Head-to-head reliability
Mazda CX 3 vs Honda Accord
How the Mazda CX 3 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
Mazda CX 3 vs Honda Accord: The CX 3 has 111 complaints over 7 years (about 16 per year) and 9 recalls, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (about 452 per year) and 38 recalls. The CX 3 reports stalling and electrical issues; the Accord reports engine and safety system failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda CX 3 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda CX 3
The Mazda CX 3 is a subcompact SUV with a relatively low complaint volume: 111 complaints over 7 years, averaging about 16 per year. Owners report stalling and sudden loss of power from the fuel/propulsion system, plus electrical glitches that can disable driver-assist features. There are 9 recalls, including repeated backup camera issues and a fuel pump recall. It's a simpler, lower-volume vehicle, but the stalling complaints are serious and should be checked.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 4,524 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 452 per year. Owners report engine and electrical problems, including loss of power, rough hybrid transitions, and failures of forward collision avoidance. There are 38 recalls, covering hybrid software, fuel pumps, seat belts, and airbag sensors. The Accord is a popular car, but the sheer number of complaints and recalls means buyers should be diligent.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda CX 3 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 111 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 9 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 15.9 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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.
Mazda CX 3
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER17
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM16
- 04ENGINE10
- 05BACK OVER PREVENTION10
Owners report the throttle opening unexpectedly while braking, causing the car to jump curbs, and instrument cluster failures that trigger multiple warning lights. These issues can affect control and safety, and dealers sometimes cannot reproduce them.
Several owners describe the engine stalling and dying while driving at highway speeds, often restarting after a few minutes. This is a serious safety risk, especially if it happens in traffic.
Complaints include the engine stalling and dying, as well as abnormal noises and rough running. These can indicate underlying fuel or ignition problems that may be costly to diagnose.
The backup camera system is the subject of multiple recalls, and owners report driver-assist features restarting or failing in cold weather. This can make reversing and parking less reliable.
“WHILE I WAS PARKING MY CAR AND BRAKING THE THROTTLE OPENED WIDE AND I JUMPED THE CURB. I REAPPLIED THE BRAKES HARD AND THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AFTER SKIDDING 4 FEET. (TIRE MARKS MEASURED). I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.…”
“The instrument cluster in my 2021 Mazda CX-3 failed at approximately 50,000 miles. While driving, the vehicle displayed multiple warning lights, including Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), traction control, and front camera/saf…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report alarms and loss of speed at highway speeds, rattling noises while accelerating, and rough transitions between electric and gas modes in hybrids. These can lead to reduced power and expensive repairs.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking at highway speeds, and tire pressure monitoring issues that may not be resolved by dealers. These are critical safety systems.
Owners describe the system failing to prevent collisions or activating unexpectedly, sometimes under identical driving conditions. This undermines a key safety feature.
There are complaints of fuel pump failures and related stalling, consistent with a recall for fuel pump issues. This can cause sudden loss of power.
“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.
Mazda CX 3 — 9 recalls
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
The risk: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safe…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
The risk: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safe…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
The risk: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safe…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
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
Mazda CX 3 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mazda CX 3 has far fewer complaints per year (about 16) than the Honda Accord (about 452), and fewer recalls (9 vs 38). In practice, the CX 3 may be less likely to have frequent problems, but the stalling complaints are serious. The Accord's higher volume means more reported issues, but it's also a much more common vehicle, so some of that is volume-related.
Key differences
- The Mazda CX 3 has 111 complaints over 7 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 over 10 years—a huge difference in reported issues.
- Mazda CX 3 complaints often involve stalling and electrical glitches, while Honda Accord complaints include engine power loss and forward collision avoidance failures.
- The Honda Accord has 38 recalls, including hybrid software and fuel pump issues, compared to 9 recalls for the Mazda CX 3, mostly for backup cameras and fuel pump.
- The Honda Accord has 146 injuries and 3 deaths reported, while the Mazda CX 3 has 3 injuries and 0 deaths, though these numbers are influenced by vehicle population.
- Check for any history of engine stalling or sudden loss of power, especially during test drives at highway speeds.
- Test all electrical features, including the instrument cluster, backup camera, and driver-assist systems, for warning lights or intermittent failures.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and check for rough transitions between EV and gas modes on hybrid models.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system and ensure all recalls, especially for fuel pump and hybrid software, have been performed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been completed.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- During a test drive, accelerate to highway speeds and brake firmly to check for stalling, hesitation, or warning lights.
- Verify that safety features like backup cameras and forward collision avoidance work properly.
- For the Honda Accord, specifically ask about any hybrid system repairs or software updates.
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 | Mazda CX 3 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 4 | 234 |
| 2020 | 1 | 362 |
| 2019 | 27 | 691 |
| 2018 | 10 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 21 | 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 Mazda CX 3 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
No VIN yet? Ask the seller.
A genuine seller should be happy to share it. Send this, then paste the VIN into the box above when it comes back.
Going to see one?
Get the Mazda CX 3 inspection checklist by email, so you know what to look for when you're standing next to it.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda CX 3 vs Honda Accord
- Mazda CX 3 total complaints
- 111
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Mazda CX 3 total recalls
- 9
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mazda CX 3 avg complaints/year
- 15.9
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Mazda CX 3
- Mazda CX 3 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE