Head-to-head reliability
KIA Telluride vs Honda Accord
How the KIA Telluride 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 Telluride vs Honda Accord: The Telluride averages about 285 complaints per year with 33 recalls, while the Accord averages about 452 per year with 38 recalls. Both have serious owner-reported issues like sunroof shattering or hybrid system failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Telluride or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Telluride
The Kia Telluride is a three-row family SUV that has averaged about 285 complaints per year over seven years, with 33 recalls. Owners frequently report dramatic failures like exploding panoramic sunroof glass, windshield wiper fluid leaking to the rear, and simultaneous electrical and engine control failures while driving. These issues can be alarming and costly, but the lower annual complaint rate suggests many owners still find it manageable.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year over ten years—and 38 recalls. Common owner reports include engine rattles, hybrid system jerks, electronic power steering and braking lockups, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions. The higher rate and more frequent crash/injury counts mean buyers should be especially diligent about checking for unresolved safety defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Telluride | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,998 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 39 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 285.4 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 41 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 Telluride
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER470
- 02VISIBILITY/WIPER347
- 03ENGINE324
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM287
- 05EXTERIOR LIGHTING207
Owners describe panoramic sunroof glass shattering with a loud bang, sending glass flying inside the cabin. This is a serious safety concern because it can happen without warning and may injure occupants.
Reports include windshield washer fluid leaking onto the rear window and windshields cracking or shattering from minor road debris. These issues can impair visibility and lead to expensive glass replacement.
Some owners experience simultaneous failures of electric power steering, electronic parking brake, ABS, and stability control while driving, often accompanied by engine control malfunctions. This can cause sudden loss of power and steering assist, creating a high-risk situation.
Complaints mirror engine issues, with multiple electronic safety systems failing at once under thermal stress. These failures can leave the vehicle in a reduced or unsafe state, requiring immediate dealer attention.
“Was driving with my husband and granddaughter in the car and had just left the house. Horrible, loud explosive sound like a gunshot and glass sound and glanced to make sure all glass ok and our granddaughter was safe. Could see the glass flying behind us and…”
“Component: Factory forward panoramic sunroof glass, 2025 Kia Telluride, VIN [XXX]. On XXX at 8:18 a.m. ET, [XXX], 59 mph, the glass shattered with a loud bang. No object was seen hitting the roof. Sunshade open. Vehicle/photos available. Original glass may no…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises during acceleration, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of speed with multiple dashboard alarms. These symptoms can indicate hybrid system or engine control problems that may be expensive to diagnose and fix.
Complaints include electronic power steering and braking systems locking up simultaneously at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. Such failures can cause near-collisions and demand immediate repair.
Owners describe the system failing to resolve threats, with repeated incidents under similar conditions, including adaptive cruise control malfunctions. This undermines a key safety feature and could increase crash risk if not addressed.
Reports include persistent rotten-egg sulfur odors and fuel pump delivery issues. These can signal fuel system defects that may lead to stalling or performance problems, and they are often difficult 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 Telluride — 33 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
The risk: A detached trim piece can become a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the belt molding trim assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
The risk: Anti-lock braking or traction control systems that do not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the spare wheel and tire assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC355. Vehicle Iden…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride vehicles, equipped with power front seat(s). Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash.
The risk: A seat back frame that fails to properly restrain an occupant during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat back frame assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning April 24, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number f…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Telluride vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the wire harnesses for the second row seat side air bags may become damaged, causing them not to deploy in the event of a crash.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the air bag wire harnesses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for thi…
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 Telluride or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Kia Telluride has far fewer complaints per year (about 285 vs. 452 for the Honda Accord), suggesting a lower rate of reported problems. In practice, this means Telluride owners may encounter fewer trips to the dealer for unexpected failures, though both vehicles have serious safety-related complaints that require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Kia Telluride averages about 285 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages about 452 per year, indicating a higher reported problem rate for the Accord.
- Telluride owners frequently report sunroof glass shattering and wiper fluid leaks, whereas Accord owners more often report engine rattles, hybrid jerks, and forward collision avoidance failures.
- The Accord has more crash-related complaints (162 vs. 39) and injuries (146 vs. 41) in the data, though these are raw counts over different time spans.
- Both vehicles have recalls for electrical and tire issues, but the Accord also has recalls for fuel pump and seat belt problems, while the Telluride has recalls for structure and seat recliner issues.
- Inspect the panoramic sunroof glass for any chips, cracks, or signs of previous shattering, and test the sunshade operation.
- Check the windshield wiper system for proper fluid spray and look for any fluid leaks near the rear window or under the vehicle.
- Test drive at highway speeds and listen for engine rattles or jerks during EV-to-gas transitions, and watch for any dashboard warnings.
- Verify that the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control systems function without error messages, and check for any stored trouble codes.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been repaired by a dealer.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the specific complaint areas for each model.
- During the test drive, deliberately test the sunroof (Telluride) or hybrid transitions and collision avoidance (Accord) under safe conditions.
- Ask the seller for any service records related to electrical, engine, or glass repairs, and be wary of repeated fixes for the same issue.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls using the specific VIN before buying.
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 Telluride | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | 116 | 109 |
| 2024 | 219 | 219 |
| 2023 | 207 | 226 |
| 2022 | 324 | 252 |
| 2021 | 365 | 234 |
| 2020 | 767 | 362 |
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 Telluride or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Telluride vs Honda Accord
- KIA Telluride total complaints
- 1,998
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- KIA Telluride total recalls
- 33
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- KIA Telluride avg complaints/year
- 285.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- KIA Telluride
- KIA Telluride top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE