Head-to-head reliability
AUDI A5 vs Honda Accord
How the AUDI A5 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
AUDI A5 vs Honda Accord: The Audi A5 averages 10.9 complaints per year with 24 recalls, while the Honda Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Accord also reports 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries, versus 2 crashes and 0 injuries for the A5. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI A5 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI A5
The Audi A5 is a luxury coupe or sedan with a relatively low complaint volume—about 11 per year over a decade—but the pattern shows recurring electronic gremlins. Owners frequently report the infotainment system (MMI) rebooting or shutting down, sometimes blanking the backup camera, and a few describe transmission errors that can immobilize the car. With 24 recalls covering tires, suspension, seats, and cooling, it's a car that demands attention to electrical and software health.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with a much higher complaint rate—over 450 per year—and a broader range of serious issues. Engine and electrical problems dominate, including loss of power, stalling, and simultaneous failure of power steering and braking. With 38 recalls and reports of crashes, injuries, and deaths, it's a vehicle where safety-related defects appear more frequently in owner reports.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI A5 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 109 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 24 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 10.9 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 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.
AUDI A5
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM55
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER30
- 03BACK OVER PREVENTION17
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE8
- 05ENGINE8
Owners report the MMI infotainment system randomly shutting down or rebooting every few minutes, which can blank the backup camera and cause distraction. Some also describe transmission errors that prevent the car from going into gear and lock the doors, leaving the vehicle immobile.
Many complaints mention the MMI resetting repeatedly, affecting navigation, CarPlay, and radio, sometimes startling the driver when audio suddenly turns on. A few report transmission failure warnings that limit driving speed, requiring immediate service.
The backup camera often goes blank when the MMI reboots, especially while reversing, creating a risk of backing into objects or people. This is a direct safety concern for parking and low-speed maneuvers.
Some owners experience unexpected, forceful brake hold that interferes with normal driving, such as when changing lanes in stop-and-go traffic. Others report the same transmission and door lock failures that can strand the vehicle.
“The vehicle's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) system is reportedly shutting down randomly while the vehicle is in operation. This issue occurs without warning and is intermittent, making it unpredictable. Observed Symptoms/Events: Complete Loss of MMI Functionali…”
“13 Jun 25 2100 hrs - Auto went thru multiple of errors and transmission would not go into gear, electric door locks released all emergency pull handles and car was not able to move. Called Audi Emergency Service. Tried to get out of vehicle and door could not…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of power, rattling noises during acceleration, and rough transitions between EV and gas modes in hybrid models. Alarms for brake, hill descent, and ABS failures appear, and the vehicle may not accelerate, creating a highway hazard.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, leading to near-collisions. Also, TPMS warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure, and persistent sulfur odors that may indicate battery or charging issues.
Adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems may malfunction, with reports of sudden braking or failure to respond under identical driving conditions. These issues can occur repeatedly and undermine driver confidence.
Fuel pump and hybrid power control unit problems are noted in recalls and complaints, potentially causing stalling or loss of motive power. Owners describe rough engine operation and jerking when the system switches modes.
“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.
AUDI A5 — 24 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7…
The risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe,…
The risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 4…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passen…
The risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number fo…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that ca…
The risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall i…
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
AUDI A5 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Audi A5 has far fewer complaints per year (about 11 vs. 452 for the Honda Accord), but both have notable electrical and safety-related issues. In practice, the Accord's higher volume means you're more likely to encounter a serious defect, while the A5's issues tend to be annoying electronic glitches that may still require costly repairs.
Key differences
- The Audi A5 has about 11 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord has about 452 per year, a 40-fold difference in reported issue frequency.
- Audi A5 complaints center on infotainment reboots and transmission errors, whereas Honda Accord complaints more often involve engine power loss and simultaneous brake/steering failure.
- The Honda Accord has 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths reported, compared to 2 crashes, 0 injuries, and 1 death for the Audi A5.
- Both have numerous recalls, but the Accord's recalls include critical safety systems like airbag sensors and fuel pumps, while the A5's recalls cover tires, suspension, and cooling.
- Test the MMI infotainment system thoroughly: check for random reboots, screen freezes, and backup camera function while reversing.
- Scan for transmission error codes and test drive at various speeds to ensure smooth gear engagement and no warning lights.
- Listen for engine rattles during acceleration and check for rough transitions between EV and gas modes on hybrid models.
- Verify that electronic power steering and braking systems function without warning lights, and test adaptive cruise control if equipped.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for outstanding recalls on both models, especially the Honda's fuel pump and airbag recalls.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the brand, focusing on electrical systems and transmission for the Audi, and engine/ hybrid components for the Honda.
- During a test drive, operate all infotainment and driver-assist features, including backup camera, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping, to check for glitches.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for software updates and any repairs related to the MMI or engine/electrical faults.
- Check tire condition and TPMS functionality, as both vehicles have had tire-related recalls and complaints.
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 | AUDI A5 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 10 |
| 2025 | 9 | 109 |
| 2024 | 8 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 8 | 234 |
| 2020 | 60 | 362 |
| 2019 | 12 | 691 |
| 2018 | 9 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 2 | 537 |
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 AUDI A5 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI A5 vs Honda Accord
- AUDI A5 total complaints
- 109
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- AUDI A5 total recalls
- 24
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- AUDI A5 avg complaints/year
- 10.9
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- AUDI A5
- AUDI A5 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE