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 29.6 complaints per year with 73 recalls, while the Accord averages 443.8 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Metris has fewer complaints but more recalls, and the Accord has more crash-related reports. 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 or cargo. Over 8 years, it has averaged about 30 complaints per year, with 73 recalls. Owners frequently report tire failures, fuel leaks, and steering problems. The high recall count suggests ongoing safety fixes, but the lower complaint rate may indicate fewer owners are reporting issues.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a much larger owner base. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 444 complaints per year, with 38 recalls. Common complaints include engine noises, electrical glitches, and forward collision avoidance system problems. The higher complaint volume likely reflects more vehicles on the road, but the types of issues range from minor to serious.
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 | 237 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 73 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 29.6 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 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 Metris
- 01TIRES48
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM45
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER30
- 04WHEELS25
- 05STEERING23
Owners report tire failures, including blowouts at highway speeds, often with Hankook tires. Some complaints mention inadequate tires that required expensive replacements. This matters because a blowout can cause loss of control.
There are reports of fuel line leaks subject to a recall, with parts unavailable, leaving owners waiting. Another complaint notes inaccurate fuel range display, showing more miles than actual. A fuel leak poses a fire risk.
Wheel-related complaints often overlap with tire issues, such as the same incident involving a tire blowout. This suggests potential wheel damage or defects that could affect handling.
Steering complaints appear in the top components, though specific details are not in the sample. Electric power assist system recalls indicate potential steering loss, which is critical for control.
“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
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises and critical failures where the vehicle loses speed and shows multiple alarms. One complaint describes a new vehicle with noise that worsened. Engine failure can strand drivers and be costly.
Issues include TPMS warnings followed by tire failure, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses. Electrical glitches can disable safety features and lead to breakdowns.
Owners report intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic high beams. Some say the system fails to resolve, potentially reducing crash avoidance effectiveness.
Brake complaints are among the top components, though sample details are limited. Recalls for ABS control units suggest potential braking issues that could affect stopping distance.
“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 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 (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 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 (about 444). However, the Metris has more recalls (73 vs 38) and a higher proportion of complaints related to tires and fuel leaks. In practice, the Accord's higher complaint volume may be due to its larger sales, but the Metris's issues tend to be more severe per incident.
Key differences
- The Metris averages about 30 complaints per year, while the Accord averages about 444, but the Accord has a much larger owner base.
- The Metris has 73 recalls over 8 years, versus 38 for the Accord over 10 years, indicating more frequent safety fixes for the Metris.
- Metris owners frequently report tire blowouts and fuel leaks, while Accord owners report engine noises and forward collision avoidance glitches.
- The Accord has 160 crash-related complaints and 144 injuries, compared to 4 crash-related and 9 injuries for the Metris, though these numbers are not adjusted for sales volume.
- Check tire condition and brand, especially Hankook Ventus S1 Noble 2, for signs of wear or previous blowouts.
- Inspect fuel lines for leaks or signs of repair, and verify if the fuel line recall (18V837) has been addressed.
- Listen for engine noises at start-up and during acceleration, and check for any warning lights related to engine or emissions.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system, including adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, for intermittent warnings or failures.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a mechanic inspect the tires, fuel system, and steering for the Metris; for the Accord, focus on engine, electrical, and brake systems.
- Test drive at highway speeds to check for tire vibrations or steering issues.
- Verify that all recall repairs have been completed, especially fuel line and electrical recalls.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if known issues have been addressed.
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 | 224 |
| 2022 | 18 | 238 |
| 2021 | 2 | 226 |
| 2020 | 14 | 355 |
| 2019 | 16 | 677 |
| 2018 | 28 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 29 | 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 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
- 237
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Mercedes BENZ Metris total recalls
- 73
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mercedes BENZ Metris avg complaints/year
- 29.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ Metris
- Mercedes BENZ Metris top complaint area
- TIRES
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE