Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ CLS Class vs Honda Accord
How the Mercedes BENZ CLS 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 CLS Class vs Honda Accord: The CLS has 55 complaints and 0 recalls over 10 years, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls. The CLS averages 5.5 complaints per year versus 452.4 for the Accord. Both show serious issues, but the Accord's volume is far higher. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ CLS Class or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ CLS Class
The Mercedes-Benz CLS Class is a luxury four-door coupe with a low complaint rate of about 5.5 per year over the past decade. Owners most often report wheel problems like cracks and repeated tire replacements, plus electrical glitches that can shut off the engine. There are no recalls on record, but the complaints include serious issues such as power steering failure and sudden electrical shutdowns. Living with this car means staying alert to wheel damage and 48-volt battery warnings.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year—and 38 recalls in the same period. The most common trouble spots are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with reports of stalling, braking failures, and unintended automatic braking. Some complaints involve serious safety risks like power steering lock-up and tire failure. Buyers should expect more frequent trips to the dealer for software updates and hardware fixes.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ CLS Class | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 55 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.5 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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.
Mercedes BENZ CLS Class
- 01WHEELS18
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
- 03STEERING7
- 04ENGINE6
- 05POWER TRAIN4
Owners report premature tire wear, bubbles, and shredded tires, as well as hairline cracks in the rear wheels that cause slow leaks. These issues can lead to blowouts or loss of control, so a buyer should have the wheels and tires inspected by a specialist.
The 48-volt battery system can fail, triggering a '48V Battery malfunction' warning and sometimes causing the engine to shut off while driving. This is especially reported in hot climates, and it can leave you stranded or create a dangerous situation on the road.
Some owners experience power steering malfunction within about 20 minutes of driving, making the car hard to steer and unsafe. Others report total electrical failure that affects the steering and other controls, which is a major safety concern.
Complaints include frequent low coolant warnings without visible leaks, which can indicate a slow coolant loss that may lead to overheating. There are also reports of the 48-volt system turning off the engine in high heat, linking electrical and engine problems.
“I purchased my 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 with approximately 12,000 miles on 08/16/2022. Throughout the course of my ownership the vehicle has had multiple sets of tires replaced due to them either being prematurely bald, developing multiple bubbles, or shred…”
“I had a slow leak in the rear passenger tire for a few weeks now so I took it to the neighborhood tire shop. No nail or puncture was discovered but a hairline crack in the rear wheel. The tire shop manager advised me to call the dealership and ask the part to…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe sudden loss of power, multiple dashboard alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS), and rattling noises during acceleration. These symptoms can indicate serious internal engine or hybrid system issues that may require costly repairs.
Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure. Such failures can cause near-collisions and leave the driver unable to control the car.
The system may unexpectedly activate or fail to prevent collisions, with owners reporting sudden braking or warnings under normal driving. This undermines a key safety feature and can startle or endanger occupants.
Complaints range from persistent rotten-egg odors to interior panels that trap the driver's foot, causing loss of control. These issues show that not all problems fit neat categories but can still affect safety and comfort.
“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.
Mercedes BENZ CLS 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 (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
Mercedes BENZ CLS Class or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz CLS Class has far fewer complaints per year (5.5 vs. 452.4) and no recalls, while the Honda Accord has many more complaints and 38 recalls. However, the CLS complaints include severe safety issues like steering failure and engine shutdown, so fewer complaints doesn't automatically mean fewer serious problems. In practice, the Accord's higher volume means more frequent dealer visits, but the CLS's issues can be more sudden and dangerous.
Key differences
- The Mercedes-Benz CLS Class has 0 recalls and about 5.5 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord has 38 recalls and about 452 complaints per year.
- CLS owners most often report wheel cracks and 48-volt electrical failures that can shut off the engine; Accord owners report engine power loss, braking failures, and forward collision avoidance glitches.
- The CLS has 3 injuries and 2 crash-related complaints; the Accord has 146 injuries and 162 crash-related complaints, reflecting its much larger owner base and complaint volume.
- Accord complaints include specific recalls for fuel pumps, seat belts, and hybrid software, while the CLS has no recalls but still shows serious steering and electrical complaints.
- Inspect all four wheels for hairline cracks, especially on the rear, and check tires for uneven wear, bubbles, or previous replacements.
- Test drive for at least 20 minutes to see if any power steering warning appears, and ask for a 48-volt battery health check, especially if the car has been in a hot climate.
- Check for open recalls on the fuel pump, hybrid power control unit, and seat belt retractor, and confirm they have been repaired.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any sudden braking, warning lights for forward collision avoidance, or unusual noises from the engine or hybrid system.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the Honda Accord.
- For the Mercedes-Benz CLS, have a pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes specialist focusing on wheels, tires, and the 48-volt electrical system.
- For the Honda Accord, test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control on a highway drive to see if they behave erratically.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for tire replacements and any electrical or engine repairs.
- Check the NHTSA website for any new complaints or recalls on the specific model year you are considering.
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 | Mercedes BENZ CLS Class | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 226 |
| 2022 | 3 | 252 |
| 2021 | 1 | 234 |
| 2020 | 6 | 362 |
| 2019 | 20 | 691 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 2 | 537 |
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 CLS Class or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class vs Honda Accord
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class total complaints
- 55
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class avg complaints/year
- 5.5
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class top complaint area
- WHEELS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE