Head-to-head reliability
Lexus HS vs Honda Accord
How the Lexus HS 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 HS vs Honda Accord: The HS has 0 complaints over 3 years and 3 recalls, while the Accord has 4,438 complaints over 10 years, 38 recalls, and 160 crash-related reports. The Accord's higher complaint rate means more reported engine, electrical, and driver-assist problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus HS or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus HS
The Lexus HS is a small luxury hybrid sedan that, based on NHTSA data, has no owner complaints on record over three years. It has three recalls covering brakes and fuel storage, but no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths. For a used-car buyer, this suggests a very low reported problem rate, though the absence of complaints may also reflect low sales volume or limited owner reporting.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a high volume of owner complaints: 4,438 over ten years, averaging about 444 per year. Those complaints include 160 crash-related reports, 144 injuries, and 3 deaths. The most common problem areas are the engine, electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and brakes, with many complaints describing serious issues like sudden power loss, warning-light failures, and tire problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus HS | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 144 |
| 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 HS
No component data available.
The Lexus HS has a recall for service brakes, but no owner complaints describe the actual failure. A buyer should still verify that any brake-related recall work was completed, since unresolved brake issues can affect stopping performance.
A recall covers the gasoline storage portion of the fuel system. There are no owner complaints explaining the symptom, so it is unclear what drivers experienced, but a buyer should confirm the recall remedy was applied to avoid potential fuel leaks or related hazards.
Another recall involves the antilock brake control module. Without complaint text, the exact owner-reported symptom is unknown, but this part affects ABS operation. Buyers should check for any stored ABS trouble codes or warning lights during a test drive.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report engine noises shortly after purchase and sudden power loss with multiple dashboard alarms, including brake, hill descent, ABS, and critical failure messages. These symptoms can leave a driver unable to maintain speed, which is a serious safety concern.
Complaints include a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning that was supposedly fixed, followed by a catastrophic tire failure hours later. Another owner reported rodent damage to the camshaft position wiring harness on a nearly new car, causing a safety concern.
Owners describe adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and automatic high beam problems. One complaint notes the vehicle braked or warned with no obstruction at 35 mph, and another reports intermittent dashboard messages that appear and disappear.
Brake-related complaints are among the top five, though specific text is not provided. Given the engine and electrical issues that trigger brake warnings, buyers should test the brakes carefully and check for any recall or service campaign on the ABS/traction control module.
“I purchased this vehicle at 0 miles in July 2025 from Honda Accord in Pensacola Florida. I reported in July 2025 that there was a noise and I was unhappy with the vehicle and would like to exchange the vehicle within the 30 days months later, the noise got lo…”
“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…”
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 HS — 3 recalls
The defect: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Prius vehicles manufactured March 31, 2009, through October 9, 2009; and model year 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured June 19, 2009, through October 9, 2009. Nitrogen gas from a component of the brake booster pump assembly could leak into the brake…
The risk: As nitrogen is released into the brake fluid, the brake pedal may have reduced hydraulic pressure. Under certain circumstances, this condition could affect stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake booster pump assemblies. The recall began on August 7, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
The defect: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 HS250h LEXUS VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ROTATED FOLLOWING A CRASH TEST AS REQUIRED, THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKAGE EXCEEDED THE ALLOWABLE…
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES BY INSTALLING A NEWLY DESIGNED PROTECTOR COMPONENT FOR THE FUEL FILLER INLET PIPE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS A…
The defect: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS AND LEXUS HS250H PASSENGER VEHICLES. CUSTOMERS HAVE EXPERIENCED INCONSISTENT BRAKE FEEL AFTER ABS ACTUATION DURING SLOW AND STEADY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES ON ROUGH OR SLICK ROAD SURFACES. STOPPING DISTANCES MAY BE INCREASED COMPARED WITH A…
The risk: VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES MAY INCREASE RELATIVE TO A CUSTOMER'S EXPECTATION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REWRITE THE PROGRAMMING OF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2010, AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN LATE MARCH 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3…
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 (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an…
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.
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 HS or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Lexus HS has far fewer reported issues per year (0 complaints/year vs. about 444/year for the Honda Accord). In practice, that means an HS buyer is much less likely to encounter a reported safety defect, while an Accord buyer faces a higher chance of experiencing engine, electrical, or driver-assist problems that generate complaints.
Key differences
- The Lexus HS has 0 complaints over 3 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,438 complaints over 10 years, including 160 crash-related reports and 3 deaths.
- Honda Accord owners report active safety failures such as sudden power loss, false forward collision warnings, and tire failures after TPMS service; the Lexus HS has no owner complaint text describing symptoms.
- The Accord has 38 recalls covering electrical, fuel pump, airbag sensor, and brake modules; the Lexus HS has 3 recalls for brakes and fuel storage.
- The Accord's most common complaint areas are engine (985), electrical (863), and forward collision avoidance (821), while the HS has no top components because no complaints were filed.
- Check for any open recalls on the service brakes, fuel storage, or ABS control module, and ask for proof they were repaired.
- During a test drive, listen for unusual brake noises or pedal pulsation and watch for ABS or brake warning lights that stay on.
- Test the engine under acceleration and listen for noises; also watch for sudden loss of power or multiple dashboard alarms like brake, hill descent, ABS, or critical failure.
- Check the forward collision avoidance system by driving at highway speeds to see if adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, or automatic high beams show intermittent error messages.
Before you buy
- Run a free NHTSA recall check by VIN for both vehicles and confirm all recall remedies have been completed.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, focusing on brakes, fuel system, and electrical components.
- During the test drive, deliberately test the brakes, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and any driver-assist features.
- For the Honda Accord, scan for stored trouble codes related to the engine, ABS, and forward collision avoidance systems.
- For the Lexus HS, verify that the brake and fuel storage recalls were addressed and check for any ABS warning lights.
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 HS or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus HS vs Honda Accord
- Lexus HS total complaints
- 0
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Lexus HS total recalls
- 3
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Lexus HS avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Lexus HS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE