Head-to-head reliability
KIA Borrego vs Honda Accord
How the KIA Borrego 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
KIA Borrego vs Honda Accord: The Borrego averages 30 complaints per year with 7 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Borrego's reports center on transmission, electrical, and brake faults; the Accord's on engine, electrical, and collision-avoidance issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Borrego or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Borrego
The Kia Borrego is a body-on-frame SUV sold for only a few model years, and owners report a range of mechanical and electrical faults that can be costly. Complaint volume averages 30 per year, with power train, electrical, and brake issues leading the list. Sample complaints describe erratic transmission shifting, unintended starter engagement, and brake system warnings, suggesting that living with a Borrego may require patience and a repair budget.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume midsize car with a much larger complaint pool, averaging about 452 complaints per year over ten years. The most common areas are engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance, and sample reports include loss of power, electronic steering and braking failure, and adaptive cruise control problems. With 38 recalls and three deaths reported, the Accord's issues are more numerous but also more widely documented.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Borrego | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 90 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 8 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 30.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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.
KIA Borrego
- 01POWER TRAIN18
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
- 03SERVICE BRAKES16
- 04SEAT BELTS11
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
Owners report the transmission shifting erratically, holding third gear and refusing to upshift or downshift properly, especially in V8 models with the ZF 6-speed. This can make acceleration from a stop unpredictable and may lead to expensive transmission repairs.
Complaints describe the starter engaging on its own while the key is in the ignition, even in Park or Neutral, and ongoing electrical gremlins that owners struggle to diagnose. These faults can drain the battery or cause unexpected starting behavior.
Drivers report multiple warning lights (ABS, ESC Off, emergency brakes, downhill braking assist) coming on while driving, and in one case a complete loss of brakes with no warning. Such failures directly affect stopping ability and safety.
One owner reported that both front seat belts unlatched independently without warning while driving at 35 mph, and the problem persisted after re-latching. A seat belt that releases on its own undermines occupant protection in a crash.
“THIS PAST TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING BECAME ERRATIC, IN PARTICULAR, AND AMONG OTHER ISSUES, HOLDING ON TO 3RD GEAR AND REFUSING TO UP SHIFT OR DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY. THERE WERE A FEW TIMES IN WHICH WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STAND-STILL '…”
“I NOW FIND MYSELF DEALING WITH AN ISSUE THAT I NOW KNOW IS A WELL-KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE ZF 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION USED IN THIS PARTICULAR V8 MODEL. THIS PAST WEEK, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING BECAME ERRATIC, IN PARTICULAR, AND AMONG OTHER ISSUES,…”
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 appearing at highway speeds, followed by loss of speed, as well as rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These symptoms can leave the car underpowered or stranded.
Reports include simultaneous failure and lock-up of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and a tire failure shortly after a TPMS warning was serviced. Electronic faults affecting steering and braking are serious because they remove driver control.
Complaints state that adaptive cruise control and collision-avoidance systems have malfunctioned under repeatable conditions, sometimes without obstruction. Unpredictable automatic braking or acceleration can startle the driver and increase crash risk.
Sample complaints mention a persistent rotten-egg or sulfur odor that remained after a filter replacement and odor treatment, pointing to fuel or propulsion system issues. Such odors may indicate leaks or combustion problems that are hard to resolve.
“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.
KIA Borrego — 7 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may…
The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Borrego vehicles. The headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
The risk: A headliner plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 30, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC286.
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may…
The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Borrego vehicles. The headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
The risk: A headliner plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 30, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC286.
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
KIA Borrego or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Kia Borrego has far fewer complaints per year (30 vs. 452), but its smaller owner base means each report represents a larger share of vehicles. The Honda Accord's higher count reflects its much larger sales volume, yet its reported issues include severe electronic and engine failures. In practice, the Borrego may be simpler to inspect for specific faults, while the Accord requires checking a broader set of systems.
Key differences
- The Borrego's top complaints are power train, electrical, and brakes, with reports of erratic shifting and unintended starter engagement; the Accord's top areas are engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance, including loss of power and steering/braking lock-up.
- The Borrego has 7 recalls over 3 years, while the Accord has 38 recalls over 10 years, covering hybrid software, tires, seat belts, air bag sensors, and fuel pumps.
- The Borrego's sample complaints include seat belts unlatching on their own, a direct restraint failure; the Accord's samples include adaptive cruise control and collision-avoidance malfunctions.
- The Accord's complaint volume is about 15 times higher per year, but it is sold in far greater numbers, so per-vehicle risk cannot be compared from counts alone.
- During a test drive, accelerate from a stop and at highway speeds to check for erratic shifting, holding in third gear, or refusal to upshift/downshift, especially in V8 models.
- With the key in the ignition and engine off, listen for the starter engaging on its own, and check that all brake warning lights (ABS, ESC, downhill assist) illuminate and then go out normally.
- Test the electronic power steering and brakes at low and highway speeds for any lock-up or warning messages, and verify that forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control engage and disengage smoothly.
- Ask for proof that all open recalls, especially hybrid power control unit software and fuel pump recalls, have been performed, and check for persistent sulfur or fuel odors.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm that all recalls for the specific model year have been completed.
- Have a independent mechanic scan all electronic control modules for stored fault codes, especially transmission, ABS, and air bag systems.
- Test drive at varying speeds and include stop-and-go traffic to reproduce transmission or braking symptoms.
- Inspect seat belt buckles and retractors for proper latching and release, and check tire condition and TPMS operation.
- For the Accord, verify hybrid software updates and check for any signs of fuel or propulsion system odors or leaks.
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 KIA Borrego or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Borrego vs Honda Accord
- KIA Borrego total complaints
- 90
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- KIA Borrego total recalls
- 7
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- KIA Borrego avg complaints/year
- 30.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- KIA Borrego
- KIA Borrego top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE