Head-to-head reliability
Lexus GS vs Honda Accord
How the Lexus GS 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 GS vs Honda Accord: The Lexus GS has 16 complaints over 10 years (1.6/year) and 5 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints (452.4/year) and 38 recalls. The Accord also has 162 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths, versus 1 crash-related and 0 deaths for the GS. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus GS or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus GS
The Lexus GS is a luxury sedan with a very low complaint rate—only 16 over 10 years, or about 1.6 per year. Owners mainly report steering quirks like a sticky feeling at highway speeds and lane-keeping that struggles on curves, plus interior trim and dashboard melting. There are also fuel pump issues that can cause stalling, and five recalls for the fuel pump. Overall, it's a low-volume complainer, but the few problems tend to be annoying or potentially serious.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 4,524 over 10 years, averaging 452 per year. Owners frequently report engine problems, electrical glitches, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions, with 162 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths. There are 38 recalls covering electrical, fuel, airbag, and seat belt issues. This suggests a wide range of potential problems, though many may be isolated.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus GS | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 16 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.6 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 GS
- 01STEERING7
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
- 04LANE DEPARTURE2
- 05VISIBILITY1
Owners of 2016-2017 GS models report a 'sticky' or 'notchy' steering feel at highway speeds, and lane-keeping assist that fails about half the time on curves. This can make the car feel unpredictable and requires constant correction.
Some owners report the engine surging or lunging forward unexpectedly, and others note the low-pressure fuel pump cutting out at highway speeds, causing the car to shut off. This is a serious safety concern, and there are five recalls for the fuel pump.
Dashboard melting and sticky residue, plus carbon fiber trim delaminating, are common cosmetic complaints. While not safety-critical, these issues are unsightly and can be expensive to fix.
The lane departure warning system can stiffen or lock the steering wheel at highway speeds, requiring force to override. This overlaps with steering complaints and can be distracting or alarming.
“The system which has intermittent failure on my 2017 Lexus GS350 is the lane keeping assistance safety option. The system seems to work almost perfectly on straight highways. But highways with curves seem to fail at about a 50% rate and human intervention is…”
“I am experiencing a persistent and potentially hazardous steering issue with my 2016 Lexus GS 350 AWD (Luxury Package). At highway speeds (typically 60 mph and above), the steering exhibits a distinct "sticky" or "notchy" sensation around the center position.…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of power, multiple warning lights (brake, ABS, hill descent), and rattling noises during acceleration. Some also experience rough transitions between EV and gas modes in hybrids. These issues can leave you stranded or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking at highway speeds, and TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. These are severe safety risks that could lead to a crash.
Owners describe the system braking unexpectedly or failing to intervene when needed, sometimes under adaptive cruise control. This can cause near-misses or collisions, undermining trust in the safety tech.
Fuel pump issues are also reported, similar to the Lexus, with one recall for the fuel pump. Symptoms may include stalling or difficulty starting, which can be dangerous in traffic.
“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 GS — 5 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
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 GS or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Lexus GS has far fewer complaints per year (1.6 vs. 452.4) and fewer recalls (5 vs. 38), suggesting a lower overall rate of reported problems. However, the Honda Accord's higher volume means even a small defect rate yields many complaints. In practice, the Lexus may be less likely to leave you stranded, but the Accord's issues are more varied and sometimes severe.
Key differences
- The Lexus GS has only 16 complaints over 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Lexus GS complaints center on steering feel, lane-keeping, and interior trim, whereas Honda Accord complaints often involve engine power loss, electrical failures, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- The Honda Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths, compared to 1 crash-related and 0 deaths for the Lexus GS, indicating more severe outcomes in the Accord data.
- Both have fuel pump recalls, but the Accord has 38 total recalls versus 5 for the Lexus, covering a wider range of systems.
- Test the steering at highway speeds for any 'sticky' or 'notchy' feel around center, especially on 2016-2017 models.
- Check the dashboard and interior trim for melting, stickiness, or delamination, particularly in hot climates.
- Scan for stored trouble codes related to the engine, ABS, and forward collision avoidance system, and test-drive at highway speeds to check for sudden power loss or warning lights.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear or damage, and verify the spare tire recall has been addressed, as tire failures have been reported.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially fuel pump recalls for both models.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and curves to check steering, lane-keeping, and any warning lights.
- Have a mechanic inspect the fuel system, electrical components, and safety systems for signs of failure or pending recalls.
- For the Honda Accord, specifically test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control in various conditions.
- For the Lexus GS, inspect interior trim and dashboard for melting or delamination, and check for any steering stiffness.
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 GS | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 362 |
| 2019 | 1 | 691 |
| 2018 | 3 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 1 | 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 GS or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus GS vs Honda Accord
- Lexus GS total complaints
- 16
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Lexus GS total recalls
- 5
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Lexus GS avg complaints/year
- 1.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Lexus GS
- Lexus GS top complaint area
- STEERING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE