Head-to-head reliability
FORD Transit vs Honda Accord
How the FORD Transit 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 vs Honda Accord: The Transit averages 176 complaints per year and has 104 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year and has 38 recalls. The Transit has 0 deaths and 54 injuries reported; the Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Transit or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Transit
The Ford Transit is a full-size van often used for commercial work or large families, and its 10-year complaint rate averages about 176 per year. Owners frequently report electrical fires, transmission shuddering, and backup camera failures. With 104 recalls and 76 crash-related complaints, it demands careful maintenance and pre-purchase inspection.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year—but fewer recalls (38) than the Transit. Common owner reports include engine stalling, power steering and brake failures, and forward collision warnings that trigger unexpectedly. It also has 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported, so safety defects are a serious concern.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Transit | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,756 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 104 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 76 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 175.6 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 54 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
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM349
- 02POWER TRAIN315
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER266
- 04BACK OVER PREVENTION198
- 05ENGINE173
Owners report engine compartment fires and center display flickering that disables the backup camera. These failures can happen suddenly and affect safety and vehicle control.
Transmission shuddering during acceleration and failure of the input/turbine speed sensor are common, often around 60,000 miles. This can lead to rough shifting or loss of power.
The rearview camera often fails, showing a dark, fuzzy, or blue screen when reversing. This makes it hard to see behind the van, increasing the risk of back-over accidents.
Some owners report engine-related issues, though fewer details are given. These can include performance problems that may require costly repairs.
“On March 7, 2023, at approximately 1:45 PM, Bus 437 had caught fire in the engine compartment of the vehicle while sitting in the parking lot. The bus had just came off of a route minutes before & the driver had reported the dash tell tale (warning) lights ha…”
“In hot or humid conditions, the 8 inch center display flashes on and off intermittently. This failure makes the backup camera unusable, which is a safety problem. It also makes controlling the navigation or radio very difficult. The dealer has looked at this…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe sudden loss of speed, multiple warning lights, and rattling noises during acceleration. These issues can leave a driver stranded or cause dangerous slowdowns on the highway.
Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire failures after TPMS warnings. Such failures can lead to loss of control.
The system may trigger unexpected braking or fail to respond, even with adaptive cruise control set. This can cause near-collisions or sudden deceleration.
Fuel pump and hybrid management issues are noted in recalls and complaints. These can cause stalling or power loss, especially in hybrid models.
“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 — 104 recalls
The defect: XL Hybrids, Inc (XL) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with XL's electric hybrid system. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.
The risk: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle, drive power will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. The detached driveshaft may also create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash for following traffic.
The fix: XL will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact XL Hybrid's customer service at 1-833-953-5338.
The defect: LA West Inc. (LA West) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with glass roof hatches. Temperature and vibration stresses may cause the tempered glass roof hatch to shatter.
The risk: If the tempered glass roof hatch shatters, glass fragments may fall onto passengers, increasing the risk of an injury.
The fix: LA West will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hatch lids, free of charge. The recall began July 11, 2019. Owners may contact LA West customer service at 1-704-498-4940.
The defect: New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ford Transit and 2014-2019 Ram Promaster 2500 and 3500 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman Go-ES Foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may no…
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: New England has notified owners, directing them to contact Freedman for repairs to the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began May 27, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or New England at 1-800-88…
The defect: Quality Van Sales, Inc. (Quality Van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit and E-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seat back cushions. The seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicl…
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Quality Van will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began March 21, 2019. Owners may contact Quality Van customer service at 1-800-408-8550.
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 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Ford Transit has far fewer complaints per year (about 176 vs. 452 for the Accord), but it also has more recalls (104 vs. 38). In practice, the Transit may have fewer owner-reported problems, but the Accord's higher complaint rate suggests more frequent visits to the dealer for a wider range of issues.
Key differences
- The Ford Transit has 104 recalls versus 38 for the Honda Accord, meaning the Transit has more official safety fixes.
- Honda Accord owners report more than twice as many complaints per year (452 vs. 176), often about engine and electrical failures.
- Transit complaints frequently involve backup camera failures and transmission shuddering, while Accord complaints include sudden power steering and brake loss.
- The Accord has 3 reported deaths and 146 injuries in complaints, while the Transit has 0 deaths and 54 injuries, though these numbers don't prove which is safer.
- Check for transmission shuddering or rough shifting during a test drive, especially around 60,000 miles, as owners report speed sensor failures.
- Test the backup camera in different lighting and weather; look for a dark, fuzzy, or blue screen that indicates a common failure.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and feel for rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which owners report as engine problems.
- Test the forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control on a highway drive; unexpected braking or failure to respond is a reported issue.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool.
- For the Ford Transit, have a mechanic inspect the transmission and electrical system, including the backup camera and display.
- For the Honda Accord, test the electronic power steering, brakes, and forward collision avoidance system during a test drive.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes on the Transit and software updates on the Accord.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic who specializes in the specific model you are considering.
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 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 35 | 10 |
| 2025 | 32 | 109 |
| 2024 | 224 | 219 |
| 2023 | 466 | 226 |
| 2022 | 316 | 252 |
| 2021 | 170 | 234 |
| 2020 | 84 | 362 |
| 2019 | 274 | 691 |
| 2018 | 57 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 98 | 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 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Transit vs Honda Accord
- FORD Transit total complaints
- 1,756
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- FORD Transit total recalls
- 104
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- FORD Transit avg complaints/year
- 175.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- FORD Transit
- FORD Transit top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE