Head-to-head reliability
Subaru XV Crosstrek vs Honda Accord
How the Subaru XV Crosstrek 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 XV Crosstrek vs Honda Accord: The Crosstrek averages 75.8 complaints per year with 3 recalls, while the Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Accord also has 162 crash-related reports and 3 deaths, compared to 21 and 0 for the Crosstrek. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru XV Crosstrek or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru XV Crosstrek
The Subaru XV Crosstrek is a compact SUV that averages about 76 owner complaints per year over four years, with 3 recalls and 21 crash-related reports. The most common trouble spots are the power train and engine, where owners describe oil consumption, stalling, and sudden power loss. Electrical issues also appear, including blower motor failure and complete electrical shutdowns at speed. Overall, it's a vehicle that may need frequent attention to engine and electrical systems.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year over ten years—and 38 recalls. The data shows a wide range of issues, especially with the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance. Some complaints involve serious safety concerns like simultaneous power steering and braking failure, unintended braking, and fuel pump problems. This suggests that while popular, the Accord has had more frequent and varied reliability complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru XV Crosstrek | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 303 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 21 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 75.8 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 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 XV Crosstrek
- 01POWER TRAIN66
- 02ENGINE66
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER63
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM55
- 05SERVICE BRAKES29
Owners report excessive oil use after as little as 3,000 miles, slow starting, and the engine bogging or almost stalling when accelerating, often with the air conditioning on. These symptoms can lead to unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs.
Complaints include sudden power loss while driving uphill on cruise control, with the car slowing abruptly and the driver needing to pull over. This can be dangerous in traffic and points to potential engine management or fuel delivery faults.
The blower motor for heat and A/C can fail, causing windows to fog up and reducing visibility. In some cases, the entire electrical system shuts down at highway speeds, stalling the vehicle and disabling lights and instruments.
Drivers report being unable to remove the key from the ignition when the car is in park, linked to a park-range switch problem. Another complaint describes losing power on the freeway with an erratic starter and flashing oil temperature light.
“I have been working with Subaru of America and Capital Subaru service in San Jose, CA for a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek XV 2.0 CVT automatic engine shortly after we bought it used for multiple faulty known engine problems with this specific make and model. Since we…”
“SLOW STARTING WHEN TURNING OVER FROM STOP/PARK/COLD/HOT. EXCESSIVE OIL USE AFTER EACH 3,000 MILES. NO LIGHT WARNING FOR LOW OIL DISPLAYS. ENGINE BOGS OR ALMOST STALLS WHEN GIVING GAS. USUALLY WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING. THIS STARTED TO OCCUR AFTER I HAD…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe alarms for brake, hill descent, ABS, and critical failure appearing while driving, followed by loss of speed. Others note rattling noises during acceleration and rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which can indicate internal engine or hybrid system issues.
There are reports of electronic power steering and braking systems failing simultaneously at highway speeds, creating a severe safety risk. Another complaint involves a TPMS warning that led to a tire failure shortly after a dealership repair.
Complaints include the system failing to prevent a collision and unexpected braking under adaptive cruise control, even with no obstructions. These malfunctions can cause sudden speed changes and increase crash risk.
A recall exists for the fuel pump, and owners report issues like a persistent rotten-egg odor that may relate to fuel or emissions components. Fuel delivery problems can cause stalling or failure to start.
“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 XV Crosstrek — 3 recalls
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota ow…
The defect: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RE…
The risk: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there i…
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufac…
The risk: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
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 XV Crosstrek or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Subaru XV Crosstrek has far fewer complaints per year (about 76) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), and fewer recalls (3 vs. 38). In practice, this means the Crosstrek may require less frequent trips to the shop for reported defects, though it still has notable engine and electrical issues. The Accord's higher volume suggests a wider range of potential problems, including some serious safety-related failures.
Key differences
- The Subaru XV Crosstrek averages about 76 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages about 452 per year—a six-fold difference.
- Subaru XV Crosstrek complaints center on power train and engine issues like excessive oil use and stalling, whereas Honda Accord complaints often involve forward collision avoidance and electrical failures.
- The Honda Accord has 38 recalls versus 3 for the Subaru XV Crosstrek, including recalls for fuel pumps and seat belts.
- Serious safety events differ: the Subaru XV Crosstrek has 21 crash-related reports and 12 injuries, while the Honda Accord has 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths.
- Check for excessive oil consumption by asking for maintenance records and inspecting oil level; owners report needing oil every 3,000 miles.
- Test the ignition key removal when in park and listen for unusual noises from the blower motor; these are common complaint areas.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control systems during a test drive, looking for unexpected braking or warnings.
- Ask about any electrical issues, especially power steering and braking, and check for recalls related to fuel pump and seat belts.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine for oil consumption, leaks, and unusual noises.
- Test all electrical components: blower motor, power windows, infotainment, and driver-assist features.
- For the Honda Accord, specifically test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control at highway speeds.
- For the Subaru XV Crosstrek, check the key removal from ignition and look for signs of oil burning or stalling.
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 XV Crosstrek or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru XV Crosstrek vs Honda Accord
- Subaru XV Crosstrek total complaints
- 303
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Subaru XV Crosstrek total recalls
- 3
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Subaru XV Crosstrek avg complaints/year
- 75.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Subaru XV Crosstrek
- Subaru XV Crosstrek top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE