Head-to-head reliability
Subaru Legacy vs Honda Accord
How the Subaru Legacy 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 Legacy vs Honda Accord: Based on NHTSA data, the Legacy averages 72.1 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Accord averages 443.8. The Legacy's top issues are windshield cracks and battery failures, whereas the Accord sees more engine and forward collision avoidance problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru Legacy or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy, over the past decade, has drawn far fewer complaints per year than its rival, but the issues it does have cluster around the windshield and electrical system. Owners frequently report stress cracks appearing in the glass without impact, which can interfere with the Eyesight driver-assist camera. Electrical gremlins, especially battery failures and heater malfunctions in cold weather, also feature prominently. While the overall complaint volume is lower, these recurring problems can be costly and inconvenient for a first-time buyer.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, in contrast, generates a much higher volume of complaints annually, with engine problems and electrical system issues leading the list. Owners describe sudden engine noises, loss of power, and warning light cascades, as well as electrical failures like tire pressure sensor malfunctions and rodent damage to wiring. The forward collision avoidance system is another frequent source of complaints, with reports of false activations and system errors. This suggests that while the Accord is popular, it may have more widespread reliability concerns that could affect the ownership experience.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru Legacy | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 721 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 24 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 35 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 72.1 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 13 Better | 144 |
| 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 Legacy
- 01VISIBILITY/WIPER207
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM184
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER161
- 04ENGINE39
- 05STEERING35
Owners report the windshield developing long stress cracks spontaneously, with no impact, sometimes repeatedly. These cracks can interfere with the Eyesight driver-assist camera, potentially disabling safety features.
Battery failures are common, leaving owners stranded, and the heater may stop working in cold weather. The Eyesight system can also become inoperable, along with various warning lights illuminating.
Some owners report sudden loud knocking or tapping noises from the engine, with no prior warning, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Others mention issues with the thermo control valve, leading to expensive repairs.
“The component that failed is the windshield. The windshield has a 14 inch stress crack. The crack suddenly appeared, there was no impact. The crack interferes with the Subaru Eyesight Driver Assistance. The Subaru Eyesight Driver Assistance could malfunction…”
“Three times within a 1 year period, the windshield cracked without an object hitting it. First time in July, 2021, second time in September, 2021, and third time in June, 2022. After the first time, I had the windshield replaced at my own expense. The second…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners describe engine noises that grow louder over time, and in some cases, a cascade of warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS) with loss of power at highway speeds. This suggests potential serious engine or drivetrain issues.
Electrical problems range from tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warnings that lead to tire failures, to rodent damage on wiring harnesses. These issues can be intermittent and difficult to diagnose.
The system may activate falsely with no obstructions, or display intermittent error messages for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and other driver aids. This can be unnerving and may indicate sensor or software problems.
“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.
Subaru Legacy — 24 recalls
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
The risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
The risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner not…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
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 (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.
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 Legacy or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
Based on NHTSA data, the Subaru Legacy has significantly fewer complaints per year (72.1) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8). This suggests that, on average, Legacy owners report fewer problems, which may translate to a more reliable ownership experience. However, the Accord's higher volume could also reflect its larger sales numbers, so it's essential to consider the nature of the issues rather than just the counts.
Key differences
- The Legacy's most common issue is windshield cracking, which can disable the Eyesight safety system, while the Accord's top issue is engine-related, with reports of noises and power loss.
- The Accord has a much higher complaint rate per year (443.8) than the Legacy (72.1), indicating a higher frequency of owner-reported problems.
- Electrical system problems are prominent in both, but the Legacy's are often battery-related, while the Accord's include wiring damage and sensor issues.
- The Accord's forward collision avoidance system is a frequent source of complaints, with false activations and errors, a problem not highlighted in the Legacy's data.
- Inspect the windshield for any existing cracks or chips, and ask if the car has had multiple replacements, as this is a known recurring issue.
- Check the battery's age and condition, and ask about any history of jump-starts or electrical issues, especially in cold weather.
- Listen for any unusual engine noises during a test drive, and ask for service records related to engine or drivetrain warnings.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system in a safe area to ensure it doesn't activate falsely, and check for any warning lights on the dashboard.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to see if any recalls have been performed, especially for the Legacy's transmission or airbag sensors and the Accord's fuel pump or brake control unit.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the specific problem areas mentioned.
- Check for any open recalls using the VIN on the NHTSA website and ensure they are addressed before purchase.
- During the test drive, pay attention to how the windshield wipers and defroster work, and test all driver assistance features if equipped.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for battery replacements or electrical repairs on the Legacy, and engine or sensor work on the Accord.
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 Legacy | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 101 |
| 2024 | 17 | 214 |
| 2023 | 10 | 224 |
| 2022 | 32 | 238 |
| 2021 | 31 | 226 |
| 2020 | 121 | 355 |
| 2019 | 123 | 677 |
| 2018 | 117 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 118 | 534 |
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 Legacy or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru Legacy vs Honda Accord
- Subaru Legacy total complaints
- 721
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Subaru Legacy total recalls
- 24
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Subaru Legacy avg complaints/year
- 72.1
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Legacy top complaint area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE