Head-to-head reliability
Mazda MX 5 vs Honda Accord
How the Mazda MX 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 MX 5 vs Honda Accord: The MX 5 has 50 complaints over 10 years (5.0/year) and 13 recalls, while the Accord has 4,438 complaints (443.8/year) and 38 recalls. The Accord also shows 160 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda MX 5 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda MX 5
The Mazda MX 5 is a two-seat sports car with a strong enthusiast following, and its complaint volume is low: 50 complaints over 10 years, averaging 5.0 per year. That suggests most owners are not filing formal safety complaints, but the pattern shows recurring issues with the manual transmission, electrical behavior, and steering feel. Recalls cover fuel pump, traction control, and air bag software, so a buyer should verify those were completed.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume family sedan, and its complaint count is far higher: 4,438 over 10 years, averaging 443.8 per year. The data shows 160 crash-related complaints, 144 injuries, and 3 deaths, with engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems drawing the most reports. Recalls address hybrid power control software, fuel pumps, brakes, and air bag sensors, so checking recall history is essential.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda MX 5 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 50 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.0 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 4 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 MX 5
- 01POWER TRAIN15
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 03STEERING5
- 04AIR BAGS5
- 05VISIBILITY/WIPER5
Owners report manual transmission synchronizers failing, causing erratic shifting and sometimes the inability to change gears. One owner group poll cited a 10% failure rate, which matters because a worn transmission can be expensive and may affect drivability.
Complaints describe warning lights, stalling or surging sensations when shifting in and out of drive, and stability control not activating during wheel spin. These symptoms can be intermittent and hard to diagnose, so a pre-purchase scan for stored codes is wise.
Drivers report a sticky steering feel at higher speeds when the car is warm, requiring extra pressure to break free from a position. Another owner had ABS and brake lights traced to a steering angle sensor that failed again after replacement.
Air bag complaints appear in crash scenarios, including one where stability control did not activate and another where a low-speed turn led to a pole impact. Recalls cover air bag restraint control module software, so confirm that recall was performed.
“The contact owns a 2024 Mazda MX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact stated that while driving at 60 M…”
“Manual transmission synchronizers fail, causing erratic gear shift operation and the inability to change gears, which could result in an accident. The ND Mazda Miata Owners Group on Facebook has polled its owners and found a 10% failure rate of manual transmi…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises, loss of speed, and multiple dashboard alarms including brake, hill descent, and ABS warnings. One complaint described the vehicle losing speed and not being able to maintain highway speeds, which is a serious drivability concern.
Complaints include TPMS warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure, rodent damage to camshaft position wiring, and various warning lights. These electrical gremlins can be intermittent and may require repeated dealer visits.
Drivers report adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and automatic high beam problems, often with intermittent dashboard messages. One owner said the system failed to resolve a threat, which matters because these are safety-assist features.
Brake-related complaints are among the top five, and a recall covers ABS/traction control control unit modules. Owners may experience warning lights or reduced brake assist, so a brake system inspection and recall check are important.
“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 MX 5 — 13 recalls
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mazda MX-5 vehicles. The Traction Control System (TCS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) indicator light may fail to illuminate as intended due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: An indicator light that does not illuminate may fail to warn the driver of a TCS or DSC system issue, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the DSC unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 7425E.
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 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 2016-2019 MX-5 (Miata) vehicles with automatic transmissions. Due to incorrect programming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), certain conditions may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift and abruptly decelerate.
The risk: If the vehicle abruptly downshifts, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the TCM with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is…
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 MX 5 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mazda MX 5 has far fewer issues per year (5.0 vs 443.8), but it is a low-volume sports car while the Accord is a mass-market sedan, so raw counts are not directly comparable. In practice, the MX 5 owner is less likely to file a complaint, but the Accord's larger complaint pool includes more crash, injury, and death reports. A buyer should weigh the MX 5's specific transmission and steering quirks against the Accord's broader electrical and driver-assist complaints.
Key differences
- The Mazda MX 5 averages 5.0 complaints per year versus 443.8 for the Honda Accord, but the Accord sells in much higher volume.
- MX 5 owners most often report manual transmission synchronizer failure and sticky steering, while Accord owners report engine noise, loss of speed, and forward collision avoidance warnings.
- The Accord has 160 crash-related complaints, 144 injuries, and 3 deaths in the data; the MX 5 has 4 crash-related, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths.
- Both have fuel pump recalls, but the Accord also has recalls for hybrid power control software, brake control modules, and air bag occupant sensors.
- During a test drive, shift through all gears and listen for grinding or difficulty engaging gears, especially when cold or at higher rpm, which could indicate synchronizer wear.
- Check for a sticky steering feel at highway speeds after the car is fully warmed up, and ask for any records of steering angle sensor replacement or ABS/brake light repairs.
- Scan for stored engine and electrical codes, and test all driver-assist features (adaptive cruise, lane keeping, automatic high beams) for intermittent warnings or failures.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear or damage, and verify the TPMS system works, since one complaint described a TPMS warning followed by a catastrophic tire failure.
Before you buy
- Ask for the full NHTSA recall history by VIN and confirm that all open recalls, especially fuel pump and air bag software, have been completed.
- For the MX 5, have a mechanic inspect the manual transmission for synchronizer wear and check the steering angle sensor and ABS operation.
- For the Accord, test the forward collision avoidance, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, and automatic high beams on a highway drive to see if warnings appear.
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection that includes a scan tool check for stored codes in the engine, electrical, and brake systems.
- Review owner forums or service records for repeated electrical or transmission repairs, as intermittent issues may not show up on a short test drive.
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 MX 5 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5 |
| 2025 | 3 | 101 |
| 2024 | 5 | 214 |
| 2023 | 7 | 224 |
| 2022 | 5 | 238 |
| 2021 | 1 | 226 |
| 2020 | 3 | 355 |
| 2019 | 11 | 677 |
| 2018 | 3 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 11 | 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 MX 5 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda MX 5 vs Honda Accord
- Mazda MX 5 total complaints
- 50
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Mazda MX 5 total recalls
- 13
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mazda MX 5 avg complaints/year
- 5.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Mazda MX 5
- Mazda MX 5 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE