Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Santa FE Sport vs Honda Accord
How the Hyundai Santa FE Sport 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 Santa FE Sport vs Honda Accord: The Santa Fe Sport averaged 211 complaints per year with 721 engine complaints, while the Accord averaged 444 per year with 985 engine complaints. The Santa Fe Sport had 22 recalls and 0 deaths; the Accord had 38 recalls and 3 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Santa FE Sport or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Santa FE Sport
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is a compact SUV that, based on owner complaints, can be a mixed bag in terms of reliability. Over six years, it averaged about 211 complaints per year, with a heavy concentration on engine problems. Many owners report sudden engine failure, sometimes multiple times, which can leave you stranded. There are also notable brake and hydraulic issues, often tied to recalls where parts weren't available. While it has fewer complaints per year than the Accord, the severity of engine failures is a major concern.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher annual complaint rate—about 444 per year over ten years. Complaints span a wide range of systems, including engine, electrical, and advanced safety features like forward collision avoidance. Some owners report serious issues such as sudden power loss, brake system warnings, and even sunroof explosions. The higher complaint volume and three reported deaths suggest that while many Accords are reliable, some model years have significant safety-related problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Santa FE Sport | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,267 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 22 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 211.2 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 22 Better | 144 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 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 Santa FE Sport
- 01ENGINE721
- 02SERVICE BRAKES225
- 03HYDRAULIC157
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER140
- 05POWER TRAIN98
Owners frequently report sudden engine failure, often due to bearing defects, which can cause the vehicle to stall in traffic. Some have experienced multiple engine failures, even after replacement, leaving them stranded and requiring costly repairs.
Complaints include brake system warnings and issues with the hydraulic control unit, sometimes linked to recalls where parts were unavailable. Owners report symptoms like warning lights and reduced braking performance, which is a critical safety concern.
Many complaints involve the ABS warning light illuminating and technical service bulletins for the hydraulic system. This can affect braking and traction control, especially at highway speeds, and may require expensive repairs.
Some owners report engine fires and failures related to recalls, with repairs sometimes done under campaigns. However, recurring issues after repairs suggest ongoing reliability problems that buyers should be aware of.
“September 3rd, 2025, my engine failed, for the second time and left me stuck at a busy intersection, in the middle lane and can't move. The first time my engine failed (2022/same vehicle), I was about the get on the highway and it just stopped in the middle o…”
“Subject: Engine Failure Due to Bearing Defect – No KSDS Recall Notification Vehicle: 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport VIN: [XXX] Date of Purchase: April 2016 Complaint Summary: I am filing this complaint regarding my 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, which experienced…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises, power loss, and multiple system alarms leading to reduced speed. Some complaints involve new vehicles with low mileage, indicating potential manufacturing defects that can cause sudden loss of power.
Complaints include tire pressure monitoring system failures leading to tire blowouts, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses. These issues can cause unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs, even on newer models.
Many owners report intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams. These glitches can undermine trust in the safety systems and may require dealer visits to resolve.
Brake system complaints include ABS control unit failures and warnings, sometimes leading to reduced braking performance. This is a safety-critical issue that should be addressed promptly.
“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…”
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 Santa FE Sport — 22 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
The risk: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
The risk: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
The risk: An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notificat…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
The risk: If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began December 22, 2020. No…
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…
Buyer analysis
Hyundai Santa FE Sport or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has fewer complaints per year (about 211) compared to the Honda Accord (about 444), but the Santa Fe Sport's complaints are heavily concentrated on severe engine failures. The Accord's higher complaint rate spans more systems, including electrical and advanced safety features. In practice, the Santa Fe Sport may have fewer overall issues, but the ones it has can be catastrophic, while the Accord may have more frequent but sometimes less severe problems.
Key differences
- The Santa Fe Sport has a much higher proportion of engine complaints (721 out of 1267), often involving sudden failure, while the Accord's engine complaints (985 out of 4438) are more varied, including noise and power loss.
- The Accord has significantly more complaints related to electrical systems and forward collision avoidance, which are less common in the Santa Fe Sport.
- The Santa Fe Sport has 22 recalls and 22 crash-related complaints, while the Accord has 38 recalls and 160 crash-related complaints, indicating a higher rate of reported crashes for the Accord.
- The Santa Fe Sport has 0 deaths reported, while the Accord has 3 deaths, though these numbers alone don't prove safety differences without context.
- Check for any history of engine replacement or repair, especially related to bearing defects or recalls; ask for documentation and be wary of repeated failures.
- Test the brakes thoroughly and look for ABS warning lights; ensure any open recalls for the hydraulic control unit have been addressed.
- Inspect the electrical system for signs of rodent damage or wiring issues, especially if the car has been sitting; also check for tire pressure monitoring system faults.
- Test all advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist; intermittent warnings may indicate sensor or software problems.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on engine health, brake system, and electrical components.
- For the Santa Fe Sport, specifically ask about engine replacement history and check for any related recall campaigns.
- For the Accord, test the forward collision avoidance systems and check for any electrical gremlins or warning lights.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds and braking to reproduce potential issues like power loss or brake warnings.
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 Santa FE Sport | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 415 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 346 | 534 |
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 Santa FE Sport or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport vs Honda Accord
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport total complaints
- 1,267
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport total recalls
- 22
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport avg complaints/year
- 211.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE