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 with 7 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. Aerio issues often involve brakes and axles; Accord issues include engine and electrical failures. 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 is a compact car that, based on NHTSA data, has a relatively low complaint volume—121 over six years, about 20 per year. However, the complaints cluster around brakes, power train, hydraulic system, suspension, and tires, with owners reporting premature tire wear, brake replacements at low mileage, and even axle fractures. These are not just minor annoyances; they can lead to costly repairs and safety concerns. For a first-time buyer, an Aerio may be affordable but requires careful inspection of these systems.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a much higher complaint count—4,524 over ten years, averaging 452 per year. Complaints span engine, electrical, forward collision avoidance, and fuel system, with reports of sudden power loss, electronic steering and braking failures, and unintended automatic braking. While many Accords are reliable, the volume and severity of some issues mean buyers should be aware of potential expensive repairs. The Accord offers more modern features but also more complex systems that can fail.
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 | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 11 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 20.2 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 14 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.
Suzuki Aerio
- 01SERVICE BRAKES20
- 02POWER TRAIN19
- 03HYDRAULIC17
- 04SUSPENSION16
- 05TIRES15
Owners report premature brake pad and rotor wear, sometimes needing replacement around 10,000 miles. One complaint mentions tires worn prematurely and front brakes replaced at 10,503 miles, indicating possible alignment or brake system issues that can increase ownership costs.
Complaints include front axle universal joint breakage and both axles fracturing during turns, leading to extensive damage. These failures can occur suddenly and pose a safety risk, requiring costly repairs to the axle and suspension.
The hydraulic system complaints often overlap with brake and tire issues, such as premature tire wear and alignment problems. Owners report needing new tires and brake work at low mileage, suggesting a systemic issue that may affect handling and safety.
Owners describe rear-end twitching on wet or slippery roads and excessive tire wear requiring replacement at around 11,000 miles. A viscous coupling replacement and alignment changes were noted, indicating suspension design flaws that can affect stability and tire life.
“I PURCHASED MY AERIO 2005 SUZUKI DEC 2004, IN NOV 2005 TIRES WORN PREMATURELY ON 10,503 MILEAGE, FRONT BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS HAS TO BE REPLACED. I TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP:REPLACED PADS, MASHINED ROTORS AND ALIGNED/REPLACED ONE TIRE. MONTH LATER I COME BACK TO…”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI AERIO. THE CONTACT PLACED BRAND NEW REAR TIRES ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ALIGNMENT FAILED AT 14,000 MILES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE FACTORY IMPROPERLY ALIGNING THE VEHICLE'S REAR END. CURRENT…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Complaints include sudden power loss, alarms for brake, hill descent, ABS, and critical failure, as well as rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These issues can leave drivers stranded or cause unsafe driving conditions, often requiring dealer diagnosis and costly repairs.
Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. Such failures can lead to loss of control and near-collisions, highlighting the safety-critical nature of these electronic systems.
Owners report unintended automatic braking or failure to resolve threats, sometimes occurring under similar conditions. This can cause sudden deceleration or near-misses, undermining trust in the advanced safety features and potentially leading to rear-end collisions.
Complaints include fuel pump issues and hybrid system problems, such as rough transitions and jerking when the engine engages. These can cause stalling, reduced performance, and expensive repairs, especially in hybrid models.
“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.
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: 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.
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…
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
Suzuki Aerio or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Suzuki Aerio has far fewer complaints per year (about 20) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), but the Aerio's issues often involve basic mechanical systems like brakes and axles. The Accord's higher volume means more reported problems, but many are concentrated in complex electronic and engine systems. In practice, the Aerio may be simpler but still prone to costly repairs, while the Accord offers more features but with greater potential for expensive electronic failures.
Key differences
- The Suzuki Aerio averages about 20 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages about 452 per year, indicating a much higher reported issue rate for the Accord.
- Aerio complaints frequently involve premature brake wear, axle fractures, and suspension twitching, whereas Accord complaints often involve engine power loss, electronic steering/braking failures, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- The Aerio has 7 recalls over 6 years, many for manual transmission issues, while the Accord has 38 recalls over 10 years, covering electrical, fuel, air bags, and more.
- The Accord has 3 reported deaths and 146 injuries in NHTSA data, compared to 0 deaths and 14 injuries for the Aerio, though these figures are not adjusted for vehicle population.
- Check for uneven or premature tire wear, especially on the rear, as owners report alignment issues and tire replacement at low mileage.
- Inspect the front axle and universal joints for cracks or noise during turns, as complaints include axle fractures and joint breakage.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems for any warning lights or intermittent failure, as owners report simultaneous lock-up at highway speeds.
- Listen for rattling noises from the engine and check for rough transitions between EV and gas modes, especially in hybrid models, as these are common complaints.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially the Accord's electrical and fuel system recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brakes, tires, and suspension on the Aerio for uneven wear or damage.
- For the Accord, scan for stored error codes related to the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds and turns, to detect any unusual noises or handling issues.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been performed, and ask for documentation of any prior repairs.
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
- 4,524
- Suzuki Aerio total recalls
- 7
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Suzuki Aerio avg complaints/year
- 20.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki Aerio
- Suzuki Aerio top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE