Head-to-head reliability

Saturn SKY vs Honda Accord

How the Saturn SKY and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Saturn SKY516 complaints · 18 recalls Fewer issues per year
Honda Accord4,438 complaints · 38 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Saturn SKY averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Saturn SKY has 516 complaints and 18 recalls on record; Honda Accord has 4,438 complaints and 38 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategorySaturn SKYHonda Accord
Total complaintsAll model years combined516 Better4,438
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns18 Better38
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints18 Better160
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years129.0 Better443.8
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints19 Better144
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better3

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.

Saturn SKY

  1. 01AIR BAGS366
  2. 02SERVICE BRAKES83
  3. 03HYDRAULIC62
  4. 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM53
  5. 05SEATS30
In owners' words — AIR BAGS

FIRST INCIDENT HAPPEN WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK. I GOT INTO A PARKING PLACE AND SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK. THEN WENT TO SHUT OFF THE CAR BY TURNING THE KEY. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND SO I COULD NOT TURN MY CAR OFF. I HAD TO CUT THE CAR OFF BY OPENING THE HOOD A…

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE ASSESSMENT WAS THAT THE PASSENGER WEIGHT SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT AT A COST OF $948. THE FAILURE IS TO THE SENSOR TAPE AFFIXED TO THE BOTTOM…

Honda Accord

  1. 01ENGINE985
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
  3. 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
  5. 05SERVICE BRAKES592
In owners' words — ENGINE

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.

Saturn SKY — 18 recalls

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification
#17V061000

The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.

The risk: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy as intended, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.

The fix: The remedy for this recall is still under development. A permanent remedy is currently under development. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn customer service at 1-800…

Electrical System — Ignition
#14V171000Oct 2014

The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignitio…

The risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission…

The fix: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cu…

Air Bags
#14V047000Oct 2014

The defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency o…

The risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later v…

Electrical System — Ignition — Switch
#14E021000

The defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year…

The risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.

The fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should cont…

Honda Accord — 38 recalls

Electrical System — Propulsion System — Hybrid Management — Power Control Unit/Module (Hpcu) — Software
#25V785000

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…

Tires — Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
#26V366000Apr 2026

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…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module
#23V430000

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.

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger
#24V064000Jan 2024

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…

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 Saturn SKY or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Saturn SKY vs Honda Accord — comparison facts
Comparison
Saturn SKY vs Honda Accord
Saturn SKY total complaints
516
Honda Accord total complaints
4,438
Saturn SKY total recalls
18
Honda Accord total recalls
38
Saturn SKY avg complaints/year
129.0
Honda Accord avg complaints/year
443.8
More reliable overall
Saturn SKY
Saturn SKY top complaint area
AIR BAGS
Honda Accord top complaint area
ENGINE