Head-to-head reliability
JEEP Renegade vs Honda Accord
How the JEEP Renegade 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
JEEP Renegade vs Honda Accord: The Renegade has 2,202 complaints over 9 years (245/year) and 24 recalls, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (452/year) and 38 recalls. The Accord also reports 3 deaths and 146 injuries, versus 0 deaths and 62 injuries for the Renegade. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the JEEP Renegade or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
JEEP Renegade
The Jeep Renegade is a subcompact SUV that has been on the road for 9 years, generating 2,202 owner complaints—about 245 per year. That's a moderate complaint rate, but the pattern shows a vehicle where engine and electrical gremlins are common, often with little warning. Owners report sudden bangs, shuddering, and stalling, which can be unsettling in daily driving. With 24 recalls and 62 injuries reported, it's a model that demands a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a 10-year history and 4,524 complaints—roughly 452 per year, nearly double the Renegade's annual rate. The volume reflects its popularity, but the types of issues are serious: engine failures, electrical shutdowns, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions. There are also 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported, plus 38 recalls. While many Accords run well, the data shows a higher frequency of safety-related complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | JEEP Renegade | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,202 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 24 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 79 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 244.7 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 62 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.
JEEP Renegade
- 01ENGINE850
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM616
- 03POWER TRAIN424
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER419
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM286
Owners report a large bang from underneath during hard acceleration or turns, plus shuddering, lurching, and hesitation. Some 2022 models have difficulty starting. These symptoms can indicate drivetrain or engine mount issues, and the lack of warning makes them dangerous.
Complaints include false LaneSense and blind spot alerts that trigger on every turn, and headlights or daytime running lights failing intermittently. Electrical glitches can distract the driver and compromise visibility.
Owners describe strong fuel vapor odors inside and outside the vehicle, and instances where the vehicle shuts down while driving. Loss of power at speed is a serious safety risk.
Fuel vapor odor is a recurring complaint, suggesting possible leaks or evap system faults. This can be a fire hazard and often fails emissions tests.
“First NO WARNINGS Signs of Any Kind were shown at time of 1st & 3rd issues, 1st under hard acceleration or deceleration and sometimes while in turns under acceleration & deceleration you get a Large Bang from underneath the vehicle and it’s not only the sound…”
“The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing difficulty starting. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shuddered, lurched, and hesitated to res…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report alarms for brake, hill descent, ABS, and critical failure, followed by loss of speed. Others hear rattling noises like a diesel and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These can lead to sudden power loss.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing near-collisions. TPMS warnings and tire failures after service are also reported. Such failures are extremely dangerous.
Owners describe the system braking unexpectedly on open roads or with adaptive cruise control set, even with no obstructions. This can cause rear-end collisions or loss of control.
A persistent rotten-egg or sulfur odor is reported, sometimes requiring multiple repairs. This may indicate catalytic converter or fuel system issues, and can be a health concern.
“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.
JEEP Renegade — 24 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Renegade vehicles. The incorrect bumper reverse light assembly may have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, an…
The risk: The incorrect reverse lights may have reduced visibility, and not alert pedestrians and other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bumper reverse light assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this rec…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Renegade vehicles. The incorrect bumper reverse light assembly may have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, an…
The risk: The incorrect reverse lights may have reduced visibility, and not alert pedestrians and other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bumper reverse light assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this rec…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Renegade vehicles. The incorrect bumper reverse light assembly may have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, an…
The risk: The incorrect reverse lights may have reduced visibility, and not alert pedestrians and other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bumper reverse light assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this rec…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 2019-2023 Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and 2024 Fiat 500E vehicles. A seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front seat air bag from deploying as intended.
The risk: A front seat air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair the connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning August 27, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 82B.
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
JEEP Renegade or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Jeep Renegade has fewer complaints per year (about 245) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452). However, the Accord's higher volume may reflect its larger sales. In practice, the Renegade's issues often involve sudden bangs and electrical glitches, while the Accord's include more severe safety failures like steering and braking loss. Both require careful inspection, but the Accord's complaint rate is notably higher.
Key differences
- The Jeep Renegade averages 245 complaints per year; the Honda Accord averages 452 per year, nearly double.
- Renegade owners report sudden bangs and shuddering under acceleration; Accord owners report simultaneous steering and braking failure at highway speeds.
- The Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported; the Renegade has 0 deaths and 62 injuries.
- Renegade recalls include backup lights and air bags; Accord recalls include hybrid power control software and fuel pump issues.
- Listen for a loud bang from underneath during test drive acceleration or turns—this could indicate a power train or engine mount problem.
- Check all exterior lights, especially backup lights and daytime running lights, as recalls and complaints mention failures.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds; any warning lights or loss of assist is a major red flag.
- Verify that forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control do not brake unexpectedly on open roads.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, and electrical systems for both models.
- For the Renegade, test drive on varied roads and listen for unusual noises during acceleration and turns.
- For the Accord, test all advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance, in safe conditions.
- Check for fuel odors inside and outside the vehicle, especially in the Renegade and Accord.
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 | JEEP Renegade | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20 | 226 |
| 2022 | 26 | 252 |
| 2021 | 67 | 234 |
| 2020 | 62 | 362 |
| 2019 | 79 | 691 |
| 2018 | 442 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 565 | 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 JEEP Renegade or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- JEEP Renegade vs Honda Accord
- JEEP Renegade total complaints
- 2,202
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- JEEP Renegade total recalls
- 24
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- JEEP Renegade avg complaints/year
- 244.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- JEEP Renegade
- JEEP Renegade top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE