Head-to-head reliability
FORD Transit Connect vs Honda Accord
How the FORD Transit Connect 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 Transit Connect vs Honda Accord: The Transit Connect averages 45 complaints per year with 68 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. Both have safety-related issues, but the Accord's higher complaint volume includes more electrical and collision avoidance problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Transit Connect or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Transit Connect
The Ford Transit Connect is a compact van often used for small business or family hauling. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 45 complaints per year, with 68 recalls and 14 crash-related reports. The most common complaints involve the power train, brakes, and structure, with owners reporting serious issues like transmission failure and brake lockup. This suggests that while the van is practical, it may require more frequent attention to major systems.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan known for its reliability, but it has averaged about 452 complaints per year over the past decade, with 38 recalls and 162 crash-related reports. The most frequent complaints involve the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance. Owners report issues such as engine rattling, electrical failures, and unexpected braking. This indicates that even a well-regarded model can have recurring problems that buyers should be aware of.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Transit Connect | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 453 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 68 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 14 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 45.3 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 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 Transit Connect
- 01POWER TRAIN83
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER73
- 03SERVICE BRAKES60
- 04STRUCTURE58
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM53
Owners report severe transmission problems, including complete failure as early as 87,000 miles, slipping, harsh shifting, and sudden deceleration. These issues can leave drivers stranded and lead to costly repairs.
Complaints describe intermittent catastrophic failures where front brakes lock up mid-drive, and unintended acceleration incidents. Such defects pose serious safety risks and require immediate attention.
Some owners report rear window glass shattering spontaneously with a loud pop, even without impact. This can cause injury from flying glass and compromise vehicle security.
Electrical issues are among the top complaints, though specific details are not provided in the sample. These can affect various systems and lead to unpredictable behavior.
“We have just passed 87,000 miles on our 2021 Ford Transit Connect and the transmission has had to be completely replaced. We were told at the transmission repair facility that ours was one of 4 2021 Ford Transit Connects in their shop alone with a whole trans…”
“On going problem that's getting worse and have totally stopped driving the van. Transmission Severe Slipping, harsh and hard shifting, abrupt Highway deceleration & violent downshift while on the Hwy. Pauses sometimes to accelerate from a stop and sometimes l…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises during acceleration, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden power loss with multiple warning lights. These symptoms can indicate underlying engine or hybrid system problems.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire failure after TPMS service. Such failures can lead to loss of control and near-collisions.
Owners describe unexpected braking or failure to avoid collisions, sometimes occurring repeatedly under similar conditions. This undermines confidence in the safety system and may increase crash risk.
Issues include persistent sulfur odor and potential fuel pump problems, as indicated by recalls. These can affect performance and may require costly repairs.
“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 Transit Connect — 68 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
The risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, causing the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scen…
The fix: Dealers will replace the underhood shifter cable bushing, and add a protective cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2021. 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 2021-2022 Transit and 2021 Transit Connect vehicles. The front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt assembly, and replace the assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 14, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 30…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
The risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either sc…
The fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are ex…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2…
The risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations ca…
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
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 Transit Connect or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Ford Transit Connect has far fewer complaints per year (about 45) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), but the Accord's higher volume of sales likely contributes to more reports. In practice, the Transit Connect's issues tend to be severe and safety-related, while the Accord's problems are more varied but also include critical safety failures. Buyers should weigh the frequency against the severity of reported issues.
Key differences
- The Ford Transit Connect has a much lower annual complaint rate (45 vs. 452), but its complaints often involve catastrophic failures like transmission replacement and brake lockup.
- The Honda Accord has more complaints overall, with frequent electrical and forward collision avoidance issues, including unexpected braking and power steering failure.
- The Transit Connect has 68 recalls over 10 years, while the Accord has 38, indicating different levels of manufacturer attention to defects.
- Crash-related complaints are higher for the Accord (162 vs. 14), but the Transit Connect's crashes may be underreported due to lower sales volume.
- Check for transmission shuddering, slipping, or harsh shifting during a test drive, especially around 87,000 miles where failures have been reported.
- Inspect the brakes for any signs of lockup or ABS malfunction, and ask if the ABS module has been replaced or serviced.
- Listen for engine rattling or rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and check for any warning lights related to the hybrid system.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds if possible, and verify that forward collision avoidance does not engage unexpectedly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to see if the transmission or brakes have been repaired on the Transit Connect.
- For the Accord, check for open recalls on the fuel pump and electrical system, and ensure all software updates are applied.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Transit Connect's transmission fluid and brake components for wear or damage.
- For the Accord, scan for stored error codes in the engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to replicate reported symptoms.
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 Transit Connect | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 226 |
| 2022 | 12 | 252 |
| 2021 | 9 | 234 |
| 2020 | 32 | 362 |
| 2019 | 51 | 691 |
| 2018 | 22 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 28 | 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 Transit Connect or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Transit Connect vs Honda Accord
- FORD Transit Connect total complaints
- 453
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- FORD Transit Connect total recalls
- 68
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- FORD Transit Connect avg complaints/year
- 45.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- FORD Transit Connect
- FORD Transit Connect top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE