Head-to-head reliability
Mitsubishi Raider vs Honda Accord
How the Mitsubishi Raider 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 Raider vs Honda Accord: The Raider has 14.2 complaints per year, mostly airbag and electrical issues, while the Accord has 443.8 per year, with many related to forward collision avoidance. The Accord has more recalls (38 vs 11) but also a larger owner base. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mitsubishi Raider or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mitsubishi Raider
The Mitsubishi Raider is a compact pickup that, in ownership terms, shows a pattern of persistent electrical gremlins and a serious airbag recall situation. Owners describe dash lights and gauges cutting out, radios dying, and occasional no-crank conditions, alongside brake pulsation that feels like ABS kicking in at low speeds. The airbag recalls, including Takata inflators, dominate complaints, with owners frustrated by appointment cancellations and parts on backorder. While the Raider has fewer complaints per year than the Accord, the nature of the issues—especially safety-critical airbags and unpredictable electrical failures—makes it a vehicle that demands careful inspection and a clear service history.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a popular midsize sedan, shows a much higher volume of complaints, but this is partly due to its large sales base. Owners report a wide range of issues, from engine noises and loss of power to electrical problems like TPMS failures and rodent damage to wiring. A striking number of complaints involve forward collision avoidance systems, with false activations or system errors that can be alarming. While the Accord has more recalls and complaints overall, many issues are tied to modern electronic features, and the car's overall reliability reputation remains strong, but buyers should be aware of potential sensor and software glitches.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mitsubishi Raider | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 142 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 12 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 14.2 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 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 Raider
- 01AIR BAGS83
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
- 03SERVICE BRAKES16
- 04POWER TRAIN14
- 05HYDRAULIC8
Owners report Takata inflator recalls, with parts on backorder and dealerships canceling appointments, leaving families worried about safety. Some mention the driver side was replaced but the passenger side remained unrepaired for over a year.
Frequent complaints of dash lights and gauges cutting out, speedometer failure, radio cutting off, and even no-crank conditions requiring towing. These issues are intermittent and often unresolved after multiple dealer visits.
Owners describe a rapidly pulsating brake pedal, like ABS engaging even at slow speeds or light stops. One owner had rear brake shoes ordered but the problem persisted, suggesting a possible ABS module issue.
Some complaints mention the vehicle not cranking, requiring towing, and being 'nothing but problems' with no solutions. This points to potential starting or transmission issues, though details are sparse.
“THESE PARTS WERE ON RECALL, I SET UP MY APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. CALLED TO VERIFY APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS CANCELLED, THE RECALLED AIR BAG PARTS ARE ALSO ON RECALL. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, I HAVE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN THAT RIDE IN MY TRUCK.…”
“"TAKATA RECALL" I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL, JULY OF 2016, FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG (MITSUBISHI HAD ALREADY REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG OVER A YEAR AGO. I CALLED OUR MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP @ 1-850-785-1591, TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT T…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises from new vehicles, and in one case, a loss of power with multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS) while driving at highway speeds, indicating possible engine or drivetrain failure.
Complaints include TPMS warnings that led to a tire failure shortly after service, and rodent damage to the camshaft position wiring harness on a nearly new car, causing electrical issues.
Many owners report false activations or system errors, such as the car braking unexpectedly on an open road, or intermittent messages about adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic high beams failing.
While not as prominent as other issues, some complaints mention brake-related warnings and failures, including the brake system critical failure message that accompanied the engine power loss incident.
“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 Raider — 11 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2…
The risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occur…
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger front…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal…
The defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Dakota, and 2006 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006 with manual transmissions. The return springs in the clutch ignition interlock switch may break.
The risk: Broken springs can result in a no-start condition, or cause unintended movement when the ignition is cranked, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this reca…
The defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A STATIC ELECTRICITY SPARK BETWEEN THE OPERATOR AND THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE THE TURN SIGNAL, HEADLAMPS OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO MALFUNCTION WITHOUT WARNING.
The risk: THIS CAN IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION AND RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL RE-FLASH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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 Raider or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Mitsubishi Raider has far fewer complaints per year (14.2 vs 443.8), but its issues are concentrated in safety-critical areas like airbags and electrical failures that can leave you stranded. The Honda Accord's higher complaint volume is partly due to its popularity, and many issues involve advanced driver-assist systems that can be annoying but are not always mechanical failures. In practice, the Accord likely offers more predictable reliability, but you must budget for potential electronic glitches.
Key differences
- The Raider's airbag recalls are a major concern, with owners reporting parts shortages and appointment cancellations, while the Accord's airbag recalls are less prominent in complaints.
- Electrical failures in the Raider are more severe, causing loss of gauges and no-crank conditions, whereas Accord electrical issues are often tied to specific components like TPMS or wiring damage.
- The Accord has a high number of forward collision avoidance complaints, which the Raider (an older truck) does not have, reflecting different technology eras.
- The Raider's brake pulsation issue appears to be a recurring problem, while the Accord's brake complaints are less frequent and often linked to other system failures.
- Check for open Takata airbag recalls and confirm both driver and passenger inflators have been replaced with final parts, not interim ones.
- Test all dash lights, gauges, radio, and starting behavior repeatedly, as electrical gremlins are intermittent; also test brakes at low speeds for pulsation.
- Verify that all forward collision avoidance and driver assist systems work correctly without false alerts; test on a clear road.
- Inspect wiring harnesses for rodent damage, especially if the car is parked outdoors, and check the TPMS system for proper function.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check on both vehicles to see all recall completion statuses.
- For the Raider, have a mechanic inspect the ABS module and brake system for pulsation issues.
- For the Accord, test all electronic features including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic emergency braking in a safe area.
- Ask for service records to see if electrical issues in the Raider were ever resolved, and if the Accord had any engine or transmission work.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a dealer familiar with each brand to check for common issues.
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 Raider or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mitsubishi Raider vs Honda Accord
- Mitsubishi Raider total complaints
- 142
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Mitsubishi Raider total recalls
- 11
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Mitsubishi Raider avg complaints/year
- 14.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Mitsubishi Raider
- Mitsubishi Raider top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE