Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ Metris vs Honda Accord
How the Mercedes BENZ Metris 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 Metris vs Honda Accord: The Metris averages 29.9 complaints per year with 73 recalls, while the Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Metris has 0 deaths and 9 injuries reported, compared to 3 deaths and 146 injuries for the Accord. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ Metris or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ Metris
The Mercedes-Benz Metris is a commercial van often used for passenger transport, and its reliability picture shows a moderate number of complaints per year, with tires and fuel system issues standing out. Owners report problems with tire failures, fuel leaks, and inaccurate fuel gauges, which can lead to unexpected breakdowns or safety risks. Recalls are frequent, and some owners have faced long waits for recall repairs, indicating potential parts availability issues. Overall, living with a Metris means staying on top of recalls and being proactive about tire and fuel system maintenance.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher annual complaint rate, reflecting its larger sales volume and broader owner base. Complaints frequently involve engine problems, electrical glitches, and forward collision avoidance system malfunctions, some of which have led to crashes and injuries. While the Accord has fewer recalls than the Metris, the sheer number of complaints suggests that many owners experience issues, particularly with advanced driver-assistance features. Buyers should be aware that while the Accord is generally reliable, certain model years may have recurring problems that require attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ Metris | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 239 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 73 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 29.9 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 Better | 146 |
| 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 Metris
- 01TIRES48
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM45
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER30
- 04WHEELS25
- 05ENGINE24
Owners report tire failures, including blowouts at highway speeds, often with Hankook tires. Some complaints mention that recall remedies left them paying for replacements, which is a safety and cost concern.
Fuel line leaks subject to recall have left owners without parts for repairs, and the fuel range display can be inaccurate, potentially causing drivers to run out of gas unexpectedly.
Wheel-related complaints often overlap with tire issues, such as the same incident involving a tire blowout. This suggests that wheel and tire problems may be linked and should be inspected together.
Engine complaints are less frequent but include issues like coolant smells without warning lights, which could indicate leaks or overheating risks if not addressed.
“See attached document for complaint. I wanted to express my displeasure with the manner in which the above reference recall was conducted. The timeline left many owners with expensive replacement bills for new tires to replace inadequate tires that were insta…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES BENZ METRIS EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK TIRES, TIRELINE VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2, TIRE SIZE 225/55/R17, DOT # 5MKC1AH0316.. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE JUST ROTATED AND WAS DRIVING AT 75 MPH AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden power loss, rattling noises, and rough transitions between EV and gas modes in hybrid models. These issues can lead to dangerous situations if the vehicle loses speed unexpectedly.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. Such electrical glitches can compromise critical safety systems.
Owners describe instances where the system activated unexpectedly or failed to prevent collisions, sometimes under consistent driving conditions. This raises concerns about the reliability of these safety features.
Fuel pump issues have led to recalls, and some owners report persistent odors and fuel delivery problems. These can cause stalling or fire risks if not repaired.
“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…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
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 Metris — 73 recalls
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. The drive shaft securing bolts may loosen at the automatic transmission flange.
The risk: If the bolts loosen and fall out, the driveshaft may separate causing a loss of drive, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission flange, securing bolts, and clean the shaft seal, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris and 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
The risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the software communication module for the automatic emergency call system, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUS…
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Metris vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Ve…
The risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the aluminum bolts with steels bolts, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on June 3, 2019. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer serv…
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. The integrated backup battery compartment located underneath the front passenger's seat may not have its own cover, potentially exposing the battery when the seat is moved forward.
The risk: If conductive material, such as metal, unintentionally drops into the opening and contacts the terminals on the battery, an electrical short can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will install covers over the battery compartment area, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on December 2, 2019. The recall began March 9, 2020. Owners may contact…
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 (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.
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 Metris or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz Metris has far fewer complaints per year (about 30) compared to the Honda Accord (over 450), but the Accord's higher volume means more individual reports. In practice, the Metris may have fewer overall issues, but its problems often involve safety-critical systems like tires and fuel leaks. The Accord's issues are more widespread but may be addressed through more frequent recalls.
Key differences
- The Metris has a much lower annual complaint rate (29.9 vs. 452.4), but its complaints often involve tire blowouts and fuel leaks that can be immediately dangerous.
- The Accord's complaints frequently involve advanced safety systems like forward collision avoidance, which may activate unexpectedly or fail to prevent crashes.
- Recalls are more numerous for the Metris (73 vs. 38), and some owners report parts shortages for recall repairs, while the Accord has fewer recalls but more complaints overall.
- The Metris has 0 deaths reported in the data, while the Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries, though these numbers must be interpreted with caution due to different sales volumes.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear, cracks, or signs of previous blowouts, especially if equipped with Hankook Ventus S1 Noble 2 tires, and verify that any tire-related recalls have been completed.
- Check for fuel odors or leaks around the fuel lines and ensure the fuel range display is accurate; confirm that recall 18V837 for fuel line leaks has been addressed.
- Test drive at highway speeds and listen for rattling noises from the engine, and check for smooth transitions between EV and gas modes if it's a hybrid.
- Verify that all electrical systems, including power steering, braking, and forward collision avoidance, function correctly; look for any warning lights or stored codes.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall website to check for open recalls on both vehicles and confirm they have been remedied.
- Obtain a vehicle history report to see if the car has been in accidents or had repeated repairs for the same issue.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the specific problem areas: tires and fuel system for the Metris; engine, electrical, and safety systems for the Accord.
- For the Metris, ask for maintenance records related to tire replacements and fuel system repairs; for the Accord, ask about any software updates or repairs to the hybrid system and driver-assist features.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any unusual noises, warning lights, or performance issues, and test all safety features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
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 Metris | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 | 226 |
| 2022 | 18 | 252 |
| 2021 | 2 | 234 |
| 2020 | 14 | 362 |
| 2019 | 18 | 691 |
| 2018 | 28 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 29 | 537 |
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 Metris or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ Metris vs Honda Accord
- Mercedes BENZ Metris total complaints
- 239
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Mercedes BENZ Metris total recalls
- 73
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mercedes BENZ Metris avg complaints/year
- 29.9
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ Metris
- Mercedes BENZ Metris top complaint area
- TIRES
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE