Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Elantra Touring vs Honda Accord
How the Hyundai Elantra Touring 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 Touring vs Honda Accord: The Elantra Touring has 454 complaints per year with 233 steering issues, while the Accord averages 452.4 per year but totals 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls over 10 years. Both show serious patterns, so inspect steering on the Elantra and engine/electrical systems on the Accord. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Elantra Touring or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Elantra Touring
The Hyundai Elantra Touring is a compact wagon that, based on NHTSA data, shows a very high complaint rate of 454 per year over just one year of coverage. The dominant issue is steering, with 233 complaints, many describing clunking, clicking, or sudden loss of power steering assist. Electrical system problems, often tied to the EPS light and difficult steering, are also common. With 49 crash-related complaints and 53 injuries reported, buyers should be aware of these patterns and inspect carefully.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with 4,524 complaints over 10 years, averaging 452.4 per year, similar to the Elantra Touring's annual rate. However, the Accord's complaints span many more areas, led by engine (1,006), electrical system (895), and forward collision avoidance (837). Recalls total 38, and there are 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries. The breadth of issues suggests a complex vehicle with multiple systems that can fail.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Elantra Touring | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 454 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 49 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 454.0 | 452.4 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 53 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 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 Touring
- 01STEERING233
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM58
- 03AIR BAGS52
- 04SERVICE BRAKES44
- 05POWER TRAIN34
Owners report clunking or clicking noises when turning the wheel, often linked to a coupler or rubber damper gear. Some also experience sudden loss of power steering assist, making the wheel very hard to turn, especially at low speeds.
The EPS (electric power steering) light may come on intermittently, and power steering can become difficult. Owners describe resetting by turning the car off and moving the wheel, but the problem returns.
There are reports of airbags deploying unexpectedly, such as while parked with the emergency brake on, cracking the windshield. Another complaint mentions possible airbag failure in a severe front-end collision.
Some owners report the steering wheel becoming difficult to turn along with an ABS warning light. Others see multiple warning lights (airbag, check engine, ABS, EPS) and experience power loss.
“Vehicle developed clunking noise in the steering. Was told it was coupler issue. The dealership, Nlorthbay Hyundai, in Petaluma, California, was negligent in the replacement, creating a grinding metal on metal noise, and damaged the steering column as well. T…”
“My 2010 Elantra just started making a clicking noise when slightly turning the steering wheel back and forth. Doing online research, I discovered it is a common problem on Hyundai, with the same symptoms as my problem, that there is a rubber star damper gear…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe alarms for brake, hill descent, ABS, and critical failure, with the vehicle losing speed. Others report rattling noises while accelerating and rough transitions between EV and gas modes.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing a near-collision. Another report mentions a TPMS warning followed by a tire failure.
Owners report the system failing to resolve threats, with incidents occurring under similar conditions, such as with adaptive cruise control set. This can lead to unexpected braking or lack of intervention.
Some complaints involve persistent rotten-egg/sulfur odors that remain after repairs, and a report of a foot slipping behind a plastic side panel, posing a potential safety hazard.
“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 Touring — 4 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result…
The risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyu…
The defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured December 15, 2009, through May 7, 2012. The affected vehicles have a support bracket attached to the headliner that may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
The risk: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 117.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010. The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sen…
The risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Hyundai will verify the proper operation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and update the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's numb…
The defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburo…
The risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved…
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
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 Touring or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Elantra Touring has a slightly higher complaint rate per year (454.0) than the Honda Accord (452.4), but the Accord's data covers 10 years and includes far more total complaints and recalls. In practice, the Elantra Touring's issues are heavily concentrated in steering and electrical systems, while the Accord's problems are spread across engine, electrical, and advanced safety features. Buyers should weigh the severity and frequency of these patterns against their tolerance for potential repairs.
Key differences
- The Elantra Touring's complaints are dominated by steering (233) and electrical (58) issues, while the Accord's top areas are engine (1,006) and electrical (895), indicating different failure patterns.
- The Accord has 38 recalls versus 4 for the Elantra Touring, suggesting more widespread safety-related fixes over its longer production run.
- The Elantra Touring has 49 crash-related complaints and 53 injuries in one year, while the Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries over ten years, showing different scales of reported incidents.
- Owner reports for the Elantra Touring often describe clunking steering and sudden power steering loss, whereas Accord owners report engine alarms, loss of speed, and forward collision avoidance failures.
- Listen for clunking or clicking noises when turning the steering wheel, and check for any history of power steering assist loss or EPS warning lights.
- Inspect for signs of airbag deployment or warning lights, and ask if any recalls related to brakes, steering, or lighting have been addressed.
- Check for engine rattling noises, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and any history of alarms or loss of speed.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system and adaptive cruise control if equipped, and look for any electrical issues such as simultaneous power steering and braking failure.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially the Elantra Touring's steering and brake recalls and the Accord's electrical and fuel pump recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering system on the Elantra Touring for clunking, clicking, or power assist issues, and check the EPS light function.
- For the Honda Accord, scan for engine and electrical fault codes, test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control, and check for unusual odors or tire issues.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or changes in steering and braking feel.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that any recall repairs have been completed by a dealer.
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 Touring or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Elantra Touring vs Honda Accord
- Hyundai Elantra Touring total complaints
- 454
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Hyundai Elantra Touring total recalls
- 4
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Hyundai Elantra Touring avg complaints/year
- 454.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Honda Accord
- Hyundai Elantra Touring top complaint area
- STEERING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE