Head-to-head reliability
GMC Terrain vs Honda Accord
How the GMC Terrain 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 Terrain vs Honda Accord: The Terrain averages 97 complaints per year with 19 recalls, while the Accord averages 444 complaints per year with 38 recalls. Terrain owners report brake failure and transmission shuddering; Accord owners report forward collision warnings and electrical glitches. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the GMC Terrain or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain is a compact SUV that averages about 97 complaints per year over the past decade, with 19 recalls. Owners frequently report engine problems like sudden 'reduced engine power' limp mode and turbocharger underboost, as well as brake failures where the pedal goes to the floor. Power train issues include transmission shuddering, fluid leaks, and complete transmission replacement. These patterns suggest that while the Terrain may be affordable, it demands vigilance and potentially costly repairs.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 444 per year—but it also sells in far greater numbers. The most common trouble spots are engine and electrical system faults, plus forward collision avoidance warnings that can trigger unexpectedly. Owners describe issues like loss of power at highway speeds, tire failures after TPMS service, and sunroof glass shattering. The Accord's higher complaint count reflects its popularity, but the severity of some reported defects is concerning.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Terrain | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 973 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 49 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 97.3 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 45 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 Terrain
- 01ENGINE301
- 02SERVICE BRAKES240
- 03POWER TRAIN195
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER151
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM145
Owners report sudden 'reduced engine power' warnings and limp mode, often traced to turbocharger underboost. This can leave you stranded or unable to accelerate safely on the highway.
Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor without response, especially on downhill grades or at highway speeds. This is a critical safety issue that could lead to a crash.
Transmission shuddering during acceleration, fluid leaks, and even complete transmission replacement are reported. These repairs are expensive and can recur.
Electrical gremlins include intermittent check engine lights and issues with the vehicle not going into park, causing it to roll away. This poses a risk of unintended movement.
“around chirstmas, Was driving on the highway and the car threw a "reduced engine power" warning and went into limp mode. Check engine light came on. Car asymptomatic prior. got the code pulled and it said turbocharger under boost. The next day the check engin…”
“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure had occurred intermittently. Additionally, the co…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners describe loss of power at highway speeds with multiple dashboard alarms, as well as persistent noises from new vehicles. These symptoms can indicate serious engine or sensor failures.
Reports include tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses. Electrical faults can disable safety features.
The adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams may show intermittent error messages. This means the car's safety aids might not work when needed.
Some complaints mention brake system warnings and failures, though less frequently than engine or electrical issues. Brake problems are always a 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 Terrain — 19 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail…
The risk: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail…
The risk: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail…
The risk: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with certain Hankook tires. The tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation.
The risk: Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the tire DOT numbers, and replace any affected tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782; and Chevrolet customer service…
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 Terrain or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The GMC Terrain has far fewer complaints per year (about 97) compared to the Honda Accord (about 444), but the Accord's higher volume is partly due to its much larger sales. In practice, the Terrain's issues tend to be severe—like brake failure and transmission replacement—while the Accord's problems are more varied and often electronic. Neither is trouble-free, but the Terrain may require more frequent major repairs.
Key differences
- The GMC Terrain has about 97 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord has about 444 per year, but the Accord sells in much higher numbers.
- Terrain owners frequently report sudden brake failure and transmission shuddering, whereas Accord owners more often report forward collision avoidance warnings and electrical glitches.
- The Terrain has 19 recalls over 10 years, including child seat latch and air bag sensor issues; the Accord has 38 recalls, covering hybrid software and fuel pump problems.
- Both vehicles have reports of unintended rolling or loss of power, but the Terrain's brake complaints describe a complete lack of pedal response, which is particularly alarming.
- During a test drive, press the brake pedal firmly at highway speed to check for any sponginess or failure to respond, as owners report the pedal going to the floor.
- Listen for transmission shuddering or vibration during acceleration, and check for transmission fluid leaks under the vehicle, as these are common complaints.
- Test all driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, for intermittent error messages, as owners report these systems failing unpredictably.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear or damage, especially if the TPMS light has been triggered, since some owners experienced catastrophic tire failure after TPMS service.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the NHTSA website for the specific VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, transmission, and brakes for the Terrain, and electrical and safety systems for the Accord.
- During the test drive, simulate highway driving and hard braking to check for limp mode, brake response, and transmission shuddering.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and brake repairs, as these are common trouble spots.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed, particularly the child seat latch and air bag sensor recalls on the Terrain and the hybrid software and fuel pump recalls on the Accord.
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 | GMC Terrain | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 | 5 |
| 2025 | 13 | 101 |
| 2024 | 49 | 214 |
| 2023 | 38 | 224 |
| 2022 | 85 | 238 |
| 2021 | 34 | 226 |
| 2020 | 194 | 355 |
| 2019 | 181 | 677 |
| 2018 | 219 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 133 | 534 |
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 Terrain or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Terrain vs Honda Accord
- GMC Terrain total complaints
- 973
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- GMC Terrain total recalls
- 19
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- GMC Terrain avg complaints/year
- 97.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- GMC Terrain
- GMC Terrain top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE