Head-to-head reliability
AUDI Q5 E vs Honda Accord
How the AUDI Q5 E 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 Q5 E vs Honda Accord: The Audi Q5 E has 47 complaints over 5 years and 0 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 4,438 complaints over 10 years and 38 recalls. The Audi averages 9.4 complaints per year versus 443.8 for the Honda. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI Q5 E or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI Q5 E
The Audi Q5 E is a plug-in hybrid SUV that, based on NHTSA data, averages about 9.4 complaints per year over five years, with no recalls on record. Owners most often report electrical and engine problems, including sudden power loss, transmission shuddering, and MMI system failures. While the overall complaint count is low, the nature of these issues—such as a car shutting off while driving—can be serious and costly to diagnose.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume: about 444 per year over ten years, plus 38 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance features, with reports of stalling, warning lights, and unintended braking. The high number of complaints and recalls suggests that many owners experience recurring problems, though not every car will be affected.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI Q5 E | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 47 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 9.4 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 144 |
| 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 Q5 E
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
- 02ENGINE9
- 03POWER TRAIN8
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 05SERVICE BRAKES5
Owners describe sudden loss of acceleration, inability to shift gears, and flashing interior lights, sometimes with warning messages on the screen. These failures can leave a driver stranded or unable to control the car, making electrical reliability a key concern.
Reports include ECU malfunctions that trigger cooling system problems, causing rough running and shutdown after idling. Another owner noted transmission control issues with slipping, shuddering, and harsh shifting, which can lead to expensive repairs.
Complaints mention complete power loss and 'Transmission Malfunction' warnings while merging or driving. This can be dangerous if it happens in traffic, and diagnosing hybrid powertrain issues often requires specialized service.
Multiple owners reported the sunroof exploding without warning, which can distract the driver and create a safety hazard. Such failures are rare but alarming, and replacement costs may not be covered outside warranty.
“While driving in the far left of the 405N in Long Beach, the vehicle experienced some catastrophic failure. The accelerator stopped working, gear shifting was not possible, the interior lights turned on and flashed, there was some text instruction on the scre…”
“The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5 E. The contact stated that when she purchased the vehicle the MMI (Multimedia Interface) system failed to load correctly. The contact stated that the dealer informed her that the system would upload later as the system was not…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises, loss of speed, and multiple dashboard alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS) that can appear suddenly. These symptoms may indicate sensor or software faults that are hard to reproduce and fix.
Complaints include TPMS warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses even on new cars. Electrical gremlins can be intermittent and lead to repeated dealer visits.
Drivers describe adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic braking systems showing error messages or activating unexpectedly. This can erode trust in the safety features and may require software updates or sensor replacements.
Like the Audi, some Honda owners reported sunroof glass exploding. Additionally, tire-related failures after TPMS service suggest that tire pressure monitoring may not always prevent sudden blowouts.
“I purchased this vehicle at 0 miles in July 2025 from Honda Accord in Pensacola Florida. I reported in July 2025 that there was a noise and I was unhappy with the vehicle and would like to exchange the vehicle within the 30 days months later, the noise got lo…”
“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…”
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 Q5 E
No recalls on record.
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 (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…
Buyer analysis
AUDI Q5 E or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Audi Q5 E has far fewer complaints per year (9.4 vs. 443.8) and no recalls, while the Honda Accord has many more complaints and 38 recalls. In practice, the Audi may have fewer overall issues, but the ones reported can be severe, whereas the Honda's higher volume means a greater chance of encountering a problem, though many are covered by recalls.
Key differences
- The Audi Q5 E has 47 complaints over 5 years and 0 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 4,438 complaints over 10 years and 38 recalls.
- Audi owners report sudden power loss and transmission malfunction, whereas Honda owners frequently cite forward collision avoidance errors and engine stalling.
- Both vehicles have reports of sunroof glass exploding, but the Honda also has tire-related failures after TPMS service.
- The Honda Accord has a much higher rate of crash-related complaints (160 vs. 1) and injuries (144 vs. 1), though these numbers are not adjusted for the larger number of vehicles on the road.
- Check for any history of electrical glitches: test all interior lights, infotainment, and warning messages, and ask if the MMI system has ever failed to load.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission behavior—look for shuddering, slipping, or delayed engagement, and listen for unusual engine noises after idling.
- Inspect the forward collision avoidance system: ensure adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic braking function without error messages, and ask if any software updates have been applied.
- Examine tires and TPMS: verify that tire pressure sensors work correctly and check for uneven wear or signs of prior tire failure, especially if the car was recently serviced for a TPMS warning.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm whether any open recalls apply, especially for the Honda Accord.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on electrical systems, transmission, and hybrid components for the Audi, and engine/electrical/forward collision systems for the Honda.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions (highway, stop-and-go, idling) to replicate the reported failure scenarios.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and any warranty information, particularly for hybrid or electrical repairs.
- Check the sunroof for cracks or prior replacement, as both models have reports of exploding glass.
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 Q5 E | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 101 |
| 2024 | 0 | 214 |
| 2023 | 7 | 224 |
| 2021 | 28 | 226 |
| 2020 | 12 | 355 |
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 Q5 E or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI Q5 E vs Honda Accord
- AUDI Q5 E total complaints
- 47
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- AUDI Q5 E total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- AUDI Q5 E avg complaints/year
- 9.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- AUDI Q5 E
- AUDI Q5 E top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE