Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki DR Z400s vs Honda Accord
How the Suzuki DR Z400s 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 DR Z400s vs Honda Accord: The DR Z400s has 0 complaints and 2 recalls over 10 years, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints, 38 recalls, and 162 crash-related reports. The DR Z400s shows far fewer reported issues, but it is a motorcycle. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Suzuki DR Z400s or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Suzuki DR Z400s
The Suzuki DR Z400s is a dual-sport motorcycle with no owner complaints filed over a 10-year period, suggesting a very low reported failure rate. It has two recalls, one for hydraulic brake fasteners and one for brake light switches, but no crashes, injuries, or deaths are recorded. For a buyer, this means the main known issues are limited to those recall items, and there is no pattern of recurring owner-reported problems to worry about.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular family sedan with a high volume of owner complaints—4,524 over 10 years—and 38 recalls. Reported problems cluster around the engine, electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and fuel system, with some complaints describing sudden power loss, braking failures, and unintended automatic braking. There are also 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths in the data, so a used Accord buyer should carefully check for open recalls and test all safety systems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Suzuki DR Z400s | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 DR Z400s
No component data available.
A recall covers critical fasteners in the hydraulic brake system. If the fasteners are not secure, braking performance could be affected, so buyers should confirm this recall was completed.
A recall addresses the brake light switch, which can fail and prevent the brake lights from working. This matters because other drivers may not see when you are braking, increasing rear-end crash risk.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between electric and gas modes, and sudden loss of speed with multiple dashboard alarms. These symptoms can indicate expensive engine or hybrid system repairs.
Complaints describe simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire pressure warning issues that led to a tire failure. Electrical faults can disable safety-critical systems without warning.
Owners report the system activating unexpectedly, such as sudden braking with adaptive cruise control on, even with no obstruction. This can cause a loss of control or a rear-end collision.
Some complaints mention a persistent rotten-egg or sulfur odor, which may point to fuel or emissions problems. This can be a sign of costly repairs and may not be fixed by simple service.
“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 DR Z400s — 2 recalls
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2018 Suzuki DR-Z400S and DR-Z400SM motorcycles. During assembly the resin that fills the rear brake stop lamp switch may have adhered to the internal contacts, which can prevent the brake lamp from illuminating.
The risk: If the brake lights do not illuminate, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will install a new stop lamp switch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 16, 2018. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is 2A84.
The defect: Suzuki Motor USA, LLC (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2025-2026 DR-Z400S and 2025 DR-Z400SM motorcycles. The reservoir tank cap fixing screws may have been incorrectly tightened, allowing brake fluid to leak. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…
The risk: A brake fluid leak can reduce braking ability, increasing the distance required to stop and the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the screws, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2026. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became sea…
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 DR Z400s or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Suzuki DR Z400s has 0 complaints per year on average, while the Honda Accord has about 452 per year. In practice, the DR Z400s has far fewer reported issues, but it is a motorcycle, not a car, so the comparison is about use case as much as reliability.
Key differences
- The Suzuki DR Z400s has no owner complaints on record, while the Honda Accord has thousands, including reports of sudden power loss and braking failures.
- The Accord has 38 recalls covering major systems like hybrid power control, fuel pumps, and air bag sensors; the DR Z400s has only 2 recalls for brake fasteners and brake light switches.
- Accord complaints include 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths; the DR Z400s has none of these in the data.
- The DR Z400s is a motorcycle with limited passenger and cargo capacity, while the Accord is a car with more practical everyday use but a much higher reported problem rate.
- Check that the hydraulic brake fastener recall has been performed; loose fasteners could affect braking.
- Test the brake light switch to ensure the brake lights come on when you press the brake lever or pedal.
- During a test drive, listen for engine rattling or rough transitions between electric and gas modes, and watch for any dashboard warning lights.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control at highway speeds to see if the car brakes unexpectedly; also check for a sulfur or rotten-egg smell.
Before you buy
- For the Suzuki DR Z400s, ask for proof that both recalls (brake fasteners and brake light switch) were completed.
- For the Honda Accord, run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls and confirm they were fixed.
- On the Accord, test drive at highway speeds and engage adaptive cruise control to check for unexpected braking.
- On the Accord, check for a rotten-egg odor and ask if the fuel system or emissions components have been serviced.
- For both vehicles, get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on the areas mentioned in complaints and recalls.
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 | Suzuki DR Z400s | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 109 |
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 0 | 234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 362 |
| 2019 | 0 | 691 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 0 | 537 |
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 DR Z400s or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki DR Z400s vs Honda Accord
- Suzuki DR Z400s total complaints
- 0
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Suzuki DR Z400s total recalls
- 2
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Suzuki DR Z400s avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki DR Z400s
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE