Head-to-head reliability

LAND Rover LR2 vs Honda Accord

How the LAND Rover LR2 and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

LAND Rover LR2181 complaints · 10 recalls Fewer issues per year
Honda Accord4,524 complaints · 38 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

LAND Rover LR2 vs Honda Accord: The LR2 averaged 22.6 complaints per year over 8 years, while the Accord averaged 452.4 per year over 10 years. The LR2 had 10 recalls, all for air bags; the Accord had 38 recalls covering multiple systems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The picture

Is the LAND Rover LR2 or Honda Accord more reliable?

A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.

LAND Rover LR2

The Land Rover LR2 is a compact luxury SUV that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over 8 years, it averaged 22.6 complaints per year, with most issues reported in the power train, electrical system, and engine. Owners frequently describe noises, leaks, and battery problems that can leave them stranded. Recalls for air bags add another layer of concern.

Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher annual complaint rate—452.4 per year over 10 years—but that reflects its huge sales volume. Complaints span engine, electrical, forward collision avoidance, and fuel system, with some reports of stalling, braking failures, and unintended acceleration. Recalls cover hybrid software, tires, seat belts, air bag sensors, and fuel pumps.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryLAND Rover LR2Honda Accord
Total complaintsAll model years combined181 Better4,524
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns10 Better38
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints3 Better162
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years22.6 Better452.4
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints3 Better146
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better3

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 LR2

  1. 01POWER TRAIN79
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26
  3. 03ENGINE22
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER18
  5. 05AIR BAGS14
What these mean
Power Train

Owners report roaring noises from the rear while driving and rattles in the front end, often leading to expensive repairs. These symptoms can indicate differential or transmission issues that may worsen over time.

Electrical System

Batteries that won't stay charged for more than a couple of days are a common complaint, with some owners replacing the battery multiple times. This can cause no-start situations and leave families stranded.

Engine

Abnormal loud rattling sounds on start-up and engine leaks that cause breakdowns and smoke are reported. These failures often appear shortly after purchase and can cost around $1,000 to fix.

Air Bags

There are multiple recalls for air bags, and owners have seen warning lights indicating the passenger air bag is off. This means air bags may not deploy in a crash, posing a serious safety risk.

In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

“I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2010 LAND ROVER LR2 WITH AROUND 61,000 MILES ON IT FROM A FRIEND WHO HAD TAKEN GREAT CARE OF IT. AFTER PUTTING ABOUT A 1000 MILES ON IT IN 2 MONTHS, A ROARING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AROUND AT VARIOUS…”

“The first day I purchased car problems started there was a rattle in the front end and emergency brake did not work. I drove for a short time because dealer told me it was a good reliable car and it shouldnt give me any problems. The rattle got worse tried to…”

Honda Accord

  1. 01ENGINE1,006
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
  3. 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
  5. 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
What these mean
Engine

Owners describe the vehicle losing speed with multiple alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS) and rattling noises while accelerating. These issues can lead to sudden power loss and rough transitions between electric and gas modes.

Electrical System

Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire pressure monitoring system problems that may precede tire failure. These defects can create immediate safety hazards.

Forward Collision Avoidance

Complaints involve the system failing to prevent collisions, with incidents occurring under similar conditions. This undermines a key safety feature that drivers rely on.

Fuel/Propulsion System

Fuel pump issues and hybrid power control software problems are noted in recalls and complaints. These can cause stalling or loss of power, increasing crash risk.

In owners' words — ENGINE

“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 LR2 — 10 recalls

Air Bags
#14V395000Jan 2014

The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 LR2 and 2012-2013 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. A component within the Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may fail, resulting in the front seat passenger air bag being totally…

The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, if the air bag is disabled, the air bag may not deploy or may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.

The fix: Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the Restraint Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2014. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for th…

Air Bags
#14V395000Jan 2014

The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 LR2 and 2012-2013 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. A component within the Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may fail, resulting in the front seat passenger air bag being totally…

The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, if the air bag is disabled, the air bag may not deploy or may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.

The fix: Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the Restraint Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2014. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for th…

Air Bags
#14V395000Jan 2014

The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 LR2 and 2012-2013 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. A component within the Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may fail, resulting in the front seat passenger air bag being totally…

The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, if the air bag is disabled, the air bag may not deploy or may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.

The fix: Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the Restraint Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2014. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for th…

Air Bags
#14V395000Jan 2014

The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 LR2 and 2012-2013 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. A component within the Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may fail, resulting in the front seat passenger air bag being totally…

The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, if the air bag is disabled, the air bag may not deploy or may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.

The fix: Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the Restraint Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2014. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for th…

Honda Accord — 38 recalls

Electrical System — Propulsion System — Hybrid Management — Power Control Unit/Module (Hpcu) — Software
#25V785000

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…

Tires — Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
#26V366000Apr 2026

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…

Seat Belts — Rear/Other — Retractor
#21V900000

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.

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger
#24V064000Jan 2024

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 LR2 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?

The Land Rover LR2 has far fewer complaints per year (22.6) compared to the Honda Accord (452.4), but the Accord's higher volume means individual risk may be lower. In practice, the LR2's issues often involve costly mechanical repairs, while the Accord's complaints include serious safety defects like braking and steering failures.

Recommendation. If low annual complaint volume and a simpler mechanical layout matter most, consider the Land Rover LR2, but be prepared for potential power train and electrical repairs. If you prioritize a widely sold vehicle with extensive recall coverage and are willing to scrutinize safety systems, the Honda Accord may be a better fit—but have any used model thoroughly inspected for the reported defects.

Key differences

  • The LR2 averages 22.6 complaints per year; the Accord averages 452.4, but the Accord sells in much higher numbers.
  • LR2 complaints center on power train noises and battery drain; Accord complaints include engine stalling and electronic steering/braking failures.
  • The Accord has 38 recalls covering hybrid software, fuel pumps, and air bag sensors; the LR2 has 10 recalls, all for air bags.
  • Accord complaints include 162 crash-related reports and 146 injuries; LR2 has 3 crash-related and 3 injuries.
Watch on LAND Rover LR2
  • Listen for roaring or rattling noises from the rear or front end during a test drive, as these may indicate power train problems.
  • Check the battery's health and ask how often it has been replaced; frequent replacements suggest a parasitic drain.
Watch on Honda Accord
  • Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at low and high speeds; any warning lights or unusual feel could signal a serious defect.
  • Ask about the forward collision avoidance system and any related repairs; complaints describe failures to prevent collisions.

Before you buy

  • Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
  • Have a trusted mechanic inspect the power train and electrical system, focusing on the specific complaints noted.
  • For the LR2, test the battery under load and check for rear differential noise.
  • For the Accord, verify that all safety recalls have been performed, especially those for brakes, steering, and fuel pump.
  • During a test drive, simulate highway speeds and emergency braking to check for warning lights or loss of power.

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 LR2 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

LAND Rover LR2 vs Honda Accord — comparison facts
Comparison
LAND Rover LR2 vs Honda Accord
LAND Rover LR2 total complaints
181
Honda Accord total complaints
4,524
LAND Rover LR2 total recalls
10
Honda Accord total recalls
38
LAND Rover LR2 avg complaints/year
22.6
Honda Accord avg complaints/year
452.4
More reliable overall
LAND Rover LR2
LAND Rover LR2 top complaint area
POWER TRAIN
Honda Accord top complaint area
ENGINE