Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ E Class vs Honda Accord
How the Mercedes BENZ E 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 E Class vs Honda Accord: Over 10 years, the E-Class averaged 40.2 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the Accord averaged 443.8 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The E-Class had 14 crash-related reports and 27 injuries; the Accord had 160 crash-related reports and 144 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ E Class or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ E Class
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a luxury sedan that averages about 40 complaints per year over the past decade, with no recalls on record. Owner complaints cluster around electrical and engine problems, including sudden power loss and immobilization, as well as a trunk lid that can close unexpectedly. While the overall complaint rate is low, the reported issues can be serious and costly, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan that averages roughly 444 complaints per year, with 38 recalls over the same period. Owners frequently report engine and electrical failures, forward collision avoidance glitches, and brake problems, with some incidents involving crashes and injuries. The higher volume of complaints and recalls suggests a more frequent need for repairs, though many are addressed through recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ E Class | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 402 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 14 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 40.2 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 27 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 E Class
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM85
- 02ENGINE85
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER67
- 04POWER TRAIN40
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM35
Owners report sudden electrical failures that can cause the car to shut off or become immobilized, sometimes while waiting at a light. One complaint also links an aftermarket ignition interlock device to repeated no-start problems. These issues can leave you stranded and may be difficult to diagnose.
Complaints describe the engine shaking uncontrollably, losing power, and illuminating warning lights, often requiring a tow. Another report highlights premature wear in the cylinder head of 2.0L turbo engines, leading to misfires and sudden power loss. Such failures can be dangerous and expensive to repair.
Multiple owners report the trunk lid closing unexpectedly and with force, causing injuries. This appears to be a recurring problem that may not be covered by a recall. A buyer should test the trunk’s automatic closure and check for related service records.
Some complaints mention power train issues that coincide with engine problems, such as sudden loss of power or the car becoming immobilized. These can stem from the same underlying defects and may require major repairs. A pre-purchase inspection should include a scan for stored fault codes.
“My 2023 Mercedes 450E car was purchased on June 11, 2023 and has 1,750 miles. On 2 to 3 different occasions, I was stopped at a light waiting to make a left turn, fortunately my light was red and not a green permitting turning, which would have meant I would…”
“An Intoxalock ignition interlock device was installed in my 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class on May 7, 2026. Following installation, the vehicle experienced repeated electrical/no-start problems and incidents in which it became immobilized and could not be moved, r…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises, loss of power, and multiple dashboard alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS) that can cause the vehicle to slow unexpectedly. Some complaints involve engine cylinder head issues leading to misfires. These problems can compromise safety and lead to costly repairs.
Complaints include tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure, as well as rodent damage to wiring harnesses. Such electrical gremlins can cause sudden breakdowns and may be tricky to fix. A thorough electrical check is wise.
Owners describe intermittent failures of adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams, with warnings appearing and disappearing. In some cases, the system may not respond to obstacles, increasing crash risk. These advanced driver aids should be tested during a test drive.
Brake-related complaints often involve ABS or traction control module failures, which can lead to reduced braking performance. Some reports mention brake system warnings and loss of speed control. Given the safety implications, a brake system inspection is critical.
“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 E 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 E Class or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has far fewer complaints per year (about 40 vs. 444 for the Honda Accord) and no recalls on record, while the Accord has 38 recalls and more crash-related reports. In practice, the E-Class may require less frequent attention for reported defects, but its issues can be severe when they occur. The Accord’s higher complaint volume suggests more widespread problems, though many are addressed via recalls.
Key differences
- The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has no recalls on record, while the Honda Accord has 38 recalls covering electrical, brake, airbag, fuel, and tire systems.
- Honda Accord owners report far more forward collision avoidance problems (821 complaints) than any category for the E-Class, where electrical and engine each have 85 complaints.
- The E-Class has 14 crash-related complaints and 27 injuries over 10 years; the Accord has 160 crash-related complaints and 144 injuries, plus 3 deaths.
- The E-Class complaint rate is about 40 per year versus about 444 per year for the Accord, but the E-Class issues include sudden immobilization and trunk lid injuries.
- Test the trunk lid’s automatic closure multiple times to ensure it does not slam shut unexpectedly, as owners have reported injuries.
- During a test drive, watch for any hesitation, shaking, or sudden loss of power, and ask for a scan of engine and electrical fault codes.
- Check for any signs of rodent damage to wiring, especially around the engine bay, and verify that all driver-assist systems (adaptive cruise, lane keeping) function without intermittent warnings.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear or damage, and confirm that the TPMS system is working correctly, as some owners reported tire failure after TPMS warnings.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm whether any open recalls apply (especially for the Honda Accord).
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, including a scan for stored trouble codes in the engine, electrical, and brake systems.
- Test all electrical features, including lights, infotainment, trunk closure, and driver-assist systems, during a test drive.
- For the Honda Accord, specifically check the operation of the forward collision avoidance system and brakes at various speeds.
- For the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, verify that the engine and electrical systems have no outstanding issues by reviewing service records and asking about any prior repairs.
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 E Class | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 5 |
| 2025 | 0 | 101 |
| 2024 | 25 | 214 |
| 2023 | 24 | 224 |
| 2022 | 21 | 238 |
| 2021 | 20 | 226 |
| 2020 | 20 | 355 |
| 2019 | 54 | 677 |
| 2018 | 66 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 166 | 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 E Class or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ E Class vs Honda Accord
- Mercedes BENZ E Class total complaints
- 402
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Mercedes BENZ E Class total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mercedes BENZ E Class avg complaints/year
- 40.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ E Class
- Mercedes BENZ E Class top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE