Head-to-head reliability
Honda Accord vs Honda Pilot
How the Honda Accord and Honda Pilot 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 Pilot: The Accord has 4,348 complaints over 10 years (avg 435/yr) and 38 recalls, while the Pilot has 3,678 complaints (avg 368/yr) and 66 recalls. Both show engine and electrical issues, but the Pilot has no reported deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Accord or Honda Pilot 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 owner complaints concentrated in the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance. Owners report noises, sudden loss of power, and false alerts from safety systems, which can be unsettling and potentially dangerous. The frequency of complaints (about 435 per year) suggests that while the Accord is generally reliable, these recurring issues are worth investigating before purchase.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot, a midsize SUV, also has a significant number of complaints, with the engine and electrical system being the top problem areas. Owners describe engine fires, power steering failures, and a cascade of warning lights, indicating potential safety concerns. With an average of about 368 complaints per year, the Pilot shows a slightly lower complaint rate than the Accord, but the severity of some issues, like engine fires, is alarming.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Accord | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4,348 | 3,678 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 38 Better | 66 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 156 | 75 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 434.8 | 367.8 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 142 | 68 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 0 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
- 01ENGINE949
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM839
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE805
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER709
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM582
Owners report unusual noises and sudden loss of power, with warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS appearing. This suggests potential engine or drivetrain issues that could lead to stalling or reduced control.
Problems include TPMS warnings leading to tire failure and rodent damage to wiring harnesses. These electrical gremlins can cause unexpected failures and costly repairs.
The system may falsely trigger or show intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, which can be distracting and undermine driver trust in safety features.
“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 Pilot
- 01ENGINE1,103
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,036
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER632
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE443
- 05POWER TRAIN403
Serious issues like engine fires have been reported, along with problems with the auto idle stop system. These can pose immediate safety risks and require urgent attention.
Power steering can suddenly disable, accompanied by multiple warning lights for brake, steering, and stability systems. This can make the vehicle difficult to control.
Phantom braking events, where the system brakes unexpectedly due to shadows, have been reported. This can increase the risk of rear-end collisions.
“recall has been open since December of that year I have documentation that I took it last year to get this recall fix and your web site is stating that it is incomplete. today 11/12 at 7:30am my engine caught on fire there was a lot of witness at the elementa…”
“My vehicle has already had recalls on the fuel system and brake pin. Now I have an auto idle stop system problem. The indicator light is constantly flashing. Two days ago I was stopped at a red light on a two lane road in the city. When I pushed in the brake…”
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 — 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…
Honda Pilot — 66 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.
The risk: Loose rear subframe bolts can lead to a loss of vehicle stability or rear subframe detachment, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Pilot vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the gear box assembly may contain a loose ball bearing, which can result in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up.
The risk: A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FFX.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured se…
The risk: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Passport and 2023-2025 Pilot vehicles. The fuel filler neck tube and fuel filler pipe may separate, allowing fuel to leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the fuel filler neck tube and pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this r…
Buyer analysis
Honda Accord or Honda Pilot: which should you buy?
The Honda Pilot has fewer complaints per year (368 vs 435) and no reported deaths, while the Accord has more complaints and includes fatalities. However, both have serious issues, so the difference is marginal. In practice, the Pilot may be slightly less problematic, but both require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Accord has more complaints overall and includes 3 deaths, while the Pilot has none.
- The Pilot has more recalls (66 vs 38), indicating more official safety actions.
- The Accord's top issue is engine problems, while the Pilot's is also engine but with more severe outcomes like fires.
- Both have significant electrical and forward collision avoidance issues, but the Pilot's power steering failure is more alarming.
- Check for any engine noise or loss of power, and ensure all recalls are completed, especially those related to the fuel pump and power control unit.
- Inspect the wiring harness for rodent damage and verify the forward collision avoidance system operates correctly without false alerts.
- Look for signs of engine fire risk, such as fuel system leaks, and ensure the fuel pump recall is done.
- Test the power steering and check for any warning lights indicating electrical issues, and verify the auto idle stop system functions properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and electrical systems, including wiring and sensors.
- Test drive at highway speeds to check for any warning lights or unusual behavior.
- Ask about any previous complaints or repairs related to the specific issues mentioned.
- Consider an extended warranty to cover potential electrical and safety system failures.
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 Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 10 |
| 2025 | 98 | 178 |
| 2024 | 211 | 107 |
| 2023 | 222 | 131 |
| 2022 | 223 | 140 |
| 2021 | 217 | 417 |
| 2020 | 345 | 476 |
| 2019 | 665 | 877 |
| 2018 | 1833 | 435 |
| 2017 | 530 | 907 |
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 Pilot in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Accord vs Honda Pilot
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,348
- Honda Pilot total complaints
- 3,678
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Honda Pilot total recalls
- 66
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 434.8
- Honda Pilot avg complaints/year
- 367.8
- More reliable overall
- Honda Pilot
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Pilot top complaint area
- ENGINE