Head-to-head reliability
Aston Martin DBS vs Honda Accord
How the Aston Martin DBS 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
Aston Martin DBS vs Honda Accord: The DBS has 0 complaints over 10 years, while the Accord has 4326, but the DBS has 18 recalls and the Accord 38. The Accord's engine and infotainment issues are common, while the DBS's problems are less documented. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Aston Martin DBS or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Aston Martin DBS
The Aston Martin DBS is a low-volume, high-performance grand tourer that, in ownership terms, is more about exclusivity and driving experience than daily practicality. With zero complaints on file over a decade, the data suggests owners rarely report issues to NHTSA, which could mean either very few problems or a small owner base that doesn't use the system. The 18 recalls, however, indicate that the manufacturer has proactively addressed potential defects in areas like transmission control, electrical battery cables, and seat heaters, so buyers should verify all recall work is done. Overall, it's a vehicle where reliability is less documented, and maintenance costs and dealer network are bigger concerns than common failure patterns.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume, mainstream sedan with a much larger owner base, and its complaint data shows a clear pattern of recurring issues. Owners report frequent problems with the engine (especially head gasket and turbocharger failures on the 1.5T), electrical system (infotainment screen ghost-touching and glitches), and forward collision avoidance (false braking and steering assist glitches). With 4326 complaints over 10 years, the Accord has a higher absolute number of issues, but that's partly due to its popularity. The recalls (38) cover safety-critical areas like brakes, airbags, and fuel pumps, so buyers should ensure all recalls are performed. In practice, the Accord is a reliable car overall, but these specific trouble spots are worth checking.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Aston Martin DBS | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 4,326 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 155 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 432.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 141 |
| 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.
Aston Martin DBS
No component data available.
No specific owner complaints are on record, but a recall in this area suggests potential issues with door locks or latches that could affect security or entry. Buyers should verify the recall was completed to avoid lock failures.
A recall for the transmission control module indicates a possible software or hardware defect that could cause shifting problems or loss of drive. Owners might experience rough shifts or warning lights, so ensure the recall fix is applied.
A recall for battery cables suggests a risk of electrical failure, possibly leading to starting issues or power loss. This is critical for a high-performance car where electrical gremlins can be costly.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE940
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM832
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE802
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER701
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM579
Owners report head gasket failures on the 1.5L turbo engine, leading to coolant loss and potential overheating. Turbocharger failures also cause significant power loss and performance degradation, which can be dangerous in traffic.
The central infotainment screen suffers from 'ghost touching' and glitches, causing random inputs, screen freezes, and even system crashes. This can distract the driver and affect access to vehicle settings and safety features.
Owners report the system causing false braking, steering wheel becoming hard to turn, and driver assist features randomly turning off. These unpredictable behaviors can be alarming and increase the risk of a collision.
“I am submitting this complaint regarding an apparent head gasket failure involving my 2022 Honda Accord Sport 1.5T equipped with Honda's 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. At approximately 143,000 miles, I began experiencing coolant loss without any visible exter…”
“I am writing to file a complaint regarding a serious issue with my Honda vehicle involving the turbocharger system. The turbocharger appears to be failing, causing a significant reduction in vehicle speed and performance while driving. During operation, the v…”
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.
Aston Martin DBS — 18 recalls
The defect: Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 DB9, 2010-2012 DBS, 2010-2016 V8 Vantage, 2012 Virage, 2010-2016 Rapide, 2014-2016 Vanquish, 2011-2016 V12 Vantage, and 2012-2013 V12 Zagato vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with interior door…
The risk: If the doors cannot be opened by an occupant from inside the vehicle, they may be trapped inside, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will disable the double locking feature by reprogramming the software, free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2016. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston…
The defect: Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2009-2016 DB9, 2009-2012 DBS, 2010-2015 Rapide, 2012 Virage, and 2014 Vanquish vehicles equipped with a 6-Speed Touchtronic II Automatic Transmission. A communication error between the Engine Control Module (ECM) and the Transmission Con…
The risk: If the park pawl does not engage and the vehicle is stopped on a slope and exited without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will update the TCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 1, 2018. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this…
The defect: Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2005-2009 DB9, and DBS vehicles. The battery supply cable on these vehicles may become damaged when the driver seat is positioned in the full rearward location.
The risk: If the battery cable is damaged and then grounded, the short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery supply cable for damage, and install a routing block to keep the battery supply cable from being compressed by the seat, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 201…
The defect: Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 DB9, V12 Vantage, V8 Vantage, DBS, and Virage vehicles manufactured July 3, 2006, to November 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic control module for the driver and front passenger seat heate…
The risk: If the electronic control module fails, the seat heater could get hot enough that areas of the seat may overheat and smolder, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional module to the circuit that can interrupt the power to the seat heaters in case the electronic control module for the seat heaters fails, free of charge. The recall beg…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an…
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.
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…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
Buyer analysis
Aston Martin DBS or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Aston Martin DBS has far fewer complaints per year (0.0) compared to the Honda Accord (432.6), but that's largely due to its tiny owner base and low reporting. In practice, the Accord's issues are more common and well-documented, but they are also more typical of a mass-market car. The DBS's recalls suggest it has had its share of defects, but with no owner complaints, it's harder to gauge real-world reliability. For a buyer, the Accord's problems are more likely to occur and are well-known, while the DBS's issues are less predictable but potentially more expensive to fix.
Key differences
- The DBS has zero complaints on record, while the Accord has thousands, but the DBS's small owner base skews the comparison.
- The Accord's engine issues (head gasket, turbo) are specific and costly, whereas the DBS's recalls focus on electrical and transmission components.
- The Accord's infotainment ghost-touch problem is a common annoyance that can distract drivers, while the DBS has no reported infotainment issues.
- The Accord has 155 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths, while the DBS has none, but the DBS's low volume makes such events statistically unlikely.
- Check that all 18 recalls have been performed, especially the transmission control module and battery cable recalls, as these could cause sudden loss of power or starting issues.
- Inspect the electrical system for any signs of battery or cable corrosion, and test all seat heaters and locks to ensure they work properly.
- Look for signs of coolant leaks or white exhaust smoke, which could indicate a head gasket failure on the 1.5T engine, and check the turbocharger for oil leaks or unusual noises.
- Test the infotainment screen for ghost touches or freezes, and verify that the forward collision avoidance system doesn't brake unexpectedly during a test drive.
Before you buy
- Obtain the vehicle's recall status from the NHTSA website and confirm all recalls are completed.
- For the Accord, ask for service records related to engine coolant, turbocharger, and infotainment screen replacements.
- For the DBS, have a mechanic inspect the transmission control module and battery cables for any signs of wear or previous repairs.
- Take both cars for an extended test drive, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for any transmission or braking anomalies.
- Check the NHTSA complaint database for the specific model year you're considering to see if there are any patterns.
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 | Aston Martin DBS | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 208 |
| 2023 | 0 | 221 |
| 2022 | 0 | 218 |
| 2021 | 0 | 217 |
| 2020 | 0 | 344 |
| 2019 | 0 | 660 |
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 Aston Martin DBS or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Aston Martin DBS vs Honda Accord
- Aston Martin DBS total complaints
- 0
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,326
- Aston Martin DBS total recalls
- 18
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Aston Martin DBS avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 432.6
- More reliable overall
- Aston Martin DBS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE