Head-to-head reliability
FORD Expedition EL vs Honda Accord
How the FORD Expedition EL 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 Expedition EL vs Honda Accord: The Expedition EL has 272 complaints in one year and no recalls, while the Accord has 4,438 complaints over ten years and 38 recalls. The Expedition shows brake and electrical failures; the Accord has engine and driver-assist issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Expedition EL or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Expedition EL
The Ford Expedition EL is a large, body-on-frame SUV that owners often use for heavy hauling and family transport. In one year, it accumulated 272 complaints, with electrical and brake issues dominating. Owners report brake failures in slippery conditions and electrical problems that can lead to crashes. The lack of recalls suggests unresolved defects, making it a higher-risk used purchase.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan known for practicality and efficiency. Over ten years, it has 4,438 complaints and 38 recalls, averaging 443.8 complaints per year. Common issues include engine problems, electrical glitches, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions. While recalls show some response, the volume of complaints indicates frequent reliability concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Expedition EL | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 272 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 20 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 272.0 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 27 Better | 144 |
| 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 Expedition EL
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM70
- 02SERVICE BRAKES68
- 03POWER TRAIN38
- 04ENGINE33
- 05HYDRAULIC31
Owners report electrical issues that can cause brakes to fail in snow, leading to crashes. Heat from under the vehicle is also noted, possibly linked to a visibility recall. These faults can compromise safety and are hard to diagnose.
Brake pedal may not respond during slippery conditions, resulting in crashes. A recall for hydraulic brakes exists but parts may be unavailable. This is a critical safety concern for buyers in cold climates.
Sudden limp mode, rough engine, and erratic shifting are reported, often with warning lights. Speedometer failure can cause transmission issues. These problems can leave drivers stranded or cause loss of control.
Engine blower seizure and complete engine shutdown while driving are reported, with multiple warning lights. These failures can happen intermittently and may not be resolved by dealers, posing serious safety risks.
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds during the snow, the vehicle slid on the icy road. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. Due to the failure, the vehicle crashed into the…”
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V648000 (VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact felt heat coming from the bottom of the…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises, loss of power, and critical failure warnings at highway speeds. Some vehicles lose speed and cannot accelerate, creating dangerous situations. These issues often appear at low mileage.
Electrical problems include tire pressure warnings leading to tire failure, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses. These can cause sudden blowouts or sensor malfunctions, affecting safety and reliability.
Adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic high beams may fail intermittently. Owners report unresolved threats and repeated dealer visits. These failures reduce driver assistance effectiveness.
Sunroof glass can explode spontaneously, and tire failures occur after service. These unpredictable issues pose injury risks and erode trust in build quality.
“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 Expedition EL
No recalls on record.
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 Expedition EL or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Ford Expedition EL has 272 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages 443.8 per year. However, the Expedition's complaints are concentrated in one year, suggesting a severe defect, while the Accord's are spread over a decade. In practice, the Expedition may have a higher immediate risk, but the Accord has more frequent issues over time.
Key differences
- The Expedition EL has 272 complaints in one year with no recalls, while the Accord has 4,438 complaints over ten years and 38 recalls, indicating different response levels.
- Expedition owners report brake failures in snow and electrical issues causing crashes, whereas Accord owners report engine shutdowns and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- The Expedition EL has 20 crash-related complaints and 27 injuries in one year; the Accord has 160 crash-related complaints and 144 injuries over ten years.
- The Accord has three deaths reported, while the Expedition EL has none, but the Expedition's concentrated complaints suggest a severe unresolved defect.
- Test the brakes on slippery surfaces and listen for electrical buzzing or heat from under the dash, as owners report brake failure and electrical issues.
- Check for transmission shudder or limp mode during test drive, and ensure speedometer works steadily, as power train problems are common.
- Listen for engine noises and watch for warning lights during acceleration, as owners report loss of power and critical failures.
- Test all driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, and inspect sunroof for cracks, as these are reported failure points.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Expedition's brakes, electrical system, and transmission for signs of failure.
- For the Accord, test the engine under load, check for electrical gremlins, and verify forward collision avoidance operation.
- Ask sellers for maintenance records, especially for brake and engine repairs.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds and slippery conditions if possible to replicate reported issues.
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 Expedition EL | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 272 | 534 |
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 Expedition EL or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Expedition EL vs Honda Accord
- FORD Expedition EL total complaints
- 272
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- FORD Expedition EL total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- FORD Expedition EL avg complaints/year
- 272.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- FORD Expedition EL
- FORD Expedition EL top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE