Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Sentra vs Honda Accord
How the Nissan Sentra 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 Sentra vs Honda Accord: The Sentra has 66.9 complaints per year with sudden electrical shutdowns, while the Accord has 430 per year with engine power loss and infotainment glitches. The Sentra's failures are more critical, but the Accord's are more numerous. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Sentra or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra, with 669 complaints over 10 years (66.9/yr), shows a pattern of sudden electrical and powertrain failures that can cause the car to abruptly stop in traffic, as reported by owners. Electrical system issues dominate, with 168 complaints, often involving complete loss of power and lights. The 17 recalls include air bag inflators and driveshaft problems, suggesting a history of safety-critical defects. Overall, the Sentra's reliability is concerning due to the risk of unexpected shutdowns.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, with 4300 complaints over 10 years (430/yr), has a high complaint volume but many relate to engine power loss at highway speeds (928 engine complaints) and electrical glitches like ghost touches on the infotainment screen (824 electrical complaints). Forward collision avoidance issues (798 complaints) cause sudden braking on shadows. The 38 recalls cover seat belt retractors, fuel pumps, and brake control modules. While the Accord has more complaints, the failures are less likely to cause sudden stops than the Sentra's electrical shutdowns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Sentra | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 669 Better | 4,300 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 58 Better | 155 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 66.9 Better | 430.0 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 52 Better | 141 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 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 Sentra
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM168
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER125
- 03POWER TRAIN120
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE112
- 05SERVICE BRAKES111
Owners report the car abruptly stopping with no forwarding or lights, often in traffic, due to electrical malfunctions. This is a critical safety risk as it can leave you stranded or cause a crash.
Complaints include early engine and electrical malfunction at low mileage, as well as battery issues requiring frequent jumps. The powertrain failures can lead to loss of power while driving.
While not detailed in sample text, 112 complaints suggest the system may activate unnecessarily or fail, potentially causing rear-end collisions or unexpected braking.
With 111 complaints, brake issues are common, though specific symptoms are not provided in the sample. Brake failure or reduced performance is a direct safety concern.
“I am submitting a vehicle defect complaint pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 regarding a potential safety related defect involving engine, electrical, and powertrain systems. The vehicle experienced early engine and electrical malfunction at relatively low mi…”
“For the past 6 weeks my car has abruptly stopped. No forwarding, no lights. All of which occurred during heavily moving traffic putting myself and others in grave danger. Due to my quick thinking and CDL training I was able to redirect traffic until I was abl…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE928
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM824
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE798
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER699
- 05SERVICE BRAKES577
Owners report sudden complete engine power loss at highway speeds, with the vehicle unable to exceed 2,000 RPM. This can be terrifying and dangerous, especially in traffic.
The infotainment screen registers ghost touches, changing settings randomly, and USB ports are loose causing CarPlay disconnection. While not safety-critical, it's a major annoyance and distraction.
The system suddenly brakes when driving under bridges due to shadows, which can cause rear-end collisions. Owners report this as unsafe and unpredictable.
With 577 complaints, brake issues are prevalent, including potential problems with the antilock brake control module as noted in recalls. Brake failure is a serious safety risk.
“I am writing to file a complaint on the service that was provided at Vann York Honda. On February 17, 2026, I was returning home from work and my car had a hard idle at start up. I was able to drive it home without issue. The next day, February 18, I got in m…”
“2021 Honda Accord EX-L, 1.5T turbocharged engine. Within 8 months of purchase at approximately 21,900 miles, I experienced three separate incidents of sudden complete engine power loss at highway speeds. During each incident the vehicle would not exceed 2,000…”
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 Sentra — 17 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improper…
The risk: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD103, PD10…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Sentra vehicles. The front left-side driveshaft may not be fully seated in the continuously variable transmission (CVT) assembly, or may have a loose or missing retaining clip, which can cause a transmission fluid leak and loss of drive…
The risk: An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the front left driveshaft, and if necessary, replace the driveshaft and CVT assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Sentra vehicles. The driver's seat frame may not be fully secured to the outer side of the seat track. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems,"…
The risk: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's side lower seat frame assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The windshield may have air bubbles on the front lower driver's side, which can obscure the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicl…
The risk: An owner who cannot see their VIN clearly may not recognize their vehicle is involved in a safety recall, and may not have the recall remedy performed, which could increase the risk of injury, fire, or a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 29, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA38.
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
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…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
Buyer analysis
Nissan Sentra or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Nissan Sentra has far fewer complaints per year (66.9 vs 430.0), but its electrical and powertrain failures are more likely to cause sudden, complete loss of power, which is a greater immediate safety risk. The Honda Accord's higher complaint volume includes many non-critical issues like infotainment glitches, but engine power loss at highway speeds is also dangerous. In practice, the Sentra's lower complaint rate may be misleading due to the severity of its failures.
Key differences
- Nissan Sentra: sudden electrical shutdowns causing complete loss of power and lights in traffic; Honda Accord: engine power loss at highway speeds but not complete shutdown.
- Honda Accord: high volume of infotainment ghost touches and loose USB ports; Sentra: fewer but more critical electrical failures.
- Honda Accord: forward collision avoidance brakes on shadows; Sentra: fewer FCW complaints but still present.
- Nissan Sentra: 17 recalls including air bag inflators and driveshaft; Honda Accord: 38 recalls including fuel pump and brake control module.
- Check for any history of electrical system repairs or sudden stalling. Test drive to ensure no unexpected power loss.
- Inspect the battery and charging system; owners report frequent battery issues requiring jumps.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system under bridges or in shadows to see if it brakes unexpectedly.
- Check the infotainment screen for ghost touches and ensure USB ports are secure.
Before you buy
- Request service records for any electrical or powertrain repairs on the Sentra.
- Test drive the Accord at highway speeds to check for engine power loss.
- Check for open recalls on both vehicles using the VIN.
- Inspect the Sentra's battery terminals and cables for corrosion.
- Test the Accord's forward collision avoidance system in various lighting conditions.
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 Sentra | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 4 |
| 2025 | 25 | 97 |
| 2024 | 31 | 207 |
| 2023 | 0 | 220 |
| 2022 | 80 | 217 |
| 2021 | 129 | 217 |
| 2020 | 0 | 341 |
| 2019 | 220 | 655 |
| 2018 | 184 | 1814 |
| 2017 | 0 | 528 |
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 Sentra or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Sentra vs Honda Accord
- Nissan Sentra total complaints
- 669
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,300
- Nissan Sentra total recalls
- 17
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Nissan Sentra avg complaints/year
- 66.9
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 430.0
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Sentra
- Nissan Sentra top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE