Head-to-head reliability
Honda Accord vs Nissan Altima
How the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima 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 Nissan Altima: The Accord has 392.9 complaints per year vs 117.8 for the Altima, with engine and forward collision issues common. The Altima shows fewer complaints but has electrical and powertrain failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Accord or Nissan Altima more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, over the past decade, has accumulated a high volume of owner complaints, averaging nearly 400 per year. The most frequent issues involve the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with owners reporting noises, loss of power, and sudden braking. While many complaints are not crash-related, the sheer number suggests that buyers should expect potential reliability and safety-system glitches.
Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima has fewer complaints per year, averaging about 118, but still shows notable patterns in electrical, powertrain, and braking systems. Owners report sudden shutdowns, alternator failures, and transmission issues, along with some door latch problems. The lower complaint count may indicate a more reliable overall experience, but the nature of the issues can be serious.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Accord | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,929 | 1,178 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 35 | 22 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 130 | 96 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 392.9 | 117.8 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 123 | 73 Better |
| 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 while driving, sometimes accompanied by warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS. This can lead to unexpected speed reduction, which is a safety concern.
Problems include rodent damage to wiring harnesses and infotainment screens going black and unresponsive, requiring a restart. These issues can be costly to repair and affect daily usability.
The system may trigger false alerts or even apply brakes unexpectedly, as reported in a crash-related complaint. This can be startling and potentially dangerous if it occurs at highway speeds.
“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…”
Nissan Altima
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER237
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM206
- 03POWER TRAIN193
- 04ENGINE157
- 05SERVICE BRAKES148
Owners report sudden vehicle shutdowns while driving and alternator failures without warning, leaving the car dead. This can strand drivers and may indicate deeper electrical issues.
The gear shifter can detach from its housing, leaving the car stuck in Drive, and the vehicle may turn off and on by itself. These are serious safety and drivability concerns.
The high-pressure fuel pump can become loose due to failed mounting threads, causing oil leaks and sudden loss of power. This is a mechanical failure that can lead to engine damage.
“I was driving to work. As I was doing so multiple lights came on my dashboard and it started dinging. At the same time my car immediately shot left so hard into the concrete median barrier at 70 mph. It all happened so fast I was not able to see what lights c…”
“I took my car into the dealer to ask a question. Upon arriving I tried to open the drivers door after I turned the ignition off to exit the car and the drivers door would not open. The service man tried to open it from the outside with the same results. Final…”
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…
Nissan Altima — 22 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Mot…
The risk: A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the door strikers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD185 and PMA61. Vehicle Iden…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Altima vehicles. The bolts connecting the electronic power steering unit to the steering rack may loosen, resulting 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 steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC997.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand…
The risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge.…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand…
The risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge.…
Buyer analysis
Honda Accord or Nissan Altima: which should you buy?
The Nissan Altima has significantly fewer complaints per year (117.8 vs 392.9), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the Altima's problems can be just as severe, so the difference in volume suggests a better overall reliability record, but not a guarantee of trouble-free ownership.
Key differences
- The Accord has over three times more complaints per year than the Altima, indicating a higher rate of reported problems.
- Accord owners frequently cite engine and forward collision avoidance issues, while Altima owners more often report electrical and powertrain failures.
- The Accord has more recalls (35 vs 22), suggesting more proactive safety campaigns, but also more potential defects.
- Both vehicles have crash-related complaints, but the Accord has more injuries and deaths reported, though this may reflect higher sales volume.
- Check for any engine noises or warning lights, especially related to braking or hill descent, as these could indicate a serious loss-of-power issue.
- Inspect the wiring harness for signs of rodent damage, and test the infotainment system for black screen issues.
- Test the gear shifter to ensure it is securely attached and shifts smoothly, as detachment can leave you stuck in Drive.
- Check the alternator and battery health, and be alert for any unexpected shutdowns or starting difficulties.
Before you buy
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and electrical systems on both vehicles, focusing on the specific problem areas mentioned.
- Check for open recalls on the specific VIN and ensure they have been addressed.
- Test drive at highway speeds to see if any warning lights or loss of power occur.
- Ask for service records to see if any of the common issues have already been repaired.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection that includes a diagnostic scan for error codes.
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 | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 | 97 | 6 |
| 2024 | 0 | 40 |
| 2023 | 221 | 29 |
| 2022 | 218 | 20 |
| 2021 | 217 | 69 |
| 2020 | 344 | 177 |
| 2019 | 500 | 226 |
| 2018 | 1828 | 223 |
| 2017 | 500 | 388 |
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 Nissan Altima in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Accord vs Nissan Altima
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 3,929
- Nissan Altima total complaints
- 1,178
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 35
- Nissan Altima total recalls
- 22
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 392.9
- Nissan Altima avg complaints/year
- 117.8
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Altima
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Nissan Altima top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER