Head-to-head reliability
FORD F 250 vs Honda Accord
How the FORD F 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 F 250 vs Honda Accord: the F 250 shows 0 complaints over ten years and 25 recalls, while the Accord shows 4,524 complaints, about 452 per year, plus 38 recalls, 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries and 3 deaths. The F 250 has fewer reported issues per year; the Accord's record centers on engine, electrical and driver-assist faults. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD F 250 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD F 250
The Ford F 250 shows zero owner complaints filed with NHTSA over the ten-year window, so there is no documented pattern of owner-reported failures to describe. What it does carry is 25 recalls, with subjects touching the engine, front seat recliners, and door latches. In ownership terms, that means the record is dominated by manufacturer-issued safety campaigns rather than complaints, so a buyer should focus on whether each recall was actually completed on the specific truck.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume vehicle with a very active complaint record: 4,524 complaints over ten years, about 452 per year, plus 38 recalls. The complaints cluster around the engine, electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and fuel/propulsion system, and the sample text describes real driving events such as loss of speed with brake and stability alarms, power steering and braking failure at highway speed, and adaptive cruise control behaving unexpectedly. It also carries 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths in the data, which is a signal to take the reported failure modes seriously during a test drive.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD F 250 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 F 250
No component data available.
Engine is the most frequent recall subject for the F 250 in this data, appearing multiple times among the 25 recalls. No owner complaint text is on record, so the practical concern for a buyer is an open or unrepaired engine-related recall rather than a described symptom.
A recall covers the front seat recliner assembly. That matters because a recliner that fails to hold position affects seating posture and control; check that the recall work was performed and that both front seats lock firmly in each position.
A door latch recall is listed. A door that does not latch securely is a straightforward safety concern, so verify the recall status and test every door, including that it closes and stays closed firmly.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Engine leads the complaint list at 1,006 reports. Owners describe alarms for brake, hill descent, ABS and critical failure appearing at highway speed with the vehicle losing speed, and rattling under acceleration with rough transitions between electric and gas mode on hybrid models. For a buyer, that means a thorough highway test drive and a scan for stored codes.
Electrical system complaints total 895. Sample reports include electronic power steering and braking failing and locking up simultaneously at highway speed, and a tire failure shortly after a TPMS warning was supposedly repaired. These are the kind of faults that need a diagnostic scan and a check of open electrical recalls.
Forward collision avoidance accounts for 837 complaints. Owners describe the system intervening or behaving unexpectedly at steady speeds, including with adaptive cruise control set around 70 mph on the same route more than once. Test the driver-assist features yourself on a highway stretch and confirm any related software recall was applied.
Fuel and propulsion system complaints total 602, and a fuel pump delivery recall is listed. Fuel delivery faults can cause stalling or loss of power, so confirm the fuel pump recall was completed and listen for hesitation or rough running during acceleration.
“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 F 250 — 25 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Ford…
The risk: If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. The recall began July 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
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 F 250 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Ford F 250 has zero complaints per year in this data versus roughly 452 per year for the Honda Accord, so the F 250 has far fewer owner-reported issues per year. In practice, the F 250's record is about tracking and completing 25 recalls, while the Accord's record means actively screening for engine, electrical, and driver-assist faults on the specific car you are considering.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: the F 250 has 0 complaints in the data, while the Accord has 4,524 over ten years, about 452 per year.
- Recall profile: the F 250 has 25 recalls covering engine, seat recliner, and door latches; the Accord has 38 recalls including hybrid power control software, fuel pump, seat belt retractor, and occupant classification sensor.
- Reported failure style: the Accord's sample complaints describe loss of speed with brake and stability alarms, power steering and braking lockup at highway speed, and adaptive cruise control events; the F 250 has no complaint text, only recall subjects.
- Outcome data: the Accord shows 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths; the F 250 shows 0 in each of those categories.
- Ask for the recall history by VIN and confirm the engine, front seat recliner, and door latch recalls were completed; unrepaired campaigns are the main documented risk here.
- Test both front seats through every recline position and open and close every door, checking that latches engage and hold.
- During a highway test drive, watch for brake, hill descent, ABS or critical failure alarms, any loss of speed, and unexpected adaptive cruise control behavior; these match the sample complaints.
- Have a shop scan for stored engine and electrical codes and confirm the hybrid power control software, fuel pump, seat belt retractor, and occupant classification recalls were done.
Before you buy
- Pull the full recall and complaint history by VIN for the exact vehicle before negotiating.
- On the Accord, do a highway test drive long enough to engage adaptive cruise control and to reach speeds where owners report alarms.
- On the F 250, verify each of the 25 recalls was completed and get documentation, not just a verbal assurance.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection that includes an electronic diagnostic scan on either vehicle.
- Check tire condition and TPMS function on the Accord, given the reported tire failure following a TPMS repair.
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 F 250 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | 0 | 109 |
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 0 | 234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 362 |
| 2019 | 0 | 691 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 F 250 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD F 250 vs Honda Accord
- FORD F 250 total complaints
- 0
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- FORD F 250 total recalls
- 25
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- FORD F 250 avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- FORD F 250
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE