Head-to-head reliability
Lexus ES vs Honda Accord
How the Lexus ES 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
Lexus ES vs Honda Accord: Over 10 years, the Lexus ES had 184 complaints (18.4/year) and 8 recalls, while the Honda Accord had 4,524 complaints (452.4/year) and 38 recalls. The Accord also had 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported, versus 0 deaths and 18 injuries for the ES. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus ES or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus ES
The Lexus ES is a luxury sedan with a relatively low complaint volume—184 over 10 years, about 18 per year. Owners report issues with airbag deployment and recalls, fuel system lunging, engine leaks, and brake failures. While the ES has fewer complaints than the Accord, the nature of some problems, like airbags not deploying in crashes, is serious. Overall, it appears to have a lower frequency of reported issues, but buyers should be aware of these specific safety-related complaints.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—4,524 over 10 years, averaging 452 per year. Complaints span engine, electrical, forward collision avoidance, and fuel system issues, with many reports of sudden power loss, steering and braking failures, and unintended automatic braking. The high number of complaints and recalls suggests a more troubled ownership experience. Buyers should carefully inspect and research specific model years.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus ES | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 184 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 32 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 18.4 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 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.
Lexus ES
- 01AIR BAGS44
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM34
- 03ENGINE23
- 04SERVICE BRAKES23
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER18
Owners report airbags failing to deploy in crashes, including a rear-end collision where the SRS malfunction message appeared. There are also complaints about prolonged recalls for passenger-side airbags. This is critical because airbags are a primary safety feature.
Some owners experience the car lunging forward when shifting into drive, and intermittent power loss during acceleration. These issues can be unpredictable and may affect drivability and safety.
Reports include transmission failure and timing chain cover leaks at low mileage (e.g., 53k miles). These can lead to expensive repairs and unexpected breakdowns.
There are complaints of brake failure, such as a 2020 ES 350 where the brakes did not respond while driving downhill. Brake issues are a major safety concern.
“I am writing to formally express my deep concern and frustration regarding the prolonged recall of the passenger-side airbag in my 2020 Lexus ES350 (VIN #[XXX]). The recall numbers are (23LA03, 23LB03 and 23V865) these were issued in December of 2023, which h…”
“On 7/25/25, I was rear-ended while driving my 2018 Lexus ES 300h with my child in the front seat. Despite the force of impact and resulting injuries, none of the airbags deployed. Moments after the crash, a “SRS Airbag System Malfunction” message appeared on…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden power loss, alarms for brake and stability systems, and rattling noises during acceleration. These can cause dangerous situations on the highway.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and TPMS issues leading to tire failure. Electrical glitches can disable critical safety systems.
Owners describe unintended automatic braking or failure to avoid collisions, sometimes under adaptive cruise control. This can lead to near-misses or crashes.
There are reports of fuel pump issues and other fuel delivery problems, which can cause stalling or loss of power.
“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.
Lexus ES — 8 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Mirai, Lexus LS500, LS500H, 2023-2024 Lexus ES250, ES300H, ES350, 2024 Lexus LC500, and LC500H vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Due to incorrect programming of the parking-assist electronic cont…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TA01 and 24LA0…
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
Lexus ES or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Lexus ES has far fewer complaints per year (18.4 vs. 452.4) and fewer recalls (8 vs. 38), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the Lexus still has serious safety-related complaints, such as airbag and brake failures. In practice, the Accord may require more frequent attention to a wider range of problems, while the Lexus, though less complaint-prone, still has notable risks.
Key differences
- The Lexus ES averages 18.4 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages 452.4, a 24-fold difference.
- Lexus ES complaints often involve airbag deployment failures and brake issues, whereas Accord complaints frequently cite engine power loss and electrical failures.
- The Accord has 38 recalls over 10 years, compared to 8 for the Lexus ES, suggesting more widespread defect campaigns.
- Accord owners report forward collision avoidance malfunctions, a category not prominent in Lexus ES complaints.
- Check for any open airbag recalls and confirm the passenger-side airbag has been replaced or repaired.
- Test drive at various speeds and listen for transmission noises or hesitation; also inspect for timing chain cover leaks.
- During test drive, pay attention to any warning lights for brakes, ABS, or stability control, and check for sudden power loss or rough transitions between EV and gas modes.
- Verify that all recall repairs, especially for fuel pump and electrical system, have been completed by checking the VIN with a Honda dealer.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on engine, transmission, brakes, and electrical systems.
- For the Lexus ES, specifically ask about airbag recall completion and test the brakes and acceleration for lunging.
- For the Honda Accord, test the forward collision avoidance system and adaptive cruise control if equipped, and check for any electrical glitches.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that all recall work has been performed.
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 | Lexus ES | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | 15 | 109 |
| 2024 | 9 | 219 |
| 2023 | 22 | 226 |
| 2022 | 23 | 252 |
| 2021 | 28 | 234 |
| 2020 | 18 | 362 |
| 2019 | 62 | 691 |
| 2018 | 5 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 2 | 537 |
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 Lexus ES or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus ES vs Honda Accord
- Lexus ES total complaints
- 184
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Lexus ES total recalls
- 8
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Lexus ES avg complaints/year
- 18.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Lexus ES
- Lexus ES top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE