Head-to-head reliability
Maserati Levante vs Honda Accord
How the Maserati Levante 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
Maserati Levante vs Honda Accord: The Levante has 28 complaints over 8 years (3.5/year) and 12 recalls, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (452.4/year) and 38 recalls. The Levante's complaints often involve stalling, whereas the Accord's include forward collision avoidance issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Maserati Levante or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Maserati Levante
The Maserati Levante is a luxury SUV with a low complaint volume—28 over 8 years—but the pattern is troubling: owners repeatedly report the engine shutting off while driving, often accompanied by an electronic throttle warning. Electrical and engine issues dominate, and multiple complaints mention a recall for stalling that didn't fully fix the problem. For a buyer, this means a Levante can be a high-strung vehicle where sudden loss of power is a real, documented concern.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream sedan with a massive complaint count—4,524 over 10 years—but that reflects its huge sales volume. The most common themes are engine problems, electrical glitches, and forward collision avoidance system malfunctions, with some reports of simultaneous power steering and braking failure. While the sheer number of complaints is high, many are for less severe issues like warning lights or software quirks, though a few describe serious safety risks.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Maserati Levante | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 28 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 3.5 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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.
Maserati Levante
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
- 02ENGINE12
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
- 04SERVICE BRAKES3
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
Owners report the vehicle unexpectedly shifting into neutral and shutting off while driving, often with an electronic throttle control warning light. This can leave you without power in traffic, a serious safety concern.
Complaints describe the engine stalling or shutting off at low speeds, such as in traffic or at yield signs, and some say it matches a known recall (338) that didn't resolve the issue. This pattern suggests a persistent stalling risk that may require repeated dealer visits.
Drivers report brakes failing and making a recoiling sound when hitting a bump or pothole at low speeds, leading to loss of braking control. Another complaint mentions the electronic parking brake engaging unexpectedly at slow speeds, causing jerking.
Several complaints duplicate the stalling and recall-related issues, indicating owners are frustrated by unresolved problems and loaner vehicles exhibiting the same faults. This points to a systemic issue that may affect many Levantes.
“MY VEHICLE HAS TWO FAULTS THAT I BELIEVE ARE UNSAFE. FIRST, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS PUT ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE MOST RECENT…”
“MY CURRENT VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP STILL BEING WORKED ON FOR THE INITIAL AND PAST ISSUES NOT CORRECTED. I HAD TO BRING MY LOANER VEHICLE OF SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR BECAUSE THE LOANER HAD SIMILAR ISSUES TO MY OWN VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH MY WIF…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of speed and multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS) at highway speeds, as well as rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes in hybrids. These issues can leave you with reduced power and expensive diagnostics.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and a tire failure after a TPMS warning was supposedly fixed. Such failures can be catastrophic if they occur while driving.
Drivers report the system activating unexpectedly or failing to prevent collisions, sometimes under identical conditions. This undermines a key safety feature and could lead to a crash if you rely on it.
Issues range from persistent rotten-egg odors to a foot getting trapped behind a center console panel, causing loss of vehicle control. These odd defects show that even mundane problems can become safety hazards.
“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.
Maserati Levante — 12 recalls
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Grecale, 2023-2025 MC20 Cielo, 2024 Granturismo, GranCabrio, 2021-2024 Levante, Ghibli, Quattroporte, and 2022-2025 MC 20 vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The radio software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 10, 2025. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 877-696-2737. Maserati's number for this recall is…
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2021 Quattroporte, Ghibli, 2021-2022 Levante, and 2022 MC20 vehicles. The fuel line sensor housing may crack and leak fuel.
The risk: A fuel leak may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A fuel leak also increases the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel line sensor housing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2021. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737. Maserati's number for this recall is 442.
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Grecale, 2023-2025 MC20 Cielo, 2024 Granturismo, GranCabrio, 2021-2024 Levante, Ghibli, Quattroporte, and 2022-2025 MC 20 vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The radio software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 10, 2025. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 877-696-2737. Maserati's number for this recall is…
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2018 Maserati Quattroporte, Ghibli, and Levante vehicles. The welds on the front sub frame may be incomplete, which can result in the welds breaking.
The risk: If the welds fracture, it can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sub frame for incomplete welds, replacing the sub frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2…
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
Maserati Levante or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Maserati Levante has far fewer complaints per year (3.5) than the Honda Accord (452.4), but the Levante's complaints often involve sudden stalling or brake failure, which are severe. The Accord's higher volume includes many less critical issues, but it also has reports of simultaneous steering and braking loss. In practice, the Levante may be more likely to leave you stranded, while the Accord's issues are more widespread but not always as immediately dangerous.
Key differences
- The Levante's top complaint is electrical system failures causing stalling, while the Accord's top complaint is engine issues often involving warning lights and power loss.
- Levante owners frequently mention a specific recall (338) for stalling that didn't fix the problem; Accord owners report forward collision avoidance malfunctions that can activate unexpectedly.
- The Accord has a much higher complaint volume but also far more vehicles on the road; the Levante's low volume includes multiple reports of brakes failing at low speeds.
- Both vehicles have reports of simultaneous failure of critical systems (brakes and steering for Accord, brakes and engine for Levante), but the Levante's pattern centers on stalling, while the Accord's includes hybrid-specific issues.
- Check for any history of engine stalling or electronic throttle warnings; test drive at low speeds and in traffic to see if the engine shuts off or shifts to neutral.
- Inspect brake function over bumps and potholes at low speeds; listen for recoiling sounds and feel for loss of braking power.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system and adaptive cruise control; look for any history of unexpected braking or failure to detect obstacles.
- Check for electrical issues by verifying all warning lights and ensuring power steering and brakes feel normal at highway speeds; ask about any prior TPMS or tire failures.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially Maserati recall 338 and Honda's fuel pump and electrical recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and electrical systems, focusing on stalling, warning lights, and hybrid components for the Accord.
- During a test drive, simulate low-speed stops and highway acceleration to check for stalling, brake failure, or collision avoidance glitches.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and any dealer repair orders related to stalling, electrical faults, or brake issues.
- For the Accord, verify the forward collision avoidance system works and check for any unusual odors or interior trim issues that could trap feet.
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 | Maserati Levante | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 1 | 226 |
| 2022 | 1 | 252 |
| 2021 | 0 | 234 |
| 2020 | 2 | 362 |
| 2019 | 5 | 691 |
| 2018 | 4 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 15 | 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 Maserati Levante or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Maserati Levante vs Honda Accord
- Maserati Levante total complaints
- 28
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Maserati Levante total recalls
- 12
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Maserati Levante avg complaints/year
- 3.5
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Maserati Levante
- Maserati Levante top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE