Which Accord years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2019 as Accord years to avoid, with 2018 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 1,881 complaints, mostly involving the engine and electrical system.

Which Corolla years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2020 as Corolla years to avoid, led by 2010 with a complaint index of 100 and 1,225 complaints, mostly airbag-related.

Which model has more complaints overall?

The Accord has 9,115 total complaints (570 per model year) versus the Corolla's 4,430 (277 per model year), though NHTSA does not publish sales data so totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.

Which gets better fuel economy?

The Corolla averages 32.2 MPG combined across its lineup, compared to 28.3 MPG combined for the Accord.

Do either have more recalls?

The Accord has 33 total recall campaigns across 16 model years versus 30 for the Corolla; neither has any do-not-drive recalls listed.

Honda Accord vs Toyota Corolla: Which Years to Avoid

Honda Accord years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019; Toyota Corolla years to avoid are 2010, 2011, 2014, 2020. Accord logs 9,115 total complaints (570/year) across 33 recalls; Corolla logs 4,430 (277/year) across 30 recalls. Corolla averages 32.2 MPG combined versus Accord's 28.3 MPG.

Head to head

Honda Accord

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 9,115
Per model year: 570
Recall campaigns: 33
Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019
Best years: 2011, 2021, 2022, 2023
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 28.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Toyota Corolla

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 4,430
Per model year: 277
Recall campaigns: 30
Years to avoid: 2010, 2011, 2014, 2020
Best years: 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023
Top problem area: Airbags
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 32.2
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Accord				Corolla
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Caution	580	12	25	Avoid	1,225	15	27
2011	Best	296	9	26	Avoid	584	9	27
2012	Good	373	8	26	Caution	446	5	29
2013	Avoid	1,421	5	26	Caution	201	5	29
2014	Avoid	981	4	27	Avoid	269	2	32
2015	Caution	601	5	26	Caution	219	1	31.5
2016	Caution	604	4	26	Caution	214	1	31.5
2017	Caution	535	3	25.5	Good	178	3	31
2018	Avoid	1,881	6	28.5	Best	134	3	31
2019	Avoid	689	6	28.5	Best	202	5	32.5
2020	Good	362	5	28.5	Avoid	306	3	33
2021	Best	232	4	32	Good	185	1	33
2022	Best	249	4	32	Best	100	0	33
2023	Best	85	5	32	Best	73	3	39.5
2024	Good	141	3	32	Good	63	2	39.5
2025	Good	85	0	32	Good	31	0	35

Complaint Index by year

Honda Accord

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Toyota Corolla

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Accord years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2019 as Accord years to avoid, with 2018 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 1,881 complaints, mostly involving the engine and electrical system.
Which Corolla years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2020 as Corolla years to avoid, led by 2010 with a complaint index of 100 and 1,225 complaints, mostly airbag-related.
Which model has more complaints overall?: The Accord has 9,115 total complaints (570 per model year) versus the Corolla's 4,430 (277 per model year), though NHTSA does not publish sales data so totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.
Which gets better fuel economy?: The Corolla averages 32.2 MPG combined across its lineup, compared to 28.3 MPG combined for the Accord.
Do either have more recalls?: The Accord has 33 total recall campaigns across 16 model years versus 30 for the Corolla; neither has any do-not-drive recalls listed.