Head-to-head reliability
Lexus IS vs Honda Accord
How the Lexus IS 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 IS vs Honda Accord: The Lexus IS averages about 2 complaints per year with 1 recall, while the Honda Accord averages about 444 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Accord also has 144 reported injuries and 3 deaths in the data, versus none for the IS. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus IS or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus IS
The Lexus IS is a compact luxury sedan that, based on NHTSA data, generates very few complaints—about 2 per year over a decade. Owners report a pattern of engine misfires that can cause shaking and power loss, plus sticky steering and a melting dashboard. There is only one recall, for a fuel pump, and no reported injuries or deaths in the complaints. For a used-car buyer, this suggests a car with relatively low reported problem volume, but the issues that do appear can be safety-relevant and may recur after repair.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—roughly 444 per year—and 38 recalls over the same period. Owner reports cover a wide range: engine and electrical faults, forward collision warnings that trigger without obstacles, brake problems, and even a sunroof shattering. The data also includes 160 crash-related complaints, 144 injuries, and 3 deaths. This points to a vehicle with many reported issues across multiple systems, though the sheer sales volume of the Accord means the rate per car may still be low.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus IS | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 20 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.0 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 IS
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
- 03ENGINE5
- 04STEERING3
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
Owners describe intermittent engine misfires that cause flashing check-engine lights, reduced power, sudden loss of acceleration, and engine shaking. These symptoms can be scary in traffic and may not be fixed by a single repair, so a buyer should check for stored trouble codes and any history of repeated misfire repairs.
Complaints mirror the fuel-system issues: recurring misfires, rough running, and power loss, sometimes after multiple dealer visits. This matters because an unresolved misfire can lead to costly engine damage and unsafe driving conditions.
Drivers report the steering feeling sticky or locking up on the highway, requiring a hard tug to break free, which can cause a sharp, unintended lane change. This is a serious safety concern that should be investigated with a test drive at highway speeds.
The dashboard can become sticky and reflective in sunlight, obscuring the driver’s view, and some cars shake violently on start-up with the check-engine light on. These issues affect comfort and visibility, and the sticky dash may be expensive to fix.
“I am filing this updated complaint to supplement my prior complaint (NHTSA ID No. XXX, filed January 27, 2026) regarding a recurring, safety-critical engine defect in my 2020 Lexus IS300 RWD, 8AR-FTS engine. DEFECT: Three documented misfire events over seven…”
“This vehicle has a recurring, safety-critical defect involving intermittent engine misfires, flashing MILs, reduced engine power, sudden loss of acceleration, and noticeable engine shaking. Despite multiple repair attempts and extended diagnostics by a dealer…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises, loss of speed, and multiple dashboard alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS) that can appear suddenly at highway speeds. These symptoms suggest potential stalling or power loss, which is dangerous in moving traffic.
Complaints include tire-pressure warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses even on new cars. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and may lead to safety systems failing without warning.
Drivers report adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, and automatic braking systems throwing intermittent error messages or activating when no obstacle is present. This can cause unexpected braking or loss of driver-assist features, increasing crash risk.
Brake-related complaints appear frequently, including ABS and traction-control issues that may reduce stopping ability. A buyer should have the brake system and any related recalls checked before purchase.
“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 IS — 1 recall
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 (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 IS or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Lexus IS has far fewer complaints per year (about 2) compared to the Honda Accord (about 444), and the Accord also has many more recalls and reported injuries. In practice, this means a used Lexus IS is likely to have fewer reported problems overall, but the ones that do occur—like misfires and sticky steering—can be serious. The Accord’s higher volume may reflect its much larger sales, but the breadth of issues suggests a buyer should be more vigilant about checking for unresolved faults.
Key differences
- The Lexus IS has about 2 complaints per year versus about 444 for the Honda Accord, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Lexus IS issues cluster around engine misfires, sticky steering, and a melting dashboard; Accord issues span engine, electrical, forward-collision, and brake systems.
- The Accord has 38 recalls and 160 crash-related complaints, while the Lexus IS has 1 recall and 1 crash-related complaint.
- Owner reports for the Accord include injuries (144) and deaths (3), while the Lexus IS data shows none, though this does not guarantee safety.
- Check for any history of engine misfire repairs or a flashing check-engine light—test drive and scan for stored codes.
- Test the steering at highway speed for any sticky or locking feel, and inspect the dashboard for a sticky, reflective surface.
- Look for signs of electrical gremlins: repeated tire-pressure warnings, rodent damage to wiring, or intermittent dashboard error messages.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control systems for false alerts or sudden braking, and verify all brake-related recalls are completed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are repaired, especially the fuel pump recall on both models.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, focusing on engine misfire codes, steering feel, and electrical systems.
- During the test drive, include highway speeds to check for steering binding (Lexus IS) and unexpected braking or alarms (Honda Accord).
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any repeated repairs for engine or electrical issues.
- Check the dashboard condition on the Lexus IS for stickiness and glare, and inspect the Accord’s tires and sunroof for cracking or shattering.
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 IS | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | 0 | 101 |
| 2024 | 0 | 214 |
| 2023 | 0 | 224 |
| 2022 | 0 | 238 |
| 2021 | 2 | 226 |
| 2020 | 4 | 355 |
| 2019 | 2 | 677 |
| 2018 | 3 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 9 | 534 |
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 IS or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus IS vs Honda Accord
- Lexus IS total complaints
- 20
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Lexus IS total recalls
- 1
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Lexus IS avg complaints/year
- 2.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Lexus IS
- Lexus IS top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE