Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln Navigator vs Honda Accord
How the Lincoln Navigator 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 Navigator vs Honda Accord: The Navigator averages 28.4 complaints per year with 89 recalls, while the Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Accord has 162 crash-related reports and 3 deaths, compared to 17 crashes and 0 deaths for the Navigator. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln Navigator or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator is a large luxury SUV that, based on NHTSA data, has a relatively low complaint rate of about 28 per year over the past decade. However, the complaints that do exist often describe serious issues like transmissions suddenly disengaging at highway speeds and engines failing without warning. With 89 recalls and 17 crash-related reports, owners should be prepared for potential major repairs and safety risks.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year—but that's partly because there are far more of them on the road. The complaints cover a wide range of systems, from engine and electrical problems to forward collision avoidance glitches. Despite the high number, the Accord has fewer recalls (38) than the Navigator, but more reported crashes (162) and injuries (146).
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln Navigator | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 284 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 89 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 17 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 28.4 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 20 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 Navigator
- 01POWER TRAIN72
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM49
- 03ENGINE39
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER33
- 05SEAT BELTS29
Owners report transmissions that unexpectedly shift into neutral or downshift violently at highway speeds, causing a sudden loss of power. This can be terrifying and dangerous, especially when merging or passing.
Multiple electrical modules, such as the APIM that controls screens and features like massage seats and running boards, fail repeatedly. This disables various comfort and safety functions, leading to frequent dealership visits.
Some owners experience catastrophic engine failure with little warning, often due to oil contamination, piston ring failure, or cam phaser issues. These failures typically occur at higher mileages (e.g., 78,000–93,000 miles) and require expensive engine replacement.
Complaints include sudden loud explosions (possibly from the sunroof or airbags) and power running boards that malfunction, sometimes closing on a person's foot. These issues pose injury risks and are hard to predict.
“Category: Power Train -> Automatic Transmission Subject: 2020 Lincoln Navigator – Repeated Missed Warranty Repairs – Transmission Neutral-Out & Violent Downshift at Highway Speed Description: On [XXX], while traveling at approximately 70 mph on [XXX], my 2020…”
“On August 20, 2026, while traveling about 45 MPH, I accelerated to merge onto a highway while passing a slow-moving semi, with traffic approaching from behind. The transmission unexpectedly disengaged and the vehicle completely lost propulsion. The gear indic…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe rattling noises during acceleration, rough transitions between EV and gas modes in hybrids, and sudden loss of power with multiple dashboard warnings. These symptoms can indicate serious internal engine problems.
Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) issues that may lead to tire failure. Such failures can cause loss of control.
The system may unexpectedly activate or fail to respond, with owners reporting near-collisions when adaptive cruise control or automatic braking malfunctions. This undermines a key safety feature.
Complaints include persistent sulfur-like odors from the fuel system and potential fuel pump defects that could cause stalling. These issues affect drivability and may indicate fire risks.
“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 Navigator — 89 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
The risk: A fractured pinion can result in a loss of 4-wheel drive and may cause the front wheels to lock up, increasng the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2023. Owners…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The front brake lines may contact the engine air cleaner outlet pipe and become damaged, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak and reduced brake function.
The risk: A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the front brake line and replace the brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicl…
The risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model an…
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.
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 Navigator or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Lincoln Navigator has far fewer complaints per year (28 vs. 452), but its issues tend to be more severe, such as transmission and engine failures. The Honda Accord's higher complaint count reflects its much larger sales volume, but many problems are also serious, including electrical and collision-avoidance faults. In practice, the Navigator may require fewer visits but potentially more costly repairs, while the Accord may have more frequent but sometimes less catastrophic issues.
Key differences
- The Navigator has 89 recalls vs. 38 for the Accord, but the Accord has 162 crash-related reports vs. 17 for the Navigator.
- Navigator complaints often involve sudden transmission failure or engine breakdown, while Accord complaints frequently cite electrical and forward collision avoidance glitches.
- The Accord has 3 reported deaths and 146 injuries in complaints, compared to 0 deaths and 20 injuries for the Navigator.
- Navigator owners report power running boards that can injure feet, while Accord owners report fuel odors and unintended braking.
- During a test drive, accelerate hard to check for transmission hesitation, slipping, or sudden neutral-out; listen for unusual engine noises.
- Inspect the power running boards for smooth operation and ensure they don't retract unexpectedly; also check for any electrical module malfunctions by testing all screen and seat functions.
- Test the electronic power steering and brakes at low and high speeds for any warning lights or loss of assist; also check for rattling noises from the engine during acceleration.
- Verify that the forward collision avoidance system (adaptive cruise, automatic braking) functions correctly without false alerts; check for sulfur odors from the fuel system.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on transmission, engine, and electrical systems.
- For the Navigator, specifically test the transmission at highway speeds and inspect the power running boards.
- For the Accord, test all electronic safety systems and listen for engine rattles; check for fuel odors.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that all recall repairs have been completed.
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 Navigator | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | 12 | 109 |
| 2024 | 16 | 219 |
| 2023 | 7 | 226 |
| 2022 | 21 | 252 |
| 2021 | 33 | 234 |
| 2020 | 32 | 362 |
| 2019 | 80 | 691 |
| 2018 | 52 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 31 | 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 Navigator or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln Navigator vs Honda Accord
- Lincoln Navigator total complaints
- 284
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Lincoln Navigator total recalls
- 89
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Lincoln Navigator avg complaints/year
- 28.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln Navigator
- Lincoln Navigator top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE