Head-to-head reliability
LAND Rover Defender vs Honda Accord
How the LAND Rover Defender 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
LAND Rover Defender vs Honda Accord: The Defender has 628 complaints over 7 years (about 90 per year) and 48 recalls, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (about 452 per year) and 38 recalls. The Accord also reports 162 crash-related incidents, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths, compared to the Defender's 5 crash-related, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the LAND Rover Defender or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
LAND Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender is a luxury off-road SUV with complex electronics. Over 7 years, it has 628 complaints (about 90 per year) and 48 recalls. Owners frequently report electrical glitches, lighting failures, and windshield cracks. While the annual complaint rate is lower than the Accord's, the Defender's issues often involve expensive components and multiple dealer visits.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with a high annual complaint rate: 4,524 complaints over 10 years (about 452 per year) and 38 recalls. The most common problem areas are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance. Some complaints describe serious safety risks like sudden power loss and unintended braking. With 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths, the data suggests owners experience more frequent and severe issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | LAND Rover Defender | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 628 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 48 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 89.7 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.
LAND Rover Defender
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM241
- 02EXTERIOR LIGHTING109
- 03VISIBILITY/WIPER101
- 04ENGINE74
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER57
Owners report check engine lights and hybrid electrical failures, such as a faulty Battery Energy Control Module (code P0A1F-96). Another complaint describes a heated steering wheel that overheated, burning the leather. These electrical faults can leave you stranded or cause burns.
Daytime running lights (DRLs) and halo lights fail prematurely, often around 63,000 to 68,000 miles. Owners say the failed lights make the vehicle hard to see at night, increasing crash risk. Replacing them can be costly.
Windshields crack easily from tiny pebbles or even spontaneously, with multiple replacements needed in a short time. This is a recurring expense and a safety concern if the crack obstructs the driver's view.
Exhaust manifold bolts can fracture and fall out, and the auto start/stop system may fail to restart the engine at stoplights. These issues can lead to exhaust leaks, power loss, or being stuck at an intersection.
“My 2020 Land Rover Defender 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) experienced a check engine light and hybrid electrical failure. Diagnostics by an authorized Jaguar Land Rover dealer confirmed code P0A1F-96 (Battery Energy Control Module / BECM internal co…”
“While using the heated steering wheel function on my 2020 Land Rover Defender, the steering wheel began to overheat significantly after being turned on for a short time. The surface temperature became so hot that it burned and discolored the leather, releasin…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden power loss with multiple dashboard warnings (brake, hill descent, ABS) and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. One complaint describes the vehicle losing speed and unable to accelerate, which is dangerous on highways.
Electronic power steering and braking can fail simultaneously at highway speeds, causing a near-collision. Another complaint notes a tire failure shortly after a TPMS repair. These failures can be catastrophic if they occur while driving.
The system may brake unexpectedly or fail to intervene, even with no obstacles. Owners report repeated incidents under similar conditions, such as adaptive cruise control suddenly braking. This unpredictability can cause rear-end collisions or loss of control.
Complaints include a persistent rotten-egg/sulfur odor from the fuel system that remains after repairs. While not always a safety defect, it indicates fuel delivery or emissions problems that can be costly to diagnose.
“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.
LAND Rover Defender — 48 recalls
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2026 Discovery, and 2022-2026 Range Rover vehicles. The driver’s air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 3, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for…
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2026 Discovery, and 2022-2026 Range Rover vehicles. The driver’s air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 3, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for…
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2024 Defender, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Velar, and Range Rover Sport vehicles. The Near Field Sensing Module (NFSM) may overheat and cause the 3D surround camera images, including the rearvie…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the NFSM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 24, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N927.
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender vehicles equipped with Raised Air Intake (RAI) aftermarket accessory equipment, with part number VPLEP0543. The raised air intake may not be secured properly, which can allow the intake to detach fr…
The risk: A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, remove and reinstall the RAI accessory, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 20, 2025. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this rec…
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
LAND Rover Defender or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Land Rover Defender has far fewer complaints per year (about 90) than the Honda Accord (about 452). However, the Defender's issues are often electrical and lighting failures, while the Accord's include more crash-related reports and injuries. In practice, the Defender may need fewer repair visits, but the Accord's problems can be more severe when they occur.
Key differences
- The Defender averages about 90 complaints per year, while the Accord averages about 452 per year, meaning the Accord has far more reported issues annually.
- The Defender's top complaints are electrical system, exterior lighting, and visibility/wiper, often involving failed lights and cracked windshields.
- The Accord's top complaints are engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with reports of sudden power loss and unintended braking.
- The Accord has 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths, compared to the Defender's 5 crash-related, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths, indicating more severe outcomes in the Accord data.
- Check all exterior lights, especially daytime running lights and halo lights, for any flickering or failure, as these are commonly reported to fail prematurely.
- Inspect the windshield for cracks or chips, and ask if it has been replaced, since owners report multiple cracks from small impacts.
- Test drive at highway speeds and listen for rattling noises from the engine, and feel for rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which owners report.
- Check for any warning lights related to the forward collision avoidance system, and ask if the vehicle has had unintended braking incidents, as these are reported.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for the Defender's air bags and the Accord's fuel pump.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the electrical system and engine.
- For the Defender, test the heated steering wheel and all lighting functions, and inspect the windshield for cracks.
- For the Accord, test the forward collision avoidance system and adaptive cruise control, and check for any unusual engine noises or odors.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any electrical or engine repairs have been done, as these are common trouble spots.
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 | LAND Rover Defender | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 18 | 10 |
| 2025 | 0 | 109 |
| 2024 | 75 | 219 |
| 2023 | 246 | 226 |
| 2022 | 150 | 252 |
| 2021 | 84 | 234 |
| 2020 | 55 | 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 LAND Rover Defender or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- LAND Rover Defender vs Honda Accord
- LAND Rover Defender total complaints
- 628
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- LAND Rover Defender total recalls
- 48
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- LAND Rover Defender avg complaints/year
- 89.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- LAND Rover Defender
- LAND Rover Defender top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE