Head-to-head reliability

GMC Sierra vs Honda Accord

How the GMC Sierra and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

GMC Sierra5,528 complaints · 36 recalls
Honda Accord4,173 complaints · 35 recalls Fewer issues per year

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Honda Accord averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. GMC Sierra has 5,528 complaints and 36 recalls on record; Honda Accord has 4,173 complaints and 35 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryGMC SierraHonda Accord
Total complaintsAll model years combined5,5284,173 Better
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns3635 Better
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints138 Better146
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years552.8417.3 Better
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints87 Better135
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better3

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 Sierra

  1. 01ENGINE1,974
  2. 02POWER TRAIN1,301
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM853
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES719
  5. 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER549
In owners' words — ENGINE

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine/powertrain failed. The vehicle is a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 equipped with the 6.2L V8 engine. The engine developed a severe knocking noise and loss of p…

Component / System Failure The exhaust system, specifically the exhaust manifolds and previously the EGR system components, appear to have failed or malfunctioned, allowing exhaust gases to enter the passenger cabin. The dealer initially replaced the EGR cool…

Honda Accord

  1. 01ENGINE940
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM812
  3. 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE784
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER677
  5. 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM567
In owners' words — ENGINE

2021 Honda Accord EX-L, 1.5T turbocharged engine. Within 8 months of purchase at approximately 21,900 miles, I experienced three separate incidents of sudden complete engine power loss at highway speeds. During each incident the vehicle would not exceed 2,000…

I am filing a complaint regarding the premature head gasket failure on my 2021 Honda Accord, which failed on May 28, 2026, with only 89,000 miles on the vehicle. A head gasket is a critical engine component that should last well beyond 89,000 miles under norm…

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 Sierra — 36 recalls

Tires — Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
#26V530000

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package. The tire information label may state the incorrect rear tire pressure, resulting in underinflated tires an…

The risk: Driving with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary, free of charge. Owne…

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility — Wheelchair Restraints/Securement — Latch/Anchor
#25V876000

The defect: Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restrain…

The risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.

Seat Belts — Rear/Other — Anchorage
#25V015000

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV and 2024-2025 GMC Sierra EV pickup trucks. The bolt that secures the rear center seat belt assembly to the seat structure may not have been properly tightened.

The risk: An improperly secured seat belt assembly may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The fix: GM will tighten the bolt that attaches the center seat belt assembly to the rear seat structure, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still in dealer inventory and, therefore, no owner letters will be mailed. Owners may contact GM cus…

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump — Control/Drive Module
#26V129000May 2026

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.

The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…

Honda Accord — 35 recalls

Seat Belts — Rear/Other — Retractor
#21V900000

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.

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger
#24V064000Jan 2024

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…

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump
#23V858000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…

The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger
#26V332000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…

The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…

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.

YearGMC SierraHonda Accord
2026275
202512898
20244770
2023494224
20221167231
2021605221
2020571349
20191099667
20183621846
2017598532
Years to scrutinize: the 2022 GMC Sierra drew the most complaints (1,167); the 2018 Honda Accord drew the most (1,846). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Sierra or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

GMC Sierra vs Honda Accord — comparison facts
Comparison
GMC Sierra vs Honda Accord
GMC Sierra total complaints
5,528
Honda Accord total complaints
4,173
GMC Sierra total recalls
36
Honda Accord total recalls
35
GMC Sierra avg complaints/year
552.8
Honda Accord avg complaints/year
417.3
More reliable overall
Honda Accord
GMC Sierra top complaint area
ENGINE
Honda Accord top complaint area
ENGINE