Head-to-head reliability
FORD Contour vs Honda Accord
How the FORD Contour 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 Contour vs Honda Accord: the Contour shows 252 complaints over 1 year with 7 recalls, while the Accord shows 4,524 over 10 years with 38 recalls. The Contour's reports center on structure and fuel leaks; the Accord's on engine and electrical faults. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Contour or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Contour
The Ford Contour is a compact sedan that, in this NHTSA sample, shows 252 complaints concentrated in a single model year, with structure and fuel-system issues dominating the list. Owners describe stalling and cutting out at speed, fuel smells and leaks after refueling, and a dashboard that curls up at the windshield and can block defrost airflow. With 7 recalls and 12 crash-related reports, it reads as a car that needs a careful pre-purchase inspection rather than a trouble-free commuter.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord sample covers 10 years and 4,524 complaints, averaging about 452 per year, with engine, electrical, and forward-collision-avoidance reports leading. Owners describe alarms and speed loss at highway pace, power steering and braking failures, and adaptive cruise control behaving unexpectedly. With 38 recalls, 162 crash-related reports, and 3 deaths in the data, it is a widely sold car with a broad spread of reported problems rather than one single weak spot.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Contour | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 252 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 12 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 252.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 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 Contour
- 01STRUCTURE82
- 02FUEL SYSTEM38
- 03GASOLINE34
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29
- 05VISIBILITY29
The largest complaint group is structure, and owners describe the dashboard curling away from the windshield over years until it interferes with defrost vent flow and visibility. One owner also reported the car cutting out and dying in the middle of an interstate, so body and stalling complaints overlap in the same category.
Owners report the car acting like it has no gas around a quarter tank, with stuttering, hesitation, and stalling that persisted after a fuel filter replacement. Another owner noticed a strong fuel odor after refueling and found the fuel tank leaking, which is a fire-risk item to check before buying.
Complaints center on instrument panel warping and a loose bezel, with one owner noting the warping may affect air bag performance and that a defrost bezel became a projectile during a quick stop. A dealer visit under a customer satisfaction program reportedly found no issue at the time, so the problem can develop slowly.
Visibility appears among the top components, and the dashboard curling described in the structure complaints is the likely link, since it can block defrost airflow and obscure the view. For a buyer, that means checking the top of the dash and the defrost vents closely.
“I HAD JUST GOT ON INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR STARTED CUTTING OUT. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FLASHERS ON & TRIED TO GET IN THE LEFT LANE SO I COULD GET ON SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE BUT CARS WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GET OVER. MY CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE. I CALLED ASAP…”
“2000 FORD CONTOUR SVT, 71K MILES THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CURLING, FROM WHERE THE WINDSHIELD MEETS THE DASHBOARD, FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. THE PROCESS HAS BEEN VERY SLOW, BUT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT NOW SEVERELY INTERFERES WITH DEFROST VENT FLOW AND VISI…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Engine complaints are the largest group, with owners describing alarms for brake, hill descent, and ABS along with loss of speed at highway pace, plus rattling while accelerating and rough transitions between EV and gas mode. These are drivability and warning-light issues that can leave a buyer facing diagnosis work.
Owners report electronic power steering and braking failing and locking up simultaneously at highway speed, and a TPMS repair followed by a catastrophic tire failure. Electrical faults here can affect steering, braking, and tire monitoring, so service history matters.
Owners describe the system failing to resolve a threat and adaptive cruise control behaving unexpectedly under the same driving and weather conditions on the same route. Because these are driver-assist features, unexpected behavior is a real concern for buyers who rely on them.
Fuel and propulsion complaints rank high, and one owner reported a persistent rotten-egg sulfur odor that continued after a paid filter replacement and odor treatment. That points to fuel or emissions-related diagnosis that may not be fixed by a simple service.
“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 Contour — 7 recalls
The defect: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS…
The risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE B…
The fix: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
The defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE M…
The risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN INCORRECT LABEL WAS INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR. THIS LABEL CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ACTIVATION OF THE CHILDPROOF SAFETY LOCKS.
The risk: THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE MAY BELIEVE THE CHILDPROOF SAFETY LOCK WAS ACTIVATED WHEN IT WAS NOT, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE DOOR TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
The fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPLACEMENT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BI-FUEL SYSTEM. IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALERS W…
The risk: IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.
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 Contour or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Ford Contour shows about 252 complaints per year against roughly 452 per year for the Honda Accord, so the Contour has fewer reported complaints per year in this data. In practice, the Contour's reports cluster around stalling, fuel leaks, and dashboard warping, while the Accord's spread across engine, electrical, and driver-assist systems, so the difference is one of focus rather than a clean win.
Key differences
- The Contour's complaints concentrate on structure and fuel system, including dashboard curling and fuel tank leaks, while the Accord's concentrate on engine and electrical systems, including steering and braking lockup.
- The Contour sample covers one model year with 252 complaints, while the Accord covers 10 years with 4,524, so per-year comparison is the fairer read.
- The Accord has 38 recalls and 162 crash-related reports versus 7 recalls and 12 crash-related reports for the Contour, a much broader recall footprint.
- The Accord's forward-collision-avoidance complaints describe adaptive cruise control surprises, a category the Contour data does not show.
- Check the fuel tank and lines for leaks and smell for fuel after refueling, since owners reported a leaking tank and strong odor.
- Inspect the top of the dashboard where it meets the windshield for curling, and confirm the defrost vents are not blocked.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking at low and highway speeds and watch for warning lights, given reports of simultaneous lockup.
- Exercise adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warnings on a test drive, and ask for records of any software or sensor repairs.
Before you buy
- Ask for a complete service history and any recall completion paperwork for both vehicles.
- On the Contour, inspect the fuel tank, fuel lines, and dashboard-to-windshield seam before purchase.
- On the Accord, test drive at highway speed and check for steering, braking, and driver-assist warning lights.
- Have a independent mechanic scan stored codes and check for pending engine and electrical faults.
- Confirm the tire and TPMS condition on the Accord, given a reported tire failure after a TPMS repair.
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 Contour or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Contour vs Honda Accord
- FORD Contour total complaints
- 252
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- FORD Contour total recalls
- 7
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- FORD Contour avg complaints/year
- 252.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- FORD Contour
- FORD Contour top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE