Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Santa FE vs Honda Accord
How the Hyundai Santa FE 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 vs Honda Accord: The Santa FE averages 240 complaints per year with 41 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Santa FE has fewer crash-related complaints (88 vs 162) and no deaths reported, but both have engine as a top issue. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Santa FE or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Santa FE
The Hyundai Santa FE is a mid-size SUV that, based on owner complaints, can be a mixed bag in terms of reliability. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 240 complaints per year, with the most common issues involving the engine, power train, and electrical system. Many owners report serious problems like sudden loss of power or engine stalling, which can be alarming. While it has fewer complaints per year than the Honda Accord, the nature of the complaints suggests potentially severe safety risks.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular mid-size sedan that, according to NHTSA data, has a higher volume of complaints—about 452 per year over the past decade. The most frequent problem areas are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance. Owners describe issues ranging from loss of power and braking failures to false alarms from collision avoidance systems. These reports indicate that while the Accord is a common choice, it may require more frequent attention to certain systems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Santa FE | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,401 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 41 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 88 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 240.1 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 86 Better | 146 |
| 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
- 01ENGINE1,011
- 02POWER TRAIN455
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER411
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM287
- 05SERVICE BRAKES161
Owners report repeated loss of motive power at highway speeds, with the vehicle slowing even when the accelerator is pressed to the floor. Some experience total engine stalling without warning, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Complaints include a bad factory seal on the high voltage harness in hybrid models, allowing water to intrude and potentially short the battery. Others report intermittent total engine stalling and propulsion failure.
Issues include complete loss of electrical power, leaving the vehicle unable to start, and water intrusion in hybrid battery connectors that can cause shorts. These problems can strand drivers unexpectedly.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, this is a top component with 161 complaints. Buyers should be aware that brake-related issues may exist, though specifics are not provided here.
“The vehicle repeatedly loses motive power while being driven at highway speed. It slows even with the accelerator pressed to the floor, does not shift into higher gears, and drops to 40 to 50 mph. On [XXX], the vehicle lost power at highway speed while I was…”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle suffers from an intermittent, total engine stalling and propulsion failure. Without warning, the engine completely shuts down while driving and auto…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and jerking when the charge button is pressed. Some also experience loss of speed and multiple system alarms at highway speeds.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds, causing near-collisions. Another owner reported a tire failure shortly after a TPMS repair, suggesting possible related electrical or sensor issues.
Owners describe the system failing to resolve threats, with incidents occurring under similar conditions, such as adaptive cruise control suddenly braking or not responding. This can lead to unexpected and dangerous situations.
With 602 complaints, this is a significant area. While sample complaints do not detail specific failures, buyers should be aware of potential fuel delivery or propulsion issues that may affect performance and 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 Santa FE — 41 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine damage, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 281.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe vehicles. The B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly may be improperly installed, which can cause an electrical short during a crash.
The risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the starter motor terminal cover, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera may not have been installed properly, which can damage the wiring harness and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the req…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the camera wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 288. Vehi…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
The risk: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289…
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 Santa FE or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Santa FE has fewer complaints per year (240 vs. 452 for the Honda Accord), suggesting it may have fewer overall issues. However, the Santa FE's complaints often involve severe engine and power train failures that can cause sudden loss of power. The Accord has more complaints but includes a wider range of issues, some of which are also serious, like braking and steering failures.
Key differences
- The Hyundai Santa FE has about half the annual complaint rate of the Honda Accord (240 vs. 452), but its complaints often involve severe engine and power train failures like sudden stalling.
- The Honda Accord has more crash-related complaints (162 vs. 88) and injuries (146 vs. 86), and also reports 3 deaths, while the Santa FE reports none.
- The Santa FE's top issue is engine complaints (1011), while the Accord's top issue is also engine (1006), but the Accord also has high electrical (895) and forward collision avoidance (837) complaints.
- The Accord has a notable number of complaints about forward collision avoidance systems, which the Santa FE does not list as a top component.
- During a test drive, accelerate to highway speeds and watch for any hesitation, loss of power, or unusual noises from the engine, as owners report sudden stalling.
- Check for signs of water intrusion around the hybrid battery connector and high voltage harness, especially in hybrid models, as this can cause electrical shorts.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at various speeds; owners report simultaneous failure at highway speeds, which can be terrifying.
- Pay attention to any rattling noises during acceleration and rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which may indicate engine or transmission issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for engine, electrical, and fuel system issues.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the engine and transmission for signs of stalling, power loss, or unusual noises.
- For the Santa FE, specifically check the hybrid battery connector and high voltage harness for water damage or corrosion.
- For the Accord, test the forward collision avoidance system and ensure it responds correctly; also check for any electrical gremlins.
- During the test drive, simulate highway driving and emergency braking to uncover potential failures in power and braking 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 | Hyundai Santa FE | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 50 | 10 |
| 2025 | 135 | 109 |
| 2024 | 151 | 219 |
| 2023 | 210 | 226 |
| 2022 | 199 | 252 |
| 2021 | 166 | 234 |
| 2020 | 213 | 362 |
| 2019 | 200 | 691 |
| 2018 | 109 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 968 | 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 Santa FE or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Santa FE vs Honda Accord
- Hyundai Santa FE total complaints
- 2,401
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Hyundai Santa FE total recalls
- 41
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Hyundai Santa FE avg complaints/year
- 240.1
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Santa FE
- Hyundai Santa FE top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE