Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ CLK Class vs Honda Accord
How the Mercedes BENZ CLK Class 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
Mercedes BENZ CLK Class vs Honda Accord: The CLK had 268 complaints and 0 recalls over 10 years, while the Accord had 4,438 complaints and 38 recalls. The CLK averages 26.8 complaints per year, the Accord 443.8. Both show safety-related issues, but the CLK's fuel leaks and fires are particularly concerning. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ CLK Class or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ CLK Class
The Mercedes-Benz CLK Class is a two-door luxury coupe or convertible from the 2000s. Over 10 years, owners filed 268 complaints, averaging about 27 per year, with no recalls. The most common issues involve fuel leaks, electrical fires, and air bag failures, suggesting that living with this car requires vigilance and potentially costly repairs.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream midsize sedan with a much larger owner base. It generated 4,438 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 444 per year, and has 38 recalls. Complaints cover engine problems, electrical glitches, forward collision avoidance warnings, and brake issues, indicating that even a popular car can have frequent, varied problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ CLK Class | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 268 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 13 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 26.8 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 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.
Mercedes BENZ CLK Class
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM53
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM49
- 03AIR BAGS35
- 04POWER TRAIN22
- 05SEAT BELTS22
Owners report gasoline leaks from a cracked plastic fuel sender where the fuel hose attaches, causing raw gas smells and potential fire risk. This matters because a fuel leak can be dangerous and expensive to fix.
Complaints include engine fires and melted wiring harnesses, such as insulation crumbling near headlights. These electrical faults can lead to total loss and are a serious safety concern.
Owners describe air bags failing to deploy in crashes and warning lights for the SRS system. Non-deployment in an accident could increase injury risk.
Reports mention performance problems like poor idle, loss of power, and check engine lights related to V6 engine balance shaft issues. These can lead to costly repairs and reduced reliability.
“ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IDENTIFIED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK'S "FUEL SENDER". SMALL CRACK IN PLASTIC FUEL SENDER AT POINT WHERE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO SENDER ALLOWED GASOLINE TO ACCUMULATE OVER TIME IN AREA SURROUNDING SENDER AND THEN TRAVEL TO UNDERSIDE OF…”
“PURCHASED FROM PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL WITH MILEAGE 43,000. FILLED UP THE GAS TANK ON TWO OCCASIONS. AFTER EACH OCCASION, PLACED CAR IN GARAGE AFTERWARD AND CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. THE SMELL OF RAW GAS WAS OVERWHELMING AS SOON AS GARAGE DOOR WAS SHUT. DUE TO THE OVERW…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises, loss of power, and critical failure warnings while driving, sometimes shortly after purchase. These issues can strand a driver and require major engine work.
Complaints include tire pressure monitoring failures leading to tire blowouts and rodent damage to wiring harnesses. Electrical gremlins can cause safety hazards and unexpected breakdowns.
Drivers experience intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams, sometimes with no obstruction. These false alerts can distract and erode trust in safety features.
Reports mention brake system warnings and potential failures, such as alarms and loss of braking performance. Brake problems are critical for safety and should be addressed immediately.
“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.
Mercedes BENZ CLK Class
No recalls on record.
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
Mercedes BENZ CLK Class or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz CLK Class has far fewer complaints per year (about 27) compared to the Honda Accord (about 444), but the CLK's issues often involve severe safety risks like fuel leaks and fires. The Accord's higher volume reflects its larger sales, but its problems are more varied and include advanced driver-assist glitches. In practice, the CLK may need fewer visits but each could be more dangerous, while the Accord may have more frequent but sometimes less catastrophic issues.
Key differences
- The CLK has 0 recalls and 268 complaints, while the Accord has 38 recalls and 4,438 complaints, indicating different levels of manufacturer action.
- CLK complaints often involve fuel leaks and electrical fires, which are immediate safety hazards; Accord complaints include engine failures and forward collision avoidance glitches, which can also be dangerous but are more varied.
- The CLK averages 26.8 complaints per year, while the Accord averages 443.8 per year, but the Accord's larger sales volume means the rate per vehicle may be lower.
- Air bag non-deployment is a reported issue for the CLK, while the Accord has recalls for air bag sensors, showing different safety system concerns.
- Check for gasoline odors around the fuel tank and inspect the fuel sender for cracks or leaks, as owners report raw gas smells and leaks.
- Inspect the electrical wiring harness, especially near headlights and engine components, for brittle insulation or signs of overheating that could lead to fires.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist for intermittent warnings or failures, as owners report these glitches.
- Inspect tires and TPMS sensors for proper function, as complaints include tire pressure monitoring failures leading to blowouts.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially for the Honda Accord which has 38 recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the fuel system and electrical wiring on the Mercedes-Benz CLK Class for leaks or fire damage.
- For the Honda Accord, test all advanced driver-assist features and check for engine noises or warning lights during a test drive.
- Verify that air bag systems are functional and check for any SRS warning lights on both vehicles.
- Review NHTSA complaints for the specific model year you are considering to see if common issues apply.
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 CLK Class or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ CLK Class vs Honda Accord
- Mercedes BENZ CLK Class total complaints
- 268
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Mercedes BENZ CLK Class total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mercedes BENZ CLK Class avg complaints/year
- 26.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ CLK Class
- Mercedes BENZ CLK Class top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE