliber
- 01SUSPENSION522
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM357
- 03STRUCTURE345
- 04POWER TRAIN227
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL201
Owners frequently report clunking noises from the front end, leaking struts, and worn control arms, sometimes requiring replacement of multiple suspension parts at low mileage. This can lead to costly repairs and affect handling and safety.
Complaints include keypad locking failures, random shutdowns, and various electrical glitches that can leave the car inoperable. These issues can be intermittent and difficult to diagnose, frustrating owners.
Reports of rusted subframes and wobbling at highway speeds suggest structural integrity concerns, especially in older models. Rust can compromise safety and lead to expensive repairs.
Shift interlock assembly failures have caused vehicles to roll away when parked, a serious safety risk. Owners also report transmission problems that affect drivability.
“MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 23000 MILES ON IT AND STILL UNDER STANDARD WARRANTY. WITHIN THE LAST MONTH & 1/2 OR SO THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE NEARLY EVERYTHING UNDERNEATH, ALL HAVING TO DO WITH SUSPENSION AND STEERING. STRUTS WERE LEAKING, CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED,…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDES NEED…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises during acceleration, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden power loss with multiple warning lights. These issues can leave drivers stranded and require costly repairs.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds, as well as TPMS malfunctions and tire failures. These are severe safety concerns that demand immediate attention.
Owners describe unexpected braking or failure to brake when approaching obstacles, even with adaptive cruise control engaged. This undermines confidence in the system and could lead to collisions.
Reports of persistent sulfur odors and interior trim issues that can trap feet or interfere with driving. These may seem minor but can indicate larger quality control problems.
“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.
Dodge Caliber — 10 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pret…
The risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrys…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pret…
The risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrys…
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUIL…
The risk: A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE…
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pret…
The risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrys…
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
Dodge Caliber or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Dodge Caliber has fewer complaints per year (277 vs. 452.4), but its issues often involve basic mechanical failures like suspension and structure. The Honda Accord's higher rate includes many advanced electronic and hybrid problems, which can be more complex and expensive to fix. In practice, the Caliber may need more frequent attention to worn parts, while the Accord could face unpredictable high-tech failures.
Key differences
- The Dodge Caliber has 277 complaints per year vs. 452.4 for the Honda Accord, but the Caliber's issues are more often mechanical (suspension, structure) while the Accord's are increasingly electronic and hybrid-related.
- Caliber owners report rusted subframes and roll-away risks from shift interlock failures; Accord owners report sudden power loss and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- The Accord has 38 recalls covering fuel pumps, air bags, and hybrid software; the Caliber has 10 recalls, mostly for seat belts and door latches.
- Both have crash-related complaints, but the Accord has more injuries (146 vs. 95) and fewer deaths (3 vs. 4) reported.
- Check for clunking or rattling noises from the front suspension and inspect struts, control arms, and subframe for rust or leaks.
- Test the shift interlock by parking on a slope and ensuring the vehicle does not roll when in Park; also check for electrical issues like non-working keypad locks.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any rattling from the engine, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and warning lights on the dashboard.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system if equipped, and check for any history of electronic power steering or braking failures; also inspect tires for uneven wear or TPMS issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to check for recalls and accident damage.
- Have a mechanic inspect the suspension and undercarriage for rust, especially on the Dodge Caliber.
- For the Honda Accord, scan for stored error codes and test all electronic safety systems.
- Test drive on highways and rough roads to listen for noises and feel for handling issues.
- Verify that all open recalls have been addressed by the manufacturer.
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 Dodge Caliber or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Caliber vs Honda Accord
- Dodge Caliber total complaints
- 1,939
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Dodge Caliber total recalls
- 10
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Dodge Caliber avg complaints/year
- 277.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Caliber
- Dodge Caliber top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE