Head-to-head reliability
FORD Maverick vs Honda Accord
How the FORD Maverick 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 Maverick vs Honda Accord: The Maverick averages 117 complaints per year over 5 years, while the Accord averages 444 per year over 10 years. Maverick owners report sudden power loss and 12V battery failures; Accord owners report false braking and engine issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Maverick or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Maverick
The Ford Maverick is a compact pickup that, in owner reports, shows a pattern of hybrid-specific electrical and powertrain troubles. Complaints describe sudden loss of acceleration, shuddering during braking transitions, and 12V battery failures that can shut down the truck entirely. These issues appear across multiple model years and often require dealer intervention, suggesting a vehicle that may be less dependable for daily use than its size and price suggest.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a midsize sedan, has a much higher total complaint count but over twice as many years on the market. Its top issues center on engine problems, electrical glitches, and a forward collision avoidance system that can trigger false alerts or sudden braking. While many complaints are about driver-assistance features, the engine and electrical failures can be serious, indicating that even a mainstream sedan can have reliability headaches.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Maverick | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 587 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 83 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 33 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 117.4 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 16 Better | 144 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 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 Maverick
- 01POWER TRAIN168
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM159
- 03ENGINE111
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER84
- 05SERVICE BRAKES67
Owners report sudden loss of acceleration while driving, with the accelerator pedal going limp and the vehicle not moving even with the pedal floored. Another complaint describes a violent shudder and loss of deceleration during the transition between regenerative and friction braking, which could affect stopping confidence.
The 12V battery in hybrid models frequently fails to hold a charge, triggering 'sleep mode' warnings and, in some cases, a complete electrical and mechanical shutdown while driving. The rearview camera can also freeze, showing a stale image that doesn't reflect what's behind the vehicle.
Some owners report issues with the engine control unit (ECU) location and potential failures that lead to total shutdowns. In one case, the vehicle experienced a total electrical and mechanical shutdown on two separate occasions, cutting all instrumentation.
“Twice in the last two months the vehicle completely lost the ability to accelerate while driving. While the vehicle was in motion, the accelerator lost all tension and you could put your foot the floor without the vehicle moving. The vehicle still had all oth…”
“RITICAL 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…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report engine noises that persist after dealer visits, and in some cases, a cascade of warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS) followed by a loss of speed and inability to accelerate. These symptoms suggest potential engine or drivetrain control issues.
Electrical problems include TPMS warnings that lead to tire failures, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, which can cause various malfunctions. The electrical system seems vulnerable to environmental factors and component failures.
The forward collision avoidance system can trigger false alerts or even apply brakes unexpectedly on open roads with no obstacles. Other owners see intermittent messages about adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and road departure mitigation, indicating a broader sensor or software issue.
“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 Maverick — 83 recalls
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.
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.
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.
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 — 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 Maverick or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Ford Maverick averages 117.4 complaints per year over 5 years, while the Honda Accord averages 443.8 per year over 10 years. On a per-year basis, the Maverick has fewer complaints, but its issues are more concentrated in safety-critical areas like loss of power and braking. The Accord's higher volume is partly due to its longer sales history, but its forward collision and engine problems are also concerning.
Key differences
- The Maverick has a higher proportion of powertrain complaints (168 out of 587) that include sudden loss of acceleration, while the Accord's top issue is engine (985 out of 4438) with noises and warning cascades.
- Electrical system issues are common in both, but Maverick owners report 12V battery failures leading to shutdowns, whereas Accord owners report wiring damage and TPMS-related tire failures.
- The Accord has a significant number of forward collision avoidance complaints (821) involving false alerts and unexpected braking, which the Maverick does not show in its top components.
- The Maverick has 83 recalls over 5 years, while the Accord has 38 recalls over 10 years, indicating a higher recall frequency for the Maverick.
- Check for any history of 12V battery replacements or 'sleep mode' warnings, as this could indicate a recurring electrical problem.
- Test the braking transition from regenerative to friction braking at low speeds to see if there is any shudder or loss of deceleration.
- Ask if the forward collision avoidance system has ever triggered false alerts or unexpected braking, and check for any pending software updates.
- Inspect the engine wiring harness for signs of rodent damage, especially if the car is parked outdoors or in rural areas.
Before you buy
- Obtain the vehicle's recall history and ensure all recalls have been performed, especially for the Maverick's transmission control module and the Accord's fuel pump.
- Test drive at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic to feel for any hesitation, shuddering, or unexpected braking.
- Check the 12V battery health on the Maverick hybrid and ask for a load test if possible.
- For the Accord, verify that the forward collision warning and braking systems are functioning correctly and ask about any software updates.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the engine and electrical systems, including wiring harnesses for damage.
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 Maverick | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 5 |
| 2025 | 98 | 101 |
| 2024 | 69 | 214 |
| 2023 | 263 | 224 |
| 2022 | 149 | 238 |
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 — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Maverick vs Honda Accord
- FORD Maverick total complaints
- 587
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- FORD Maverick total recalls
- 83
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- FORD Maverick avg complaints/year
- 117.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- FORD Maverick
- FORD Maverick top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE