Head-to-head reliability
FORD Windstar vs Honda Accord
How the FORD Windstar 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 Windstar vs Honda Accord: The Windstar averages 1,582 complaints per year and has 50 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year and has 38 recalls. The Windstar reports more brake and suspension failures, while the Accord reports engine and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Windstar or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Windstar
The Ford Windstar is a minivan that averages about 1,582 complaints per year, which is high and suggests frequent, serious problems. Owners report brake, suspension, and electrical failures that can affect steering, stopping, and basic driving. With 50 recalls and 6 deaths reported, this is a vehicle that demands careful inspection and a thorough recall history check before purchase.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a sedan or hybrid that averages about 452 complaints per year, far fewer than the Windstar. Complaints center on engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance issues, including sudden power loss and unintended braking. With 38 recalls and 3 deaths reported, it still has notable safety-related problems, especially in newer hybrid models.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Windstar | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 6,327 | 4,524 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 50 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 209 | 162 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1581.8 | 452.4 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 214 | 146 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 6 | 3 Better |
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 Windstar
- 01SERVICE BRAKES2,216
- 02SUSPENSION1,318
- 03HYDRAULIC1,105
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM995
- 05POWER TRAIN753
Owners report rotted rear axle beams and master cylinder leaks that can cause brake fluid loss and reduced stopping power. A rear axle recall exists, but some owners say repairs were ineffective or never done, so a buyer must verify the recall was completed.
Complaints describe defective rear sub-frames and control arms that can break or shift, especially after hitting a bump. This can affect steering and stability, and some recalled repairs did not hold up.
Owners report gauges acting erratically, engine jerking, flickering interior lights, and radiator overflow issues. These electrical gremlins can cause unpredictable drivability and may be hard to diagnose.
Transmission replacement is mentioned in complaints, often discovered alongside other issues like brake fluid leaks. A failing transmission can be expensive and may leave the vehicle undrivable.
“ROTTED REAR AXLE BEAM , 2002 FORD WINDSTAR , THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NEAR BY TOWN FORD DEALERSHIP : ACE MOTORS IN WOODBURY NJ , FOR THE REAR AXLE RECALL IN 2015 NOT SURE IF ANYTHING HAS BEEN REPAIRED OR NOT I WAS JUST TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE VEHIC…”
“I HAVE MY VEHICLE IN A SHOP TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE FRONT RESERVOIR OF THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS EMPTY. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, HE FOUND THAT THE SPEED CONTROL SENSOR UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEA…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden power loss, alarms for brake and stability systems, and rattling noises during acceleration. These issues can leave a driver unable to maintain speed, especially on highways.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking, TPMS warnings, and tire failure after service. Such failures can cause loss of control and near-collisions.
Owners describe unintended braking or failure to respond under adaptive cruise control, sometimes in clear conditions. This can surprise the driver and increase crash risk.
Some complaints mention rough transitions between EV and gas modes, jerking when charging, and fuel pump issues. These can affect drivability and may be costly to repair.
“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 Windstar — 50 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled.…
The risk: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began…
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN VIRGINIA. OVER TIME, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD…
The risk: A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS, OR REPLACE THE AXLES, AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD A…
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, REGISTERED IN PUERTO RICO. DUE TO INCREASED STRESSES CAUSED BY HIGH CYCLES OF TORSIONAL LOADING, SPECIFIC TO THIS MARKET, THE REAR AXLE CAN CRACK.
The risk: A FRACTURED AXLE MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE REAR AXLE OR REPLACE THE AXLES, AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT T…
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. CORROSION-RELATED FRACTURES OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKETS AND BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS MAY OCCUR.
The risk: A SEPARATION OF A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKET MAY RESULT IN A LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATION. A SEPARATION OF BOTH FRONT SUBFRAME REAR BODY MOUNTS MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. EITHER CONDITI…
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKETS AND BOTH BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS AT THE REAR OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTAC…
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 Windstar or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Honda Accord has far fewer complaints per year (about 452 vs. 1,582 for the Windstar), suggesting it is generally less troublesome. However, the Accord still has serious safety-related complaints, especially in newer hybrids. In practice, the Windstar demands more frequent and costly attention, while the Accord may have fewer but still significant issues.
Key differences
- The Windstar averages about 1,582 complaints per year, while the Accord averages about 452, meaning the Windstar is reported far more often.
- Windstar complaints often involve brakes, suspension, and axles, with reports of rotted rear axle beams and ineffective recall repairs.
- Accord complaints include sudden power loss, unintended braking, and electronic steering/braking failures, especially in newer hybrid models.
- The Windstar has 50 recalls and 6 deaths reported; the Accord has 38 recalls and 3 deaths, but both have safety-related issues.
- Check for a rotted or repaired rear axle beam and confirm the rear axle recall was completed with documentation.
- Inspect the master cylinder for leaks and test the brakes thoroughly, as owners report fluid loss and reduced stopping power.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds if possible, as some owners report simultaneous failure.
- Ask about any forward collision avoidance or adaptive cruise control issues, and test those features during a test drive.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and verify all safety recalls were completed, especially for the Windstar's rear axle and the Accord's fuel pump or hybrid software.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes, suspension, and underbody for rust or cracks, particularly on the Windstar.
- For the Accord, test drive at highway speeds and check for warning lights, unintended braking, or power loss.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and any recall repair paperwork.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a dealer familiar with these models to catch model-specific issues.
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 Windstar or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Windstar vs Honda Accord
- FORD Windstar total complaints
- 6,327
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- FORD Windstar total recalls
- 50
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- FORD Windstar avg complaints/year
- 1581.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Honda Accord
- FORD Windstar top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE