Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln Aviator vs Honda Accord
How the Lincoln Aviator 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
Lincoln Aviator vs Honda Accord: The Aviator averages 47.5 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Accord averages 443.8. The Aviator has 125 recalls, including structural issues, while the Accord has 38, with more complaints about engine and safety systems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln Aviator or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln Aviator
The Lincoln Aviator, a luxury three-row SUV, shows a high rate of owner complaints relative to its sales volume, with an average of 47.5 complaints per year over the past decade. The most frequent issues involve the powertrain, electrical system, and body structure, with owners reporting rusted axles, overheating, starting failures, and even a grab handle that detached. These problems suggest that while the Aviator offers premium comfort, its reliability can be a concern, with multiple recalls and a pattern of issues that could affect daily usability and safety.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a popular midsize sedan, has a much higher total number of complaints (4438 over 10 years) but also far higher sales volume, averaging 443.8 complaints per year. The top problem areas are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with owners describing engine noises, sudden loss of power, electrical failures, and false activations of safety systems. Despite these issues, the Accord's overall reliability is generally better than the Aviator's when adjusted for sales, but the sheer number of complaints indicates that some model years have significant problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln Aviator | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 475 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 125 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 18 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 47.5 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 17 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.
Lincoln Aviator
- 01POWER TRAIN118
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM86
- 03STRUCTURE81
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER50
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING34
Owners report grinding noises when reversing and rattles at speed, with axles found to be completely rusted. This can lead to driveline failure and unsafe driving conditions.
Frequent starting failures, with some owners experiencing ten or more instances. Also, headlight control switches emit high-pitched noises, indicating potential electrical component defects.
The passenger-side top handlebar can detach completely, causing falls and injuries. This is a serious safety defect, especially for passengers using the handle for support.
“My 2023 Lincoln Aviator has a grinding noise when I back up. Also a rattle has begun at all speeds. I had vehicled check and the axles were found to be totally rusted. Prior to having it towed to the detail i did some research and found the following -- A 202…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the garage, the garage became extremely hot, and the fans underneath the vehicle activated. The contact opened the garage. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer,…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises and sudden loss of power, with dashboard warnings for brake, hill descent, and ABS systems. This can lead to unexpected stalling or reduced control.
TPMS warnings and tire failures, as well as rodent damage to wiring harnesses, are reported. Electrical issues can cause warning lights and system malfunctions.
The system can activate falsely or show errors for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic high beams. This can be distracting and potentially dangerous if the system brakes unexpectedly.
“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.
Lincoln Aviator — 125 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The accessory protocol image module (APIM) can be affected by electromagnetic interference with a cell phone in the vehicle, causing the rearview camera image to flicker or become distorted.
The risk: A flickering or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to use their cell phones while reversing until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install shielding on the accessory protocol image module (APIM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement…
The risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
The risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford'…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator vehicles. The rear door window bars and C-pillar trim may have insufficient adhesive bonding, which can allow the trim to detach from the vehicle.
The risk: Detached trim may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair or replace C-pillar appliques and window division bars, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recal…
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
Lincoln Aviator or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Lincoln Aviator has fewer complaints per year (47.5) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), but this is partly due to lower sales volume. However, the Aviator's issues are more severe, including structural failures and rust, while the Accord's problems are more numerous but often less critical. In practice, the Accord may have more frequent annoyances, but the Aviator's defects could pose greater safety risks.
Key differences
- The Aviator has a higher proportion of structural complaints, including a grab handle that can detach, while the Accord's issues are more focused on engine and electrical glitches.
- The Accord has a much higher number of forward collision avoidance complaints, indicating potential problems with its safety systems, whereas the Aviator has fewer such reports.
- The Aviator's powertrain issues involve rusted axles, a serious corrosion problem, while the Accord's engine issues are more about noise and power loss.
- The Accord has more recalls (38) than the Aviator (125) but the Aviator's recalls cover more diverse areas, including structure and seats.
- Inspect the rear axles for rust or corrosion, as owners report complete rusting leading to grinding noises.
- Check the passenger-side grab handle for secure attachment, as it has been known to detach and cause injuries.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system for false activations or error messages, as this is a common complaint.
- Look for signs of rodent damage to wiring harnesses, especially if the car is parked outdoors, as this can cause electrical failures.
Before you buy
- For the Aviator, have a mechanic inspect the undercarriage for rust, especially on axles and suspension components.
- For the Accord, ask for a full diagnostic scan to check for any stored error codes related to engine or safety systems.
- Check the recall status for both vehicles and ensure all outstanding recalls have been addressed.
- Take both vehicles for a test drive, paying attention to any unusual noises, vibrations, or warning lights.
- Review the vehicle's service history for any repeated repairs or unresolved 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 | Lincoln Aviator | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5 |
| 2025 | 14 | 101 |
| 2024 | 6 | 214 |
| 2023 | 22 | 224 |
| 2022 | 44 | 238 |
| 2021 | 38 | 226 |
| 2020 | 107 | 355 |
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 Lincoln Aviator or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln Aviator vs Honda Accord
- Lincoln Aviator total complaints
- 475
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Lincoln Aviator total recalls
- 125
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Lincoln Aviator avg complaints/year
- 47.5
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln Aviator
- Lincoln Aviator top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE