Head-to-head reliability
FORD Bronco vs Honda Accord
How the FORD Bronco 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 vs Honda Accord: The Bronco averages 185 complaints per year with 105 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. Bronco issues include engine fires and glass shattering; Accord issues include power steering failure and unexpected braking. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Bronco or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Bronco
The Ford Bronco is a body-on-frame SUV that shows a moderate complaint rate of about 185 per year over six years. Owners frequently report engine fires, glass shattering, and electrical glitches like mirrors moving on their own. With 105 recalls, many for suspension and transmission issues, living with a Bronco means staying on top of safety campaigns. It's a lifestyle vehicle that demands attention to potential fire and structural risks.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint rate of about 452 per year over ten years. Common owner reports include engine stalling, power steering and brake failures, and forward collision systems that brake unexpectedly. Although it has fewer recalls (38), the volume of complaints suggests frequent visits to the shop. Buyers should expect a comfortable ride but be vigilant about electronic and safety system malfunctions.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Bronco | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,111 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 105 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 44 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 185.2 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 29 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 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
- 01ENGINE179
- 02VISIBILITY/WIPER178
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM147
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER139
- 05SERVICE BRAKES109
Owners report engine compartment fires, sometimes while idling, with smoke odor preceding flames. This is a serious safety risk that can lead to total loss.
Complaints include side mirrors changing orientation while driving, unreliable blind spot warnings, and rear glass shattering spontaneously. These defects can impair visibility and cause accidents.
Infotainment and hands-free phone issues after software updates are common, along with inconsistent blind spot monitoring. These glitches frustrate owners and may distract from driving.
While fewer complaints, brake issues are reported; given the vehicle's weight, any brake problem is a safety concern. Buyers should check for recalls on brake components.
“The failure appears to have originated in the passenger side engine compartment, but the exact component or system (fuel, electrical, or other) is unknown. The vehicle is a total loss from the fire but should be available for inspection at the tow or storage…”
“The contact owns a 2024 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, a fire originated near the dashboard area without warning. The occupants inside the vehicle first noticed an abnormal smoke odor inside the vehicle. Shortly afterwards,…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe sudden loss of power, multiple warning lights (brake, ABS, hill descent), and rattling noises during acceleration. These can leave drivers stranded or cause highway emergencies.
Reports include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking at highway speeds, and tire pressure monitoring issues leading to tire failure. Such failures are extremely dangerous.
The system may brake unexpectedly on open roads or with adaptive cruise control engaged, startling drivers and increasing crash risk. Owners report repeated incidents despite dealer visits.
Complaints include persistent sulfur-like odors and potential fuel pump defects. These can indicate fuel delivery problems that may cause stalling or fire.
“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 — 105 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Bronco and Bronco Heritage vehicles. The rear quarter glass panels may have been improperly installed to the vehicle hard top, which can allow them to detach.
The risk: Detached rear glass panels may create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the rear glass panels on Bronco vehicles. On Bronco Heritage vehicles, dealers will replace the rear left-hand removable quarter glass panel. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Bronco owner notific…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Bronco 4-door vehicles. The left-side rear door may be opened from the inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position.
The risk: A malfunctioning child safety lock that allows a rear door to be opened unintentionally can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the child safety locks and replace the rear door latch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 9, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ranger, and 2024-2025 Bronco vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been installed or tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.
The risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and verify that the ball joint fastener is tightened properly. If a fastener is loose or missing, the dealer will replace the ball joint and knuckle assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters wer…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir.
The risk: An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorbers, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S01.
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 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Ford Bronco has far fewer complaints per year (185 vs. 452), suggesting less frequent owner-reported issues. However, the Bronco's issues include severe fire and glass shattering risks, while the Accord's higher volume includes many electronic and safety system glitches. In practice, the Bronco may spend less time in the shop, but when problems occur, they can be catastrophic.
Key differences
- The Bronco has 105 recalls vs. 38 for the Accord, meaning more safety campaigns to track.
- Bronco owners report engine fires and shattering glass; Accord owners report power steering/brake failure and unexpected automatic braking.
- The Accord has nearly 2.5 times more complaints per year, but many are for infotainment and minor electrical issues.
- Both have crash-related complaints, but the Accord's higher count (162 vs. 44) may reflect its larger sales volume.
- Check for any signs of fire damage or smoke odor in the engine compartment, especially near the passenger side.
- Inspect the rear glass and side mirrors for cracks or loose fittings, and test blind spot monitoring for consistency.
- Test the power steering and brakes at highway speeds for any hesitation or warning lights.
- Verify that forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control do not engage unexpectedly during a test drive.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model's common issues.
- For the Bronco, check for engine fire recalls and inspect the glass and mirrors.
- For the Accord, test all electronic safety systems and look for signs of fuel odors.
- Request service records to see if previous owners addressed recurring 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 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 23 | 10 |
| 2025 | 180 | 109 |
| 2024 | 75 | 219 |
| 2023 | 226 | 226 |
| 2022 | 378 | 252 |
| 2021 | 229 | 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 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Bronco vs Honda Accord
- FORD Bronco total complaints
- 1,111
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- FORD Bronco total recalls
- 105
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- FORD Bronco avg complaints/year
- 185.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- FORD Bronco
- FORD Bronco top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE