Head-to-head reliability

Mercedes BENZ GLS Class vs Honda Accord

How the Mercedes BENZ GLS Class and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Mercedes BENZ GLS Class189 complaints · 0 recalls Fewer issues per year
Honda Accord4,397 complaints · 38 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Mercedes BENZ GLS Class averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Mercedes BENZ GLS Class has 189 complaints and 0 recalls on record; Honda Accord has 4,397 complaints and 38 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryMercedes BENZ GLS ClassHonda Accord
Total complaintsAll model years combined189 Better4,397
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns0 Better38
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints10 Better159
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years18.9 Better439.7
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints10 Better143
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better3

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 GLS Class

  1. 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM55
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER38
  3. 03ENGINE35
  4. 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE19
  5. 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM16
In owners' words — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

“As I approached a red light and removed my foot from the gas pedal to brake, my dashboard displayed several alarming messages: “Active Brake Assist Functions Limited See Owner's Manual,” “Active Blind Spot Assist Inoperative,” “To Deselect P or N Depress Brak…”

“The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS450. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. Additionally, the power steering was inoperable. There were several unknown warning lights illumi…”

Honda Accord

  1. 01ENGINE968
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM850
  3. 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE814
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER720
  5. 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM587
In owners' words — ENGINE

“2021 Honda Accord EX-L, 1.5T turbocharged engine. Within 8 months of purchase at approximately 21,900 miles, I experienced three separate incidents of sudden complete engine power loss at highway speeds. During each incident the vehicle would not exceed 2,000…”

“I am filing a complaint regarding the premature head gasket failure on my 2021 Honda Accord, which failed on May 28, 2026, with only 89,000 miles on the vehicle. A head gasket is a critical engine component that should last well beyond 89,000 miles under norm…”

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 GLS Class

No recalls on record.

Honda Accord — 38 recalls

Seat Belts — Rear/Other — Retractor
#21V900000

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.

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger
#24V064000Jan 2024

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…

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump
#23V858000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…

The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger
#26V332000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…

The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…

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.

YearMercedes BENZ GLS ClassHonda Accord
202605
2025098
20240213
202310224
202215234
202137221
202038350
201926667
2018221853
201741532
Years to scrutinize: the 2017 Mercedes BENZ GLS Class drew the most complaints (41); the 2018 Honda Accord drew the most (1,853). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 GLS Class or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Mercedes BENZ GLS Class — full reportMercedes BENZ GLS Class reliability & problems 189 complaints · all years · NHTSA
Honda Accord — full reportHonda Accord reliability & problems 4,397 complaints · all years · NHTSA
Mercedes BENZ GLS Class vs Honda Accord — comparison facts
Comparison
Mercedes BENZ GLS Class vs Honda Accord
Mercedes BENZ GLS Class total complaints
189
Honda Accord total complaints
4,397
Mercedes BENZ GLS Class total recalls
0
Honda Accord total recalls
38
Mercedes BENZ GLS Class avg complaints/year
18.9
Honda Accord avg complaints/year
439.7
More reliable overall
Mercedes BENZ GLS Class
Mercedes BENZ GLS Class top complaint area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Honda Accord top complaint area
ENGINE
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)