Is the Honda Accord a safe car to drive?

The Honda Accord is broadly considered a very safe midsize sedan, with strong crash-test results and a robust suite of driver-assist features. It stands as a top pick for safety in its class.

This article examines current safety ratings, the technology that helps prevent crashes, and practical considerations for buyers, to help you understand how the Accord performs in real-world driving and how variations by model year and trim can affect its safety profile.

Safety ratings at a glance

Here is a snapshot of the latest official crash-test results and safety ratings you should know about.

• IIHS: Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ for recent Accord models, depending on headlights and trim configuration.


• NHTSA: Overall 5-star safety rating in recent model years, with particularly strong performance in frontal and side-crash tests.


• Active safety tech: The latest Accord models typically include a comprehensive Honda Sensing suite (adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and more) as standard or widely available across trims.

Taken together, these ratings indicate strong protection in a wide range of crash scenarios, though exact results can vary by model year and trim configuration.

Safety features and design elements that help protect you

Beyond the crash-test numbers, several design and feature elements contribute to the Accord’s safety performance in daily driving.

• ACE body structure: Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering design helps distribute crash energy and protect occupants across a variety of collision types.


• Airbag system: A broad set of airbags, including front, knee, and side-curtain units, to cushion occupants in different impact scenarios.


• Honda Sensing safety suite: Standard on the latest models, including Collision Mitigation Braking System with Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and Adaptive Cruise Control.


• Driver-assist and visibility aids: Features such as a rearview camera and, in many trims, rear cross-traffic monitoring or similar sensing technologies augment awareness and decision-making while driving.

These design and technology elements work together to reduce crash risk and mitigate injuries if a crash occurs, while also helping drivers avoid collisions in everyday traffic.

Real-world considerations and buyer notes

When evaluating safety, it’s important to consider how model year, trim level, and maintenance affect performance on the road.

Model year and trim variability

Safety ratings and the availability of particular headlights or driver-assist features can vary by year and trim. A newer Accord with the latest headlights and full Honda Sensing is typically safer than older configurations.

Additionally, ensure that safety systems are functional and that tires are in good condition, since worn tires or inactive safety systems can reduce overall effectiveness.

Bottom line

For most buyers seeking a safe, reliable, and well-equipped midsize sedan, the Honda Accord ranks among the top choices. When you select a current-generation model with the complete safety-systems package and well-maintained tires, it offers strong crash protection and active safety features that can help prevent crashes and reduce injury.

Summary: The Honda Accord is widely regarded as a very safe car in its class, backed by strong IIHS and NHTSA ratings, a robust ACE body structure, and a broad safety-tech suite. Ratings can vary by model year and trim, so verify the exact configuration before purchasing to ensure you get the safety features you want. Overall, the Accord remains one of the safest midsize sedans available today.

How safe are Honda Accords?

The Honda Accord is a very safe car, with recent models earning top safety ratings from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which awarded the 2024 model its "Top Safety Pick+" designation, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which gave it a 5-star overall rating. Its safety performance is supported by its robust structure and the standard inclusion of the Honda Sensing® suite of driver-assist technologies, which includes features like a Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane-Keeping Assist System, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
 
Safety ratings

• IIHS: The 2024 Honda Accord received the IIHS's highest award, the Top Safety Pick+. This recognition has been consistently earned by the model in previous years as well, due in part to its improved side crash protection. 
• NHTSA: The NHTSA gave the 2024 Accord a 5-star overall safety rating. It also received 5-star ratings in the frontal crash and side crash categories. 

Standard safety and driver-assist features

• Honda Sensing®: This suite of safety and driver-assist features is standard on all new models. It includes: 
  • Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)™ 
  • Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM) 
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) 
  • Lane-Keeping Assist System (LKAS) 
• Other standard safety features: Additional standard safety equipment includes:
  • Anti-lock brakes (ABS) 
  • Electronic Stability Control 
  • Daytime Running Lights 
  • Traction Control 
  • Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure 

What is the #1 safest car?

There is no single #1 safest car, as ratings vary by testing organization and model year. However, the Volvo XC90 is frequently highlighted for its safety features and strong performance in crash tests, and several 2025 models from brands like Subaru, Kia, Hyundai, and Tesla also achieve top ratings from organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It's important to check the latest safety ratings for specific model years from the IIHS and NHTSA to find the safest vehicle for your needs. 
Top contenders for safest cars

• Volvo XC90: Consistently praised for safety, the luxury SUV has earned top marks in crash tests and features advanced safety technology like Pilot Assist and City Safety. 
• Subaru Outback: A midsize crossover that combines off-road capability with strong safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS. 
• Tesla Model 3: Earned high scores in crash tests and is noted for its autonomous emergency braking and other driver assistance systems. 
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: An electric vehicle that has received a top safety score of 10 out of 10 from U.S. News & World Report. 
• Subaru Forester: Frequently cited as a top choice for safety, with IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards for various model years. 
• Kia EV6: Another electric SUV that has received a top safety score of 10 out of 10 from U.S. News & World Report. 

How to find the safest car for you

• Check the latest ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA for specific model years, as features and ratings change annually. 
• Look for vehicles that have earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, which is their highest honor. 
• Consider a vehicle's accident rate per 100,0

Which Honda Accord to stay away from?

Honda Accord models to avoid include the 1998-2005, 2008-2010, 2013-2014, and 2018 model years due to issues like transmission failures, excessive oil consumption, and problems with newer turbocharged engines and infotainment systems. Specifically, 2003 models had high transmission complaint rates, 2008-2010 models suffered from oil consumption, and 2018 models saw engine and tech issues.
 
Years to avoid and their issues

• 1998–2005: This generation (especially the 2003 model) is known for significant automatic transmission failures. Interior trim and rattles are also common complaints. 
• 2008–2010: These models frequently experience excessive oil consumption, often due to piston ring issues. The 2008 model also saw premature brake wear. 
• 2013–2014: Both years had reliability concerns, with the 2014 model in particular experiencing issues with its CVT transmission, such as shuddering and stalling. Both years also had problems with their early infotainment systems. 
• 2018: This was the first year for the new turbocharged engines, and many owners reported engine problems. Infotainment and safety system issues (including driver-assist malfunctions) were also reported. 

Other considerations

• Transmission issues: Beyond the specific years listed, Honda Accords have had a history of transmission problems, so it's crucial to have any used model's transmission checked thoroughly, especially those with automatic transmissions. 
• Maintenance: A lack of proper maintenance can lead to major engine and transmission problems in many Accord models, regardless of the specific year. 

Why are Honda Accords being recalled?

Honda issued a voluntary recall of 256,000 vehicles because of a software issue that could raise the risk of a crash or injury. The automaker said in a company release that the Integrated Control Module (ICM) might reset while the car is in operation and may cause a loss of power while driving.