Head-to-head reliability
AUDI E TRON vs Honda Accord
How the AUDI E TRON 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 E TRON vs Honda Accord: The e-tron averages 29 complaints per year over 4 years, while the Accord averages 452 per year over 10 years. The Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries; the e-tron has 4 and 1. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI E TRON or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI E TRON
The Audi e-tron is an electric SUV that, in NHTSA data, shows a relatively low complaint rate of about 29 per year over four years, but the complaints cluster around electrical and power train issues. Owners report blank instrument displays, sudden loss of drive power, and jerking before the drivetrain disengages. Recalls cover brakes, seat belts, dashboard panels, and rearview camera software, so it's a vehicle that demands attention to software and electrical health.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year over ten years—and a broader mix of engine, electrical, and driver-assist problems. Owners describe alarming warnings, loss of speed, power steering and brake failure, and forward collision avoidance that can activate unexpectedly. With 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries reported, the data suggests that when things go wrong, they can escalate quickly.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI E TRON | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 116 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 21 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 29.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 146 |
| 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.
AUDI E TRON
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM59
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER26
- 03POWER TRAIN19
- 04ENGINE18
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM15
Owners report intermittent blank instrument clusters and 'Electrical System Malfunction' messages that can appear while driving. These issues can leave you without speed or warning displays and often require dealer visits that may not resolve the problem quickly.
Complaints describe the vehicle suddenly jerking and the drivetrain disengaging as you approach a stop, leaving you coasting with only steering and brakes. This loss of propulsion, even if brief, is a serious concern in traffic.
Although the e-tron is electric, NHTSA lists 'ENGINE' complaints that mirror electrical malfunction messages and long dealer stays. These reports suggest that powertrain electronics can fail and leave the vehicle undrivable for extended periods.
This category captures complaints about the electric propulsion system, including sudden loss of power and error messages. For a buyer, it means the high-voltage system may need costly diagnostics and repairs outside warranty.
“I own a 2021 Audi e-tron with approximately 58000 miles. Beginning in March 2026, the vehicle developed intermittent Virtual Cockpit/instrument-cluster problems with blank display. I reported the condition to Audi dealer of Princeton NJ. The vehicle subsequen…”
“am writing to file a formal complaint regarding my recent experience with the service department at Audi of Cherry Hill concerning my Audi e-tron. My vehicle remained at your dealership for approximately four weeks, during which time no repairs or meaningful…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of speed with multiple dashboard alarms. These symptoms can indicate internal engine or hybrid system problems that are difficult to diagnose and repair.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. Such failures can make the car hard to control and may lead to near-collisions.
Owners describe the system activating unexpectedly or failing to prevent collisions, sometimes with adaptive cruise control engaged. This can cause sudden braking or steering inputs that surprise the driver and increase crash risk.
Reports include fuel pump failures and persistent sulfur odors, which can lead to stalling or costly repairs. These issues may affect driveability and require immediate attention.
“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 E TRON — 21 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, R…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi custome…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi E-Tron Quattro and E-Tron Sportback Quattro vehicles. Corrosion in the brake booster may cause the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), speedometer display, and brake assist to stop functioning.
The risk: A loss of braking assist, ABS, and ESC will increase the effort and distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 30, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47R7.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi E-Tron Quattro and E-Tron Sportback Quattro vehicles. The right hinge pin for the glove box cover may not be properly secured, allowing the glove box lid trim to interfere with the knee air bag during deployment.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the glove box, and secure the hinge pin as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this rec…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 E-Tron Quattro and 2020-2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback Quattro vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
The risk: Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 14, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47R1.
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 E TRON or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Audi e-tron has far fewer complaints per year (29 vs. 452) and fewer reported crashes and injuries, but its electrical and power train failures can be severe. The Honda Accord's higher volume means you're more likely to encounter a problem, and some of those problems—like steering and brake failure—are particularly dangerous. In practice, the e-tron may be less likely to strand you, but when it does, repairs can be complex and expensive.
Key differences
- The Audi e-tron averages 29 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages 452 per year—a 15-fold difference in reported frequency.
- Audi e-tron complaints center on electrical system failures like blank displays and sudden power loss, whereas Honda Accord complaints include engine rattles, loss of speed, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- The Honda Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries reported, compared to 4 crash-related and 1 injury for the Audi e-tron.
- Both have recalls for seat belt retractors and brake issues, but the Accord also has recalls for fuel pumps and air bag sensors, while the e-tron has recalls for rearview camera software and dashboard panels.
- Check for any history of blank or flickering instrument cluster displays, as owners report intermittent Virtual Cockpit failures that can leave you without speed or warning information.
- Test drive at low speeds and listen for jerking or feel for drivetrain disengagement when coming to a stop, a reported power train issue that can cause loss of propulsion.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and feel for rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which owners report as signs of engine or hybrid system problems.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control systems in a safe environment to ensure they don't activate unexpectedly or fail to respond, as multiple owners reported sudden braking or near-collisions.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for the Audi e-tron's rearview camera software and the Honda Accord's fuel pump and air bag sensors.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection that includes scanning for stored error codes in the electrical and powertrain systems.
- For the Audi e-tron, specifically test the instrument cluster and infotainment system for blank screens or malfunction messages during a test drive.
- For the Honda Accord, test the electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds if possible, and check for any warning lights related to TPMS or forward collision avoidance.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that any previous electrical or engine repairs were done by a qualified technician, as both models have complex systems that require proper diagnostics.
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 E TRON | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 36 | 234 |
| 2019 | 80 | 691 |
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 E TRON or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI E TRON vs Honda Accord
- AUDI E TRON total complaints
- 116
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- AUDI E TRON total recalls
- 21
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- AUDI E TRON avg complaints/year
- 29.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- AUDI E TRON
- AUDI E TRON top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE