Head-to-head reliability
FORD E 250 vs Honda Accord
How the FORD E 250 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 E 250 vs Honda Accord: The E 250 averaged 7.7 complaints per year over 10 years, with 166 recalls, while the Accord averaged 452.4 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The E 250 had 0 deaths and 15 injuries reported, versus 3 deaths and 146 injuries for the Accord. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD E 250 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD E 250
The Ford E 250 is a full-size van often used for work or hauling, and its complaint pattern reflects heavy-duty use. Over 10 years it averaged 7.7 complaints per year, with engine and tire issues standing out. Owners report sudden engine stalls, spark plug failures, and tire problems that can affect safety. With 166 recalls, many for equipment adaptations, it requires diligent recall checks.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a much higher complaint volume, averaging 452.4 complaints per year over 10 years. The data shows a wide range of issues, especially with engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems. Some reports involve serious safety concerns like power steering and braking failures. With 38 recalls, it also has notable recall activity.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD E 250 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 77 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 166 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 12 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.7 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 15 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 E 250
- 01ENGINE11
- 02TIRES9
- 03AIR BAGS8
- 04FUEL SYSTEM6
- 05GASOLINE6
Owners report the PCM causing fuel pumps to burn out, leading to engine stalls at high speed, and spark plugs blowing out, which can damage the coil. These failures can leave you stranded or cause loss of power while driving.
Complaints include tires failing prematurely, such as a set rated for 50,000 miles needing replacement after about 13,000 miles, and severe thumping from the rear. Tire failures can lead to blowouts and loss of control.
One owner reported a crash after the vehicle fishtailed, and another noted a missing passenger air bag on/off switch despite the manual stating it should be there. Air bag issues can affect occupant protection in a crash.
Owners describe transmission problems and fuel relay leaks causing abnormal odors. A fuel leak can be a fire hazard, and transmission failure can leave you without power.
“THE PCM AT 34,000 MILES CAUSED TWO FUEL PUMPS TO BURN OUT IN 4 DAYS. A "WRENCH" WARNING SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE DASH AND THE VANS ENGINE DIES WHILE GOING AT HIGH SPEED (WE PULL A PRESSURE WASHING TRAILER HOLDING WITH HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS & WATER). IF IT WAS RAI…”
“THANKFULLY I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY BETWEEN CURVES ON A STRETCH OF ROADWAY WITH A 30MPH SPEED LIMIT (ONE LANE EACH DIRECTION) WHEN I 'BLEW A SPARK PLUG'. THE COIL WAS ALSO DAMAGED I WAS TOLD. I WAS ALSO TOLD THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN,…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report alarms and loss of speed at highway speeds, as well as rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These issues can cause sudden power loss and require costly repairs.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking at highway speeds, and tire failure after a TPMS warning. Electrical failures can compromise critical safety systems.
Owners describe the system failing to prevent collisions, with incidents occurring under similar conditions. This can increase the risk of rear-end crashes.
Reports include persistent sulfur odors and a foot slipping behind a plastic panel. These may indicate quality or design issues that affect comfort and safety.
“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 E 250 — 166 recalls
The defect: New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain 2008, 2013 and 2014 Ford E-250 vehicles modified to be equipped with Ricon Wheelchair lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height. As…
The risk: If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards towards the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: New England has notified owners, and Ricon dealers will replace the lift positioning input cam, free of charge. The recall began on March 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884 or New England customer service…
The defect: New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, E-350, and 2015 Ford Transit vans equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts by Ricon. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. Additional…
The risk: If the platform side plates crack or the platform mounting fails from out-of-position bearings, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the vehicle's doors are opened, the platfor…
The fix: New England will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 29,…
The defect: Mobility Specialists, Inc. (Mobility Specialists) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affec…
The risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator. Add…
The fix: Mobility Specialists will notify owners to take their vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The…
The defect: National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van) is recalling certain 2007-2014 Ford E-150 and E-250 vehicles manufactured February 26, 2007, to August 19, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform s…
The risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
The fix: National Van will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on…
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 E 250 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Ford E 250 has far fewer complaints per year (7.7 vs. 452.4), but both vehicles have serious reported issues. The Accord's higher volume means more potential problems, while the E 250's lower rate may reflect its commercial use. In practice, the E 250 may have fewer overall complaints, but each could be severe.
Key differences
- The Ford E 250 averages 7.7 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages 452.4, indicating a much higher complaint volume for the Accord.
- The E 250's top issues are engine stalls and tire failures, while the Accord's include electrical system failures and forward collision avoidance problems.
- The Accord has 3 reported deaths and 146 injuries in complaints, compared to 0 deaths and 15 injuries for the E 250.
- The E 250 has 166 recalls, many for equipment adaptations, while the Accord has 38 recalls covering electrical, fuel, and air bag systems.
- Check for engine stalls or warning lights related to the PCM and fuel pump; listen for spark plug blowout symptoms like misfires.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear or bulges, and verify the passenger air bag on/off switch if equipped.
- Test the electrical system thoroughly, including power steering and brakes, and look for warning lights or TPMS issues.
- Check for forward collision avoidance system functionality and any unusual engine noises or rough transitions between EV and gas modes.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles, especially the E 250's equipment adaptations and the Accord's electrical and fuel pump recalls.
- For the E 250, test drive at highway speeds and check for engine hesitation, transmission issues, and tire condition.
- For the Accord, test all electrical features, including power steering, brakes, and forward collision avoidance, and check for odors.
- Review the owner's manual for air bag switch information on the E 250 and verify its presence.
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the specific model's common issues.
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 E 250 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD E 250 vs Honda Accord
- FORD E 250 total complaints
- 77
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- FORD E 250 total recalls
- 166
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- FORD E 250 avg complaints/year
- 7.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- FORD E 250
- FORD E 250 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE