Head-to-head reliability
FORD Excursion vs Honda Accord
How the FORD Excursion 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 Excursion vs Honda Accord: The Excursion averages 206 complaints per year with 27 recalls, while the Accord averages 444 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Excursion's issues often involve stalling and brake failure, whereas the Accord's are more frequently engine and electrical problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Excursion or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Excursion
The Ford Excursion is a large, heavy SUV that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over six years, owners filed 1,236 complaints, averaging 206 per year, with 27 recalls. The most common trouble spots are tires, engine cooling, and electrical problems, and some complaints describe sudden stalling or power loss while driving. These issues can leave a buyer stranded and facing expensive repairs.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a generally strong reputation, but recent models have generated many complaints. Over ten years, there were 4,438 complaints, averaging about 444 per year, and 38 recalls. The most frequent issues involve the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance features. Some owners report serious problems like sudden power loss or braking system failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Excursion | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,236 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 27 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 84 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 206.0 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 92 Better | 144 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 9 | 3 Better |
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 Excursion
- 01TIRES297
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING202
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM164
- 04SERVICE BRAKES122
- 05HYDRAULIC111
Owners report shaking, vibration, and tire bubbles or blowouts, often within a short time after purchase. These failures can cause loss of control, especially at highway speeds.
Complaints include stuck EGR valves causing stalling and sudden engine shutdown while driving. This can lead to loss of power steering and brakes, creating a dangerous situation.
Owners describe complete power loss, unresponsive accelerator, and difficulty restarting. These electrical glitches can happen without warning and leave the vehicle disabled.
Reports include rear brake backing plate failure and brake shoe pins pulling through, leading to brake loss. This is a critical safety issue that can prevent the vehicle from stopping.
“I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXCURSION LIMITED USED IN MAY OF 2011. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH NEW BCT RADIAL A/P LT265/75R16 TIRES. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ONE OF THE TIRES WAS FOUND TO BE OUT OF ROU…”
“LT275/65/R18 Tire developed a massive approximately 18in x 3in bubble on the inner section of tread causing significant vibration and excessive wear in that area in less than 50 miles”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises, loss of speed, and multiple warning lights, sometimes leading to critical failure. These issues can occur even on new vehicles and may require major repairs.
Complaints include TPMS warnings, tire failure after service, and rodent damage to wiring. Electrical problems can cause safety systems to malfunction and leave drivers stranded.
Owners report intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic braking. These failures can disable important safety features without notice.
Reports include sunroof glass exploding and tire failures after service. These unexpected failures can cause injury or distract the driver.
“I purchased this vehicle at 0 miles in July 2025 from Honda Accord in Pensacola Florida. I reported in July 2025 that there was a noise and I was unhappy with the vehicle and would like to exchange the vehicle within the 30 days months later, the noise got lo…”
“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…”
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 Excursion — 27 recalls
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 T…
The risk: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
The defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.
The risk: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FO…
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 T…
The risk: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
The defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.
The risk: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FO…
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 (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an…
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.
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 Excursion or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Ford Excursion has far fewer complaints per year (206) than the Honda Accord (444), but the Excursion's issues often involve sudden stalling or brake loss, which can be more dangerous. The Accord's higher complaint rate means more frequent visits to the shop, but many issues are electronic or cosmetic. In practice, the Excursion may be more reliable in terms of frequency, but its failures can be more severe.
Key differences
- The Ford Excursion has 206 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord has 444 per year, meaning the Accord has more than double the complaint rate.
- Excursion owners report sudden stalling and brake failure, which can be life-threatening, while Accord owners report engine noises and electronic glitches that are less immediately dangerous.
- The Excursion has 27 recalls over 6 years, and the Accord has 38 recalls over 10 years, so the Accord has more recalls per year.
- Tire problems are the top complaint for the Excursion, while engine issues are the top complaint for the Accord.
- Check tire condition and age carefully; look for bubbles, uneven wear, or vibration during test drive, as tire failures are commonly reported.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including the parking brake, and listen for any unusual noises; rear brake backing plate failures have been reported.
- Scan for stored trouble codes and check if all safety systems (adaptive cruise, lane keeping) work without warnings, as forward collision avoidance issues are common.
- Inspect the sunroof for cracks or signs of stress, and check tire condition and TPMS functionality, as sudden tire failures and sunroof explosions have been reported.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the specific problem areas for each model.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or vibrations, especially at highway speeds.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that all recall repairs have been completed.
- For the Excursion, test the brakes and engine performance under load; for the Accord, test all electronic safety features and the sunroof.
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 Excursion or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Excursion vs Honda Accord
- FORD Excursion total complaints
- 1,236
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- FORD Excursion total recalls
- 27
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- FORD Excursion avg complaints/year
- 206.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- FORD Excursion
- FORD Excursion top complaint area
- TIRES
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE