Head-to-head reliability
KIA EV6 vs Honda Accord
How the KIA EV6 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 EV6 vs Honda Accord: The EV6 has 543 complaints over 5 years (about 109 per year) and 11 recalls, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (about 452 per year) and 38 recalls. EV6 issues often involve electrical and charging systems; Accord issues span engine, electrical, and safety systems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA EV6 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA EV6
The Kia EV6 is an electric SUV that has been on the road for about five years. In that time, owners have filed 543 complaints, with the electrical system being the most common trouble spot. Many complaints mention a 'pop' sound and sudden warnings like 'Check Electric Vehicle System,' often tied to the charging control unit. While the overall complaint rate is lower than some vehicles, the electrical issues can be alarming and may leave you stranded.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular family sedan and hybrid with a much longer track record—ten years of data. It has 4,524 complaints, which is higher in total but spread over twice as many years. The most frequent issues involve the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance. Some owners report serious problems like power steering and braking failure, as well as false automatic braking. The Accord's higher complaint count reflects its longer production and larger sales volume.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA EV6 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 543 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 20 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 108.6 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 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.
KIA EV6
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM406
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM98
- 03POWER TRAIN96
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER68
- 05ENGINE40
Owners frequently report a 'pop' sound from under the car followed by multiple dashboard warnings, including 'Check Electric Vehicle System.' These faults often clear after restarting, but they can recur and may indicate a failing Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), which is the subject of a recall.
Complaints in this area often involve the same ICCU recall and repeated trips to the dealer for EV system issues. One owner reported three separate dealership visits for serious EV problems within a year of ownership, suggesting that some cars may have persistent propulsion faults.
Power train complaints also reference the ICCU recall and sudden loss of power or multiple faults while driving. This can be dangerous if it happens at speed, and it points to potential problems with the electric drive components.
Although the EV6 is electric, some complaints are filed under 'Engine,' likely referring to electric motor or related systems. These are less common but still part of the overall pattern of electrical and propulsion issues.
“2024 Kia EV6 leased January 2025. Vehicle is subject to NHTSA Recall 24V-867 / Kia campaign SC327 for the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU). The recall remedy was performed at an authorized Kia dealer in July 2025 (software / operational logic update).…”
“Driving with my wife and [XXX] child, there was a pop sound from under the car, and the car suddenly showed multiple faults, including "Check electric vehicle system”, which cleared on their own. I parked and turned the car off and on again and the faults rea…”
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 sudden loss of power with multiple alarms (Brake, Hill Descent, ABS). These issues can affect drivability and may require dealer attention.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, which is a severe safety concern. Another owner reported a tire failure shortly after a TPMS repair, suggesting possible issues with tire pressure monitoring or related systems.
Some owners experience unexpected automatic braking or failure to avoid collisions, even under normal driving conditions. One complaint describes the system activating suddenly on an open road, which could cause a crash if it happens at speed.
Complaints include persistent rotten-egg/sulfur odors that may indicate fuel or emissions problems. While not always a safety risk, these odors can be a nuisance and may signal underlying issues with the fuel system.
“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 EV6 — 11 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2024 EV6 vehicles. The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may become damaged and stop charging the 12-Volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the ICCU and its fuse, as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the ICCU software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 29, 2024. Ow…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2024 EV6 vehicles. The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may become damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the ICCU and its fuse, as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the ICCU software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2024. Owners may co…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2024 EV6 and 2024 EV9 vehicles. The high voltage battery cells may contain misaligned electrodes, which can lead to a fire while parked or driving.
The risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and limit their charge to a maximum of 80% until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the high voltage battery system assembly, free of charge. Owner notification l…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Niro EV and 2023 EV6 vehicles. One of the drive shafts may have been improperly heat-treated, allowing it to break under load and resulting in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the drive shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC295.
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 EV6 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Kia EV6 has far fewer complaints per year (about 109) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452). However, the EV6's issues are concentrated in critical electrical and propulsion systems, while the Accord's problems span many areas including engine and safety features. In practice, the EV6 may have fewer overall problems, but when they occur, they can be serious and disruptive.
Key differences
- The Kia EV6 has 543 complaints over 5 years (about 109 per year), while the Honda Accord has 4,524 over 10 years (about 452 per year).
- EV6 complaints are heavily concentrated in electrical system (406) and fuel/propulsion (98), often related to the ICCU recall; Accord complaints are spread across engine (1,006), electrical (895), and forward collision avoidance (837).
- The EV6 has 11 recalls, including battery and driveline issues; the Accord has 38 recalls, covering hybrid management, tires, seat belts, air bags, and fuel pump.
- Accord owners report severe safety failures like power steering and braking loss, while EV6 owners report sudden power loss and multiple warnings, often linked to charging components.
- Check for any history of ICCU recall work (NHTSA recall 24V-867) and confirm the software update was performed; ask for documentation.
- Test drive and listen for a 'pop' sound from under the car, and watch for any 'Check Electric Vehicle System' warnings that may appear and clear.
- During test drive, pay attention to any rattling noises while accelerating or rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which could indicate engine or hybrid system issues.
- Check for any signs of electronic power steering or braking problems, such as warning lights or unusual steering feel, and verify that all safety recalls have been addressed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been completed, especially the ICCU recall for the EV6 and hybrid/electrical recalls for the Accord.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic experienced with the specific model, focusing on electrical systems, battery health (EV6), and hybrid components (Accord).
- For the EV6, ask the seller to demonstrate a full charging cycle and check for any error messages during and after charging.
- For the Accord, test all driver-assist features (adaptive cruise, lane keep, automatic braking) in a safe environment to ensure they function correctly.
- Review NHTSA complaints for the specific model year you are considering to see if common issues have been addressed or persist.
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 | KIA EV6 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | 53 | 109 |
| 2024 | 76 | 219 |
| 2023 | 137 | 226 |
| 2022 | 277 | 252 |
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 EV6 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA EV6 vs Honda Accord
- KIA EV6 total complaints
- 543
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- KIA EV6 total recalls
- 11
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- KIA EV6 avg complaints/year
- 108.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- KIA EV6
- KIA EV6 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE