Head-to-head reliability

FORD Maverick vs Honda Accord

How the FORD Maverick and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports β€” and which is the lower-risk used buy.

FORD Maverick579 complaints Β· 82 recalls Fewer issues per year
Honda Accord4,173 complaints Β· 35 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

FORD Maverick averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. FORD Maverick has 579 complaints and 82 recalls on record; Honda Accord has 4,173 complaints and 35 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryFORD MaverickHonda Accord
Total complaintsAll model years combined579 Better4,173
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns8235 Better
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints32 Better146
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years115.8 Better417.3
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints16 Better135
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints33

Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.

What actually goes wrong

The problems owners report

The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle β€” what fails, and what owners say in their own words.

FORD Maverick

  1. 01POWER TRAIN164
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM158
  3. 03ENGINE108
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER83
  5. 05SERVICE BRAKES67
In owners' words β€” POWER TRAIN

β€œRITICAL BRAKING FAILURE & DEALER NEGLIGENCE: The vehicle exhibits a violent shudder and loss of deceleration during the hand-off between regenerative and friction braking. This defect was first reported to the dealer (Rich Ford) at 35,399 miles (RO #[XXX]) wi…”

β€œI was driving my vehicle that was warmed up,about 5 miles from my house. I set the cruise control on 50 mph- the vehicle climbed an incline at 50, after the decline started the vehicle down shifted trying to keep 50 mph, but was still over by 3-5 mph. The roa…”

Honda Accord

  1. 01ENGINE940
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM812
  3. 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE784
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER677
  5. 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM567
In owners' words β€” ENGINE

β€œ2021 Honda Accord EX-L, 1.5T turbocharged engine. Within 8 months of purchase at approximately 21,900 miles, I experienced three separate incidents of sudden complete engine power loss at highway speeds. During each incident the vehicle would not exceed 2,000…”

β€œI am filing a complaint regarding the premature head gasket failure on my 2021 Honda Accord, which failed on May 28, 2026, with only 89,000 miles on the vehicle. A head gasket is a critical engine component that should last well beyond 89,000 miles under norm…”

Official recalls

Safety recalls on record

Federal recall campaigns β€” the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.

FORD Maverick β€” 82 recalls

Exterior Lighting β€” Turn Signal β€” Bulbs
#23V848000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. In the event that one of the rear turn signals stops working, the vehicle will not adjust the turn signal flash rate frequency to warn the driver that a turn signal is not working correctly. As such, these vehicles fail to…

The risk: A nonfunctioning exterior turn signal will not notify other drivers that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 16, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C41.

Equipment β€” Other β€” Labels
#24V266000Dec 2024

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Maverick vehicles. The tire and loading information label may state the incorrect vehicle capacity, tire pressure, and spare tire size. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 11…

The risk: Incorrect tire and capacity information may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Ford will mail new labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C08.

Power Train β€” Automatic Transmission β€” Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
#24V330000Oct 2024

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2020-2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.

The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S33.

Fuel System, Gasoline β€” Storage β€” Tank Assembly
#24V185000Aug 2024

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Maverick vehicles. The fuel tanks may have an open pinch joint between the two molds, which can allow fuel to leak.

The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

The fix: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine immediately if a fuel leak is detected or the Malfunction Indicator Lamp illuminates. Dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 10…

Honda Accord β€” 35 recalls

Seat Belts β€” Rear/Other β€” Retractor
#21V900000

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.

Air Bags β€” Sensor β€” Occupant Classification β€” Front Passenger
#24V064000Jan 2024

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…

Fuel System, Gasoline β€” Delivery β€” Fuel Pump
#23V858000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…

The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…

Air Bags β€” Sensor β€” Occupant Classification β€” Front Passenger
#26V332000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…

The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…

Year by year

Which model years to avoid

Complaints per model year for both vehicles β€” lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.

YearFORD MaverickHonda Accord
202685
20259498
2024670
2023262224
2022148231
Years to scrutinize: the 2023 FORD Maverick drew the most complaints (262); the 2018 Honda Accord drew the most (1,846). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Maverick or Honda Accord in front of you β€” accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

FORD Maverick vs Honda Accord β€” comparison facts
Comparison
FORD Maverick vs Honda Accord
FORD Maverick total complaints
579
Honda Accord total complaints
4,173
FORD Maverick total recalls
82
Honda Accord total recalls
35
FORD Maverick avg complaints/year
115.8
Honda Accord avg complaints/year
417.3
More reliable overall
FORD Maverick
FORD Maverick top complaint area
POWER TRAIN
Honda Accord top complaint area
ENGINE