Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Elantra GT vs Honda Accord
How the Hyundai Elantra GT 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
Hyundai Elantra GT vs Honda Accord: The Elantra GT averages 293 complaints per year with 1 recall, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. Both have engine issues, but the Accord also reports electrical and collision avoidance failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Elantra GT or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Elantra GT
The Hyundai Elantra GT is a compact hatchback that averages about 293 NHTSA complaints per year over four years, with engine problems dominating the list. Owners frequently describe a progression from a ticking noise to loud knocking, often at highway speeds, and many report excessive oil consumption that damages the catalytic converter. Electrical gremlins, such as warning lights for ABS and cruise control, also appear at low mileage. With only one recall, the main ownership burden is engine-related repairs and the risk of sudden power loss.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much longer 10-year complaint history, averaging about 452 complaints per year. Engine and electrical issues are the most common, but forward collision avoidance and fuel system problems also generate many reports. Recalls are numerous (38), covering electrical, hybrid, tire, seat belt, airbag, and fuel pump concerns. While the Accord has more total complaints, the higher annual average reflects a larger population and a wider range of reported defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Elantra GT | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,172 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 65 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 293.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 42 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 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.
Hyundai Elantra GT
- 01ENGINE488
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER166
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM155
- 04STRUCTURE135
- 05POWER TRAIN114
Owners report a ticking noise that escalates to loud knocking, often while driving at 60-70 mph, with no warning lights. Excessive oil consumption is also common, leading to catalytic converter failure and emissions problems. These symptoms suggest internal engine defects that can cause sudden power loss and expensive repairs.
Complaints include ABS failure lights, cruise control and auto hold warnings, and infotainment systems that stay on after shutdown, draining the battery. These issues can appear at low mileage (e.g., 33,250 miles) and may require repeated dealer visits.
While specific complaint text is not provided, the 135 structure-related complaints suggest owners report issues with body panels, doors, or other structural components. Buyers should inspect for unusual gaps, rust, or noises.
With 114 complaints, power train issues likely involve transmission or drivetrain problems. Owners may experience rough shifting, hesitation, or unusual noises that affect drivability and safety.
“Engine, power train, malfunction changing my speed control. No warning lights, first ticking noise from engine then knocking loud noise from engine. Noticed ticking about 4 days ago at first, today on freeway going 60-70 mph just changed to loud knocking, imm…”
“The vehicle is experiencing engine-related excessive oil consumption, which has led to failure of the catalytic converter and emissions system. The root issue appears to be an internal engine defect causing oil to burn during operation. Yes, the vehicle is av…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe alarms for brake, hill descent, and ABS failure, followed by loss of speed. Rattling noises during acceleration and rough transitions between EV and gas modes are also reported, with some dealers unable to fix the issue. These problems can lead to reduced power and safety risks.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing near-collisions. TPMS warnings and subsequent tire failure after service are also reported. These electrical faults can be sudden and severe.
Owners report that adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems may fail to detect obstacles, leading to unintended braking or failure to brake. Some incidents occurred under identical conditions, suggesting a recurring defect.
With 602 complaints, fuel system issues likely include fuel pump failures, leaks, or delivery problems. These can cause stalling, difficulty starting, or fire risks, and are serious for buyer safety.
“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…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
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.
Hyundai Elantra GT — 1 recall
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT vehicles. The panoramic sunroof motor may be incorrectly programmed, preventing the sunroof from detecting an obstacle while closing.
The risk: If the sunroof does not detect an obstacle while closing and then retract, there could be an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the panoramic sunroof, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for t…
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 (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.
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
Hyundai Elantra GT or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Elantra GT has fewer complaints per year (293 vs. 452), but its engine problems are severe and often lead to sudden power loss. The Honda Accord has more recalls and a wider variety of issues, including electrical and collision avoidance failures. In practice, the Elantra GT may require fewer overall shop visits, but the Accord's problems are more diverse and include high-profile safety defects.
Key differences
- The Elantra GT's most common complaint is engine knocking and oil consumption, while the Accord's top issue is also engine-related but includes electrical and collision avoidance failures.
- The Accord has 38 recalls versus 1 for the Elantra GT, meaning more official safety fixes but also more potential defects.
- The Elantra GT averages 293 complaints per year; the Accord averages 452, but the Accord's data spans 10 years and likely a larger fleet.
- The Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries, compared to 65 crashes and 42 injuries for the Elantra GT, though these numbers are not adjusted for sales volume.
- Listen for ticking or knocking noises from the engine, especially during acceleration or at highway speeds, as these can indicate internal engine damage.
- Check for excessive oil consumption by asking about oil change intervals and inspecting the catalytic converter for signs of failure.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds if possible, and look for any warning lights related to ABS or hill descent.
- Verify that forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control function correctly, as owners report failures that can lead to near-collisions.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially for the Accord's many recall campaigns.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine for the Elantra GT, focusing on oil consumption and unusual noises.
- For the Accord, test all electrical systems, including infotainment, power steering, and braking, and check for TPMS issues.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if oil changes were done regularly, which is critical for both vehicles' engines.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds to replicate conditions where many complaints occur.
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 | Hyundai Elantra GT | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 191 | 362 |
| 2019 | 196 | 691 |
| 2018 | 51 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 734 | 537 |
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 Hyundai Elantra GT or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Elantra GT vs Honda Accord
- Hyundai Elantra GT total complaints
- 1,172
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Hyundai Elantra GT total recalls
- 1
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Hyundai Elantra GT avg complaints/year
- 293.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Elantra GT
- Hyundai Elantra GT top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE