Head-to-head reliability
FORD Expedition vs Honda Accord
How the FORD Expedition 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 vs Honda Accord: The Expedition averages 219 complaints per year with 94 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. Both have injury reports, but the Accord also has 3 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Expedition or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Expedition
The Ford Expedition is a large SUV that owners often rely on for family hauling and towing. Over the past decade, it has averaged about 219 complaints per year, with the most frequent issues in the power train, engine, and electrical systems. Many complaints describe serious problems like transmission failure, engine fires, and brake malfunctions, which can be costly and dangerous. With 94 recalls and 151 injuries reported, buyers should be aware that this vehicle may require frequent attention and repairs.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan known for its fuel efficiency and practicality. It has averaged about 452 complaints per year, with common issues in the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance. Owners report problems such as engine stalling, power steering failure, and unintended automatic braking, which can be alarming. Although it has fewer recalls (38) than the Expedition, it has 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported, indicating that some defects can have severe consequences.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Expedition | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,193 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 94 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 64 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 219.3 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 151 | 146 Better |
| 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
- 01POWER TRAIN826
- 02ENGINE374
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER265
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM258
- 05SEAT BELTS168
Owners report strong vibrations at highway speeds and sudden loss of acceleration, where the vehicle acts like it's in neutral. These issues can make driving unpredictable and may lead to dangerous situations on the road.
Complaints include engine fires while driving, with smoke entering the cabin, and software glitches that cause the engine to stop and restart while in motion. Such failures can be life-threatening and require immediate attention.
Drivers describe brake failure where the pedal goes to the floor and warning lights illuminate, often shortly after purchase. This can result in near-misses or crashes, making it a critical safety concern.
Although specific complaints are not detailed, seat belt issues are among the top components, suggesting potential problems with retractors or buckles that could affect occupant safety in a crash.
“I purchased a new 2025 Ford Expedition Max. Since I left the dealer’s lot, the vehicle has had a strong vibration at any speed over 60 miles per hour, which makes highway driving and longer distance trips very challenging or impossible. Since I bought the veh…”
“Driving on highway, tried to accelerate, the car was acting like it was in neutral and would not accelerate. Checked to ensure I was not. the car began decelerating and I started to pull over. As I entered the brake down lane - the car automatically switched…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report alarms for brake, hill descent, and ABS failures, followed by loss of speed, as well as rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These symptoms can indicate serious engine or hybrid system problems that may lead to breakdowns.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and tire failures after TPMS warnings. Such failures can cause loss of control and increase crash risk.
Drivers describe unintended automatic braking or failure to brake when needed, sometimes occurring under similar conditions. This can lead to rear-end collisions or near-misses, undermining trust in the safety system.
Issues include persistent sulfur odors and fuel pump problems that may cause stalling or difficulty starting. These can be inconvenient and potentially dangerous if they occur while driving.
“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 Expedition — 94 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
The risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The passenger side air bag may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag to deploy with excessive force during a crash.
The risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S51.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of…
The risk: An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expec…
The fix: The EBB module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of…
The risk: An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expec…
The fix: Dealers will replace the electronic brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 26, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD4. Vehicle Identi…
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 Expedition or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Ford Expedition has fewer complaints per year (about 219) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), but the Expedition's issues often involve severe safety defects like fires and brake failures. The Accord's higher complaint rate suggests more frequent problems, though many are related to advanced driver aids. In practice, both vehicles have significant reliability concerns, but the Expedition may have fewer overall complaints while the Accord may have more widespread issues.
Key differences
- The Ford Expedition has 94 recalls versus 38 for the Honda Accord, indicating more manufacturer-identified issues.
- The Honda Accord has a higher annual complaint rate (452 vs 219), suggesting more frequent owner-reported problems.
- The Expedition's top complaints include power train and engine failures like fires and transmission issues, while the Accord's top complaints include forward collision avoidance and electrical failures.
- The Accord has 3 reported deaths and 146 injuries, while the Expedition has 0 deaths and 151 injuries, showing different severity patterns.
- Check for transmission shudder or vibration at highway speeds, as owners report strong vibrations over 60 mph.
- Inspect for signs of engine overheating or fire damage, and ask about any software updates for the engine control module.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds for any warning lights or loss of assist.
- Verify that forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control function correctly without unexpected braking.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and engine for the Ford Expedition, and the hybrid system and electrical components for the Honda Accord.
- Test drive at highway speeds to check for vibrations, acceleration issues, and proper function of safety systems.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for software updates and recall repairs.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a dealer specializing in the respective brand to identify potential defects.
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 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 10 |
| 2025 | 36 | 109 |
| 2024 | 76 | 219 |
| 2023 | 65 | 226 |
| 2022 | 113 | 252 |
| 2021 | 235 | 234 |
| 2020 | 419 | 362 |
| 2019 | 504 | 691 |
| 2018 | 375 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 357 | 537 |
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 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Expedition vs Honda Accord
- FORD Expedition total complaints
- 2,193
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- FORD Expedition total recalls
- 94
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- FORD Expedition avg complaints/year
- 219.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- FORD Expedition
- FORD Expedition top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE