Head-to-head reliability
Subaru BAJA vs Honda Accord
How the Subaru BAJA 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 BAJA vs Honda Accord: The Baja averages about 30 complaints per year over 4 years, while the Accord averages about 452 per year over 10 years. The Baja has 41 recalls and 0 deaths; the Accord has 38 recalls and 3 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru BAJA or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru BAJA
The Subaru Baja is a small, car-based pickup that owners often keep for years, but it has a steady stream of complaints about air bags, brakes, and fuel leaks. Over four years, 119 complaints were filed, averaging about 30 per year, with 41 recalls. Many complaints involve the Takata air bag recall not being completed, brake fluid leaks, and strong gas smells, especially in cold weather. These are real ownership annoyances that can affect safety and require attention.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a much higher annual complaint rate: 4,524 complaints over 10 years, or about 452 per year. The most common issues are engine problems, electrical glitches, and forward collision avoidance warnings. Some complaints describe sudden power loss, electronic steering and braking failures, and unintended automatic braking. With 38 recalls and 3 deaths reported, the Accord's issues are more frequent and can involve advanced safety systems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru BAJA | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 119 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 41 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 10 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 29.8 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 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 BAJA
- 01AIR BAGS17
- 02SERVICE BRAKES16
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM14
- 04FUEL SYSTEM14
- 05GASOLINE14
Owners report that the Takata air bag recall on the passenger side inflator has not been repaired, even after years of driving in humid areas. This matters because an unrepaired inflator can rupture in a crash, sending metal fragments into the cabin.
Complaints describe brake fluid leaking near the passenger rear wheel well, causing the brake warning light to come on and fluid to drop repeatedly. A brake fluid leak can lead to reduced braking power if not fixed.
Owners report strong gasoline smells after cold starts and fuel pooling on the engine manifold from slow leaks. This creates a fire risk and fumes inside the cabin, often forcing drivers to keep windows open.
Specific complaints mention gas leaks in the manifold area of turbo models, requiring repeated hose and clamp replacements. The leak persists in colder temperatures, and the smell is noticeable for an hour or more after starting.
“TAKATA RECALL ON MY VEHICLE IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE FOR OVER 10 YEARS AND LIVE IN A VERY HUMID REGION OF SOUTH EASTERN MAINE. HOW CAN IT BE ACCEPTABLE FOR SUBARU TO NOT HAVE TO SUPPLY ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION FOR CUSTOMERS DURING…”
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU BAJA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED L…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden power loss, rattling noises while accelerating, and rough transitions between electric and gas modes. These issues can leave a driver unable to maintain highway speeds, increasing crash risk.
Complaints describe simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire pressure warning system problems that may lead to tire failure. Such failures can cause loss of control.
Owners report the system activating unexpectedly, sometimes with adaptive cruise control set, causing sudden braking on open roads. This can surprise the driver and lead to a rear-end collision.
Some complaints mention persistent rotten-egg odors and a foot getting stuck behind a plastic side panel near the center console. These may seem minor but can distract the driver or indicate other 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.
Subaru BAJA — 41 recalls
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columb…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawa…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru cust…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373…
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 BAJA or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Subaru Baja has far fewer complaints per year (about 30) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452). That means the Baja owner is less likely to face frequent repair visits, but the Baja's issues tend to be older, well-known problems like air bag recalls and fuel leaks. The Accord's higher rate reflects more complex electronics and safety systems that can fail in surprising ways.
Key differences
- The Subaru Baja averages about 30 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages about 452 per year, a huge difference in reported problem frequency.
- Baja complaints center on air bag recalls, brake fluid leaks, and fuel smells; Accord complaints focus on engine power loss, electrical failures, and forward collision avoidance glitches.
- The Baja has 41 recalls over 4 years, many for the same Takata air bag inflator; the Accord has 38 recalls over 10 years, covering hybrid software, tires, seat belts, and fuel pumps.
- Accord complaints include 3 deaths and 146 injuries, while Baja complaints include 0 deaths and 9 injuries, though these numbers depend on many factors and should not be used to compare safety directly.
- Check for any open Takata air bag recall on the passenger side inflator and confirm it has been repaired; an unrepaired inflator is a serious safety risk.
- Inspect for fuel leaks around the manifold and strong gasoline smells after a cold start, especially on turbo models, as this can lead to a fire hazard.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for sudden power loss, rattling noises, or rough transitions between electric and gas modes, which owners report.
- Check that electronic power steering and braking systems work smoothly and that no warning lights appear, as some owners experienced simultaneous failure.
Before you buy
- Ask the seller for a written recall history and verify all open recalls are repaired, especially the Takata air bag on the Baja and any hybrid software updates on the Accord.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Baja for brake fluid leaks near the rear wheel well and fuel leaks around the manifold.
- For the Accord, scan for stored trouble codes and test all advanced safety features, including forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control.
- Take a cold-start test drive of the Baja to smell for gasoline fumes and check for rough running.
- Review the NHTSA complaint database for the specific model year to see if common issues match what you observe.
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 BAJA or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru BAJA vs Honda Accord
- Subaru BAJA total complaints
- 119
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Subaru BAJA total recalls
- 41
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Subaru BAJA avg complaints/year
- 29.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Subaru BAJA
- Subaru BAJA top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE