Is the Honda Accord more reliable than the Hyundai Sonata?

Based on our data, the Honda Accord is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Honda Accord or the Hyundai Sonata?

The Honda Accord has more recalls (46) compared to the Hyundai Sonata (20). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Honda Accord or the Hyundai Sonata?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Sonata has a lower complaint rate at 3.7 per 10,000 sold versus 5.7 for the Honda Accord. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Honda Accord or Hyundai Sonata safer?

Both the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Honda Accord vs Hyundai Sonata: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Honda Accord

Good

Hyundai Sonata

Good

Choosing between the Honda Accord and the Hyundai Sonata? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Honda Accord currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 67/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata Generations Compare?

The Honda Accord is currently in its eleventh generation, introduced in 2023. Being early in its cycle, it may face typical first-year issues as the new platform settles. In contrast, the Hyundai Sonata is in its eighth generation, which began in 2020, with a significant facelift in 2023. The Sonata's current generation is more mature, likely benefiting from refinements over its cycle. Generally, newer platforms like the Accord's may experience initial teething problems, whereas the Sonata's established design tends to offer more reliability. Buyers should consider these generation stages when evaluating long-term dependability.

Verdict

The Honda Accord is more reliable than the Hyundai Sonata, scoring 74/100 vs 67/100.

The Honda Accord outperforms the Hyundai Sonata in reliability, with an average reliability score of 86/100 compared to the Sonata's 69/100. Despite having more recalls (46) than the Sonata's 20 over nine years, the Accord boasts a lower owner complaint rate of 5.7 per 10,000 sold versus the Sonata's 3.7, indicating fewer issues relative to its sales volume. The Accord also has a lower estimated annual repair cost of $400, making it a more economical choice in terms of maintenance. Key differentiators include the Accord's superior reliability score and lower repair costs, although both models share common issues in the electrical system and engine categories.

Key Differences

1Hyundai Sonata has 26 fewer total recalls
2Honda Accord scores 7 points higher in reliability
3Hyundai Sonata has 2.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

1Honda Accord

—

2Hyundai Sonata

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Honda Accord vs Hyundai Sonata: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda Accord vs Hyundai Sonata at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda Accord	Hyundai Sonata
Reliability Score	74/100	67/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	46	20
Complaints per 10k Sold	5.7	3.7
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	7	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata?

The Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Accord having a higher total number of complaints at 3,481 compared to the Sonata's 1,050. The Accord's most significant issues arise in the electrical system with 527 complaints, including 18 linked to crashes, and service brakes with 311 complaints, also 18 crash-linked, highlighting potential areas of concern for safety. In contrast, the Sonata's most frequent complaints center around the engine with 239 complaints and the electrical system with 161 complaints, but it shows a notable concentration of crash-linked issues in vehicle speed control with 9 incidents. Both models share issues in engine and electrical systems, but the Accord demonstrates a broader distribution of complaints across more categories, whereas the Sonata's problems are more concentrated in fewer areas.

Honda Accord vs Hyundai Sonata common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda Accord	Hyundai Sonata
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.9Very Low	0.6Very Low
ENGINE	0.7Very Low	0.8Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.6Very Low	0.4Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.7Very Low	—None
POWER TRAIN	0.3Very Low	0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.5Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.4Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.4Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda Accord or Hyundai Sonata?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Honda Accord has an annual repair cost of $400, with an average of 0.3 repair visits per year and a 9% risk of major repairs. Although specific data for the Hyundai Sonata is unavailable, generally, the Accord is known for its reliability and lower repair frequency. This translates to fewer trips to the mechanic, which can be appealing for cost-conscious buyers. Given these insights, the Honda Accord presents a more predictable cost profile with its known repair costs and lower likelihood of major issues. For those prioritizing reliability and lower unexpected expenses, the Accord may represent the better value over time.

How Does Honda Accord vs Hyundai Sonata Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda Accord vs Hyundai Sonata year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda Accord	Hyundai Sonata	Edge
2025	84/1001R / 65C	76/1000R / 16C	Honda Accord
2024	76/1006R / 166C	73/1001R / 41C	Honda Accord
2023	74/10010R / 199C	62/1002R / 87C	Honda Accord
2022	77/1003R / 201C	65/1003R / 95C	Honda Accord
2021	78/1005R / 215C	64/1004R / 151C	Honda Accord
2020	73/1008R / 344C	62/1005R / 163C	Honda Accord
2019	70/1005R / 574C	71/1000R / 144C	Hyundai Sonata
2018	63/1008R / 1739C	61/1003R / 353C	Honda Accord
2026(predicted)	78/100(predicted)	70/100(predicted)	Honda Accord

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda Accord scored 84/100 and the 2025 Hyundai Sonata scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda Accord vs the Hyundai Sonata?

If you prioritize reliability and lower repair costs, the Honda Accord is your best bet. With a strong reliability score of 89/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of $400, this model promises dependable performance. While it has more recalls (46) compared to the Hyundai Sonata, its owner complaints rate of 5.7 per 10,000 sold suggests high satisfaction levels. The Accord's major repair risk is only 9%, making it a solid choice for those who want peace of mind on the road. On the other hand, if you're more concerned with fewer recalls and a lower complaint rate, the Hyundai Sonata might appeal to you. Although its reliability score is lower at 69/100, it has only 20 recalls and 3.7 complaints per 10,000 sold. However, the lack of specific data on repair costs and frequency should be considered. Choose the Sonata if you value fewer recalls, but be aware of potential unknown repair expenses.

Honda Accord vs Hyundai Sonata: Common Questions

Is the Honda Accord more reliable than the Hyundai Sonata?: Based on our data, the Honda Accord is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda Accord or the Hyundai Sonata?: The Honda Accord has more recalls (46) compared to the Hyundai Sonata (20). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Honda Accord or the Hyundai Sonata?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Sonata has a lower complaint rate at 3.7 per 10,000 sold versus 5.7 for the Honda Accord. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Honda Accord or Hyundai Sonata safer?: Both the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Honda Accord comparisons

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More Hyundai Sonata comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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