Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki XL7 vs Honda Accord
How the Suzuki XL7 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 XL7 vs Honda Accord: The XL7 averages 36.2 complaints per year with 2 recalls, while the Accord averages 452.4 per year with 38 recalls. The Accord has more reported engine and electrical issues, but the XL7's discontinuation may complicate repairs. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Suzuki XL7 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Suzuki XL7
The Suzuki XL7 is a discontinued mid-size SUV, and its 217 complaints over six years average about 36 per year. Owners most often report steering problems, engine issues, and air bag warnings, with several complaints describing leaks and electrical glitches. Because Suzuki no longer sells cars in the U.S., parts and dealer support can be harder to find, making pre-purchase inspections critical.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular mid-size sedan with 4,524 complaints over ten years, averaging about 452 per year. The volume is high partly because so many are on the road, but owners report serious patterns in engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems. Some complaints describe sudden loss of power or braking assist, which are significant safety concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Suzuki XL7 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 217 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 36.2 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 XL7
- 01STEERING53
- 02ENGINE39
- 03AIR BAGS36
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM28
Owners report pulsating at low speeds, grinding noises, and even the vehicle shutting off during low-speed turns. These symptoms suggest steering or related component wear that can affect control and should be checked carefully.
Complaints include check engine lights, oil consumption (one owner was two quarts low), and timing chain issues. These can lead to costly repairs and potential breakdowns if not addressed.
The service air bag light comes on and off, and the passenger air bag may turn off regardless of seat weight. This means the air bag may not deploy when needed, a serious safety concern.
Owners report door locks that won't respond to the key fob and sunroof leaks into the cabin. These issues can leave you locked out or cause water damage to electronics.
“TO BEGIN, MY MOONROOF LEAKED INTO THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS IN THE CABIN ANY TIME I WASHED THE CAR. HAD TO TAKE IT IN 3 TIMES TO GET IT FIXED. WINDOW SEALS WERE BUCKLING AND GOT THOSE REPLACED BY DEALER - BUT CONTINUED TO BUCKLE. ALL STABILITRAC LIGHTS HAVE ALWAYS…”
“FALL 2018 HAD OBD CODE FOR TIMING CHAIN- REPLACED TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER, END OF NOVEMBER 2019 PULSATING AT LOW SPEEDS- ALIGNMENT, NEW BRAKES, NEW TIRES. JANUARY 2020 MADE A U TURN AT LOW SPEEDS APPROX. 2 MPH AND VEHICLE MADE GRINDING NOISE AND SHUT OFF W…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of speed with multiple alarms. These could indicate hybrid system or engine problems that are expensive to diagnose and fix.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and tire failure after TPMS service. Such failures can cause loss of control and are critical to inspect.
Owners report the system failing to resolve threats, with incidents occurring under similar conditions. This suggests the driver-assist features may not always perform as expected, so don't rely on them alone.
There are complaints about persistent sulfur odors and potential fuel system issues. While not always safety-critical, these can indicate problems that affect performance and comfort.
“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 XL7 — 2 recalls
The defect: American Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2007 XL-7 vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; and manufactured June 13, 2006, through December 22, 2006. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the…
The risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The fix: American Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed on March 7, 2013. Owners may contact American Suzuki Customer Relations at 1-800-934-0934.
The defect: CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." AN INCORRECT PRIMER MAY HAVE BEEN USED WHEN INSTALLING THE WINDSHIELD.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURIES TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY GLASS (WINDSHIELD, LIFTGATE GLASS, OR THE SIDE STATIONARY GLASS) THAT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
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 XL7 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Suzuki XL7 has far fewer complaints per year (about 36 vs. 452 for the Accord), but it also sold in much lower numbers and is discontinued. The Accord's higher rate means you're more likely to encounter reported issues, especially in engine and electrical systems, but many are on newer models with advanced features.
Key differences
- The Suzuki XL7 has steering complaints as its top category, with reports of pulsating and grinding, while the Accord's top category is engine, with rattling and power loss.
- Accord owners report forward collision avoidance failures, a system not highlighted in XL7 complaints.
- XL7 complaints include air bag warning lights and passenger sensor issues; Accord has air bag recalls but fewer owner complaints in that area.
- Both have fuel pump recalls, but the Accord also has recalls for hybrid software and seat belts.
- Check for steering pulsation or grinding noises at low speeds, and test the vehicle during tight turns.
- Inspect the sunroof and window seals for leaks, and verify all door locks respond to the key fob.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds if possible, and listen for rattles during acceleration.
- Verify forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control functions, and check for any warning lights or stored codes.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls using the VIN.
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering and suspension on the XL7, and the hybrid/electrical systems on the Accord.
- Test all electrical features: door locks, windows, sunroof, and warning lights.
- For the Accord, test drive at highway speeds and engage driver-assist features to check for proper operation.
- Confirm availability of parts and service for the Suzuki, as the brand exited the U.S. market.
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 XL7 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki XL7 vs Honda Accord
- Suzuki XL7 total complaints
- 217
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Suzuki XL7 total recalls
- 2
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Suzuki XL7 avg complaints/year
- 36.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki XL7
- Suzuki XL7 top complaint area
- STEERING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE