Head-to-head reliability

FORD Mustang GTD vs Honda Accord

How the FORD Mustang GTD and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

FORD Mustang GTD0 complaints · 2 recalls Fewer issues per year
Honda Accord4,524 complaints · 38 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

FORD Mustang GTD vs Honda Accord: The Mustang GTD has 0 complaints and 2 recalls over 2 years, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls over 10 years. The Accord also has 162 crash-related reports. The Mustang GTD shows far fewer reported issues per year. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The picture

Is the FORD Mustang GTD or Honda Accord more reliable?

A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.

FORD Mustang GTD

The Ford Mustang GTD is a low-volume, high-performance car, and the NHTSA data reflects that: zero owner complaints over two years. The only recorded issues are two recalls for the windshield wiper/washer motor, which could affect visibility in bad weather. For a buyer, this means very little real-world failure history to review, but also fewer data points to judge long-term reliability. It's a specialized vehicle where ownership experience is likely defined by dealer service and recall completion, not by recurring breakdowns.

Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is a mass-market sedan with 4,524 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 452 per year. The most common trouble spots are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths. Owner complaints describe stalling, power steering and braking failures, and false automatic braking. This is a high-volume vehicle with a wide range of reported problems, so a used buyer should expect to check for open recalls and specific symptoms.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

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

CategoryFORD Mustang GTDHonda Accord
Total complaintsAll model years combined0 Better4,524
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns2 Better38
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints0 Better162
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years0.0 Better452.4
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints0 Better146
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better3

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 Mustang GTD

No component data available.

What these mean
Windshield Wiper/Washer Motor

Two recalls cover the wiper motor, which could fail and reduce visibility. Owners have not filed complaints, but a failed wiper motor is a safety concern in rain or snow. Buyers should confirm the recall was performed.

Honda Accord

  1. 01ENGINE1,006
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
  3. 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
  5. 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
What these mean
Engine

Owners report sudden power loss, alarms for brake and hill descent failures, and rattling noises during acceleration. Some describe rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These issues can leave a driver stranded or cause unsafe speed loss.

Electrical System

Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and a tire failure after a TPMS warning. These are serious safety risks that can lead to loss of control.

Forward Collision Avoidance

Owners report the system activating unexpectedly or failing to resolve defects, even after dealer service. This can cause sudden braking or a near-miss when adaptive cruise control is engaged.

Fuel/Propulsion System

There are 602 complaints about fuel/propulsion, often tied to hybrid management and fuel pump recalls. Symptoms include stalling, rough running, and warning lights. A failing fuel pump can cause the engine to stop while driving.

In owners' words — ENGINE

“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 Mustang GTD — 2 recalls

Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Motor
#26V418000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Mustang and 2025-2026 Mustang GTD vehicles. During certain cold temperature conditions, the windshield wipers may function only at their high-speed setting and the washing system may fail to function properly.

The risk: Windshield wipers or a washing system that fails to function as intended can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper motor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C32. Vehi…

Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Motor
#26V418000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Mustang and 2025-2026 Mustang GTD vehicles. During certain cold temperature conditions, the windshield wipers may function only at their high-speed setting and the washing system may fail to function properly.

The risk: Windshield wipers or a washing system that fails to function as intended can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper motor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C32. Vehi…

Honda Accord — 38 recalls

Electrical System — Propulsion System — Hybrid Management — Power Control Unit/Module (Hpcu) — Software
#25V785000

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…

Tires — Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
#26V366000Apr 2026

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…

Seat Belts — Rear/Other — 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 — Sensor — Occupant Classification — 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…

Buyer analysis

FORD Mustang GTD or Honda Accord: which should you buy?

The Ford Mustang GTD has far fewer issues per year (0 complaints/year vs. about 452 for the Honda Accord), but it is a niche model with almost no complaint history. The Accord's higher volume means more reported problems, including serious electrical and engine failures. In practice, the Mustang GTD appears less likely to generate owner complaints, but the Accord's issues are well-documented and may be addressed by recalls.

Recommendation. If you prioritize a low reported complaint rate and can live with a specialized, low-volume car, the Ford Mustang GTD may be the simpler choice. If you need a mainstream sedan and are willing to verify recall repairs and inspect for electrical and engine symptoms, the Honda Accord could work. Always have a pre-purchase inspection and check for open recalls on either vehicle.

Key differences

  • The Ford Mustang GTD has 0 complaints and 2 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls over 10 years.
  • Honda Accord owners report serious electrical failures like power steering and braking lockup, which are not seen in Mustang GTD data.
  • The Accord has 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths; the Mustang GTD has none.
  • Mustang GTD's only known issue is a wiper motor recall, while the Accord has multiple recalls for fuel pumps, air bags, and hybrid software.
Watch on FORD Mustang GTD
  • Confirm the windshield wiper/washer motor recall has been completed; a failed motor can impair visibility.
  • Check for any signs of wiper malfunction or unusual noises when operating the wipers.
Watch on Honda Accord
  • Test drive at highway speeds and listen for rattling or rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which owners report.
  • Verify that all recalls, especially for fuel pump, air bags, and hybrid software, have been performed; ask for documentation.

Before you buy

  • Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to check for open recalls on both vehicles.
  • For the Honda Accord, test the electronic power steering and braking at low and high speeds, and check for warning lights.
  • For the Ford Mustang GTD, operate the wipers and washer to ensure they work smoothly.
  • Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on engine and electrical systems for the Accord.
  • Request service records to see if reported issues like fuel pump or wiper motor have been addressed.

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.

YearFORD Mustang GTDHonda Accord
2026010
20250109
Years to scrutinize: the 2018 Honda Accord drew the most (1,884). 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 Mustang GTD or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

FORD Mustang GTD vs Honda Accord — comparison facts
Comparison
FORD Mustang GTD vs Honda Accord
FORD Mustang GTD total complaints
0
Honda Accord total complaints
4,524
FORD Mustang GTD total recalls
2
Honda Accord total recalls
38
FORD Mustang GTD avg complaints/year
0.0
Honda Accord avg complaints/year
452.4
More reliable overall
FORD Mustang GTD
Honda Accord top complaint area
ENGINE