Head-to-head reliability
Mazda CX 50 vs Honda Accord
How the Mazda CX 50 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 50 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Mazda CX 50 has 159 complaints and 7 recalls on record; Honda Accord has 2,653 complaints and 38 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda CX 50 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 159 Better | 2,653 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 17 Better | 127 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 39.8 Better | 265.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 17 Better | 106 |
| 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 50
- 01FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE30
- 02SERVICE BRAKES27
- 03POWER TRAIN25
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM21
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER19
“The contact owned a 2024 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, after exiting the freeway, the contact was distracted, and when the contact turned to face the road, the vehicle rear-ended the vehicle in front. The contact…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 38 MPH. The contact stated he was approaching an intersection when a vehicle in front of him attempted to make a left turn but slowed down. The contact was unable to d…”
Honda Accord
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM584
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER495
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE494
- 04ENGINE452
- 05SERVICE BRAKES341
“This vehicle is experiencing an aggressive, heat-accelerated hardware degradation of the central capacitive screen assembly commonly identified as ghost glitching, culminating in a total crash of the primary graphic interface and touch controller hardware. Wh…”
“Component Affected: Electrical System / Vehicle Speed Control / Forward Visibility / Navigation / Infotainment Description of Safety Hazard: I am experiencing a severe, highly unpredictable, and dangerous hardware defect involving the factory infotainment sys…”
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 50 — 7 recalls
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CX-50 vehicles equipped with Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitches. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may loosen and cause the assembly to separate from the vehicle body during towing or normal driving conditions.
The risk: A detached trailer hitch assembly can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the trailer hitch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Mazda's number for this recall is 7225C.
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2023 CX-50 vehicles equipped with a Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitch. The trailer hitch harness may detach and become damaged, which can result in inoperative trailer lights and/or brakes.
The risk: Towing a trailer with inoperative lights or brakes can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair the trailer hitch harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 5723B.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2022-2023 CX-30 and 2023 CX-50 vehicles. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) may be damaged, which can result in reduced braking ability.
The risk: Reduced braking ability can increase the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the ABS HCU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 5823D.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 Mazda 3, CX-30, and 2025 CX-50 vehicles. A malfunction in the forward sensing camera (FSC) may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning. In addition, the headlights will not auto…
The risk: Automatic braking, steering assist, and headlight control systems that do not function as intended can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the forward sensing camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an…
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.
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…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
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 50 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 24 | 5 |
| 2025 | 43 | 98 |
| 2024 | 32 | 212 |
| 2023 | 60 | 224 |
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 50 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda CX 50 vs Honda Accord
- Mazda CX 50 total complaints
- 159
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 2,653
- Mazda CX 50 total recalls
- 7
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mazda CX 50 avg complaints/year
- 39.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 265.3
- More reliable overall
- Mazda CX 50
- Mazda CX 50 top complaint area
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM