Head-to-head reliability
Lexus GX vs Honda Accord
How the Lexus GX 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 GX vs Honda Accord: The GX has 54 complaints over 10 years (5.4/year) and 3 crash-related, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints (452.4/year) and 162 crash-related. The GX also has fewer recalls (6 vs 38). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus GX or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus GX
The Lexus GX is a luxury SUV with a relatively low complaint volume: 54 complaints over 10 years, averaging 5.4 per year. The most common issues involve brakes, engine/transmission behavior, and electrical glitches. While some problems like violent shaking during braking or harsh downshifts are concerning, the overall rate is modest. Buyers should still check for these specific patterns.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream sedan with a very high complaint volume: 4,524 complaints over 10 years, averaging 452.4 per year. Owners report serious issues including engine stalling, electrical failures, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions. With 162 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths, the data suggests a higher frequency of safety-related problems. Buyers should be aware of these patterns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus GX | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 54 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.4 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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 GX
- 01SERVICE BRAKES13
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
- 03ENGINE8
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
- 05POWER TRAIN6
Owners report violent shaking during braking on steep grades, feeling like the vehicle might not stop. Also, a sharp metal edge on the parking brake pedal can cut the driver's foot. These issues affect braking confidence and foot safety.
Complaints include rough shifting and a harsh downshift jerk when slowing to a stop, even after software updates. This can make the vehicle feel unrefined and may indicate transmission wear.
Some owners see a 'Low Steering Power' warning at startup, and one reported a wheel jerk and screech while driving. These electrical glitches could affect steering assist and overall control.
Reports include a driver-side window cracking spontaneously and a low steering power message. These unexplained failures can be frustrating and costly to diagnose.
“At approximately 6,000 miles we drove this vehicle from Chattanooga to Nashville and back. The interstate has one steep grade. On the decent home the vehicle was violently shaking. It felt as if the car might not be able to stop or something had been broken.…”
“Parking brake foot pedal on my GX460 has a very sharp edge on the metal piece on the back side of it. In disengaged position, it sits directly above the left footrest position. If I slight lift my left feet or stretch the foot on a drive, it hits the back sid…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report alarms for brake, hill descent, and ABS failures, with the vehicle losing speed. Also, rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These can lead to sudden power loss and unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing near-collisions. Another owner had a tire fail catastrophically after a TPMS repair. These electrical faults can be life-threatening.
Owners report the system failing to resolve threats, with incidents occurring under similar conditions. Adaptive cruise control suddenly braking or not reacting. This undermines a key safety feature.
Complaints include a persistent rotten-egg sulfur odor that remains after treatment, and a foot slipping behind a plastic panel. These issues can indicate fuel system problems and interior safety hazards.
“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 GX — 6 recalls
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 2024-2025 Toyota Tundra, Tacoma Hybrid, Tacoma, RAV4 Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Lexus GX550, 2024-2026 Tundra Hybrid, 2025 Sequoia Hybrid, Crown Signia, Grand Highlander, Lexus TX500 Hybrid, Lexus NX350 Hybrid, 2025-2026 Grand…
The risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the load carrying capacity modification label, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 26, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB04, 26LA04…
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 2022-2024 Toyota Tundra, Lexus LX, and 2024 Lexus GX vehicles equipped with a V35A engine. Debris from the manufacturing process may contaminate the engine and cause the main bearings to fail, which can result in an engine stall…
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will perform an inspection on the #1 main bearing using vehicle inspection software and drive data, and if necessary, replace the engine. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 28, 2026. Owners m…
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 GX or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Lexus GX has far fewer issues per year (5.4 vs. 452.4) and fewer crash-related complaints (3 vs. 162). In practice, the GX is likely to spend less time in the shop for safety defects, while the Accord's higher complaint rate suggests more frequent and severe problems.
Key differences
- The Lexus GX averages 5.4 complaints per year; the Honda Accord averages 452.4 per year, an 84-fold difference.
- The GX has 3 crash-related complaints and 2 injuries; the Accord has 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths.
- GX owners report brake shaking and transmission jerks; Accord owners report engine stalling, electrical failures, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- The GX has 6 recalls; the Accord has 38 recalls, including fuel pump and hybrid software issues.
- During a test drive, brake firmly from highway speeds to check for violent shaking, especially on a downhill grade.
- Check the parking brake pedal for a sharp metal edge that could cut your foot when disengaged.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking at low and high speeds; any warning lights or loss of assist is a major red flag.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and feel for harsh jerks when transitioning between EV and gas modes.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- For the Lexus GX, test the brakes on a steep hill and inspect the parking brake pedal for sharp edges.
- For the Honda Accord, test all electrical systems, including power steering, brakes, and forward collision warning.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and engine for the GX, and the hybrid system and fuel system for the Accord.
- Ask the seller for any repair records related to the specific complaints listed here.
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 GX | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 10 |
| 2025 | 13 | 109 |
| 2024 | 19 | 219 |
| 2023 | 6 | 226 |
| 2022 | 7 | 252 |
| 2021 | 3 | 234 |
| 2020 | 5 | 362 |
| 2019 | 0 | 691 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 GX or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus GX vs Honda Accord
- Lexus GX total complaints
- 54
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Lexus GX total recalls
- 6
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Lexus GX avg complaints/year
- 5.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Lexus GX
- Lexus GX top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE