Head-to-head reliability
Tesla Cybertruck vs Honda Accord
How the Tesla Cybertruck 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
Tesla Cybertruck vs Honda Accord: The Cybertruck averages about 69 complaints per year with 16 recalls in three years, while the Accord averages about 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls over ten years. Both show serious electrical and driver-assist issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Tesla Cybertruck or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Tesla Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck is a new, low-volume electric pickup with only three years of complaint history, averaging about 69 complaints per year. Owners frequently report electrical glitches, structural pieces coming loose or cracking, and driver-assist systems that behave unexpectedly. With 16 recalls in that short time, it is a vehicle that demands patience and close attention to software and hardware updates.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume family sedan with a decade of complaint data, averaging about 452 complaints per year. The most common trouble spots are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with reports of stalling, warning lights, and braking or steering failures. With 38 recalls over ten years, it is a known quantity but still has recurring safety-related defects that owners must track.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Tesla Cybertruck | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 206 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 68.7 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 21 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 6 | 3 Better |
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.
Tesla Cybertruck
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM63
- 02STRUCTURE40
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER35
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE26
- 05STEERING22
Owners describe loud pops from the front of the vehicle followed by alerts, and cases where Full Self-Driving does not disengage when the driver steers. These failures can leave a driver fighting the system for control, which is a serious concern at highway speeds.
Reports include exterior trim pieces like the sail applique coming loose or flying off, and in at least one case a rear structural casting cracked after an impact. Loose body parts can become road hazards, and casting cracks raise questions about crash repair costs.
Owners report that Automatic Emergency Braking and other driver-assist features become unavailable, sometimes with multiple warnings at startup. When these systems drop out, the truck loses a layer of crash protection that buyers may expect to work every time.
Complaints mention unexpected steering behavior while using driver-assist features, including cases where the vehicle does not respond as the driver expects when taking over. This can make the truck feel unpredictable, especially for a first-time owner of a high-tech vehicle.
“On XXX at approximately 5:15 AM, I was driving my 2024 Tesla Cybertruck (VIN [XXX], ~47,300 miles) on an interstate trip to [XXX] with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) engaged. I heard a loud pop from the front of the vehicle, immediately followed by an alert s…”
“While driving on a highway with Full Self-Driving engaged, I approached an exit and applied steering input to take control. I expected the system to disengage and the Cybertruck to follow my steering input. The vehicle did not respond in the manner I expected…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of speed, multiple warning lights, and rattling noises that sound like a diesel, along with rough transitions between electric and gas modes on hybrids. These symptoms can strand a driver or lead to expensive repairs, and some owners say Honda has not resolved the issue.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire failures shortly after service for a TPMS warning. A sudden loss of steering or braking assist is a severe safety risk, and repeat visits for warning lights are common.
Owners describe adaptive cruise control and collision-avoidance systems that fail to respond to obstacles, sometimes on the same route under similar conditions. When these systems do not work as expected, the driver must be ready to take over immediately to avoid a crash.
Reports include persistent rotten-egg or sulfur odors that remain after paid repairs, and fuel pump issues that can cause stalling or failure to start. These problems affect daily drivability and can lead to repeated shop visits without a clear fix.
“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.
Tesla Cybertruck — 16 recalls
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Cybertruck vehicles. The light bar can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
The risk: A detached light bar can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla service will replace the cant rail assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 19, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-10-001.
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Cybertruck vehicles operating software prior to 2025.38.3. The vehicle controller software may cause the front parking lights to be too bright and exceed the maximum light output, adversely affecting the vision of other drivers. As such, these vehi…
The risk: Parking lights that are too bright can reduce visibility of oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-008.
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Cybertruck vehicles equipped with 18-inch steel wheels. The brake rotor stud holes may crack and allow the stud to separate from the wheel hub.
The risk: Wheel stud separation can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla Service will replace the front and rear brake rotors, hubs, and lug nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this reca…
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Cybertruck vehicles operating software prior to 2025.38.3. The vehicle controller software may cause the front parking lights to be too bright and exceed the maximum light output, adversely affecting the vision of other drivers. As such, these vehi…
The risk: Parking lights that are too bright can reduce visibility of oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-008.
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
Tesla Cybertruck or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Tesla Cybertruck has far fewer complaints per year (about 69) than the Honda Accord (about 452), but the Cybertruck's short history and 16 recalls in three years mean its long-term pattern is still unknown. The Accord's higher volume reflects millions of vehicles on the road, yet its reports include serious stalling and braking failures. In practice, the Cybertruck may need more software and trim attention, while the Accord may need more mechanical and electrical repairs over time.
Key differences
- The Cybertruck averages about 69 complaints per year, while the Accord averages about 452 per year, but the Cybertruck has only three years of data versus ten for the Accord.
- Cybertruck owners report electrical pops, driver-assist failures, and loose exterior trim, while Accord owners report engine stalling, power steering and braking failures, and fuel odors.
- The Cybertruck has 16 recalls in three years, including structure, lighting, and wheel issues, while the Accord has 38 recalls over ten years, including electrical, air bag, and fuel pump issues.
- The Cybertruck's crash-related complaints (27) and injuries (21) are lower in total than the Accord's (162 crashes, 146 injuries), but the Accord's much larger fleet size means per-vehicle rates are not directly comparable from these totals alone.
- Check that all exterior trim pieces, especially the sail applique and bed cover, are securely attached and not loose or missing.
- Test the Full Self-Driving and Automatic Emergency Braking systems on a test drive, and ask for a service history showing any electrical or steering repairs.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and feel for rough transitions between EV and gas mode on hybrid models.
- Test the power steering and brakes at low and highway speeds, and check for any warning lights related to TPMS, ABS, or hill descent.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls for the specific Cybertruck or Accord have been completed.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on the Cybertruck's electrical and structural components or the Accord's engine and hybrid system.
- Test all driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, on a variety of roads.
- For the Cybertruck, verify software version and check for any pending updates or service bulletins.
- For the Accord, check for signs of fuel odors, tire wear, and any history of repeated electrical repairs.
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 | Tesla Cybertruck | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 10 |
| 2025 | 24 | 109 |
| 2024 | 174 | 219 |
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 Tesla Cybertruck or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Tesla Cybertruck vs Honda Accord
- Tesla Cybertruck total complaints
- 206
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Tesla Cybertruck total recalls
- 16
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Tesla Cybertruck avg complaints/year
- 68.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Tesla Cybertruck
- Tesla Cybertruck top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE