Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ GLK Class vs Honda Accord
How the Mercedes BENZ GLK 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 GLK Class vs Honda Accord: The GLK has 710 complaints over 10 years (71/year) and 0 recalls, while the Accord has 4,438 complaints (444/year) and 38 recalls. GLK issues center on air bags (499) and fuel leaks; Accord issues span engine, electrical, and driver-assist systems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ GLK Class or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ GLK Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLK Class is a compact luxury SUV with a relatively low complaint volume—710 over 10 years, or about 71 per year. However, the complaints are heavily concentrated in air bags (499), which often involve recall-related delays or failures. Owners also report fuel leaks, electrical no-starts, and brake issues. With zero recalls on record, the GLK may require more proactive maintenance and recall awareness.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—4,438 over 10 years, or about 444 per year. Complaints span engine, electrical, forward collision avoidance, and brake systems, with 38 recalls. Many reports involve advanced driver-assist systems and engine performance. The Accord's higher volume reflects its popularity, but also a wider range of reported problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ GLK Class | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 710 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 23 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 71.0 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 17 Better | 144 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 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 GLK Class
- 01AIR BAGS499
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM49
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM31
- 04SERVICE BRAKES31
- 05STEERING29
Owners report air bag issues, including abnormal noises and recall-related delays. Some complaints mention waiting for recall repairs, which can leave the air bag system in question. This matters because air bags are critical safety devices.
Owners describe strong raw gas smells after filling up and gas leaks above the gas tank. These issues can pose fire risks, especially in enclosed spaces. Some owners note that their VIN was not included in a recall, leaving them without a clear fix.
Complaints include key fob recognition failures and no response after inserting the key. These intermittent no-start issues can leave owners stranded. The lack of warning lights makes diagnosis difficult.
Owners report fishtailing or swerving during braking at highway speeds, and erroneous brake activation causing smoke. These symptoms suggest potential brake system malfunctions that could affect control. Such issues are serious for safety.
“The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, she heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and saw the front driver’s side headr…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350W. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. KNOXVILLE MERCEDES-BENZ (…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises, loss of speed, and multiple alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS) appearing at highway speeds. Some vehicles lose power and cannot accelerate. These issues can be dangerous in traffic.
Complaints include TPMS warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses. Electrical glitches can lead to tire blowouts or engine problems. These are unexpected and can be costly.
Owners report intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams. The system may fail to detect obstacles, potentially increasing crash risk. These advanced features are meant to prevent collisions but may malfunction.
Brake-related complaints include ABS and traction control issues. Some owners experience brake system failures that affect stopping ability. This is a critical safety concern.
“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 GLK 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 GLK Class or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz GLK Class has far fewer complaints per year (71 vs. 444 for the Honda Accord), but its issues are concentrated in safety-critical areas like air bags and fuel leaks. The Accord has more complaints overall, but many involve advanced driver-assist systems and engine performance. In practice, the GLK may require more attention to specific safety recalls, while the Accord may have a broader range of electronic and engine issues.
Key differences
- The GLK has 710 complaints over 10 years with 0 recalls, while the Accord has 4,438 complaints and 38 recalls.
- GLK complaints are dominated by air bags (499), whereas Accord complaints are spread across engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance.
- GLK owners report fuel leaks and brake fishtailing; Accord owners report engine power loss and advanced driver-assist malfunctions.
- The Accord has more crash-related complaints (160 vs. 23) and injuries (144 vs. 17), but also more recalls that may address issues.
- Check for fuel odors or leaks around the gas tank, especially after filling up, as owners report strong gas smells and leaks.
- Test the key fob and ignition for intermittent no-start issues, and verify if any air bag recalls apply to the VIN.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear or damage, as owners report TPMS warnings followed by tire failure.
- Test all driver-assist features (adaptive cruise, lane keeping) for intermittent warnings or failures, and check for engine noises or power loss.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls using the VIN.
- Have a mechanic inspect the fuel system and air bags on the GLK, and the engine and electrical systems on the Accord.
- Test drive at highway speeds to check for brake issues (GLK) or engine power loss (Accord).
- Verify that all driver-assist features work consistently on the Accord.
- For the GLK, ask about any recall repairs for air bags and fuel leaks; for the Accord, ask about software updates for hybrid and brake systems.
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 GLK Class | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 355 |
| 2019 | 0 | 677 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 GLK Class or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ GLK Class vs Honda Accord
- Mercedes BENZ GLK Class total complaints
- 710
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Mercedes BENZ GLK Class total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mercedes BENZ GLK Class avg complaints/year
- 71.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ GLK Class
- Mercedes BENZ GLK Class top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE