Head-to-head reliability
Mazda Mazda6 vs Honda Accord
How the Mazda Mazda6 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 Mazda6 vs Honda Accord: the Mazda6 averaged 53.9 complaints per year with 22 recalls and 0 deaths, while the Accord averaged 452.4 complaints per year with 38 recalls and 3 deaths. The Mazda6 shows fewer reported issues, but both have serious engine, electrical, and brake complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda Mazda6 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda Mazda6
The Mazda Mazda6 is a midsize sedan that averaged about 54 complaints per year over the past decade, with 22 recalls and no reported deaths. Owners most often flag electrical gremlins, engine overheating or oil-pressure warnings, and brake noise after repairs. The pattern suggests a car that can be pleasant to drive but demands attention to cooling, oil, and electrical systems as it ages.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume midsize sedan that generated roughly 452 complaints per year, about eight times the Mazda6 rate, along with 38 recalls and 3 deaths. Complaints cluster around engine stalls or power loss, electrical failures including power steering and braking, and forward collision avoidance systems that may brake unexpectedly. That volume means a buyer should expect more frequent safety-related reports, even if many are resolved under warranty or recall.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda Mazda6 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 539 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 37 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 53.9 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 27 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 Mazda6
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM101
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER89
- 03ENGINE79
- 04SERVICE BRAKES60
- 05AIR BAGS51
Owners report sudden high RPMs, downshifting, and simultaneous traction-control and check-engine lights, sometimes requiring neutral to maintain control. Others describe door sash molding defects and navigation/power loss, so a buyer should test all electronics and scan for stored codes.
Complaints include overheating while driving and low oil pressure warnings shortly after an oil change. These can lead to expensive repairs if ignored, so check coolant level, oil pressure history, and any recall work on the coolant control valve.
Some owners hear grinding after brake recall repairs, and one complaint ties brake issues to a broader safety defect. A pre-purchase brake inspection and recall verification are essential.
There are 51 air bag complaints and a recall for the front passenger inflator module. Confirm that the recall was performed, because an unrepaired inflator can fail in a crash.
“THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE AND MAZDA HAS KNOWN FOR YEARS. THE DOOR SASH MOLDING HAS CAUSED ME PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE. AT AGE 43, I HAD TO RETIRE/DISABILITY DUE TO DEFECTS MAZDA KNEW OF AND JUST INFORM CONSUMER OF IN 2018? I WAS MAKING RIGHT HAND TURN, LEGALLY. SOME…”
“My RPM'S reaved up real high while driving 60mph and all the sudden the car down shifted and I had to put car in neutral in order maintain control. The traction control light and heck engine lights came on same time, lost power to the car the navigation and r…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe alarms for brake, hill descent, and ABS followed by loss of speed, plus rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These symptoms can indicate hybrid or powertrain issues that may strand a driver.
Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and a tire failure shortly after a TPMS repair. Such failures are severe, so a buyer should verify recall software updates and test steering and braking feel.
Complaints describe the system braking unexpectedly under adaptive cruise control on open roads, sometimes twice on the same route. This can cause a rear-end collision, so ask whether the software has been updated.
There are 602 fuel/propulsion complaints and a recall for the fuel pump. A failing pump can cause stalling, so confirm the recall was completed and listen for fuel-system noises.
“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 Mazda6 — 22 recalls
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 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.
The risk: If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed Au…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through December 18, 2013, and model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured May 20, 2013, through December 4, 2013, and both equipped with a 2.5L engine and a regenerative en…
The risk: Once the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in poor acceleration, loss of steering assist and windshield wiper operation, and a possible engine stall, increasing the risk of a c…
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7314D.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured October 25, 2012, to October 10, 2014. If the pressures of four of the tires on an affected vehicle gradually drop at the same time, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) may not warn…
The risk: A vehicle that is driven with under inflated tires may experience a sudden tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500.
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 Mazda6 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mazda Mazda6 has far fewer complaints per year (about 54 vs. 452) and fewer recalls (22 vs. 38), but both have serious safety-related reports. In practice, the Mazda6 may mean less frequent trips to the dealer, while the Accord's higher volume means more documented issues but also more widespread recall fixes.
Key differences
- The Mazda6 averages about 54 complaints per year versus about 452 for the Accord, so the Accord has roughly eight times the complaint rate.
- The Accord has 3 reported deaths and 146 injuries in the data, while the Mazda6 has 0 deaths and 27 injuries.
- Mazda6 complaints center on electrical, engine, and brake issues; Accord complaints center on engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance.
- Both have recalls for air bags or fuel pumps, but the Accord also has a hybrid power control unit software recall.
- Check for coolant control valve recall completion and look for overheating or low oil pressure warnings on the dash.
- Test all electrical functions, including door moldings, navigation, and traction-control lights, and listen for brake grinding after any recall repair.
- Verify that the fuel pump, hybrid power control unit software, and air bag recalls have been performed.
- Test electronic power steering and braking at low and highway speeds, and check whether forward collision avoidance has been updated to avoid unexpected braking.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN-specific recall check for both vehicles and confirm all open recalls are closed.
- Ask for maintenance records showing oil changes, coolant service, and any brake or electrical repairs.
- During a test drive, listen for engine rattles, brake grinding, and unusual transmission behavior.
- Have a mechanic scan for stored codes and inspect the fuel system, cooling system, and hybrid components if applicable.
- Check tire condition and TPMS function, especially on the Accord after reported tire failure following a TPMS repair.
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 Mazda6 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17 | 234 |
| 2020 | 2 | 362 |
| 2019 | 6 | 691 |
| 2018 | 58 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 60 | 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 Mazda6 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda Mazda6 vs Honda Accord
- Mazda Mazda6 total complaints
- 539
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Mazda Mazda6 total recalls
- 22
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mazda Mazda6 avg complaints/year
- 53.9
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Mazda Mazda6
- Mazda Mazda6 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE