Head-to-head reliability

Mercedes BENZ CLA Class vs Honda Accord

How the Mercedes BENZ CLA Class and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Mercedes BENZ CLA Class161 complaints · 0 recalls Fewer issues per year
Honda Accord4,173 complaints · 35 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Mercedes BENZ CLA Class averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Mercedes BENZ CLA Class has 161 complaints and 0 recalls on record; Honda Accord has 4,173 complaints and 35 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryMercedes BENZ CLA ClassHonda Accord
Total complaintsAll model years combined161 Better4,173
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns0 Better35
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints13 Better146
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years16.1 Better417.3
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints15 Better135
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better3

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.

Mercedes BENZ CLA Class

  1. 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM32
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER29
  3. 03ENGINE24
  4. 04POWER TRAIN22
  5. 05AIR BAGS21
In owners' words — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

“1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The trunk latch system failed, causing the trunk to open unexpectedly. Yes, the component is available for inspection upon request. 2.How was your safety or…”

“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The instrument cluster display intermittently failed, either showing incorrect information or going completely blank while driving. Yes, the component is still…”

Honda Accord

  1. 01ENGINE940
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM812
  3. 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE784
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER677
  5. 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM567
In owners' words — ENGINE

“2021 Honda Accord EX-L, 1.5T turbocharged engine. Within 8 months of purchase at approximately 21,900 miles, I experienced three separate incidents of sudden complete engine power loss at highway speeds. During each incident the vehicle would not exceed 2,000…”

“I am filing a complaint regarding the premature head gasket failure on my 2021 Honda Accord, which failed on May 28, 2026, with only 89,000 miles on the vehicle. A head gasket is a critical engine component that should last well beyond 89,000 miles under norm…”

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.

Mercedes BENZ CLA Class

No recalls on record.

Honda Accord — 35 recalls

Seat Belts — Rear/Other — Retractor
#21V900000

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.

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger
#24V064000Jan 2024

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…

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump
#23V858000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…

The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger
#26V332000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…

The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…

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.

YearMercedes BENZ CLA ClassHonda Accord
202605
2025098
202400
20236224
20224231
20215221
202023349
201951667
2018451846
201727532
Years to scrutinize: the 2019 Mercedes BENZ CLA Class drew the most complaints (51); the 2018 Honda Accord drew the most (1,846). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Mercedes BENZ CLA Class or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Mercedes BENZ CLA Class — full reportMercedes BENZ CLA Class reliability & problems 161 complaints · all years · NHTSA
Honda Accord — full reportHonda Accord reliability & problems 4,173 complaints · all years · NHTSA
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class vs Honda Accord — comparison facts
Comparison
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class vs Honda Accord
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class total complaints
161
Honda Accord total complaints
4,173
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class total recalls
0
Honda Accord total recalls
35
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class avg complaints/year
16.1
Honda Accord avg complaints/year
417.3
More reliable overall
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class top complaint area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Honda Accord top complaint area
ENGINE
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)