Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ G Class vs Honda Accord
How the Mercedes BENZ G 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 G Class vs Honda Accord: The G-Class has 27 complaints and 0 recalls over 10 years, while the Accord has 4,438 complaints and 38 recalls. The G-Class averages 2.7 complaints per year versus 443.8 for the Accord. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ G Class or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ G Class
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a low-volume luxury SUV with only 27 complaints over 10 years, averaging 2.7 per year. Owners report serious issues like engine shutdowns while driving, electrical glitches that cause the vehicle to cut off, and fuel system problems. There are no recalls on record, but the complaints include 16 injuries and 1 crash-related incident, suggesting that when problems occur, they can be dangerous.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume family sedan with 4,438 complaints over 10 years, averaging 443.8 per year, plus 38 recalls. Common trouble spots include engine noises and failures, electrical system faults, and forward collision avoidance warnings. With 160 crash-related complaints, 144 injuries, and 3 deaths, the data shows a wide range of safety concerns that buyers should investigate.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ G Class | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 27 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.7 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 16 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 G Class
- 01ENGINE6
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
- 05ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4
Owners report the engine shutting off while driving, often with no warning, and sometimes not restarting for minutes. This can happen at low speeds or on the highway, creating a serious safety risk.
Complaints include electrical problems that cause the vehicle to shut off at red lights or while driving, and error messages like 'front/rear differential lock system malfunction' with ABS and ESP inactive. These glitches can leave you stranded or disable safety aids.
Some owners describe fuel system issues that contribute to engine stalling or shutdown, often after refueling. The problem may be intermittent and hard to diagnose, leading to repeated dealer visits.
Reports mention ESC and ABS systems becoming inactive, often alongside differential lock errors. Losing stability control can affect handling in emergencies, so this is a critical system to check.
“Driving 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-550 for approximately 8min. Preceding East on a 3 lane South Florida Highway no more than 40 mph. Gas tank 75% full with V-Power From Shell. (filled-3 days prior). Proceeded from the middle lane to the right lane in-order to make…”
“Shortly after purchasing a new Mercedes Benz 2021 G550 on [XXX], the SUV started having electrical problems. During early 2022 the vehicle shut off while at a red light and would not restart until a few minutes later. No warning light or error message was see…”
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 lose speed. Some complaints involve brand-new vehicles with low mileage, indicating potential early failures.
Electrical issues include TPMS warnings that may not be resolved, rodent damage to wiring, and tire failures after service. These can lead to sudden tire blowouts or sensor malfunctions that affect safety.
Many owners report intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams, sometimes with no obstruction. The system may fail to intervene when needed, reducing crash avoidance effectiveness.
Brake-related complaints include ABS and traction control module failures, which can lead to reduced braking performance. This is a safety-critical system that should be inspected carefully.
“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 G 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 G Class or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has far fewer complaints per year (2.7 vs. 443.8), but the Honda Accord has many more recalls (38 vs. 0). In practice, the G-Class may have fewer reported issues overall, but the ones that occur can be severe, while the Accord's higher volume means more widespread problems and more frequent recall campaigns.
Key differences
- The G-Class has 27 complaints over 10 years, while the Accord has 4,438, but the G-Class has 0 recalls versus 38 for the Accord.
- G-Class owners report engine and electrical shutdowns while driving, whereas Accord owners report engine noises, loss of power, and forward collision warnings.
- The Accord has 160 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths, while the G-Class has 1 crash-related complaint and 0 deaths, though injury counts are 144 vs. 16.
- The G-Class's top issues are engine, unknown, electrical, fuel, and ESC; the Accord's are engine, electrical, forward collision avoidance, unknown, and service brakes.
- Check for any history of engine stalling or shutdown, especially during test drives; ask if the fuel pump or electrical system has been serviced.
- Inspect the differential lock system and ESC/ABS functionality; look for error messages on the dashboard and ensure all safety systems are active.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist for intermittent warnings or failures.
- Check for electrical issues such as TPMS warnings, rodent damage to wiring, and ensure all recalls (especially for brakes, fuel pump, and air bags) have been addressed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the engine, electrical system, and safety features, focusing on the specific complaint areas for each model.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or loss of power, and test all electronic aids.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any recall repairs have been completed.
- For the Accord, verify the forward collision avoidance and brake systems work correctly; for the G-Class, confirm no stalling or electrical glitches occur.
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 G Class | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | 0 | 101 |
| 2024 | 0 | 214 |
| 2023 | 6 | 224 |
| 2022 | 4 | 238 |
| 2021 | 5 | 226 |
| 2020 | 2 | 355 |
| 2019 | 6 | 677 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 4 | 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 G Class or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ G Class vs Honda Accord
- Mercedes BENZ G Class total complaints
- 27
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Mercedes BENZ G Class total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mercedes BENZ G Class avg complaints/year
- 2.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ G Class
- Mercedes BENZ G Class top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE