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 Class192 complaints · 0 recalls Fewer issues per year
Honda Accord4,438 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 192 complaints and 0 recalls on record; Honda Accord has 4,438 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 combined192 Better4,438
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns0 Better38
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints10 Better160
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years19.2 Better443.8
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints10 Better144
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. 03ENGINE36
  4. 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE19
  5. 05POWER TRAIN17
In owners' words — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

“On [XXX], I was heading home from work traveling [XXX] on [XXX] through Atlanta's usual heavy traffic. I smelled smoke inside my car and saw fire flames coming from under my passenger seat. My initial reaction was to try to put the fire out with my hat withou…”

“2021 GLS 450 VIN # 4JGFF5KE9MA404568 Purch: Nov 26, 2022 UAG Fairfield Auto Group CM, LLC,DBA MERCEDES BENZ OF FAIRFIELD Odometer Date of Purchase 10,084 Odometer Currently *13,700 (onboard notification) TIMELINE: Total vehicle system fails while driving on h…”

Honda Accord

  1. 01ENGINE985
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
  3. 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
  5. 05SERVICE BRAKES592
In owners' words — ENGINE

“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 GLS Class

No recalls on record.

Honda Accord — 38 recalls

Electrical System — Propulsion System — Hybrid Management — Power Control Unit/Module (Hpcu) — Software
#25V785000

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…

Tires — Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
#26V366000Apr 2026

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…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module
#23V430000

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.

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…

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
20250101
20240214
202310224
202215238
202137226
202038355
201928677
2018221864
201742534
Years to scrutinize: the 2017 Mercedes BENZ GLS Class drew the most complaints (42); the 2018 Honda Accord drew the most (1,864). 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 192 complaints · all years · NHTSA
Honda Accord — full reportHonda Accord reliability & problems 4,438 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
192
Honda Accord total complaints
4,438
Mercedes BENZ GLS Class total recalls
0
Honda Accord total recalls
38
Mercedes BENZ GLS Class avg complaints/year
19.2
Honda Accord avg complaints/year
443.8
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)