Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Durango vs Honda Accord
How the Dodge Durango 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 Durango vs Honda Accord: The Durango averages 97 complaints per year with 30 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints with 38 recalls. The Accord also has 162 crash-related reports and 3 deaths, versus 38 and 0 for the Durango. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Durango or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango is a large SUV that averages about 97 complaints per year over the past decade, with 30 recalls and 38 crash-related reports. Owners frequently mention electrical gremlins, lighting problems, and transmission quirks, often on nearly new vehicles. While it has fewer total complaints than the Accord, the pattern suggests a vehicle that may spend time at the dealership for a variety of issues.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year—and 38 recalls, including 162 crash-related reports and 3 deaths. The most common trouble spots are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with some owners reporting sudden loss of power or braking. This suggests that while popular, the Accord has a significant number of safety-related complaints that buyers should investigate.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Durango | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 973 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 30 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 38 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 97.3 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 37 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 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 Durango
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING333
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM266
- 03ENGINE128
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER116
- 05POWER TRAIN86
Owners report that the transmission can shift into Neutral while driving, which is filed under lighting complaints, and Uconnect infotainment failures that cut off critical functions. These issues can distract the driver and potentially lead to loss of control.
Complaints include a brand-new Durango that would only click and not start at 800 miles, and another where the AC stopped working at 340 miles, requiring 7+ dealership visits. Such failures mean repeated trips to the shop and unreliable basic operation.
Reports mention AC failure and exhaust issues, such as a dual exhaust pipe problem noticed while parked. These can indicate quality control gaps that may affect performance and comfort.
Some vehicles arrive without a spare tire or tire inflation kit, and others have an unresolved front-end noise that technicians hear but cannot fix. These oversights can leave buyers stranded or frustrated by persistent, undiagnosed problems.
“2024 Dodge Durango (SXT Plus, GT Plus, RT trims) Update to my prior complaint regarding a dangerous shifter defect. Defect Description: While driving and pressing the accelerator (no brake, no shifter button pressed), the transmission shifts into Neutral with…”
“I am submitting this complaint regarding recurring safety-related defects on my 2023 Dodge Durango RT. 1.Uconnect Failure: The Uconnect infotainment/communication box has repeatedly failed, causing loss of access to critical vehicle functions. These failures…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe sudden loss of speed with multiple alarms (Brake, hill descent, ABS, critical failure) and rattling noises during acceleration, plus rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These symptoms can lead to dangerous driving situations and costly repairs.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and a tire that failed catastrophically after a TPMS repair. Such failures directly threaten occupant safety and demand immediate attention.
Owners report the system activating unexpectedly or failing to prevent collisions, sometimes under identical driving conditions. This undermines a key safety feature and can cause driver panic or accidents.
Issues range from a persistent rotten-egg odor to a foot slipping behind a plastic side panel, indicating build-quality and design flaws that may distract or injure occupants.
“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 Durango — 30 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023 Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicles equipped with an instrument panel mounted shifter. The shifter may experience an interference with the shifter boot and come out of gear while driving, which can result in a sudden loss of drive power.
The risk: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the instrument panel mounted shifter boot, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recal…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, possibly resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
The risk: A damaged rear spoiler may detach and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace or repair the spoiler and align the liftgate as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 10, 2026. A second notice will be sent onc…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio d…
The risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall bega…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Durango vehicles. The Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC) fastener may be loose or missing.
The risk: A loose or missing fastener may cause the side curtain air bag to deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will tighten or replace the fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent on May 7, 2021. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y16.
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 Durango or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Dodge Durango has far fewer complaints per year (97.3 vs. 452.4), but both vehicles have recalls and safety-related reports. In practice, the Durango may require less frequent dealer visits for complaints, while the Accord's higher volume suggests more owners experience problems, including serious ones like power loss and braking failure.
Key differences
- The Durango averages 97 complaints per year, while the Accord averages 452, meaning Accord owners report issues more frequently.
- Accord complaints include 162 crash-related reports and 3 deaths, versus 38 crash-related and 0 deaths for the Durango.
- Durango owners often cite electrical starting failures and missing spare tires; Accord owners report sudden power loss and braking failures.
- Both have 30+ recalls, but the Accord's recalls include hybrid power control software and fuel pump issues, while the Durango's include transmission shift linkage and air bag fasteners.
- Check for transmission shifting into Neutral unexpectedly—test drive at various speeds and listen for unusual noises.
- Inspect for proper spare tire or inflation kit, and verify all electrical functions, including infotainment and AC, work consistently.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds; any warning lights or loss of assist is a major concern.
- Listen for engine rattling during acceleration and check for smooth transitions between EV and gas modes on hybrid models.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls have been performed.
- Take a lengthy test drive covering city, highway, and parking maneuvers, noting any warnings or odd noises.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the electrical system, transmission, and brakes, focusing on the specific complaint areas.
- For the Accord, specifically test forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control in safe conditions.
- For the Durango, verify the presence of a spare tire or repair kit and check all exterior lights.
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 Durango | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 10 |
| 2025 | 8 | 109 |
| 2024 | 14 | 219 |
| 2023 | 37 | 226 |
| 2022 | 58 | 252 |
| 2021 | 202 | 234 |
| 2020 | 55 | 362 |
| 2019 | 142 | 691 |
| 2018 | 232 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 212 | 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 Durango or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Durango vs Honda Accord
- Dodge Durango total complaints
- 973
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Dodge Durango total recalls
- 30
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Dodge Durango avg complaints/year
- 97.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Durango
- Dodge Durango top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE