Head-to-head reliability
Mercury Montego vs Honda Accord
How the Mercury Montego 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
Mercury Montego vs Honda Accord: The Montego averages 85 complaints per year with 3 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Montego's top issue is power train lunging, and the Accord's is engine power loss. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercury Montego or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercury Montego
The Mercury Montego is a used sedan that averages about 85 complaints per year, with the most common issues in the power train, vehicle speed control, and electrical system. Owners frequently report lunging or surging when shifting into drive or reverse, and unexpected acceleration at low speeds, which can make parking and stop-and-go driving stressful. Electrical failures that cause power loss and warning lights add to the ownership burden. With only 3 recalls, the Montego's problems are mostly mechanical and electronic rather than widespread safety campaigns.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular used car with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year—but that reflects its huge sales numbers over 10 years. The most reported areas are engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with owners describing sudden power loss, electronic steering and braking failures, and false automatic braking. There are also 38 recalls covering hybrid software, fuel pumps, and air bag sensors. While many complaints are serious, the Accord's issues are spread across more systems and model years.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercury Montego | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 256 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 16 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 85.3 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 11 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.
Mercury Montego
- 01POWER TRAIN86
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL50
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM40
- 04ENGINE30
- 05SERVICE BRAKES26
Owners report the car lunging forward or backward when put into drive or reverse, often at low mileage like 52,000 miles. This can make parking dangerous because the car moves unexpectedly even with the brake applied.
Complaints describe the engine revving up and causing the car to accelerate at stop lights, drive-thrus, and parking lots, especially when the air conditioning is on. Some say the car can die completely, leaving the driver without power.
Drivers report losing automotive power while driving at low speeds, with multiple warning lights coming on. This can strand you and requires towing, pointing to a serious electrical fault.
The engine may surge and try to move the car forward quickly at low idle, such as when parking. Owners describe it as dangerous because the car can pin someone nearby if the driver isn't quick on the brake.
“I GOT MY 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER FROM MY MOM, WHO I BOUGHT IT FROM. AT THAT TIME, THERE WAS ONLY 52,000 MILES ON IT. AT 52,000 MILES, WHENEVER THE CAR WOULD BE PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. OVER THE YEARS, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE…”
“MY CAR HAS A ISSUE WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE, I CALLED AND WAS TOLD SORRY YOUR 189,000 IS OVER 150,000 LIMIT TO BE REPAIRED. I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS YET. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL VS A CUSTOMER CARE ISSUE. I DROVE TO MY SON'S ON MONDAY AND CAR LOSS POW…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden power loss at highway speeds with alarms for brake, hill descent, and ABS failures. Others hear rattling noises while accelerating and rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which can signal internal engine or hybrid system problems.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing a near-collision. Another owner had a tire fail catastrophically shortly after a TPMS warning was supposedly fixed, showing electrical and sensor issues can have dangerous consequences.
Drivers describe the system braking unexpectedly on open roads or with adaptive cruise control set, even with no obstacles. This can cause a rear-end collision if the car behind isn't expecting sudden braking.
Some owners report persistent rotten-egg odors that remain after paid repairs, and one noted a foot slipping behind a plastic panel near the center console. These may seem minor but can indicate quality or design flaws that affect comfort and safety.
“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.
Mercury Montego — 3 recalls
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AND MERCURY MONTEGO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 11, 2006. THE FUEL TANKS MAY NOT HAVE CONSISTENT WELDS BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL FILLER NECK SPUD WHICH CAN AFFECT THE STRENGTH OF THE JOINT. SOME FUE…
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA,…
The risk: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON…
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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
Mercury Montego or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mercury Montego has far fewer complaints per year (about 85) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), but the Accord's higher number is partly due to its much larger sales volume over 10 years. In practice, the Montego's issues are more concentrated in a few areas like lunging and electrical failures, while the Accord's problems span more systems and include serious safety features like automatic braking and steering. Neither is problem-free, but the Montego may be simpler to inspect for its known faults.
Key differences
- The Montego's top complaint is power train lunging, while the Accord's top complaint is engine power loss and rattling—different failure modes that affect driving differently.
- The Accord has 38 recalls versus 3 for the Montego, meaning more known safety defects but also more chances they've been fixed.
- The Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported in complaints, while the Montego has 0 deaths and 11 injuries, though these numbers depend on sales volume and reporting.
- The Montego's electrical issues often cause total power loss at low speeds, while the Accord's electrical complaints include simultaneous steering and braking failure at highway speeds.
- During a test drive, put the car in drive and reverse while holding the brake firmly—feel for any lunge or surge that shouldn't be there.
- Check for any history of electrical power loss by asking if warning lights have ever come on randomly, and have a mechanic scan for stored codes.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control if equipped—look for any unexpected braking or warning alerts on a clear road.
- Ask for service records on the hybrid system and fuel pump recalls, and listen for rattling noises during acceleration that could indicate engine problems.
Before you buy
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the Montego's transmission and throttle or the Accord's hybrid and safety systems.
- Run a VIN check to see if all recalls have been performed, especially the Accord's fuel pump and hybrid software recalls.
- Ask the seller for all maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes on the Montego and hybrid battery health on the Accord.
- During a test drive, replicate low-speed parking maneuvers and highway acceleration to feel for lunging, surging, or power loss.
- Check for any warning lights on the dashboard and have the seller agree to a diagnostic scan before purchase.
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 Mercury Montego or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercury Montego vs Honda Accord
- Mercury Montego total complaints
- 256
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Mercury Montego total recalls
- 3
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mercury Montego avg complaints/year
- 85.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Mercury Montego
- Mercury Montego top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE