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 444 complaints per year with 38 recalls. Montego owners report power train and speed control failures, while Accord owners report engine and electrical issues. 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 large sedan that averages about 85 complaints per year over three years, with power train and speed control issues dominating. Owners frequently report sudden loss of power, unintended acceleration, and transmission lurching, often leaving them stranded or in dangerous situations. Electrical gremlins like flickering gauges add to ownership frustration. With only 3 recalls, many problems fall outside recall coverage, leading to costly repairs.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a much higher complaint volume—about 444 per year over ten years—but that reflects its huge sales base. Complaints span engine, electrical, and advanced driver-assist systems, with some owners reporting serious issues like sudden power loss and brake failures. Recalls are frequent (38), covering software, fuel pumps, and airbag sensors. While many complaints involve newer models, the data shows a wide range of potential problems.
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 | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 16 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 85.3 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 11 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.
Mercury Montego
- 01POWER TRAIN86
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL50
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM40
- 04ENGINE30
- 05SERVICE BRAKES26
Owners report electronic throttle failures causing sudden loss of power, often while driving at speed. The transmission can also jerk, clunk, or slip into neutral, making the car feel like it will drop out. These issues can strand drivers and are expensive to fix if out of warranty.
Complaints describe cruise control failing to disengage when the brake is pressed, with the pedal going to the floor. Others mention the throttle control transmission failing, leaving the car stuck or stopping in traffic. This is a serious safety concern that could lead to a crash.
The instrument cluster gauges can suddenly stop working and flicker, resetting intermittently. Some owners also report jerking and clunking that feels like the transmission is dropping out. Electrical faults can be hard to diagnose and may recur.
Shifting from park or neutral can cause the car to lurch forward or backward without warning, a hazard near pedestrians. Another owner reported a burning odor and complete loss of power steering after restarting. These symptoms suggest engine and transmission control problems that can affect drivability.
“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…”
“I AM ALSO IN THE GROUP OF BAMBOOZLED PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCE OF OWNING A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. RECENTLY ON A 90 MILE TRIP ABOUT 40 MILES IN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 GOING UP A HILL I ACCELERATED TO PASS A VEHICLE AND MY CAR SUDDENLY AND UN…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises, loss of speed, and multiple dashboard alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS) indicating critical failure. Some vehicles lose power at highway speeds, which is dangerous. These issues often require dealer diagnosis and can be costly if out of warranty.
Complaints include tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses even on new cars. Electrical glitches can disable safety features and leave owners stranded.
Adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams can show intermittent error messages and stop working. In some cases, the system may fail to intervene when needed, undermining driver confidence in these safety aids.
Reports include sunroof glass exploding spontaneously and tire failures after TPMS service. These unpredictable failures can cause injury or property damage, and may not be covered by recalls.
“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.
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 (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
Mercury Montego or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mercury Montego has far fewer complaints per year (85 vs. 444), but its issues often involve sudden power loss and unintended acceleration, which are severe. The Honda Accord’s higher complaint rate reflects its larger sales volume, but it also has more recalls and a wider variety of problems. In practice, the Montego may have fewer overall problems, but the ones it has can be more dangerous.
Key differences
- The Montego’s top complaint is power train (86 complaints), often involving sudden power loss and transmission lurching, while the Accord’s top complaint is engine (985 complaints) with issues like loss of speed and multiple alarms.
- Montego owners report cruise control failing to disengage, a serious safety defect, whereas Accord owners report forward collision avoidance system errors and intermittent failures.
- The Accord has 38 recalls covering major systems like fuel pumps and airbags, while the Montego has only 3 recalls for fuel tank and door latch issues.
- The Montego averages 85 complaints per year, but the Accord averages 444 per year; however, the Accord’s higher volume means the rate per vehicle may be lower.
- During a test drive, check for sudden loss of power or hesitation when accelerating, especially at highway speeds, as this could indicate electronic throttle issues.
- Test the cruise control and brake pedal response; if the brake pedal feels soft or the cruise control does not disengage, it may signal a speed control defect.
- Look for any dashboard warning lights related to adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, or collision avoidance; intermittent errors are common and may be expensive to fix.
- Inspect tires carefully, including the spare, and check for any signs of rodent damage to wiring under the hood, especially if the car has been sitting.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on transmission and electronic throttle operation for the Montego and engine/electrical systems for the Accord.
- Test drive the car under various conditions: highway acceleration, braking, cruise control engagement, and shifting through all gears.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and software updates.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been performed and ask for documentation.
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
- 4,438
- Mercury Montego total recalls
- 3
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mercury Montego avg complaints/year
- 85.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Mercury Montego
- Mercury Montego top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE