Head-to-head reliability
Lexus TX vs Honda Accord
How the Lexus TX 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 TX vs Honda Accord: The TX averages 57 complaints per year with 12 recalls, while the Accord averages 443.8 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The TX's top issue is air bags, the Accord's is engine. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus TX or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus TX
The Lexus TX is a newer, lower-volume model with a complaint rate of about 57 per year, which is relatively low. Owners report issues concentrated in air bags, electrical system, and engine, with specific problems like a noisy clock spring, sudden loss of acceleration, and AC failure. These are concerning but not widespread, and the vehicle has had 12 recalls, including for axle assembly and instrument cluster software.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord has a much higher complaint volume, averaging 443.8 per year over 10 years, reflecting its popularity and longer history. Complaints are dominated by engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance issues, with reports of sudden power loss, electrical failures, and false collision warnings. The Accord has 38 recalls, including for hybrid power control unit software and fuel pump, indicating a mix of safety and reliability concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus TX | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 171 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 9 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 57.0 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 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 TX
- 01AIR BAGS52
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER46
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20
- 04ENGINE16
- 05POWER TRAIN14
Owners report a crackling noise from the SRS spiral cable (clock spring) behind the steering wheel, which could affect airbag deployment if it fails.
Multiple complaints describe a failure of electronic throttle control, vehicle speed control, and powertrain/transmission control, causing the accelerator pedal to produce no power while in Drive.
Some owners report AC failure due to debris hitting the condenser, and others note the vehicle won't engage the engine from EV mode when accelerating, leading to lack of power.
“The SRS spiral cable assembly (clock spring), located directly behind the driver's instrument display in the steering column, is producing an intermittent crackling noise. The component is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The clock spring i…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report sudden loss of power and warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS, sometimes at highway speeds, which can be alarming and dangerous.
There are reports of TPMS warnings followed by tire failure, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, causing electrical issues.
The system can trigger false warnings or fail to work properly, with messages about adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic high beams appearing intermittently.
“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 TX — 12 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 2022-2025 Lexus NX350, NX250, 2023-2026 RX350, and 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federa…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software or replace the rearview camera, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota'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 2026 Lexus TX Plug-In Hybrid, TX Hybrid, TX, Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, and Grand Highlander vehicles. The rear axle carriers may have been manufactured with insufficient material strength and could break.
The risk: A broken rear axle carrier can cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle carrier sub-assembly code, and replace the sub-assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 23, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service a…
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 TX or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Lexus TX has far fewer complaints per year (57 vs 443.8) and fewer recalls (12 vs 38), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the Accord's higher numbers reflect its longer time on the market and larger owner base. In practice, the TX may offer a more trouble-free ownership experience, but both have notable safety-related complaints.
Key differences
- The Lexus TX has a much lower complaint rate (57/yr) compared to the Accord (443.8/yr).
- The Accord has a significant number of forward collision avoidance complaints (821), while the TX has none in that category.
- The TX's top issue is air bags (52 complaints), while the Accord's is engine (985).
- The Accord has more crash-related complaints (160) and injuries (144) than the TX (9 and 8).
- Check for any unusual noises from the steering column, which could indicate a faulty clock spring.
- Test the accelerator response from a stop to ensure the vehicle accelerates properly without hesitation.
- Verify that the forward collision avoidance system does not produce false warnings during a test drive.
- Inspect the engine and electrical systems for any signs of power loss or warning lights, especially at highway speeds.
Before you buy
- Review the vehicle's recall history and ensure all recalls have been performed.
- Test the air conditioning system for proper cooling and check for any debris damage to the condenser.
- During a test drive, accelerate from a stop and at highway speeds to check for any loss of power.
- For the Accord, test the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist to ensure they function correctly.
- Ask for maintenance records and check for any previous repairs related to the common issues.
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 TX | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 5 |
| 2025 | 32 | 101 |
| 2024 | 127 | 214 |
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 TX or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus TX vs Honda Accord
- Lexus TX total complaints
- 171
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Lexus TX total recalls
- 12
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Lexus TX avg complaints/year
- 57.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Lexus TX
- Lexus TX top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE