Head-to-head reliability
GMC Safari vs Honda Accord
How the GMC Safari 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
GMC Safari vs Honda Accord: The Safari averages 34.5 complaints per year, with brake issues dominating, while the Accord averages 443.8, with engine and electrical problems. The Safari has 21 crash-related complaints, the Accord 160. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the GMC Safari or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
GMC Safari
The GMC Safari is a workhorse van that owners depend on for daily duties, but the complaint record shows a pattern of age-related brake and electrical failures. Brake issues dominate, with owners describing ABS engaging at low speeds and sudden loss of stopping power, which can be alarming. Electrical problems, including battery drain and dashboard failures, also strand drivers. While the total complaint count is lower than the Accord's, the nature of the failures—especially brakes—makes the Safari a vehicle that demands careful inspection before purchase.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular sedan with a high volume of complaints, but many are tied to modern driver-assist and electrical systems. Owners report issues with forward collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping systems that trigger warnings or engage unexpectedly. Engine problems, including loss of power and warning lights, also appear. The sheer number of complaints reflects its popularity, but the patterns suggest that while the Accord is generally reliable, its advanced tech can be a source of frustration and safety concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Safari | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 207 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 21 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 34.5 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 64 Better | 144 |
| 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.
GMC Safari
- 01SERVICE BRAKES77
- 02HYDRAULIC69
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
- 04STEERING21
- 05STRUCTURE14
Owners report the ABS engaging at low speeds, which greatly increases stopping distance, and in some cases, brakes going out entirely while driving. This is a critical safety concern that could lead to crashes.
Brake hydraulic issues are closely tied to the ABS problems, with owners experiencing brake failure or reduced braking performance. This often requires replacement of brake components, which can be costly.
Electrical failures include battery drain, dashboard lights going out, and the vehicle not starting. Some owners report losing control when electrical systems fail, which is dangerous.
Steering issues include wheel bearings and idler arms needing replacement, which can cause difficulty steering and increased stopping distances. Owners also report the steering wheel material deteriorating, which is a lesser but annoying issue.
“MY 2002 GMC SAFARI WOULD NOT START. I WENT AND REPLACED THE 2.5 YEAR OLD BATTERY (IT WAS LEAKING AT THE TERMINALS) IT STARTED ONE TIME AND THEN ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER IT WAS DEAD AGAIN. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. I WAS FIRST INFORMED THAT THE CHARGING SYSTEM…”
“I OWN A 2003 GMC SAFARI WHICH I PURCHASED IN UTAH. EARLIER THIS YEAR I EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BAKING SYSTEM WHERE THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE AT LOW SPEEDS, INCREASING MY STOPPING DISTANCE GREATLY. I CONTACTED GM AS THIS SEEMED TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND WA…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Engine complaints include unusual noises, loss of power, and warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS systems. Some owners report the vehicle losing speed on the highway, which is a serious safety risk.
Electrical issues range from TPMS warnings to rodent damage on wiring harnesses. Owners also report problems with the anti-theft system causing the vehicle to stall or not start.
The forward collision avoidance system can malfunction, causing the vehicle to brake unexpectedly or display warnings for adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. This can be startling and potentially lead to rear-end collisions.
Brake complaints include the ABS and traction control systems activating incorrectly, leading to reduced braking performance. Some owners report the brakes failing entirely, which is a major safety concern.
“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.
GMC Safari — 15 recalls
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON C…
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D…
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON C…
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D…
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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
GMC Safari or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The GMC Safari has far fewer complaints per year (34.5) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), but the Safari's issues are more concentrated in critical safety systems like brakes and steering. The Accord's higher volume is partly due to its popularity, but its problems are more varied, including engine and driver-assist tech. In practice, the Safari may be simpler and cheaper to fix, but the Accord's issues are more likely to be covered under warranty if bought newer.
Key differences
- The Safari's brake failures are more severe, with owners reporting sudden loss of braking, while the Accord's brake issues are often tied to the ABS or driver-assist systems.
- The Accord has a much higher rate of electrical and engine complaints, but many are related to advanced tech like forward collision avoidance, which the Safari lacks.
- The Safari's steering issues involve mechanical parts like wheel bearings and idler arms, while the Accord's steering problems are less prominent in the data.
- The Safari has fewer overall complaints but a higher proportion of crash-related incidents (21 out of 207) compared to the Accord (160 out of 4438), suggesting a higher severity per complaint.
- Inspect the brake system thoroughly, especially the ABS module and hydraulic components, for any signs of malfunction or previous repairs.
- Check the electrical system for battery condition, alternator output, and any signs of parasitic drain or wiring issues.
- Test all driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist, to ensure they function correctly without false alerts.
- Look for any engine warning lights or unusual noises, and check the vehicle's service history for any engine or electrical repairs.
Before you buy
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on brakes, steering, and electrical systems for the Safari, and engine and driver-assist systems for the Accord.
- Check for any open recalls on both vehicles and ensure they have been addressed.
- For the Safari, test the ABS at low speeds in a safe area to see if it engages unexpectedly.
- For the Accord, take it on a highway drive to see if any warning lights appear or if the forward collision system behaves erratically.
- Review the vehicle's maintenance history for any repeated repairs or unresolved 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 GMC Safari or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Safari vs Honda Accord
- GMC Safari total complaints
- 207
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- GMC Safari total recalls
- 15
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- GMC Safari avg complaints/year
- 34.5
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- GMC Safari
- GMC Safari top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE