Head-to-head reliability
Subaru Ascent vs Honda Accord
How the Subaru Ascent 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
Subaru Ascent vs Honda Accord: The Ascent has 1,033 complaints over 8 years (about 129 per year), while the Accord has 4,524 over 10 years (about 452 per year). The Ascent also has 0 deaths and 29 injuries versus 3 deaths and 146 injuries for the Accord. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru Ascent or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru Ascent
The Subaru Ascent is a three-row family SUV with 1,033 NHTSA complaints over 8 years, averaging about 129 per year. Owners frequently report electrical gremlins, transmission slippage, and windshield cracks. With 25 recalls and 29 injuries but no deaths, it demands attention to battery health, transmission behavior, and glass durability.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with 4,524 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 452 per year. Common owner reports include engine rattles, electrical failures, and forward collision avoidance glitches. It has 38 recalls, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths, so buyers should prioritize software updates and hybrid system checks.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru Ascent | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,033 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 34 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 129.1 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 29 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.
Subaru Ascent
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM292
- 02POWER TRAIN185
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER152
- 04VISIBILITY/WIPER152
- 05ENGINE104
Owners report repeated battery failures with voltage dropping below 11.5V, sometimes causing the vehicle to die and become immobilized. This can leave you stranded and require frequent jump-starts or battery replacements.
Complaints describe transmission slippage without warning lights, followed by a flashing yellow automatic transmission oil light and disabling of front systems. Some owners also report wheels suddenly stopping mid-turn, which is a serious safety concern.
Windshields crack easily from minor rock strikes, with some owners replacing OEM glass multiple times in a short period. Driver-side mirrors can vibrate, blurring the view and making night driving difficult.
Engine-related complaints are less frequent but include intermittent ignition-control malfunctions. These can cause stalling or failure to start, adding to the electrical and powertrain worries.
“2024 Subaru Ascent – Intermittent Electrical / Ignition-Control Malfunction Vehicle: 2024 Subaru Ascent Mileage: Approximately 29,000 miles Chronology of Events August 19 Vehicle had been operating normally. First occurrence – grocery store •Returned to vehic…”
“2023 Subaru Ascent, under manufacturer basic warranty. Factory OEM battery has repeatedly failed. Voltage drops below 11.5V in normal use. Three documented failures in six weeks. SAFETY INCIDENT: Vehicle died on a public street and became completely immobiliz…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and jerking when the charge button is pressed. Some also experience sudden loss of speed with multiple dashboard alarms, which can be frightening on the highway.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure. These issues can severely compromise control and safety.
Owners describe the system failing to resolve threats, with incidents occurring under similar conditions and routes. Adaptive cruise control can suddenly behave unexpectedly, increasing collision risk.
Reports include persistent rotten-egg sulfur odors that remain after filter replacements, and fuel pump recalls. These odors can indicate fuel system problems and may affect cabin comfort and safety.
“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.
Subaru Ascent — 25 recalls
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with…
The risk: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letter…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles equipped with 20-inch wheels. The internal tire bead may have been damaged during the wheel mounting process.
The risk: A damaged tire may experience a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace all four tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-23.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles. The left or right front lower control arm may have an improperly tightened ball joint castle nut which can result in retention pin failure and separation of the ball joint from the lower control arm.
The risk: Ball joint separation while the vehicle is in motion can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 30, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
The risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Suba…
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
Subaru Ascent or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Subaru Ascent has far fewer complaints per year (about 129) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452). In practice, the Ascent may require less frequent dealer visits for reported issues, but both vehicles have serious safety-related complaints that demand careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Subaru Ascent averages 129 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages 452 per year, meaning the Accord has more than three times as many owner complaints annually.
- Subaru Ascent owners frequently report battery failures and transmission slippage, whereas Honda Accord owners report engine rattles and forward collision avoidance glitches.
- The Honda Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries in its complaint data, compared to 0 deaths and 29 injuries for the Subaru Ascent.
- Both vehicles have recalls for electrical and fuel system issues, but the Accord also has recalls for seat belts and air bag sensors, adding to safety concerns.
- Check the battery voltage and history of replacements; owners report repeated failures below 11.5V that can immobilize the vehicle.
- Test the transmission for slippage or hesitation, especially when accelerating from a stop or turning, as some owners experienced sudden wheel stoppage.
- Listen for engine rattling during acceleration and feel for jerky transitions between EV and gas modes, which owners commonly report.
- Verify that forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control have been updated and function correctly, as failures have led to near-collisions.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for electrical, fuel, and air bag systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the battery, charging system, and transmission for the Subaru Ascent, or the engine, hybrid components, and collision avoidance sensors for the Honda Accord.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to replicate reported symptoms.
- Check for windshield cracks or chips on the Subaru Ascent and inspect tire wear on both vehicles, as uneven wear is reported.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and any warranty work related to the specific complaints listed in NHTSA data.
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 | Subaru Ascent | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 10 |
| 2025 | 15 | 109 |
| 2024 | 50 | 219 |
| 2023 | 45 | 226 |
| 2022 | 55 | 252 |
| 2021 | 102 | 234 |
| 2020 | 322 | 362 |
| 2019 | 441 | 691 |
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 Subaru Ascent or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru Ascent vs Honda Accord
- Subaru Ascent total complaints
- 1,033
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Subaru Ascent total recalls
- 25
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Subaru Ascent avg complaints/year
- 129.1
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Subaru Ascent
- Subaru Ascent top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE