Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln MKT vs Honda Accord
How the Lincoln MKT 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 MKT vs Honda Accord: The MKT averaged 29.5 complaints per year with 31 recalls, while the Accord averaged 452.4 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The MKT's top issue is steering (101 reports); the Accord's is engine (1,006 reports). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln MKT or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln MKT
The Lincoln MKT is a large luxury crossover that averaged about 29.5 owner complaints per year over a decade, with steering problems dominating the list. Owners frequently describe sudden power steering failure mid-turn, which can send the vehicle into oncoming traffic. Structural issues like shattering moonroofs and trim falling off are also common. With 31 recalls and 6 crash-related reports, it demands careful inspection before purchase.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year—but that reflects its far greater sales numbers. The most serious patterns involve engine stalling or power loss, electronic steering and braking failures, and forward collision avoidance systems that may not respond as expected. There are also reports of fuel pump issues and tire failures. With 38 recalls and 162 crash-related reports, it has more documented safety events overall.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln MKT | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 295 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 31 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 29.5 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 5 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.
Lincoln MKT
- 01STEERING101
- 02STRUCTURE48
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER43
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28
- 05BACK OVER PREVENTION24
Owners report power steering failing mid-turn, making the wheel suddenly hard to turn and causing the car to veer into oncoming traffic. This is a serious safety concern because it can happen without warning at any speed.
Complaints include moonroofs shattering spontaneously during normal rain and keyless entry trim falling off while driving. These failures can lead to glass debris or parts striking the vehicle, creating a hazard for occupants and other drivers.
Owners describe check engine lights for lean conditions, backup cameras that blink on and off, and power steering sensor faults. These electrical gremlins can be intermittent and frustrating, often requiring repeated dealer visits.
The rear camera and alert system sometimes fails to warn of people or vehicles behind the car while reversing. This increases the risk of low-speed collisions, especially in parking lots or driveways.
“Car begin smoking out of the back took car to dealership car oil was low. Car dealership refilled oil and told me to come back after driving 1000 miles. Car began smoking again like it was going to catch on fire took car in was told the turbo boost failed. De…”
“ON 12/10/2018 AT 5 PM I MADE A RIGHT TURN TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN MY POWER STEERING FAILED MID TURN. SHOCKED AND SURPRISED AT TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING, I VEERED INTO THE ON COMING TRAFFIC NOT BEING ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE PROPER LANE BECAUSE OF THE AM…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden power loss at highway speeds with multiple dashboard alarms, as well as rattling noises and rough transitions between electric and gas modes. These issues can leave a driver stranded or unable to accelerate safely.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and tire pressure warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure. Such failures are extremely dangerous because they affect control and stability.
Owners describe the system failing to intervene or braking unexpectedly under adaptive cruise control, sometimes on the same route and conditions. This unpredictability undermines trust in a feature meant to prevent crashes.
Reports include fuel pump issues and a persistent rotten-egg odor from the fuel system. A failing fuel pump can cause stalling, while the odor may indicate a leak or emission problem that is hard to diagnose.
“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.
Lincoln MKT — 31 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
The risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy p…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
The risk: An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKT vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
The risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 23, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Owner…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKT vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
The risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 23, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Owner…
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
Lincoln MKT or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Lincoln MKT has far fewer complaints per year (29.5 vs. 452.4), but the Honda Accord sells in much higher volumes, so raw counts are not directly comparable. In practice, the MKT's lower volume means fewer reported problems overall, but its steering failures are severe. The Accord's higher complaint rate suggests more frequent owner-reported issues, though many may be less catastrophic.
Key differences
- The Lincoln MKT's most common complaint is steering failure (101 reports), often described as sudden loss of power assist mid-turn, while the Honda Accord's top issue is engine problems (1,006 reports) including power loss and rough operation.
- Honda Accord owners report simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, a rare but extreme event not seen in the MKT sample.
- The MKT has structural complaints like shattering moonroofs and falling trim, whereas the Accord's structural issues are less prominent in the top five components.
- The Accord has far more crash-related reports (162 vs. 6) and injuries (146 vs. 5), but this is partly due to its much larger fleet size.
- Test the power steering at low speeds and during turns; listen for whining or feel for sudden stiffness, as owners report mid-turn failure.
- Inspect the moonroof glass and seals for cracks or prior replacement, and check that keyless entry trim is securely attached.
- During a test drive, accelerate to highway speeds and watch for warning lights or loss of power; also listen for rattling noises from the engine.
- Check for any history of electronic steering or braking issues by asking for service records, and test the forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control if equipped.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and all available service records, focusing on steering, electrical, and safety system repairs.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the power steering system, especially on the Lincoln MKT, and the electronic braking and steering on the Honda Accord.
- Test all driver-assist features, including backup cameras, forward collision warnings, and adaptive cruise control, in varied conditions.
- Check for open recalls by providing the VIN to a dealer; both vehicles have multiple recalls that should be addressed.
- For the Honda Accord, verify the fuel pump and tire condition, as complaints include fuel delivery failures and tire blowouts.
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 MKT | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 17 | 691 |
| 2018 | 7 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 3 | 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 Lincoln MKT or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln MKT vs Honda Accord
- Lincoln MKT total complaints
- 295
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Lincoln MKT total recalls
- 31
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Lincoln MKT avg complaints/year
- 29.5
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln MKT
- Lincoln MKT top complaint area
- STEERING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE