Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Charger vs Honda Accord
How the Dodge Charger 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 Charger vs Honda Accord: The Charger averages 54.9 complaints per year and has 32 recalls, while the Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year and has 38 recalls. The Accord also has more crash-related reports (162 vs 36). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Charger or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger is a large sedan that averages about 55 complaints per year over the past decade, with 32 recalls and 36 crash-related reports. Owners frequently mention electrical gremlins like turn signals and headlights, plus airbag and engine issues. It can be a stylish but potentially troublesome used car, so a thorough inspection is wise.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year—and 38 recalls, including 162 crash-related reports. Common trouble spots are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance. While many Accords are reliable, the data shows a range of reported problems that buyers should check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Charger | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 549 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 32 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 36 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 54.9 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 31 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.
Dodge Charger
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM168
- 02AIR BAGS118
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER107
- 04ENGINE61
- 05POWER TRAIN56
Owners report turn signals that fail and headlights that flicker or go out, possibly due to wiring harness overheating. These are safety concerns because they affect visibility and signaling.
Complaints include airbag recalls performed incorrectly, leaving headliners and mirrors hanging, and a case where a vehicle lost control and hit a guardrail. Airbag issues can be life-threatening if not addressed.
Some owners describe surging during acceleration and transmission shudder, with dealership resets only temporarily helping. Others find plastic under-engine covers and components falling off. These can lead to costly repairs and drivability problems.
There are reports of aggressive downshifts that make the car jump, and a recall for manual transmission column shift assembly. Such issues can affect control and safety.
“I am submitting this complaint regarding a recurring right turn signal malfunction on my 2022 Dodge Charger SXT, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle is experiencing a failure involving the right turn signal. This is concerning because the turn signal is required safety eq…”
“1. Headlight low/high beam keeps going out and comes back on. It seems like the wiring harness overheating, bulb is fine but continues to go out and on. 2. Transmission, does a very aggressive down shift at gear 6 it makes the car jump and if it happens too m…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of power with multiple dashboard warnings, and rattling noises during acceleration with rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These can leave you stranded or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking at highway speeds, and TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. These are severe safety risks that demand immediate attention.
Some drivers experience unexpected braking or failure to avoid collisions, even with adaptive cruise control set. This can lead to rear-end collisions or loss of control.
There are reports of persistent rotten-egg odors and fuel pump recalls. Fuel system problems can cause stalling or fire hazards.
“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 Charger — 32 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor battery may fail prematurely and cause the sensor to become inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fede…
The risk: Inoperative TPMS sensors will not alert the driver to low tire pressure. In addition, a TPMS warning light that is already illuminated from a failed battery sensor will mask an actual tire pressure failure issue. Either of these scenarios…
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the TPMS sensors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z68.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor battery may fail prematurely and cause the sensor to become inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fede…
The risk: Inoperative TPMS sensors will not alert the driver to low tire pressure. In addition, a TPMS warning light that is already illuminated from a failed battery sensor will mask an actual tire pressure failure issue. Either of these scenarios…
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the TPMS sensors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB5. This…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Dodge Charger and Durango vehicles. The shifter assembly was not properly heat-treated, which can prevent the shifter from properly engaging in the "drive" position.
The risk: An improperly engaged shifter assembly may slip out of the "drive" position, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall ZB3.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of…
The risk: A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will remove and replace the front windshield urethane sealant, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for thi…
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 Charger or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Dodge Charger has far fewer complaints per year (about 55) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), but both have recalls and crash-related reports. In practice, the Charger may have fewer reported issues overall, but the Accord's higher volume could mean more widespread problems. Neither is immune to serious safety defects.
Key differences
- The Dodge Charger averages about 55 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages about 452, a huge difference in reported issues.
- Charger owners often cite electrical and airbag problems, including turn signal failures and airbag recall mishaps.
- Accord owners frequently report engine power loss, electrical failures like steering and braking, and forward collision avoidance glitches.
- Both have recalls, but the Accord has more crash-related reports (162 vs 36) and injuries (146 vs 31).
- Check that all turn signals and headlights work consistently, as owners report failures and flickering.
- Inspect airbag recall work for proper reassembly, looking for loose headliners or mirrors.
- Test drive at highway speeds to feel for sudden power loss or warning lights, a reported engine issue.
- Verify that forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control function without unexpected braking.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system, including lights, turn signals, and battery connections.
- For the Accord, test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control on a test drive.
- For the Charger, check airbag recall completion and look for loose interior trim.
- Ask about any transmission or engine surging issues during a test drive.
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 | Dodge Charger | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 10 |
| 2025 | 39 | 109 |
| 2024 | 1 | 219 |
| 2023 | 26 | 226 |
| 2022 | 16 | 252 |
| 2021 | 35 | 234 |
| 2020 | 57 | 362 |
| 2019 | 120 | 691 |
| 2018 | 122 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 128 | 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 Dodge Charger or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Charger vs Honda Accord
- Dodge Charger total complaints
- 549
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Dodge Charger total recalls
- 32
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Dodge Charger avg complaints/year
- 54.9
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Charger
- Dodge Charger top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE