Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Nv200 vs Honda Accord
How the Nissan Nv200 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
Nissan Nv200 vs Honda Accord: The NV200 has 87 complaints and 11 recalls over 10 years, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls. The NV200's main issues are air bags and fuel leaks; the Accord's are engine and electrical failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Nv200 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Nv200
The Nissan NV200 is a compact commercial van, often used for cargo or small business work. Over 10 years, it has 87 complaints (8.7 per year) and 11 recalls, with air bag and fuel system issues standing out. Owners report air bag problems at low speeds and fuel leaks, which can be serious. Living with it means staying on top of recalls and checking for leaks.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular family sedan with many more on the road, leading to 4,524 complaints (452.4 per year) and 38 recalls. Common trouble spots include engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems. Owners describe stalling, braking failures, and false alerts. It's a mainstream car with a wide range of reported issues, so a thorough inspection is key.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Nv200 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 87 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 8.7 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 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.
Nissan Nv200
- 01AIR BAGS26
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER21
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
- 05ENGINE6
Owners report air bag issues even at very low speeds, such as a passenger-side air bag problem while driving 5 mph. Another complaint mentions a parked vehicle with a slight steering angle and loose weather stripping. These suggest air bag sensors or deployment can be triggered unexpectedly, which is a safety concern.
Complaints describe gasoline dripping from the underside while parked or moving, traced to a leaking hose between the fuel door and tank. Another owner cites an electrical failure and fire hazard inside the fuel tank linked to a recall. This means fuel leaks and fire risks are real possibilities.
One owner reported severe electrical failure and fire hazard inside the fuel tank, related to a recall, and said the dealer refused to repair. Another had ongoing ECM communication issues causing fault codes. These can lead to stalling or no-start conditions.
While fewer complaints, engine issues appear. Owners may experience rough running or communication faults that affect drivability. It's worth checking for any stored codes or warning lights.
“OUR COMPANY HAS A 2018 NV 200, A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WITH 100,000 MILE BUMPER-TO-BUMPER COMMERCIAL NISSAN WARRANTY. THERE ARE ABOUT 58,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. ON JANUARY, 26, 2021 WHILE DRIVING ON A SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROAD AT 5 MILES AN HOUR, THE PASSENGER SIDE…”
“2015 NISSAN NV200 SV 78,000 MILES. DRIVER HAD MOVED VEHICLE INTO GARAGE, PARKED VEHICLE WITH A SLIGHT ANGLE TO THE STEERING. DRIVER COULD NOT REMEMBER IF VEHICLE WAS RUNNING OR KEY IN IGNITION IN 'ON' POSITION. WEATHER STRIPPING ON DRIVER'S DOOR WAS LOOSE AND…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of power at highway speeds with multiple alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS). Another describes rattling noises while accelerating and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These can leave you stranded or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include electronic power steering and braking systems failing simultaneously at highway speeds, causing near-collisions. Another had a tire failure after a TPMS repair. Electrical glitches can affect critical safety systems.
Owners report the system failing to resolve threats, with incidents occurring under similar conditions. One complaint describes adaptive cruise control suddenly braking or not reacting. This can lead to unexpected braking or failure to warn.
There are 602 complaints in this area, though sample texts focus on other issues. Fuel pump recalls exist, so buyers should verify recall work. Problems can include stalling or fuel delivery issues.
“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.
Nissan Nv200 — 11 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2021 NV200 Van, 2014-2017, 2019 NV200 Taxi, and 2015-2018 Chevrolet City Express vehicles. The Fuel Tank Temperature (FTT) sensor harness may have been incorrectly routed, damaging wires and causing a short circuit in the fuel pump fuse.
The risk: A blown fuel pump fuse can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reroute the FTT sensor harness or replace the fuel pump assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbe…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2021 NV200 Van, 2014-2017, 2019 NV200 Taxi, and 2015-2018 Chevrolet City Express vehicles. The Fuel Tank Temperature (FTT) sensor harness may have been incorrectly routed, damaging wires and causing a short circuit in the fuel pump fuse.
The risk: A blown fuel pump fuse can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reroute the FTT sensor harness or replace the fuel pump assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbe…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2021 NV200 Van, 2014-2017, 2019 NV200 Taxi, and 2015-2018 Chevrolet City Express vehicles. The Fuel Tank Temperature (FTT) sensor harness may have been incorrectly routed, damaging wires and causing a short circuit in the fuel pump fuse.
The risk: A blown fuel pump fuse can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reroute the FTT sensor harness or replace the fuel pump assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbe…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2021 NV200 Van, 2014-2017, 2019 NV200 Taxi, and 2015-2018 Chevrolet City Express vehicles. The Fuel Tank Temperature (FTT) sensor harness may have been incorrectly routed, damaging wires and causing a short circuit in the fuel pump fuse.
The risk: A blown fuel pump fuse can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reroute the FTT sensor harness or replace the fuel pump assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbe…
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
Nissan Nv200 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Nissan NV200 has far fewer complaints per year (8.7 vs. 452.4) and fewer recalls (11 vs. 38), but its issues often involve safety-critical air bags and fuel leaks. The Honda Accord's higher volume means more reported problems, but many are electrical or software-related. In practice, the NV200 may need fewer visits for complaints, but the Accord's issues are more varied and sometimes severe.
Key differences
- The NV200 has 87 complaints over 10 years; the Accord has 4,524, but the Accord sells in much higher numbers.
- NV200 top issues are air bags and fuel leaks; Accord top issues are engine and electrical failures.
- The NV200 has 11 recalls, including fuel pump control modules; the Accord has 38 recalls covering electrical, tires, seat belts, and air bags.
- Accord complaints include forward collision avoidance problems (837) and 3 deaths; NV200 has 0 deaths but 8 injuries.
- Check for fuel odors or drips under the van, especially near the fuel door and tank, as owners report leaking hoses.
- Test the air bag system and look for any warning lights; complaints mention air bag deployment at low speeds.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and feel for rough transitions between EV and gas modes, as reported by owners.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control systems; complaints describe failures to brake or false alerts.
Before you buy
- Verify all open recalls are repaired by checking the NHTSA VIN lookup tool for both vehicles.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds and check for warning lights, unusual noises, or loss of power.
- For the NV200, inspect under the van for fuel leaks and test the air bag system if possible.
- For the Accord, test the electronic power steering, braking, and forward collision avoidance systems.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model.
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 | Nissan Nv200 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 4 | 234 |
| 2020 | 1 | 362 |
| 2019 | 9 | 691 |
| 2018 | 14 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 7 | 537 |
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 Nissan Nv200 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Nv200 vs Honda Accord
- Nissan Nv200 total complaints
- 87
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Nissan Nv200 total recalls
- 11
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Nissan Nv200 avg complaints/year
- 8.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Nv200
- Nissan Nv200 top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE