Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ ML Class vs Honda Accord
How the Mercedes BENZ ML 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 ML Class vs Honda Accord: The ML Class averaged 67 complaints per year with no recalls, while the Accord had 452 complaints per year and 38 recalls. Both have engine and electrical issues, but the Accord's higher volume includes many recall fixes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ ML Class or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ ML Class
The Mercedes-Benz ML Class is a luxury SUV that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over four years, owners filed 268 complaints, averaging 67 per year, with no recalls. The most common issues involve the engine, electrical system, and fuel/propulsion system, often leading to stalling or water damage. With 27 crash-related complaints and 18 injuries, these problems can pose safety risks if not addressed.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a high number of complaints—4,524 over ten years, or about 452 per year—but also 38 recalls, indicating proactive fixes. Owners report engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance problems, including stalling, power steering failure, and unintended braking. Despite the volume, the Accord's issues are often addressed through recalls, though some safety risks remain.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ ML Class | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 268 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 67.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 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 ML Class
- 01ENGINE70
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM50
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER43
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM31
- 05POWER TRAIN26
Owners report sudden stalling and loss of power without warning, as well as water intrusion damaging electronic systems. These failures can leave you stranded and may lead to costly repairs.
Complaints describe water intrusion causing electronic damage, leading to stalling and electrical failures. This can affect critical functions and is expensive to diagnose and fix.
Stalling and loss of power are linked to fuel/propulsion issues, sometimes accompanied by unusual smells. These problems can occur while driving, increasing crash risk.
Owners report sudden stalling, odd odors, and other unexplained issues that may indicate underlying defects. These can be frustrating and hard to pinpoint.
“On December 6, 2025 I purchased a used 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG from Jaguar Land Rover Willow Grove (Piazza Auto Group) in Pennsylvania. The delivery documentation for the vehicle included a written service commitment stating: “Replace air compressor for s…”
“NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT SUPPORTING STATEMENT Vehicle: 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 I am submitting this complaint regarding a continuing safety concern involving water intrusion and electronic system damage in my 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350. My vehicle was su…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of speed with multiple warning lights. These issues can affect drivability and may require dealer intervention.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking, TPMS warnings leading to tire failure, and other electrical glitches. These can create dangerous driving situations.
Owners describe unintended braking or failure to brake, sometimes under adaptive cruise control. This can lead to near-collisions and erode trust in safety features.
Fuel pump issues are noted in recalls and complaints, potentially causing stalling. This is a known problem that may be covered by recalls.
“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 ML 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 (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 ML Class or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz ML Class has far fewer complaints per year (67 vs. 452), but the Honda Accord has many recalls that address some issues. In practice, the ML Class may have fewer reported problems, but the Accord's higher complaint volume includes many that are resolved via recalls. Buyers should weigh the lower complaint rate against the lack of recalls for the ML Class.
Key differences
- The Mercedes-Benz ML Class has no recalls on record, while the Honda Accord has 38 recalls covering electrical, fuel, and safety systems.
- ML Class complaints often involve stalling and water damage, whereas Accord complaints include advanced driver-assist failures like unintended braking.
- The Accord has a much higher complaint rate per year, but many issues are addressed through recalls, unlike the ML Class.
- Both vehicles have crash-related complaints, but the ML Class has fewer total crashes (27 vs. 162) despite fewer years of data.
- Check for water intrusion in the electrical system, especially around the engine bay and interior, as it can cause stalling and electronic failures.
- Listen for engine stalling or loss of power during a test drive, and ask for service records related to fuel/propulsion system repairs.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system and adaptive cruise control for unexpected braking or failure to engage.
- Inspect tires and TPMS sensors, as complaints mention tire failure after TPMS warnings, and check for recalls on fuel pump and electrical systems.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially for the Honda Accord.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model to check for known issues.
- For the ML Class, specifically ask about water damage and electrical system repairs.
- For the Accord, test all driver-assist features and ensure recalls are addressed.
- Review NHTSA complaints for the exact model year you are considering to see if patterns apply.
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 ML Class or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class vs Honda Accord
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class total complaints
- 268
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class avg complaints/year
- 67.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class
- Mercedes BENZ ML Class top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE