Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki Gs500 vs Honda Accord
How the Suzuki Gs500 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 Gs500 vs Honda Accord: The Gs500 averages 0.4 complaints per year over 9 years, while the Accord averages 443.8 per year over 10 years. Gs500 owners report engine cutouts and battery drain; Accord owners report engine power loss and false collision warnings. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Suzuki Gs500 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Suzuki Gs500
The Suzuki Gs500 is a lightweight motorcycle with a very low complaint rate—about 0.4 per year over nine years. Owner reports point to occasional engine cutouts at highway speeds, a surging sensation, battery drain, and a lighting recall. These issues are sporadic but can be unnerving, especially the sudden loss of power. Overall, it's a low-maintenance bike with few reported problems, but the ones that do occur are worth checking.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, in contrast, has a high complaint volume—443.8 per year over ten years—reflecting its popularity and the breadth of reported issues. Owners frequently mention engine problems, electrical glitches, and false alerts from forward collision avoidance systems. Some complaints involve serious safety concerns like sudden speed loss and brake system warnings. While many issues may be isolated, the sheer number and variety suggest a more complex vehicle with more potential trouble spots.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Suzuki Gs500 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.4 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 Gs500
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
Owners report the engine shutting off without warning at highway speeds, especially above 60 mph, and not responding to throttle input. This could indicate a fuel or ignition problem that poses a safety risk if it happens in traffic.
One owner described the bike feeling like it was trying to accelerate on its own at speeds above 35 mph. This surging sensation could be due to a faulty throttle or cruise control component, making the ride unpredictable.
The battery repeatedly drains, requiring multiple replacements. This suggests a parasitic draw or charging system fault that can leave you stranded if not addressed.
There is a recall for exterior lighting, and one owner worried about getting the fix done. Faulty lights reduce visibility, especially at night, increasing the risk of accidents.
“AS I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY I WAS DRIVING MY MOTORCYCLE ONCE I WENT OVER 60 MPH IT SHUT OFF ON ME WITH NO WARNING ALL I NOTED THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH THROTTLE I GAVE IT THE BIKE DIDN'T WANT TO GO. *TR”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises and, more critically, a loss of power with warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS systems. This can lead to sudden speed reduction on highways, which is dangerous.
Issues range from TPMS warnings to catastrophic tire failures, and even rodent damage to wiring harnesses. Electrical gremlins can cause intermittent failures and are often hard to diagnose.
Many complaints involve the system activating falsely or showing errors for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic high beams. These false alerts can be distracting and undermine trust in safety features.
Brake-related complaints include warning lights and potential loss of braking assist. Since brakes are critical, any issue here is a major safety concern.
“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 Gs500 — 4 recalls
The defect: THE REAR REFLEX REFLECTOR ON AFFECTED GS500 MOTORCYCLES AND THE REAR AND SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS ON AFFECTED GZ250 MOTORCYCLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE REFLEX REFLECTORS HAVE A REF…
The risk: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A MOTORIST'S NOT NOTICING THE MOTORCYCLE IN DARKNESS, WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE TO A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NON-COMPLYING REFLEX REFLECTORS WITH COMPLYING REFLECTORS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-255-2550.
The defect: THE REAR REFLEX REFLECTOR ON AFFECTED GS500 MOTORCYCLES AND THE REAR AND SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS ON AFFECTED GZ250 MOTORCYCLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE REFLEX REFLECTORS HAVE A REF…
The risk: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A MOTORIST'S NOT NOTICING THE MOTORCYCLE IN DARKNESS, WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE TO A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NON-COMPLYING REFLEX REFLECTORS WITH COMPLYING REFLECTORS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-255-2550.
The defect: THE REAR REFLEX REFLECTOR ON AFFECTED GS500 MOTORCYCLES AND THE REAR AND SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS ON AFFECTED GZ250 MOTORCYCLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE REFLEX REFLECTORS HAVE A REF…
The risk: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A MOTORIST'S NOT NOTICING THE MOTORCYCLE IN DARKNESS, WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE TO A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NON-COMPLYING REFLEX REFLECTORS WITH COMPLYING REFLECTORS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-255-2550.
The defect: THE REAR REFLEX REFLECTOR ON AFFECTED GS500 MOTORCYCLES AND THE REAR AND SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS ON AFFECTED GZ250 MOTORCYCLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE REFLEX REFLECTORS HAVE A REF…
The risk: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A MOTORIST'S NOT NOTICING THE MOTORCYCLE IN DARKNESS, WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE TO A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NON-COMPLYING REFLEX REFLECTORS WITH COMPLYING REFLECTORS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-255-2550.
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 Gs500 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Suzuki Gs500 has far fewer complaints per year (0.4) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), indicating a much lower rate of reported problems. In practice, this means the Gs500 is likely to be more reliable and cheaper to maintain, but it lacks the modern safety features and comfort of the Accord. If you prioritize a trouble-free ownership experience, the Gs500 is the safer bet, but if you need a family car with advanced tech, the Accord may be worth the higher risk.
Key differences
- The Gs500 has a very low complaint rate (0.4/yr) vs the Accord's high rate (443.8/yr), indicating a big difference in reported reliability.
- Gs500 issues are mostly mechanical (engine cutout, surging) and electrical (battery drain), while Accord issues span engine, electrical, and advanced safety systems.
- The Accord has many complaints about false forward collision warnings and brake system alerts, which can be annoying and potentially dangerous if they cause unexpected braking.
- The Gs500 has a recall for exterior lighting, while the Accord has recalls for electrical, brakes, airbags, and fuel pump, showing a wider range of potential defects.
- Test ride at highway speeds to check for any engine cutout or surging, especially above 60 mph.
- Check the battery and charging system for signs of drain, and ensure the exterior lighting recall has been performed.
- Listen for unusual engine noises and test the brakes for any warning lights or loss of power.
- Check the forward collision avoidance system for false alerts by driving in open traffic, and verify all recalls are completed.
Before you buy
- Check NHTSA recall status for both vehicles and confirm all recalls have been fixed.
- For the Gs500, have a mechanic inspect the fuel system and electrical charging system.
- For the Accord, get a diagnostic scan for any stored trouble codes, especially related to engine and brakes.
- Take both vehicles for a test drive at highway speeds to experience any acceleration or braking anomalies.
- Review the vehicle's service history for any repeated repairs or unresolved issues.
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 Gs500 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki Gs500 vs Honda Accord
- Suzuki Gs500 total complaints
- 4
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Suzuki Gs500 total recalls
- 4
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Suzuki Gs500 avg complaints/year
- 0.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki Gs500
- Suzuki Gs500 top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE