Head-to-head reliability
Pontiac G6 vs Honda Accord
How the Pontiac G6 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
Pontiac G6 vs Honda Accord: the G6 logged 5,885 complaints over 6 years (about 981 per year) with steering leading at 3,108 reports, while the Accord logged 4,524 over 10 years (about 452 per year) led by engine issues at 1,006. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Pontiac G6 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Pontiac G6
The Pontiac G6 is a mid-size car that, in ownership terms, demands attention: NHTSA logged 5,885 complaints over 6 years, an average of about 981 per year, plus 31 recalls. The complaint pattern is dominated by steering (3,108 reports), with electrical and lighting issues close behind, and owners describe symptoms that can affect control of the car rather than just convenience. With 243 crash-related reports, 156 injuries and 6 deaths in the data, a used G6 should be treated as a vehicle that needs a careful mechanical inspection before purchase.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mid-size car with a much lower complaint rate in this data: 4,524 complaints over 10 years, about 452 per year, alongside 38 recalls. The reports cluster around engine and electrical problems, plus a large group of forward collision avoidance complaints, and many sample complaints reference recent model years and hybrid systems. With 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries and 3 deaths, the Accord still has real reported failures, but they are spread over twice the time span.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Pontiac G6 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 5,885 | 4,524 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 31 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 243 | 162 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 980.8 | 452.4 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 156 | 146 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 6 | 3 Better |
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.
Pontiac G6
- 01STEERING3,108
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM992
- 03EXTERIOR LIGHTING962
- 04SERVICE BRAKES729
- 05AIR BAGS409
Owners report the power steering warning light coming on and the wheel locking up while parked and running, sometimes requiring a restart to regain assist. Others describe an angle sensor failure causing intermittent loss of power steering and shaking, which matters because steering loss can strand a driver or affect control.
Complaints describe brake lights not working at highway speed, multiple warning lights for traction and stability control, and headlights failing repeatedly even after new bulbs. Owners link these to wiring problems, so a buyer should expect electrical gremlins that can affect lighting and safety systems.
Repeated headlight failures are a recurring theme, with owners reporting bulbs going out again and again and one report of losing low beams and a high beam. Because this affects night driving visibility, it is a practical safety concern rather than a cosmetic one.
Brake-related complaints include brake lights not operating and warning indicators illuminating, and one owner described the steering wheel seizing before a barrier crash where the air bags did not deploy. These reports tie brake and stability warnings to broader electrical faults, so brake behavior should be verified carefully.
“WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED AND RUNNING THE POWER STEERING CONTROL ESC WILL BE ON ON THE DASH AND LOCK UP THE STEERING WHEEL AND I CAN'T TURN OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. WHEN THIS OCCURRED I USED TO BE ABLE TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON AND IT WOULD BE OFF.…”
“The power steering angle sensor malfunctioned/stopped working properly at approx. 197,000 miles. The part was taken out and replaced by a local GM dealership. With the sensor malfunctioning, we experienced intermittent loss of power steering as well as shakin…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report alarms for brake, hill descent and ABS systems appearing at highway speeds along with loss of speed, and others describe rattling noises while accelerating and rough transitions between EV and gas mode. These symptoms suggest powertrain and hybrid-control issues that can affect drivability.
Complaints include electronic power steering and braking systems failing and locking up simultaneously at highway speed, and a TPMS repair followed by a tire failure. Because these reports involve steering, braking and tire monitoring, electrical faults on the Accord can touch core safety systems.
Owners describe the system failing to resolve a threat and unexpected behavior with adaptive cruise control set at highway speed, occurring repeatedly under similar conditions. For a buyer, this means driver-assist features should be tested and not assumed to work perfectly.
The fuel and propulsion category appears among the top complaint areas, and recall subjects include the gasoline fuel pump and hybrid power control software. These are the kinds of faults that can cause stalling or loss of power, so service history on fuel and hybrid components matters.
“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.
Pontiac G6 — 31 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January…
The risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position,…
The defect: Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura veh…
The risk: A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
The defect: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
The risk: If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may no…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instruct…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January…
The risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position,…
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
Pontiac G6 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Honda Accord has far fewer complaints per year, about 452 versus roughly 981 for the Pontiac G6, even though the Accord data covers 10 years instead of 6. In practice, that means a used G6 is more likely to present recurring steering, lighting and electrical problems, while the Accord's reported issues are more concentrated in engine, electrical and driver-assist systems.
Key differences
- Steering dominates G6 complaints with 3,108 reports, including wheel lockup and power steering loss, while Accord complaints are led by engine issues at 1,006 reports.
- The G6 averages about 981 complaints per year over 6 years, roughly double the Accord's 452 per year over 10 years.
- G6 owners repeatedly report headlight and brake-light failures tied to wiring, while Accord owners report forward collision avoidance problems (837 reports) and hybrid powertrain alarms.
- Both have recalls touching electrical and steering-related systems, but the G6's recall subjects include electric power assist and wiring, matching its complaint pattern.
- Test the power steering from a cold start and while parked: watch for the steering warning light and any lockup or intermittent loss of assist, which owners report.
- Check all exterior lights, including low beams, high beams and brake lights, and look for repeat bulb failures or wiring repairs that suggest ongoing electrical faults.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control if equipped, and ask whether any software updates or repairs were done, since owners report unexpected behavior.
- Check for hybrid-related warning lights and any history of engine rattling or rough EV-to-gas transitions, and confirm fuel pump and hybrid control software recalls were completed.
Before you buy
- Pull the full NHTSA recall history by VIN for the specific car and confirm all open recalls were repaired.
- On the G6, test steering assist, all lighting and brake lights, and scan for stored electrical codes before buying.
- On the Accord, test driver-assist features and hybrid operation, and review service records for engine and fuel system work.
- Take a test drive at highway speed to check for warning lights, loss of power or unexpected braking, since owners report these at speed.
- Have an independent mechanic inspect the steering, electrical and brake systems on either car, given the complaint patterns.
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 Pontiac G6 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Pontiac G6 vs Honda Accord
- Pontiac G6 total complaints
- 5,885
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Pontiac G6 total recalls
- 31
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Pontiac G6 avg complaints/year
- 980.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Honda Accord
- Pontiac G6 top complaint area
- STEERING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE