Head-to-head reliability
Mclaren 650S vs Honda Accord
How the Mclaren 650S 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
Mclaren 650S vs Honda Accord: The Mclaren 650S has 2 complaints and 3 recalls over 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,438 complaints and 38 recalls. The Accord also shows 160 crash-related reports and 144 injuries, versus none for the Mclaren. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mclaren 650S or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mclaren 650S
The Mclaren 650S is a low-volume exotic, so it sees very few miles and very few complaints—just 2 over 10 years. The main pattern is aging headlight lenses that crack from the inside and a passenger airbag inflator recall that owners say dealers can't fix due to missing parts. Living with it means dealing with rare but potentially serious recall delays and cosmetic wear, not daily breakdowns.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume family car, so it accumulates many more complaints—4,438 over 10 years—and 38 recalls. Owners report engine noises, electrical glitches like TPMS failures and rodent damage, and forward collision warnings that trigger without obstacles. There are also 160 crash-related reports, 144 injuries, and 3 deaths in the data, so it's a vehicle with more frequent and varied issues to watch.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mclaren 650S | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.2 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Mclaren 650S
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
- 02AIR BAGS1
Owners report small spiderweb cracks forming on the inside of the headlight lenses over time. This can reduce visibility and may require expensive replacement, though it's not a safety recall.
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator has been recalled three times because it may explode and send shrapnel into the cabin. Owners say dealers often lack parts, leaving the recall unrepaired for months.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MCLAREN 650S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OVER TIME THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S HEADLIGHT LENSES HAD DEVELOPED VERY SMALL SPIDER WEB CRACKS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE CRACKS WERE LOCATED ON THE INTERIOR SECTION OF THE LENSE…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises shortly after purchase and, in some cases, sudden loss of power with multiple dashboard alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS). This can leave you stranded or in a dangerous situation.
Complaints include TPMS warnings that lead to tire failure shortly after service, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses even on new cars. These glitches can cause unexpected breakdowns or safety risks.
Owners say adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic braking can trigger warnings or activate without any obstacle. This intermittent behavior is distracting and could cause sudden braking.
There are 592 complaints about brakes, often tied to ABS or traction control module failures that show critical alarms and reduce braking ability. This is a serious safety concern.
“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.
Mclaren 650S — 3 recalls
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2012-2013 MP4-12C, 2014-2016 650s, 2015-2016 675 LT, 2014-2015 P1 and 2015-2017 570 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or r…
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: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bags, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916.
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2012-2013 MP4-12C, 2014-2016 650s, 2015-2016 675 LT, 2014-2015 P1 and 2015-2017 570 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or r…
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: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bags, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916.
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2012-2013 MP4-12C, 2014-2016 650s, 2015-2016 675 LT, 2014-2015 P1 and 2015-2017 570 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or r…
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: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bags, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916.
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
Mclaren 650S or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mclaren 650S has far fewer issues per year (0.2 complaints/year) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8 complaints/year). In practice, the Mclaren is a niche car with rare but potentially severe recall problems, while the Accord is a mass-market vehicle with frequent, varied complaints including crashes and injuries. The difference means you'll likely spend less time at the dealer with the Mclaren, but when something goes wrong it may be harder to fix.
Key differences
- The Mclaren 650S has only 2 complaints and 3 recalls over 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,438 complaints and 38 recalls.
- Mclaren issues are mainly cosmetic headlight cracks and an airbag inflator recall with parts shortages; Accord issues include engine noises, electrical failures, and forward collision false alarms.
- The Accord data shows 160 crash-related reports, 144 injuries, and 3 deaths; the Mclaren shows 0 in all three categories.
- Accord owners report sudden power loss and brake/ABS failures, while Mclaren owners report no such drivetrain or brake complaints.
- Inspect both headlight lenses for internal spiderweb cracks, as owners report these forming over time and they can be costly to replace.
- Ask the dealer to confirm the passenger airbag inflator recall has been completed; owners report parts shortages, so verify it's done before purchase.
- Listen for unusual engine noises on a test drive and check for any stored codes related to power loss or multiple dashboard alarms.
- Test the forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control to see if they trigger falsely; also check for TPMS warnings and recent tire service records.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle and confirm they are fixed.
- For the Mclaren, inspect headlight lenses closely and ask for proof the airbag inflator recall was completed.
- For the Accord, scan for engine and ABS fault codes, and test all driver-assist features for false alerts.
- Check tire condition and TPMS history on the Accord, as owners report tire failure after TPMS service.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on the reported problem areas.
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 | Mclaren 650S | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 226 |
| 2020 | 0 | 355 |
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 Mclaren 650S or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mclaren 650S vs Honda Accord
- Mclaren 650S total complaints
- 2
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Mclaren 650S total recalls
- 3
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mclaren 650S avg complaints/year
- 0.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Mclaren 650S
- Mclaren 650S top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE