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 averages 5.5 complaints per year with no recalls, while the Accord averages 443.8 complaints and 38 recalls. The CLS often has wheel and 48V electrical issues, while the Accord has engine and forward collision problems. 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 low-volume luxury sedan with a modest complaint rate of about 5.5 per year over the last decade. Owners report recurring issues with wheels and tires, including premature wear and cracks, as well as electrical system glitches that can affect the 48V mild-hybrid system, sometimes causing the engine to shut off. Steering and suspension concerns also appear, with some drivers describing a loose feeling over bumps. While there are no recalls on record, the pattern suggests a vehicle that may require attentive maintenance and potential repairs in these areas.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint count, averaging over 440 per year, but this is partly due to its popularity. The most frequent complaints involve the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance features. Owners report issues like sudden loss of power, warning lights, and problems with adaptive cruise control and lane keeping. With 38 recalls, the Accord has had more official safety actions, but many complaints are about software glitches and sensor issues rather than catastrophic failures.
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 | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.5 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 CLS Class
- 01WHEELS18
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
- 03STEERING7
- 04ENGINE6
- 05POWER TRAIN4
Owners report premature tire wear, bubbles, and cracks in the wheels, sometimes leading to slow leaks. For example, one owner had a hairline crack in the rear wheel with no puncture found, requiring replacement.
The 48V mild-hybrid system is a known trouble spot, with complaints about the engine shutting off in high heat zones and '48V Battery malfunction' warnings. This can cause the car to lose power while driving, which is a safety concern.
Some owners describe a sensation of loose wheels or lug nuts when driving over bumps, leading to a side-to-side movement that feels like a lack of control. This is related to suspension components and can be unsettling.
Engine issues include low coolant messages appearing frequently, with no visible leaks, and the 48V system defect that can turn the engine off. These can lead to unexpected breakdowns.
“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
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Complaints include sudden loss of power and warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS systems, sometimes while driving at highway speeds. This can be alarming and may indicate a serious issue.
Electrical problems range from TPMS warnings to rodent damage to wiring harnesses. One owner reported a tire failure after a TPMS repair, and another had a sunroof glass explosion, though that may be unrelated.
Many owners report issues with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams, with messages appearing intermittently. These systems can malfunction, potentially affecting safety features.
Brake-related complaints include warning lights and loss of braking power, which is critical for safety. Some issues may be tied to the ABS or traction control modules.
“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 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 (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 CLS Class or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz CLS Class has far fewer complaints per year (5.5) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), but this is partly due to lower sales volume. In practice, the CLS shows a pattern of specific, recurring issues with wheels and the 48V electrical system, while the Accord has a broader range of problems, including engine and safety system glitches. Neither is problem-free, but the CLS's lower complaint rate suggests fewer reported issues per vehicle, though the nature of its problems can be serious.
Key differences
- The CLS has no recalls, while the Accord has 38, indicating more official safety actions for the Accord.
- The CLS's most common issue is wheel/tire problems (18 complaints), while the Accord's top issue is engine problems (985 complaints).
- The CLS has a known 48V electrical system defect that can cause engine shutdown, a serious safety concern, whereas the Accord's electrical issues are more varied, including wiring and sensor problems.
- The Accord has a high number of forward collision avoidance complaints (821), suggesting issues with modern safety tech, while the CLS has fewer such complaints.
- Inspect the wheels and tires for cracks, bubbles, or uneven wear, as these are common failure points.
- Check the 48V battery and electrical system for any warning messages or history of malfunctions, especially if you live in a hot climate.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control systems to ensure they work properly without intermittent warnings.
- Look for any signs of engine trouble, such as warning lights or loss of power, and check the service history for recalls.
Before you buy
- For the Mercedes CLS, have a mechanic inspect the wheels and tires for cracks or premature wear, and check the 48V battery health.
- For the Honda Accord, verify that all recalls have been performed, especially those related to the fuel pump and brake control unit.
- Take both vehicles for a test drive and pay attention to any warning lights or unusual behavior from the engine or driver-assistance systems.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if the CLS has had repeated wheel or electrical repairs, or if the Accord has had engine or sensor issues.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a dealer or independent mechanic familiar with these models.
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 | 224 |
| 2022 | 3 | 238 |
| 2021 | 1 | 226 |
| 2020 | 6 | 355 |
| 2019 | 20 | 677 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 2 | 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 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
- 4,438
- 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
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class top complaint area
- WHEELS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE