Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki Aerio vs Honda Accord
How the Suzuki Aerio 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
Suzuki Aerio vs Honda Accord: The Aerio averages 20 complaints per year, focusing on brakes and transmission, while the Accord averages 444 per year, with many on engine and electronics. The Accord has 38 recalls, the Aerio 7. Choose based on your tolerance for mechanical vs. electronic issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Suzuki Aerio or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Suzuki Aerio
The Suzuki Aerio, a compact car sold in the early 2000s, shows a moderate complaint rate of about 20 per year, with a focus on brakes, powertrain, and suspension. Owners report issues like premature brake wear, alignment problems, and transmission popping out of gear, suggesting a vehicle that may need frequent attention to these systems. While not high-volume, the nature of the complaints points to potential reliability concerns for a used buyer.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a popular midsize sedan, has a much higher complaint volume (443 per year) but also a larger sales base. Complaints are dominated by engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems, with many reports from recent models. This suggests that while the Accord generally has a good reputation, newer models may have specific electronic and engine-related issues that buyers should investigate.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Suzuki Aerio | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 121 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 11 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 20.2 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 14 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.
Suzuki Aerio
- 01SERVICE BRAKES20
- 02POWER TRAIN19
- 03HYDRAULIC17
- 04SUSPENSION16
- 05TIRES15
Owners report a hot smell, excessive brake dust, and the need for frequent brake fluid additions, indicating possible brake system issues like premature pad wear or fluid leaks.
Complaints include engine revving and loss of power during passing, and manual transmission popping out of 5th gear, which could be dangerous and costly to repair.
Repeated alignment problems after short intervals suggest potential suspension component wear or damage, affecting handling and tire life.
“I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED AT ABOUT 9,000 MILES IN MAY. THERE WAS A HOT SMELL AND A LOT OF BRAKE DUST AROUND THE RIM AND TIRES. THE SUZUKI DEALER SERVICE DEPT. SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS JUST NEEDED BRAKE FLUID ADDED. AT THAT TIME THE PADS W…”
“I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON NOV 2, 2005. TWO MONTHS LATER THE CAR WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT SO I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO GET THAT RECTIFIED. EXACTLY 7 DAYS LATER IT WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AGAIN SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM AND AFTER I EXPLAINED THE SI…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Reports include unusual noises and sudden loss of power with warning lights, possibly indicating serious engine or drivetrain issues in some models.
Issues range from TPMS warnings leading to tire failure to rodent damage on wiring harnesses, highlighting potential electrical vulnerabilities and repair costs.
Many complaints about false activations or system malfunctions, which can be alarming and may affect driver trust in safety features.
“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.
Suzuki Aerio — 7 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, DUE TO IMPROPER SHAPE OF THE CLIP, THE RETAINING CLIP THAT KEEPS THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE ATTACHED TO THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAN CONTACT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER HOUSING IF EXCESSIVE LATERAL FORCE IS APPLIED WHEN SHIFTING TO FIRST GEAR.
The risk: REPEATED SHIFTING IN THIS MANNER CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE RETAINING CLIP TO BREAK. IF THE RETAINING CLIP BREAKS, THE SHIFT CABLE CAN BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE SHIFT LEVER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE ABILITY TO CHANGE TRANSMISSION GEARS.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE RETAINING CLIP WITH A CLIP THAT HAS A DIFFERENT SHAPE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AMERICAN SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
The defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER (111 MY 2002 ESTEEM, 777 MY 2002 AERIO, 2,368 MY 2003 AERIO) AND SPORT UTILITY (324 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA, 274 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA, 684 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA XL-7, AND 781 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7) VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STAND…
The risk: IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, IT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF UNBELTED OCCUPANTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT PAINT ADHESION WILL EITHER HAVE THE PROBLEM REMEDIED BY REPAINTING, OR WILL BE REPLACED, OR REPURCHASED AND DESTROYED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 8, 20…
The defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, DUE TO IMPROPER SHAPE OF THE CLIP, THE RETAINING CLIP THAT KEEPS THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE ATTACHED TO THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAN CONTACT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER HOUSING IF EXCESSIVE LATERAL FORCE IS APPLIED WHEN SHIFTING TO FIRST GEAR.
The risk: REPEATED SHIFTING IN THIS MANNER CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE RETAINING CLIP TO BREAK. IF THE RETAINING CLIP BREAKS, THE SHIFT CABLE CAN BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE SHIFT LEVER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE ABILITY TO CHANGE TRANSMISSION GEARS.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE RETAINING CLIP WITH A CLIP THAT HAS A DIFFERENT SHAPE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AMERICAN SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
The defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, DUE TO IMPROPER SHAPE OF THE CLIP, THE RETAINING CLIP THAT KEEPS THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE ATTACHED TO THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAN CONTACT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER HOUSING IF EXCESSIVE LATERAL FORCE IS APPLIED WHEN SHIFTING TO FIRST GEAR.
The risk: REPEATED SHIFTING IN THIS MANNER CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE RETAINING CLIP TO BREAK. IF THE RETAINING CLIP BREAKS, THE SHIFT CABLE CAN BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE SHIFT LEVER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE ABILITY TO CHANGE TRANSMISSION GEARS.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE RETAINING CLIP WITH A CLIP THAT HAS A DIFFERENT SHAPE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AMERICAN SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
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
Suzuki Aerio or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Suzuki Aerio has fewer complaints per year (20 vs 444), but its issues are more mechanical and potentially severe. The Honda Accord's higher volume reflects its popularity, but the nature of its complaints, especially in newer models, suggests a different set of concerns. In practice, the Aerio may require more frequent repairs on brakes and transmission, while the Accord may have more electronic gremlins.
Key differences
- The Aerio's complaints center on brakes, transmission, and alignment, while the Accord's focus on engine, electrical, and driver-assist systems.
- The Accord has a much higher complaint rate, but also a larger owner base; the Aerio's lower rate may reflect lower sales volume.
- The Accord's forward collision avoidance issues are a modern concern, while the Aerio's problems are more traditional mechanical failures.
- The Aerio has fewer recalls (7 vs 38), but its complaints suggest potential safety issues with brakes and transmission.
- Inspect the brake system for signs of premature wear, such as thin pads, scored rotors, or fluid leaks.
- Test the manual transmission, especially 5th gear, for any tendency to pop out of gear.
- Check for any warning lights related to engine or electrical systems, and have the car scanned for stored codes.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system to ensure it does not activate without reason.
Before you buy
- For the Aerio: have a mechanic inspect the brakes, suspension, and transmission, and check for any alignment issues.
- For the Accord: verify all recalls have been performed, especially those related to fuel pump and electrical systems.
- For the Accord: test all driver-assist features (adaptive cruise, lane keeping, etc.) on a test drive.
- For both: obtain a vehicle history report to check for previous accidents or major repairs.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic for either vehicle.
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 Suzuki Aerio or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki Aerio vs Honda Accord
- Suzuki Aerio total complaints
- 121
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Suzuki Aerio total recalls
- 7
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Suzuki Aerio avg complaints/year
- 20.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki Aerio
- Suzuki Aerio top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE