Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki Gsx250r vs Honda Accord
How the Suzuki Gsx250r 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 Gsx250r vs Honda Accord: the Suzuki has 0 complaints over 9 years and 3 lighting recalls, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years, including 162 crash-related reports and 146 injuries. The Accord's owner reports include engine alarms, loss of speed, and electronic steering and braking failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Suzuki Gsx250r or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Suzuki Gsx250r
The Suzuki GSX250R is a small-displacement sport motorcycle with no owner complaints filed with NHTSA over nine years, so there is no real-world failure pattern to describe. Its only recorded issues are three recalls, all for exterior lighting—two for brake lights and one for headlights. In ownership terms, that suggests a simple machine with very little complaint history, but the absence of complaints is not proof of trouble-free operation.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume sedan with a very large complaint record: 4,524 complaints over ten years, including 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths. The most common complaint areas are the engine, electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and fuel/propulsion system. Owner reports describe sudden loss of speed with multiple dashboard alarms, rough engine behavior, and electronic steering and braking failures at highway speed.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Suzuki Gsx250r | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 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 Gsx250r
No component data available.
Two recalls cover brake-light problems, but no owner complaint text explains the exact symptom. A buyer should still confirm the brake light works and check for open recall repairs.
One recall covers headlights, again with no complaint narrative. The practical concern is visibility and being seen, so test the headlight and ask whether the recall was completed.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report alarms for brake, hill descent, ABS, and critical failure while losing speed, plus rattling under acceleration and jerky transitions between EV and gas mode. These are drivability and stall-like concerns that matter on a test drive.
One owner reported electronic power steering and braking locking up simultaneously at highway speed, and another reported a tire failure shortly after a TPMS warning repair. Electrical faults here can affect steering, braking, and tire monitoring.
Owners describe repeated unintended behavior with adaptive cruise control and unresolved collision-avoidance threats. A buyer should test the driver-assist features and confirm any related software updates or recalls were done.
The fuel/propulsion category has 602 complaints, and recalls cover the fuel pump and hybrid power control software. Symptoms in the sample include rough running and jerking, so listen for odd noises and hesitation.
“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 Gsx250r — 3 recalls
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2018-2019 GSX250R motorcycles. Water intrusion may corrode the rear brake light switch causing the rear brake light to fail to illuminate or remain illuminated continuously when the brake is not applied.
The risk: A failure of the brake light to illuminate, or continued illumination when the brakes are not being applied, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake stop light switch, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2019. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is 2A90.
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2018 GSX250R and GSX250RZ motorcycles. The low and/or high beam headlight may fail.
The risk: The sudden loss of low and/or high beams can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlight bulb and install a bulb retention spring clip, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-844-352-4921.
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2018-2019 GSX250R motorcycles. Water intrusion may corrode the rear brake light switch causing the rear brake light to fail to illuminate or remain illuminated continuously when the brake is not applied.
The risk: A failure of the brake light to illuminate, or continued illumination when the brakes are not being applied, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake stop light switch, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2019. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is 2A90.
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 Gsx250r or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Suzuki GSX250R has 0 complaints per year versus 452.4 per year for the Honda Accord, a massive difference in reported problem volume. In practice, the Suzuki has almost no owner-reported failure pattern to review, while the Accord has a broad record of engine, electrical, and driver-assist complaints that a buyer should investigate carefully.
Key differences
- The Suzuki has 0 complaints over 9 years; the Honda has 4,524 over 10 years, including 162 crash-related reports and 146 injuries.
- Suzuki's only recorded issues are three exterior-lighting recalls; Honda's recalls include hybrid power control software, fuel pump, seat belt retractor, and occupant-classification sensor.
- Honda owners report sudden loss of speed with brake, ABS, and critical-failure alarms, plus electronic steering and braking lockup at highway speed; Suzuki has no complaint text describing any failure.
- Honda's forward collision avoidance has 837 complaints, with owners describing unintended adaptive cruise control behavior; Suzuki has no comparable driver-assist complaint record.
- Check that all three lighting recalls (two brake-light, one headlight) were completed, and test the brake light and headlight before buying.
- Because there are no owner complaints, inspect the motorcycle as you would any used bike—look for crash damage, tire condition, and service records.
- During the test drive, watch for dashboard alarms for brake, hill descent, ABS, or critical failure, and any loss of speed or hesitation.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking at low speed first, then highway speed if safe, and confirm the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control behave normally.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for both vehicles and confirm every open recall was repaired.
- For the Suzuki, verify the brake-light and headlight recalls were done and test both lights.
- For the Accord, test-drive at highway speed and watch for warning alarms, loss of power, or steering and braking changes.
- For the Accord, test adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning on a safe road, and ask for any software update records.
- Ask for complete service records and, for the Accord, a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with hybrid and electrical systems.
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 Gsx250r | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | 0 | 109 |
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 0 | 234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 362 |
| 2019 | 0 | 691 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1884 |
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 Gsx250r or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki Gsx250r vs Honda Accord
- Suzuki Gsx250r total complaints
- 0
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Suzuki Gsx250r total recalls
- 3
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Suzuki Gsx250r avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki Gsx250r
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE