Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ SLC Class vs Honda Accord
How the Mercedes BENZ SLC 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 SLC Class averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Mercedes BENZ SLC Class has 7 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.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ SLC Class | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7 Better | 4,397 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 159 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.8 Better | 439.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 143 |
| 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 SLC Class
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 02ENGINE2
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
- 05STRUCTURE1
“On September 6, 2025 while driving approximately 70 mph, the front roof panel of my vehicle detached completely. This was not only a costly failure, but also an extremely dangerous incident that could easily have caused severe injuries or fatalities — either…”
“TWO KEY SAFETY SYSTEM WARNINGS ARE NOT DETECTIBLE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS: 1) STEERING WHEEL SHAKE IF YOU DRIFT OUT OF LANE IS NOT FELT DRIVING UNDER NORMAL HIGHWAY CONDITIONS. 2) AUDIBLE ALARM IF YOU ACTIVATE THE TURN SIGNAL WITH A CAR IN YOUR BLIND…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE968
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM850
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE814
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER720
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM587
“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 SLC Class
No recalls on record.
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
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…
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…
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.
| Year | Mercedes BENZ SLC Class | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 350 |
| 2019 | 1 | 667 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1853 |
| 2017 | 4 | 532 |
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 SLC Class or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ SLC Class vs Honda Accord
- Mercedes BENZ SLC Class total complaints
- 7
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,397
- Mercedes BENZ SLC Class total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mercedes BENZ SLC Class avg complaints/year
- 1.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 439.7
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ SLC Class
- Mercedes BENZ SLC Class top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE