Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki Forenza vs Honda Accord
How the Suzuki Forenza 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 Forenza vs Honda Accord: The Forenza averaged 181 complaints per year with 15 recalls, while the Accord averaged 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Forenza often has power train and air bag issues, while the Accord has engine and electronic problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Suzuki Forenza or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Suzuki Forenza
The Suzuki Forenza is a compact car that averaged about 181 complaints per year over five years, with 15 recalls. Owners frequently report power train problems like hard starting, hesitation, and jerking, as well as electrical issues such as smoking light switches. Air bag failures in crashes are also a recurring complaint, which is a serious safety concern. Overall, the Forenza demands careful inspection and may require more frequent repairs.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize car with a much higher average of about 452 complaints per year over ten years, but it also has a larger sales volume. Complaints span engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems, with some reports of stalling, rattling, and unexpected braking. There are also reports of electronic power steering and braking failures at highway speeds. Despite the higher complaint count, many issues are covered by recalls or warranties.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Suzuki Forenza | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 907 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 59 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 181.4 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 63 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 Forenza
- 01POWER TRAIN360
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM188
- 03AIR BAGS177
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING102
- 05ENGINE77
Owners report hard starting, intermittent check engine lights, and engine revving or hesitation. Some had a resonator assembly replaced, but the problem returned. This can leave you stranded or cause jerky acceleration.
Complaints include light switches that smoke and cause burns, as well as intermittent starting problems. These electrical faults can lead to fires or leave you unable to start the car.
Multiple owners report that air bags failed to deploy in crashes, even at moderate speeds. This is a critical safety failure that could increase injury risk in an accident.
Owners describe headlights dimming, interior lights shutting off, and brake light switch issues. These problems can make you less visible to other drivers and lead to electrical fires.
“CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. JULY 2007 TOOK CAR IN WITH 'HARD START" PROBLEM. THEY FOUND RESONATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING. THAT REPAIR WAS DONE ON AUGUST 3, 2007. CAR RAN FOR APPROX. 2 MONTHS AND WE TOOK IT BACK…”
“DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE REVVED, IT WAS RACING, AND THE RPM GAUGE RAN HIGHER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE AT ANY SPEED. THERE WILL BE A LOSS OF POWER, AND THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN POWER WENT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING.…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Complaints include loss of power, alarms for brake and ABS failure, and rattling noises during acceleration. Some vehicles lose speed unexpectedly, which is dangerous on highways.
Reports of electronic power steering and braking systems failing simultaneously at highway speeds, causing near-collisions. Also, tire pressure monitoring system warnings and tire failures after service.
Owners report unexpected braking or failure to brake under adaptive cruise control, sometimes in clear conditions. This can cause sudden speed changes and increase crash risk.
Complaints include rough transitions between EV and gas modes, jerking when the engine starts, and fuel pump issues. These can affect drivability and lead to stalling.
“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 Forenza — 15 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS, THE DUAL STAGE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYS IN AN IMPROPER SEQUENCE.
The risk: IF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYS IMPROPERLY DURING A FRONTAL VEHICLE CRASH, THE DRIVER COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADAPTING WIRING HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2003, TO VERONA VEHICLE OWNERS. ALL FORENZA VEHICLES WERE REPAIRED AT THE PORT OF ENTRY. THERE ARE NO OWNER NOTIFICATIONS NECESSARY FOR THE FORENZA MO…
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BECOME MISADJUSTED IF AN UPWARD/REARWARD FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP, TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED CONT…
The risk: IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING,A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN YOUR BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THIS CONDITION MAY ALSO DISCHARGE THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY, A…
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 16, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Forenza vehicles, and 2005-2008 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2003, through July 30, 2008. In the affected vehicles, heat may be generated in the headlamp switch or daytime running light (DRL) module whi…
The risk: If the heat generated within the headlamp switch or DRL module located on the left side of the steering column melts the headlamp switch or DRL module, there is an increased risk of a fire.
The fix: Suzuki will replace the signal switch and add a jumper relay kit and will replace the DRL Module in teh instrument panel harness. Suzuki distributed to owners an interim letter on July 30, 2014. The recall began October 29, 2014. Owners ma…
The defect: Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Forenza and model year 2005-2006 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 23, 2003, through March 7, 2006. Increased resistance due to poor contact between the terminals of certain wires can generate heat that can melt the splice pack used to connec…
The risk: If the headlamps fail to function, this will lead to reduced driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and Suzuki dealers will reconnect the affected wires with two heat-shrink crimps, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 25, 2012. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-877-697-8985.
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 Forenza or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Suzuki Forenza has fewer complaints per year (about 181) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), but the Forenza's issues often involve serious safety systems like air bags and electrical fires. The Accord's higher complaint rate may reflect its larger sales volume and more complex technology. In practice, the Forenza may need more frequent repairs for basic systems, while the Accord may have more advanced but potentially problematic features.
Key differences
- The Forenza has 15 recalls over 5 years, while the Accord has 38 recalls over 10 years, indicating more recall activity for the Accord.
- Forenza complaints often involve air bag non-deployment and smoking light switches, while Accord complaints include electronic steering/braking failures and forward collision avoidance glitches.
- The Forenza averages 181 complaints per year; the Accord averages 452 per year, but the Accord was likely sold in much higher numbers.
- The Forenza has 0 reported deaths in the data, while the Accord has 3 deaths, though these numbers don't account for sales volume or other factors.
- Check for hard starting or intermittent check engine lights, and ask if the resonator assembly has been replaced.
- Inspect the light switch on the driver's side for signs of melting or smoking, and test all exterior lights including brake lights.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds if possible, and listen for rattling noises during acceleration.
- Check for any history of forward collision avoidance system malfunctions, such as unexpected braking, and ensure all recalls are addressed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a mechanic inspect the power train, electrical system, and air bags specifically for the Forenza.
- For the Accord, test drive at various speeds and check for smooth transitions between EV and gas modes if hybrid.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for any transmission or engine repairs.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been completed, and consider a pre-purchase inspection by a dealer familiar with the model.
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 Forenza or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki Forenza vs Honda Accord
- Suzuki Forenza total complaints
- 907
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Suzuki Forenza total recalls
- 15
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Suzuki Forenza avg complaints/year
- 181.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki Forenza
- Suzuki Forenza top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE