Head-to-head reliability
Honda Accord vs Honda Ridgeline
How the Honda Accord and Honda Ridgeline 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 Ridgeline: The Accord has 392.9 complaints per year, while the Ridgeline has 135.1. Accord owners report engine and electrical issues, while Ridgeline owners face stalling and lighting problems. Both have recalls, but the Ridgeline's lower complaint rate may indicate fewer overall issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Accord or Honda Ridgeline 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 issues like unusual engine noises, sudden loss of power with warning lights, and problems with the infotainment system, including black screens. The forward collision avoidance system has also been implicated in crashes, with some owners reporting unintended braking or system failures. While the Accord has a high complaint count, it's important to note that many complaints may be related to newer models and specific recalls.
Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline, a midsize pickup truck, has fewer complaints per year than the Accord but still shows notable issues in the electrical system, engine, and exterior lighting. Owners frequently report problems with the automatic engine stop/start system, which can cause the engine to stall unexpectedly, and false warnings from the collision mitigation braking system. The auto high beam feature is also a common complaint, as it can blind oncoming drivers by switching to high beams at the wrong times. These issues point to electronic and sensor-related gremlins that can affect safety and drivability.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Accord | Honda Ridgeline |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,929 | 1,351 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 35 Better | 56 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 130 | 25 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 392.9 | 135.1 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 123 | 19 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
- 01ENGINE902
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM759
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE756
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER625
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM547
Owners report engine noises, loss of power, and warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS) at highway speeds, indicating potential engine or drivetrain management failures.
Infotainment screens go black and unresponsive, requiring a restart. Some also report rodent damage to wiring harnesses, which can cause electrical failures.
The system can malfunction, leading to unintended braking or failure to prevent crashes. Some owners report the system activating without obstructions, creating a hazard.
“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 Ridgeline
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM304
- 02ENGINE261
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER183
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING144
- 05POWER TRAIN130
Multiple DTCs trigger a cascade of safety warnings and power-limiting, affecting engine, transmission, and brakes. The engine stop/start system can stall unexpectedly when accelerating.
The automatic engine stop/start system is a major issue, causing the engine to stop just as the driver presses the accelerator, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Auto high beams malfunction, constantly switching between high and low beams, creating a strobe effect and blinding oncoming drivers.
“The vehicle’s engine and powertrain management system repeatedly fails with multiple DTC's triggering a full-system cascade of safety-critical warnings and automatic power-limiting. The issue affects the engine, transmission, emissions, AWD, brake system, sta…”
“The automatic engine stop/start system is a safety hazard. On multiple occasions with two different drivers (husband and wife owners), the engine has stopped just as the accelerator is pressed after waiting for traffic to clear at a stop sign or while waiting…”
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 Ridgeline — 56 recalls
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
The risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
The risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.
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,…
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.
Buyer analysis
Honda Accord or Honda Ridgeline: which should you buy?
The Honda Ridgeline has significantly fewer complaints per year (135.1) compared to the Honda Accord (392.9), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the Ridgeline's problems with engine stalling and lighting can be more immediately safety-critical. In practice, the Accord may require more frequent visits to the dealer for electronic and engine-related issues, while the Ridgeline's issues are more focused on specific systems.
Key differences
- The Accord has a much higher complaint volume, especially in engine and electrical systems, while the Ridgeline has fewer but still notable issues.
- The Ridgeline's engine stop/start stalling is a unique safety hazard not reported in the Accord.
- The Accord's forward collision avoidance issues are linked to crashes, while the Ridgeline's CMBS false warnings are more of a nuisance.
- The Ridgeline's auto high beam problems are a distinct lighting issue that can blind other drivers, a complaint not seen in the Accord.
- Check for any open recalls, especially related to fuel pump and electrical system, and ensure they are addressed.
- Test the infotainment system for black screen issues and verify the forward collision avoidance system behaves correctly during a test drive.
- Inspect the engine stop/start system for stalling by simulating a stop-and-go scenario.
- Test the auto high beams at night to ensure they don't flicker or blind oncoming traffic.
Before you buy
- Check NHTSA recall status for both vehicles and ensure all recalls are completed.
- Test drive the Accord and monitor for engine noises, warning lights, and infotainment glitches.
- Test drive the Ridgeline and specifically test the stop/start system and auto high beams.
- Ask for service records to see if previous owners reported these issues and what repairs were done.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic focusing on electrical and engine systems.
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 Ridgeline |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 8 |
| 2025 | 97 | 73 |
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 221 | 124 |
| 2022 | 218 | 112 |
| 2021 | 217 | 97 |
| 2020 | 344 | 166 |
| 2019 | 500 | 231 |
| 2018 | 1828 | 157 |
| 2017 | 500 | 335 |
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 Ridgeline in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Accord vs Honda Ridgeline
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 3,929
- Honda Ridgeline total complaints
- 1,351
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 35
- Honda Ridgeline total recalls
- 56
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 392.9
- Honda Ridgeline avg complaints/year
- 135.1
- More reliable overall
- Honda Ridgeline
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Ridgeline top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM