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 averaged 34.5 complaints per year over 6 years, with 15 recalls, while the Accord averaged 452.4 complaints per year over 10 years, with 38 recalls. The Safari’s issues often involve brakes and steering, whereas the Accord’s complaints frequently concern engine and electrical systems. 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 full-size van that owners often use for hauling and family transport. Over six years, it averaged 34.5 complaints per year, with most issues centered on brakes and hydraulic systems. Owners report serious brake problems, including ABS engaging at low speeds and increasing stopping distance. Electrical and steering complaints also appear, suggesting that keeping a Safari roadworthy may require ongoing attention to safety systems.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mid-size car with a much higher annual complaint rate—452.4 per year over ten years—but it also sells in far greater numbers. The most common complaints involve engine and electrical problems, with some owners reporting sudden power loss or electronic failures. Forward collision avoidance and fuel system issues also appear frequently. While many complaints may be resolved under warranty, the volume and severity of some reports mean buyers should check for open recalls and service history.
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 | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 21 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 34.5 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 64 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.
GMC Safari
- 01SERVICE BRAKES77
- 02HYDRAULIC69
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
- 04STEERING21
- 05STRUCTURE14
Owners report the ABS engaging at low speeds, which greatly increases stopping distance. One complaint describes a 2003 Safari where the ABS activated unexpectedly, creating a safety risk. This matters because it can make normal braking unpredictable.
Complaints often mention charging system and battery drain issues, with one owner replacing a leaking battery only to have the van die again. These hydraulic-related electrical problems can leave you stranded and are costly to diagnose.
Reports include dashboard lights going out, steering wheel lock-up, and brake failure at speed. One owner lost control at 55 mph when multiple systems failed. Such electrical faults can disable critical safety features without warning.
Owners describe shaking in the steering wheel, difficulty making U-turns, and needing wheel bearing and idler arm replacements. These issues affect control and can lead to expensive front-end repairs.
“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
- 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. One complaint describes the vehicle losing speed and showing critical failure warnings. These symptoms can indicate serious powertrain or hybrid system faults.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. Such electrical glitches can compromise steering and braking, posing a high safety risk.
Owners report the system activating unexpectedly or failing to prevent collisions, sometimes under identical driving conditions. One complaint notes adaptive cruise control issues at 70 mph. These defects can cause sudden braking or loss of driver control.
Complaints mention fuel pump failures and hybrid propulsion problems, including rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These issues can lead to stalling or reduced power, 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.
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 (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
GMC Safari or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The GMC Safari has far fewer complaints per year (34.5 vs. 452.4), but the Honda Accord sells in much larger numbers, so the rate per vehicle may be closer. In practice, the Safari’s issues tend to be older, mechanical problems like brakes and steering, while the Accord’s complaints often involve complex electronics and advanced safety systems. Buyers should weigh the lower complaint volume against the potential severity of each type of failure.
Key differences
- The GMC Safari’s top complaint areas are service brakes and hydraulic systems, with owners reporting ABS engaging at low speeds and increased stopping distance.
- The Honda Accord’s most common complaints involve engine and electrical systems, including sudden power loss and simultaneous failure of power steering and braking.
- The Safari has 15 recalls over 6 years, while the Accord has 38 recalls over 10 years, with Accord recalls covering hybrid software, fuel pumps, and air bags.
- The Safari’s complaints often describe older, mechanical failures, whereas the Accord’s complaints frequently involve complex electronic and driver-assist systems.
- Test the brakes at low speeds for any sign of ABS engaging unexpectedly or increased stopping distance, as owners report this as a common and dangerous issue.
- Check the charging system and battery for leaks or repeated drain, since complaints describe batteries leaking at terminals and vehicles dying shortly after starting.
- Ask for proof that all recalls, especially those for fuel pumps and hybrid software, have been performed, as unresolved recalls can lead to stalling or power loss.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any warnings for brake, ABS, or forward collision systems, and listen for rattling noises during acceleration, which owners report as signs of engine trouble.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been repaired by a dealer.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brakes, steering, and suspension on the GMC Safari, focusing on ABS function and wheel bearings.
- For the Honda Accord, scan for stored trouble codes related to the engine, hybrid system, and forward collision avoidance.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds and low-speed braking, to reproduce reported symptoms.
- Check the battery and charging system on the Safari, and verify the tire condition and TPMS operation on the Accord.
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
- 4,524
- GMC Safari total recalls
- 15
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- GMC Safari avg complaints/year
- 34.5
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- GMC Safari
- GMC Safari top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE