Head-to-head reliability
Mitsubishi Endeavor vs Honda Accord
How the Mitsubishi Endeavor 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
Mitsubishi Endeavor vs Honda Accord: The Endeavor averages 36.9 complaints per year, while the Accord averages 443.8. The Endeavor often has issues with liftgates and ignition keys, while the Accord reports engine and forward collision system problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mitsubishi Endeavor or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mitsubishi Endeavor
The Mitsubishi Endeavor is a midsize SUV that, in ownership terms, shows a pattern of niggling and sometimes immobilizing issues rather than catastrophic failures. Owners report problems with the structure (especially the liftgate and ignition key), electrical gremlins that can prevent starting after refueling, and powertrain concerns like the shifter sticking in park. While the average of 36.9 complaints per year is relatively low, the nature of these issues—like being stranded or unable to shift—can be frustrating and inconvenient for a daily driver.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan that, despite its reputation, has a high volume of complaints (443.8 per year) concentrated in the engine, electrical system, and advanced driver assistance features. Owners report engine noises and loss of power, electrical failures like tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) malfunctions and rodent damage to wiring, and false activations or system errors with forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control. These issues suggest that while the Accord is generally reliable, the modern tech and engine components can be sources of frequent and sometimes serious problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mitsubishi Endeavor | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 295 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 28 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 30 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 36.9 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 22 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.
Mitsubishi Endeavor
- 01STRUCTURE81
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER30
- 04POWER TRAIN28
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING28
Owners report the liftgate and glass won't open without manual release, and the ignition key gets stuck, sometimes preventing the car from starting or shifting out of park. These are common on 2004-2008 models and can be a major inconvenience.
A frequent issue is the car failing to start after refueling, requiring the accelerator to be pressed. The key can also become stuck in the ignition, and the air conditioning may blow warm air, all pointing to electrical gremlins.
Some owners report the vehicle rolling back after parking, and the gear shifter failing to shift out of park, which can be a safety hazard if the car moves unexpectedly.
“FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE CAR WILL NOT START AFTER GAS IS PUT INTO IT WHEN THE CAR IS CUT OFF. BY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR SLIGHTLY IT WILL RESUME NORMAL OPERATION.THE KEY DOES NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT DISENGAGE IT. KEYL…”
“ORIGINALLY THE LIFTGATE WOULD NOT OPEN ONLY THE GLASS TOP WOULD OPEN. A COMMON ISSUE ACCORDING TO SEVERAL MITSUBISHI ENDEAVOR OWNER FORUMS FOR ENDEAVORS FROM 2004 TO 2008. RECENTLY BOTH LIFTGATE AND GLASS WOULD NOT OPEN AT ALL UNLESS I USED THE MANUAL RELEASE…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises from the engine that may get louder over time, and in some cases, the vehicle loses power and displays multiple warning lights (brake, ABS, hill descent) while driving at highway speeds, indicating a potential serious engine or system failure.
There are reports of TPMS warnings that lead to tire failures, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses (like the camshaft position sensor) even on relatively new vehicles, causing electrical issues.
The system can falsely activate or show errors for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams, often intermittently, which can be distracting and undermine driver confidence.
“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.
Mitsubishi Endeavor — 28 recalls
The defect: MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 ENDEAVOR WITH MANUAL AIR CONDITIONING. DUE TO AN INCORRECT HEATER (HVAC) CONTROLLER SIGNAL, THE AIR FLOW FROM THE AIR VENTS MAY RANDOMLY CHANGE DIRECTION AND/OR THE TEMPERATURE MAY BRIEFLY CYCLE BETWEEN HOT AND COLD.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT DEFROSTER PERFORMANCE, RESULTING IN POOR WINDSHIELD VISIBILITY AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR DAMAGE AND IF NECESSARY REPAIR THE MODE DOOR SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
The defect: MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 ENDEAVOR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENN…
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE WITH A NEW IMPROVED PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
The defect: MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 120,000 MY 2004-2006 ENDEAVOR PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING VEHICLE USE, THE IGNITION KEY INTERLOCK CABLE (WHICH IS A COMPONENT OF THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM) MAY ALLOW THE INTERLOCKING CAM TO FALL FORWARD AND ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE GEA…
The risk: IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND CORRECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE REPORTED CONDITION. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON JULY 7, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.
The defect: MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 ENDEAVOR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENN…
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE WITH A NEW IMPROVED PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
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
Mitsubishi Endeavor or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mitsubishi Endeavor has far fewer complaints per year (36.9) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the Endeavor's problems are more likely to leave you stranded or unable to shift, while the Accord's issues are more varied but also include serious engine and safety system concerns. In practice, the Endeavor may be less troublesome overall, but the Accord's higher volume reflects its popularity and the complexity of modern features.
Key differences
- The Endeavor has a notable issue with the liftgate and ignition key sticking, while the Accord has more complaints about engine noises and power loss.
- The Accord's forward collision avoidance system is a frequent source of complaints, with false activations or system errors, which is not a concern in the Endeavor.
- The Endeavor has a specific problem with starting after refueling, which is not reported in the Accord.
- The Accord has a higher number of crash-related complaints (160) and injuries (144) compared to the Endeavor (30 and 22), though the Accord also has more total complaints.
- Test the liftgate and rear glass operation multiple times, as they are known to fail and may require manual release.
- Check if the ignition key sticks or if the car has trouble starting after a fuel fill-up; press the accelerator to see if it starts.
- Listen for any unusual engine noises during a test drive, especially at highway speeds, and check for warning lights related to brakes or stability systems.
- Test the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist to ensure they don't show errors or activate falsely.
Before you buy
- Check for open recalls on both vehicles using the NHTSA website and confirm they've been addressed.
- For the Endeavor, inspect the liftgate and rear glass operation, and try starting the car immediately after a fuel fill-up.
- For the Accord, test all driver assistance features (adaptive cruise, lane keep, automatic high beams) and listen for engine noises during a thorough test drive.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the electrical system and wiring for any signs of damage or corrosion.
- Review the vehicle's service history for any repeated repairs related to the common issues mentioned.
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 Mitsubishi Endeavor or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mitsubishi Endeavor vs Honda Accord
- Mitsubishi Endeavor total complaints
- 295
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Mitsubishi Endeavor total recalls
- 28
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mitsubishi Endeavor avg complaints/year
- 36.9
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Mitsubishi Endeavor
- Mitsubishi Endeavor top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE