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: Mazda6 averages 54 complaints/year vs Accord's 444, but both have serious issues. Mazda6 owners report rust and electrical failures; Accord owners face engine and sensor glitches. Inspect for rust on Mazda6 and test safety tech on Accord. 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, over the past decade, has averaged about 54 complaints per year, with electrical gremlins, engine troubles, and brake issues topping the list. Owners report sudden loss of power and steering on the highway, persistent infotainment freezes, and rust-related structural failures in the front frame and crossmember. While not the most complained-about vehicle, these patterns suggest that a used Mazda6 may require vigilance in electrical and corrosion-prone areas.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a perennial family favorite, shows a much higher complaint volume—averaging over 440 per year—but this is partly due to its popularity. The dominant issues are engine problems, electrical faults, and a notable number of complaints about forward collision avoidance systems. Owners describe sudden power loss, warning light cascades, and false activations of safety tech, which can be unnerving. Despite the higher count, many complaints are about software glitches and sensor issues rather than catastrophic failures.
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 | 538 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 37 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 53.8 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 27 Better | 144 |
| 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
- 05POWER TRAIN51
Owners report sudden loss of acceleration and steering while driving, accompanied by warning lights, as well as infotainment screens freezing or going black, with steering wheel controls becoming unresponsive.
Complaints include overheating while driving and low oil pressure warnings shortly after oil changes, which could indicate serious engine issues if not addressed.
Frequent brake replacements (one owner reported 15 times) and severe rust on rear cradle and crossmember, with springs nearly falling out, highlight both brake system wear and corrosion problems.
Rust and rot in the front frame and crossmember are reported, with recall fixes described as 'band-aid' solutions that don't fully address the suspension attachment points.
“was driving on the highway when the check engine light came on. not 10 minutes later, I lost acceleration and steering. managed to get to the shoulder just in time before my car pretty much died. the water light and battery light came on when I came to a stop…”
“AFTER PURCHASING A 2019 MAZDA6 IN JULY 2019, THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN WHICH I START THE CAR AND THE DISPLAY SCREEN FREEZES OR IS BLACK, NOT DISPLAYING ANYTHING. AT THE SAME TIME, THE CONTROL BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL DO NOT WORK. I'VE ALSO EX…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises from new vehicles and sudden loss of speed with multiple warning lights (brake, ABS, hill descent) appearing, indicating potential powertrain or sensor issues.
Issues include TPMS warnings that lead to tire failures and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, which can cause electrical malfunctions and safety concerns.
The system can activate unexpectedly at highway speeds with no obstructions, and drivers see intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise, lane keeping, and automatic high beams, suggesting sensor or software glitches.
Brake-related warnings and failures are reported, often in conjunction with other electronic system alerts, pointing to potential issues with the ABS or brake control module.
“I purchased this vehicle at 0 miles in July 2025 from Honda Accord in Pensacola Florida. I reported in July 2025 that there was a noise and I was unhappy with the vehicle and would like to exchange the vehicle within the 30 days months later, the noise got lo…”
“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…”
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 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan)…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. M…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, O…
The risk: Corrosion may weaken the mounting point for the passenger side lower control arm, unexpectedly changing the steering alignment and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross member and either install a side member and drain hose and apply wax to protect from rust, or install a drain hose and an improved front cross member, free of charge. The recall…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan)…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number…
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 (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…
Buyer analysis
Mazda Mazda6 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mazda Mazda6 has far fewer complaints per year (about 54) compared to the Honda Accord (about 444), but the Accord's higher volume is partly due to its larger sales. In practice, the Mazda6 may offer a more trouble-free ownership experience, but both have notable issues that require careful inspection.
Key differences
- Mazda6 has significantly fewer complaints per year (54 vs 444), suggesting lower overall issue rates.
- Mazda6 owners report serious rust and corrosion on the frame and crossmember, especially in salt-belt states.
- Accord owners report more issues with forward collision avoidance and other driver-assist systems, which can be annoying and potentially dangerous if they malfunction.
- Both have engine problems, but Mazda6's are more about overheating and oil pressure, while Accord's include sudden power loss and warning light cascades.
- Inspect the front frame and crossmember for rust or rot, especially if the car is from a snowy region.
- Check for any electrical issues like infotainment freezes or warning lights that could indicate wiring problems.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system in a safe area to ensure it doesn't activate without reason.
- Look for signs of rodent damage under the hood, as wiring harnesses are vulnerable.
Before you buy
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on rust and electrical systems.
- Check the vehicle's recall status and ensure all recalls have been addressed.
- Test drive at highway speeds to see if any warning lights or power loss occur.
- Review the maintenance history for oil changes and brake replacements.
- For the Accord, ask about any software updates for the driver-assist systems.
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 | 226 |
| 2020 | 2 | 355 |
| 2019 | 6 | 677 |
| 2018 | 58 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 60 | 534 |
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
- 538
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Mazda Mazda6 total recalls
- 22
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mazda Mazda6 avg complaints/year
- 53.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Mazda Mazda6
- Mazda Mazda6 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE