Head-to-head reliability
AUDI RS 5 vs Honda Accord
How the AUDI RS 5 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 RS 5 vs Honda Accord: The RS 5 has 2 complaints and 2 recalls over 10 years, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls. The Accord also shows 162 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths; the RS 5 shows none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI RS 5 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI RS 5
The Audi RS 5 is a high-performance coupe that, based on NHTSA data, shows very few owner complaints over a decade—just 2 total, averaging 0.2 per year. The only reported issue in the sample involves a panoramic sunroof exploding, which is a serious but isolated event. Two recalls for passenger-side air bag inflator modules also appear. Overall, the data suggests a low volume of reported problems, but the sample is tiny, so buyers should not assume a perfect record.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with a much larger complaint footprint: 4,524 complaints over 10 years, averaging 452.4 per year. Owners report issues across engine, electrical, forward collision avoidance, fuel/propulsion, and other systems, with 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths. The sample complaints describe stalling, power steering and braking failure, unintended braking, and tire problems. This is a high-volume vehicle with a wide range of reported defects, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI RS 5 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.2 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 RS 5
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
The only sample complaint describes a panoramic sunroof exploding while driving on the highway. This is a sudden, frightening failure that could distract the driver and cause injury from flying glass. Buyers should inspect the sunroof for cracks or prior repairs.
Two recalls involve the passenger-side frontal air bag inflator module. A defective inflator can rupture during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin. Buyers must confirm these recalls were performed.
“I was driving down the highway and the panoramic sunroof exploded for no known reason.”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of power, multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS), and rattling noises during acceleration. These symptoms can leave a driver stranded or unable to maintain highway speeds, increasing crash risk.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire pressure monitoring issues that may precede tire failure. Such failures can cause loss of control and near-collisions.
Owners describe unintended braking or failure to respond under adaptive cruise control, sometimes occurring repeatedly under similar conditions. This can surprise the driver and lead to rear-end collisions or loss of vehicle control.
The sample includes a rotten-egg sulfur odor that persisted after repairs, and a report of a foot slipping behind a center console panel. While not all are safety-critical, fuel and propulsion issues can indicate deeper problems.
“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 RS 5 — 2 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecti…
The risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecti…
The risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.
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 RS 5 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Audi RS 5 has far fewer reported issues per year (0.2 vs. 452.4 for the Honda Accord), but that difference partly reflects lower production volume and a much smaller sample. In practice, the Accord's higher complaint count means a used buyer is more likely to encounter a reported defect, especially in engine, electrical, and driver-assist systems. The RS 5's low count is reassuring but based on very few reports, so it is not a guarantee of trouble-free ownership.
Key differences
- The Audi RS 5 has only 2 complaints and 2 recalls over 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls—a massive difference in reported problem volume.
- Honda Accord owners report serious safety-related failures like simultaneous power steering and braking loss, unintended braking, and engine stalling, whereas the RS 5's only sample complaint is a sunroof explosion.
- The Accord has 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths in the data; the RS 5 has zero in all three categories.
- Both vehicles have air bag-related recalls, but the Accord also has recalls for hybrid power control software, spare tires, seat belts, and fuel pumps, indicating a broader range of potential issues.
- Inspect the panoramic sunroof for any cracks, chips, or signs of previous replacement, as one owner reported it exploding while driving.
- Verify that both passenger-side frontal air bag inflator recalls have been completed by checking the VIN with an Audi dealer or NHTSA.
- Check for stored trouble codes and test-drive at highway speeds to feel for hesitation, rattling, or sudden loss of power that owners report with the engine.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at low and high speeds, and confirm all forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control functions work without unexpected braking.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm all open recalls are addressed, especially air bag inflators on both vehicles.
- For the Audi RS 5, have a mechanic inspect the sunroof mechanism and seals for any weakness or prior repair.
- For the Honda Accord, ask for a full diagnostic scan and a road test that includes highway acceleration, braking, and adaptive cruise control engagement.
- Obtain a vehicle history report to see if the Accord has been in crashes or had repeated electrical/engine repairs.
- Test all driver-assist features (forward collision warning, lane keeping, adaptive cruise) on the Accord during a test drive to ensure they behave predictably.
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 RS 5 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 109 |
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 2 | 234 |
| 2019 | 0 | 691 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1884 |
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 RS 5 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI RS 5 vs Honda Accord
- AUDI RS 5 total complaints
- 2
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- AUDI RS 5 total recalls
- 2
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- AUDI RS 5 avg complaints/year
- 0.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- AUDI RS 5
- AUDI RS 5 top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE