Head-to-head reliability
Mazda MPV vs Honda Accord
How the Mazda MPV 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 MPV vs Honda Accord: The MPV has 617 complaints over 7 years (88/year) and 26 recalls, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (452/year) and 38 recalls. The MPV reports transmission jerking and stalling; the Accord reports electrical and engine failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda MPV or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda MPV
The Mazda MPV is a minivan with 617 complaints over 7 years, averaging about 88 per year. Owners frequently report transmission jerking, engine misfires, and stalling, with some complaints describing sudden loss of power steering and brakes. There are 26 recalls, including multiple Takata airbag inflator recalls for the passenger side. While it has fewer complaints per year than the Honda Accord, the severity of issues like stalling and airbag defects makes it a high-risk used buy.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize car with 4,524 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 452 per year. Common complaints include engine problems, electrical failures, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions, with some owners reporting sudden loss of power and braking. There are 38 recalls covering electrical, fuel, and airbag systems. The high complaint volume and reports of simultaneous steering and braking failure suggest significant reliability concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda MPV | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 617 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 53 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 88.1 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 84 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 MPV
- 01POWER TRAIN134
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING127
- 03AIR BAGS69
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM64
- 05STRUCTURE44
Owners report severe transmission jerking at low speeds (20-40 mph), sometimes feeling like a rear-end collision. This can cause headrest impact and dizziness, indicating a serious drivability and safety issue.
Complaints include engine misfires due to failing ignition coils, causing shaking and jerking. One owner reported the engine shutting off while driving, leading to loss of power steering and brakes.
Multiple recalls for passenger-side frontal airbag inflator modules, including Takata recalls. Owners report receiving 'do not drive' notices due to humidity-related defect risks.
The idle air control valve is prone to failure, which can stall the engine at high speeds without power braking or steering. Some owners also report persistent misfires and check engine lights.
“AT LOW SPEED, 20 TO 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION JERKS SO MUCH THAT THE HEADREST HITS MY HEAD BADLY. IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE VEHICLE IS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY HEAD IS STILL DIZZY AFTER A DAY. THIS JERKING FREQUENCY IS ABOUT TWICE IN THE PAST 4 WEEKS.”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of speed with multiple alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS) and rattling noises during acceleration. Some experience rough transitions between EV and gas modes in hybrids.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing near-collisions. Another owner reported a tire failure shortly after a TPMS repair.
Owners describe unexpected activation or failure of collision avoidance systems, sometimes under clear conditions. One complaint notes repeated incidents on the same route with adaptive cruise control engaged.
There are 602 complaints, including fuel pump issues and a recall for fuel delivery. Owners report stalling or loss of power, which can be dangerous in traffic.
“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 MPV — 26 recalls
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dako…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle 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 July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles. Owners may…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Ind…
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: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dako…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle 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 July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles. Owners may…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Ind…
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: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018…
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 MPV or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mazda MPV has far fewer complaints per year (88 vs. 452), but its issues often involve stalling, transmission jerking, and airbag defects. The Honda Accord's higher complaint rate reflects more frequent electrical and engine problems, including simultaneous steering and braking failures. In practice, the MPV may have fewer overall problems, but the Accord's issues are more numerous and potentially severe.
Key differences
- The Mazda MPV has 617 complaints over 7 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 over 10 years, meaning the Accord has about five times more complaints per year.
- Mazda MPV owners frequently report transmission jerking and engine stalling, whereas Honda Accord owners report electrical failures and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- The Mazda MPV has multiple Takata airbag recalls for the passenger side, while the Honda Accord has recalls for electrical, fuel, and airbag systems.
- The Honda Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported, compared to 0 deaths and 84 injuries for the Mazda MPV, though these numbers are not adjusted for vehicle population.
- Check for transmission jerking or shuddering during test drive at low speeds (20-40 mph), as this is a common complaint.
- Inspect for engine misfire symptoms such as shaking, rough idle, or check engine light, and verify if ignition coils or idle air control valve have been replaced.
- Test all electrical systems, especially power steering and brakes, for any warning lights or intermittent failures.
- Verify that all recalls, particularly for fuel pump and electrical systems, have been performed, and check for any forward collision avoidance warning messages.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the transmission (Mazda MPV) or electrical system (Honda Accord) before purchase.
- During test drive, listen for engine rattles or misfires and test all safety features like airbags and collision avoidance.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for ignition coils, idle air control valve, or software updates.
- Check tire condition and TPMS functionality, as both vehicles have complaints related to tires or TPMS.
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 MPV or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda MPV vs Honda Accord
- Mazda MPV total complaints
- 617
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Mazda MPV total recalls
- 26
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mazda MPV avg complaints/year
- 88.1
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Mazda MPV
- Mazda MPV top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE