Head-to-head reliability
Honda Accord vs Honda CR V
How the Honda Accord and Honda CR V compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Honda Accord vs Honda CR V: The Accord averages 392.9 complaints per year, while the CR-V has 580.5. Both face serious issues like power loss and steering problems, but the Accord has fewer overall complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Accord or Honda CR V more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a popular midsize sedan, shows a high volume of complaints over the past decade, averaging nearly 400 per year. The most frequent issues involve the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with owners reporting noises, power loss, and malfunctioning safety features. These patterns suggest that while the Accord is generally reliable, certain model years may experience significant problems that could affect daily driving and safety.
Honda CR V
The Honda CR-V, a compact SUV, has even more complaints, averaging over 580 per year. Steering issues are the most common, followed by forward collision avoidance and engine problems. Owners report steering difficulties, sudden power loss, and issues with the Honda Sensing suite. This indicates that the CR-V may have more pronounced reliability concerns, particularly with steering and safety systems, which are critical for driver control and confidence.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Accord | Honda CR V |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,929 Better | 5,805 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 35 Better | 40 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 130 Better | 207 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 392.9 Better | 580.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 123 Better | 184 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 1 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.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE902
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM759
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE756
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER625
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM547
Owners report unusual noises and sudden loss of power, sometimes accompanied by warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS systems. This can lead to unexpected speed reduction, posing a safety risk on highways.
Problems include rodent damage to wiring harnesses and infotainment screens going black and unresponsive, requiring a restart. This can be distracting and may indicate broader electrical vulnerabilities.
Complaints mention the system causing loss of drive power and failing to resolve issues at service centers, leading to crashes. This suggests potential malfunctions in the collision avoidance technology.
“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…”
Honda CR V
- 01STEERING1,299
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1,165
- 03ENGINE907
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM760
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM741
Owners report cracking noises and difficulty turning the wheel, especially at certain angles, which can make the vehicle hard to control, particularly in parking garages or tight maneuvers.
Issues include the front radar module being easily accessible (a security concern) and the system causing unintended braking or power loss, as seen in a 2026 CR-V on a steep incline.
Sudden significant power loss on the highway, with warnings about emissions system problems, forces drivers to pull over immediately. This is a serious safety issue, especially in traffic.
“While driving, car engine stutters and stops. The infotainment system went black while driving. The system is hard to steer often while turning. The trunk would not open when touching button for it to open. Took out the key fob and it also would not respond.…”
“After having my car for a month I noticed the steering wheel making a cracking noise when turning going down a parking garage. It made this sound when turning both left and right along with suddenly making it hard to turn the wheel in certain angles. The vehi…”
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.
Honda Accord — 35 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 2023-2024 Accord and HR-V vehicles. The front seat belt pretensioners may be missing the rivet that secures the quick connector and wire plate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard…
The risk: A seat belt pretensioner missing a rivet will not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt pretensioner assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for t…
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…
Honda CR V — 40 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have b…
The risk: Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers f…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017, 2020, and 2022 CR-V vehicles. The certification label on the driver's side door states incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), and tire size information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with th…
The risk: An incorrectly sized tire may cause premature tread wear, or a tire blow out, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install a new corrected label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is CF7.
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…
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,…
Buyer analysis
Honda Accord or Honda CR V: which should you buy?
The Honda Accord has fewer complaints per year (392.9) compared to the Honda CR-V (580.5), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. While both have serious problems, the Accord's lower complaint rate suggests it may be a more reliable choice in terms of overall owner satisfaction and fewer incidents.
Key differences
- The Accord has significantly fewer complaints per year (392.9) than the CR-V (580.5), indicating a lower rate of reported issues.
- The CR-V's most common problem is steering, with owners reporting cracking noises and difficulty turning, while the Accord's top issue is engine-related, including power loss and noises.
- Both vehicles have frequent forward collision avoidance complaints, but the CR-V's issues include a security concern with the radar module, while the Accord's involve loss of drive power.
- The Accord has more crash-related complaints (130) than the CR-V (207), but the CR-V has more injuries (184 vs 123) and fewer deaths (1 vs 3).
- Inspect the engine for unusual noises and check for any signs of power loss, especially during test drives at highway speeds.
- Test the infotainment system for black screen issues and ensure the forward collision avoidance system functions correctly without unexpected braking.
- Listen for cracking noises when turning the steering wheel and check for any stiffness or difficulty in steering, especially at low speeds.
- Verify that the forward collision avoidance system does not cause unintended braking or power loss, and check the radar module for any signs of tampering or damage.
Before you buy
- Check the vehicle's recall status and ensure all open recalls are addressed before purchase.
- Test drive at highway speeds to see if the engine loses power or warning lights appear.
- Operate the infotainment system to ensure it doesn't go black or freeze.
- For the CR-V, specifically test steering in tight turns and listen for unusual noises.
- Ask for service records to see if any of these common issues have already been reported and fixed.
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 | Honda Accord | Honda CR V |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 118 |
| 2025 | 97 | 234 |
| 2024 | 0 | 373 |
| 2023 | 221 | 500 |
| 2022 | 218 | 247 |
| 2021 | 217 | 314 |
| 2020 | 344 | 339 |
| 2019 | 500 | 1076 |
| 2018 | 1828 | 2104 |
| 2017 | 500 | 500 |
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 Honda Accord or Honda CR V in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Accord vs Honda CR V
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 3,929
- Honda CR V total complaints
- 5,805
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 35
- Honda CR V total recalls
- 40
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 392.9
- Honda CR V avg complaints/year
- 580.5
- More reliable overall
- Honda Accord
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda CR V top complaint area
- STEERING