Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki Tl1000r vs Honda Accord
How the Suzuki Tl1000r 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 Tl1000r vs Honda Accord: The TL1000R has only 2 complaints over 4 years (0.5/yr) and 6 recalls, while the Accord has 4438 complaints over 10 years (443.8/yr) and 38 recalls. The TL1000R's issues center on fuel leaks, whereas the Accord's span engine, electrical, and safety systems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Suzuki Tl1000r or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Suzuki Tl1000r
The Suzuki TL1000R is a niche sportbike with a very low complaint rate, averaging just 0.5 per year over four years. The few complaints that exist focus on fuel system issues, particularly a cracked weld in the fuel tank on California-spec models and a leaking fuel pump flange. These are serious because they involve fuel leaks, which pose a fire risk, but the overall rarity suggests most owners do not encounter these problems. Recalls have been issued, but the sample text does not detail their subjects.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume, averaging 443.8 per year over ten years. Complaints span many systems, with the most frequent being engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance issues. Owners report a range of problems from engine noises and sudden power loss to electrical failures and false or malfunctioning safety systems. The high number of complaints and recalls indicates a more complex vehicle with more potential trouble spots, though it also reflects much higher sales volume.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Suzuki Tl1000r | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.5 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 Tl1000r
- 01FUEL SYSTEM1
- 02GASOLINE1
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
Owners report cracks in the fuel tank where the liquid/vapor separator bracket is welded, leading to fuel leaks. This is a fire hazard and can cause fuel odor or visible leakage.
The same fuel tank crack issue is reported under this category, emphasizing the severity and recurrence of the problem on certain California-spec models.
A more widespread issue involves the fuel pump mounting flange leaking gas, affecting over 60% of all model years. Owners note that OEM parts don't fix it, making it a persistent and dangerous problem.
“CONCERNING MY 2002 SUZUKI TL1000R (CA MODEL) ON CERTAIN CALIFORNIA-SPECIFICATION MODEL MOTORCYCLES, REPEATED STRESS FROM VIBRATION CAN CAUSE A CRACK TO FORM IN THE AREA WHERE THE LIQUID/VAPOR SEPARATOR BRACKET IS WELDED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS CAN ALLOW FU…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises and sudden loss of power, sometimes accompanied by warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS systems. This can lead to dangerous situations on the highway.
Problems include TPMS warnings that lead to tire failures and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, causing electrical malfunctions. These issues can affect vehicle operation and safety.
The system may trigger false alerts or fail to work correctly, with messages about adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic high beams appearing intermittently. This undermines driver confidence in safety features.
Brake-related complaints are common, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Given the high count, buyers should be alert to braking issues.
“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 Tl1000r — 6 recalls
The defect: MOTION PRO IS RECALLING 10,000 AFTERMARKET BRAKE LEVERS, MODEL NO. 14-0415, SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MY 1999 THROUGH 2008 SUZUKI AND MY 1998 THROUGH 2003 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLES. THE LOBE HEIGHT ON SOME OF THESE LEVERS ARE SMALLER AND DO NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH WHICH WILL NOT DEACTIVATE…
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE STOP LAMP WILL REMAIN ON WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: MOTION PRO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MOTION PRO AT 1-877-438-7831.
The defect: Ohlins Racing AB (Ohlins) is recalling certain steering dampers kits manufactured with an incorrectly machined bracket. These dampers were sold for use as aftermarket equipment on Yamaha R1, R6, and FZ6, Suzuki TL1000 R and GSX1300R, Honda CB600RR, and Ducati Monster 1000, 748, 848, 916, 996, and 9…
The risk: If there is a crack in the steering bracket, at low speeds it may cause the steering to lock, leading to personal injury or a crash.
The fix: Ohlins will notify the distributors and provide their customers with a new bracket. The recall began in November 2013. Owners may contact Ohlins USA at 1-828-692-4525. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13E-034.
The defect: MOTION PRO IS RECALLING 10,000 AFTERMARKET BRAKE LEVERS, MODEL NO. 14-0415, SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MY 1999 THROUGH 2008 SUZUKI AND MY 1998 THROUGH 2003 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLES. THE LOBE HEIGHT ON SOME OF THESE LEVERS ARE SMALLER AND DO NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH WHICH WILL NOT DEACTIVATE…
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE STOP LAMP WILL REMAIN ON WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: MOTION PRO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MOTION PRO AT 1-877-438-7831.
The defect: MOTION PRO IS RECALLING 10,000 AFTERMARKET BRAKE LEVERS, MODEL NO. 14-0415, SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MY 1999 THROUGH 2008 SUZUKI AND MY 1998 THROUGH 2003 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLES. THE LOBE HEIGHT ON SOME OF THESE LEVERS ARE SMALLER AND DO NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH WHICH WILL NOT DEACTIVATE…
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE STOP LAMP WILL REMAIN ON WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: MOTION PRO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MOTION PRO AT 1-877-438-7831.
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 Tl1000r or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Suzuki TL1000R has far fewer complaints per year (0.5) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the Accord's higher volume reflects its popularity and more complex systems. In practice, the TL1000R may offer a more trouble-free ownership experience, but the Accord's issues are more varied and potentially more frequent.
Key differences
- The TL1000R has a very low complaint rate (0.5/yr) vs the Accord's high rate (443.8/yr), but the TL1000R's issues are fuel-leak related, which are safety-critical.
- The Accord's complaints are spread across engine, electrical, and driver-assistance systems, indicating a broader range of potential failures.
- The Accord has 38 recalls and 160 crash-related complaints, while the TL1000R has 6 recalls and no crash-related complaints.
- The TL1000R is a niche motorcycle with limited data, while the Accord is a high-volume sedan with extensive data.
- Inspect the fuel tank for cracks, especially around the liquid/vapor separator bracket, and check for any fuel odor or leaks.
- Check the fuel pump mounting flange for signs of leakage; this is a known issue affecting many units.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system and look for any warning messages about adaptive cruise control or lane keeping.
- Inspect the engine for unusual noises and check the electrical system, including wiring harnesses for rodent damage.
Before you buy
- For the TL1000R: ask for service records related to fuel system recalls or repairs.
- For the Accord: check if all recalls have been performed, especially those for fuel pump and electrical systems.
- For the Accord: have a mechanic inspect the brakes and engine for any signs of wear or malfunction.
- For both: take a test drive and pay attention to any warning lights or unusual behavior.
- For the TL1000R: verify the VIN against NHTSA recall information.
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 Tl1000r or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki Tl1000r vs Honda Accord
- Suzuki Tl1000r total complaints
- 2
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Suzuki Tl1000r total recalls
- 6
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Suzuki Tl1000r avg complaints/year
- 0.5
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki Tl1000r
- Suzuki Tl1000r top complaint area
- FUEL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE