Head-to-head reliability
Mazda CX 5 vs Honda Accord
How the Mazda CX 5 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 5 vs Honda Accord: The CX-5 has about 100 complaints per year and 6 recalls, while the Accord has about 452 complaints per year and 38 recalls. The Accord also reports 3 deaths and 146 injuries versus 0 deaths and 34 injuries for the CX-5. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda CX 5 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda CX 5
The Mazda CX-5 is a compact SUV with a relatively low complaint rate of about 100 per year over the past decade. Most owner complaints center on engine issues, but many are isolated incidents like a 2024 model catching fire. Electrical gremlins, such as a sensitive key fob that can pop the hatch, and power train noises are also common. Overall, it appears to have fewer reported problems than many rivals, but you should still check for specific faults.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—roughly 452 per year—and more recalls. Owners frequently report engine and electrical failures, including simultaneous power steering and braking loss on a 2025 hybrid. Forward collision avoidance systems also trigger complaints for unexpected braking. With 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported, the data suggests more severe outcomes, so a thorough inspection is critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda CX 5 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,002 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 53 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 100.2 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 34 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 5
- 01ENGINE375
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER177
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM162
- 04POWER TRAIN101
- 05SERVICE BRAKES81
Owners report engine fires (e.g., a 2024 CX-5 burned to a total loss) and total systemic failure when reversing on snow or ice. These are rare but potentially catastrophic, so check for recalls and any signs of overheating or fluid leaks.
A sensitive key fob can open the hatch unintentionally, causing damage, and headlight leveling motors may fail, creating distracting noises. These issues are annoying and costly to fix, so test all electrical functions.
Complaints include clicking noises from the rear seats and rumbling sounds, plus a case where a parked vehicle rolled and injured someone. Listen for unusual noises during a test drive and ensure the transmission engages smoothly.
Although not detailed in the sample, 81 brake complaints suggest some owners experience premature wear or performance issues. Have a mechanic inspect brake pads, rotors, and fluid before buying.
“My car caught on fire on [CCC] and it's completely burned down, a total loss. Following is information about my car and some summary of what happened. Car information: - Mazda CX5 2024 - Bought in June or July 2024(car payment only made 22 times so far) - Odo…”
“Incident Description: On multiple occasions in January and February 2026, while operating a 2024 Mazda CX-5 in reverse on low-friction surfaces (snow/ice) with a slight incline, the vehicle suffered a total systemic failure. System Failures: While reversing a…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden power loss with multiple dashboard alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS) and rattling noises during acceleration. These can leave you stranded, so check for software updates and listen for abnormal engine sounds.
A 2025 Accord Hybrid had simultaneous power steering and braking failure at highway speed, and another had a tire failure after a TPMS repair. These are severe safety risks, so verify all recalls are done and test drive at various speeds.
The system may brake unexpectedly for no reason, even with adaptive cruise control set, as reported in multiple incidents. This can cause rear-end collisions, so ask if the software has been updated and test the system carefully.
Complaints include a persistent rotten-egg odor from the fuel system, which may indicate catalytic converter or fuel delivery issues. This is a health and emissions concern, so have the exhaust and fuel system inspected.
“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 5 — 6 recalls
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda CX-5 vehicles. In the event of a side impact or rollover crash, the side curtain air bags may not properly unfold during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety S…
The risk: If the air bags do not deploy properly in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2718F.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
The risk: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
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.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2017 CX-5 vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. This harness may be routed such that there is insufficient clearance between the harness and the exhaust muffler, allowing the wiring harness to contact the muffl…
The risk: Contact with the muffler may damage the trailer wiring harness, potentially resulting in the trailer lighting being inoperative, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the trailer hitch harness away from the muffler, replacing the harness if it is damaged, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer…
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 5 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mazda CX-5 has far fewer complaints per year (about 100 vs. 452 for the Accord) and fewer recalls (6 vs. 38). In practice, this means you are less likely to encounter frequent repair visits with the CX-5, but the Accord's higher volume may reflect a larger owner base or more complex systems. Both have serious issues, but the CX-5's lower rate suggests better overall reliability in this dataset.
Key differences
- The Mazda CX-5 averages about 100 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages about 452, a four-fold difference.
- The Accord has 38 recalls versus 6 for the CX-5, including major electrical and fuel system recalls.
- Accord owners report severe safety failures like simultaneous power steering and braking loss, while CX-5 complaints are more often about noises or accessory glitches.
- The Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries in the data, compared to 0 deaths and 34 injuries for the CX-5, indicating more severe outcomes.
- Check for any signs of engine fire damage or recall work, especially on 2024 models, and ask about the fuel pump recall.
- Test the key fob to ensure the hatch does not open unintentionally, and listen for clicking or rumbling noises from the rear and transmission.
- Verify that the electronic power steering and braking systems have no warning lights and that all software recalls are completed.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system at highway speeds to ensure it does not brake unexpectedly, and check for any sulfur-like odors from the exhaust.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are fixed, especially for the Mazda's fuel pump and the Honda's electrical and fuel systems.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds, reversing on an incline, and using adaptive cruise control to check for hesitation, noises, or unexpected braking.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, brakes, and electrical system for the specific issues reported by owners.
- For the Honda Accord, specifically ask for documentation of any software updates to the hybrid control unit and forward collision avoidance system.
- For the Mazda CX-5, check the sunroof for cracks or popping sounds and test all electrical accessories like the hatch and headlights.
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 5 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 10 |
| 2025 | 27 | 109 |
| 2024 | 44 | 219 |
| 2023 | 63 | 226 |
| 2022 | 63 | 252 |
| 2021 | 147 | 234 |
| 2020 | 107 | 362 |
| 2019 | 270 | 691 |
| 2018 | 119 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 148 | 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 5 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda CX 5 vs Honda Accord
- Mazda CX 5 total complaints
- 1,002
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Mazda CX 5 total recalls
- 6
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mazda CX 5 avg complaints/year
- 100.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Mazda CX 5
- Mazda CX 5 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE