Head-to-head reliability
FORD Bronco Sport vs Honda Accord
How the FORD Bronco Sport 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
FORD Bronco Sport vs Honda Accord: The Bronco Sport has 1,408 complaints and 66 recalls over 6 years, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls over 10 years. The Bronco Sport averages fewer complaints per year but more recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Bronco Sport or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Bronco Sport
The Ford Bronco Sport is a compact SUV that, over six years, has generated 1,408 complaints—about 235 per year—and 66 recalls. Owners frequently report electrical glitches, power train failures, and engine problems, with some complaints describing sudden loss of drive power or violent drivetrain shuddering. While it has fewer total complaints than the Accord, its higher recall count and reports of serious issues like hoods flying open suggest a need for careful inspection.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with 4,524 complaints over ten years—roughly 452 per year—and 38 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with some owners reporting simultaneous power steering and brake failure or unintended automatic braking. Although it has more complaints overall, its lower recall count and longer production run mean many issues are well documented.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Bronco Sport | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,408 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 66 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 55 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 234.7 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 50 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.
FORD Bronco Sport
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM358
- 02POWER TRAIN305
- 03ENGINE305
- 04SERVICE BRAKES201
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER197
Owners report infotainment failures like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto not working, and in one case a hood flew up and blocked the windshield. These electrical glitches can distract the driver and, in the hood case, create a sudden visibility hazard.
Complaints describe losing drive power without warning and severe drivetrain binding or shuddering from the rear drive unit during low-speed turns. Such failures can leave you stranded or cause the vehicle to hesitate or stop unexpectedly while turning.
Some owners report the vehicle losing drive power and failing to accelerate, with an app notification of powertrain failure. This suggests engine or transmission control issues that may require dealer diagnosis and could recur.
Reports include clicking noises, rough braking sounds, and a whiplash-like sensation when braking. These symptoms could indicate brake component wear or malfunction, affecting stopping confidence.
“On XXX, driving at a relatively low rate of speed coming off the on-ramp from [XXX] onto [XXX], the hood of our Thrifty rental vehicle, a 2024 Ford Bronco, suddenly and without warning, flew up and completely obstructed the windshield. As we had just entered…”
“I am reporting ongoing electrical and infotainment system failures in my 2024 Ford Bronco Sport that present a potential safety risk to the driver and others on the road. The vehicle’s infotainment system, specifically Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, does not…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe alarms for brake, hill descent, and ABS failure while losing speed, plus rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These issues can lead to reduced power and potential safety risks on the road.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. Such failures can cause loss of control and near-collisions.
Owners report the system activating unexpectedly or failing to resolve threats, sometimes under adaptive cruise control. This can cause sudden braking or failure to brake when needed, increasing crash risk.
Some complaints mention a persistent rotten-egg odor, which may indicate fuel or emissions system problems. While not always safety-critical, it can signal costly repairs and failed fixes.
“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.
FORD Bronco Sport — 66 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The instrument panel cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles. The Occupant Classification Sensor (OCS) unit may fail to correctly detect the presence of an adult or child in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fede…
The risk: Failure to correctly detect a passenger may result in the air bag not deploying as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant classification sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C1…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Maverick and 2026 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine and an engine block heater. The engine block heater may overheat when the vehicle is parked with the block heater plugged in.
The risk: An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, and inspect and replace the electrical cord if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have an alternative optio…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuck…
The risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and repair the front lower control arm ball joints as necessary, free of charge.Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2026. Ow…
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
FORD Bronco Sport or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Ford Bronco Sport has fewer complaints per year (about 235) than the Honda Accord (about 452), but the Bronco Sport has more recalls (66 vs. 38). In practice, the Accord’s higher complaint rate means more owners report problems, while the Bronco Sport’s higher recall rate suggests more factory-issued fixes. Both have serious reported issues, so neither stands out as clearly more reliable.
Key differences
- The Ford Bronco Sport has 66 recalls versus 38 for the Honda Accord, meaning more factory safety fixes.
- Honda Accord owners report forward collision avoidance problems (837 complaints), while Bronco Sport complaints are more focused on electrical and power train issues.
- Bronco Sport complaints include sudden loss of drive power and drivetrain shuddering; Accord complaints include simultaneous power steering and brake failure.
- The Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported, while the Bronco Sport has 0 deaths and 50 injuries, though these figures are not adjusted for vehicle numbers on the road.
- Check for electrical issues: test infotainment, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and ensure the hood latches securely.
- Test drive at low speeds and during turns to feel for drivetrain binding or shuddering from the rear drive unit.
- Test the electronic power steering and brakes at highway speeds if possible; look for warning lights or unusual noises.
- Verify forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control operation, and check for any rotten-egg odor that could indicate fuel system problems.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system, including infotainment and driver-assist features.
- For the Bronco Sport, specifically check the power train and rear drive unit for shuddering or binding.
- For the Accord, test the brakes, steering, and forward collision avoidance system thoroughly.
- Ask the seller for any repair records related to engine, transmission, or electrical complaints.
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 | FORD Bronco Sport | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 10 |
| 2025 | 76 | 109 |
| 2024 | 109 | 219 |
| 2023 | 158 | 226 |
| 2022 | 359 | 252 |
| 2021 | 699 | 234 |
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 FORD Bronco Sport or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Bronco Sport vs Honda Accord
- FORD Bronco Sport total complaints
- 1,408
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- FORD Bronco Sport total recalls
- 66
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- FORD Bronco Sport avg complaints/year
- 234.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- FORD Bronco Sport
- FORD Bronco Sport top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE