Head-to-head reliability
AUDI RS 6 Avant vs Honda Accord
How the AUDI RS 6 Avant 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 6 Avant vs Honda Accord: the Audi has 7 complaints over 6 years (1.2/year) and 8 recalls, while the Honda has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (452.4/year) and 38 recalls. The Audi reports 0 crashes, injuries, or deaths; the Honda reports 162 crash-related, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI RS 6 Avant or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI RS 6 Avant
The Audi RS 6 Avant is a high-performance luxury wagon with very low reported complaint volume: 7 complaints over 6 years, averaging 1.2 per year, plus 8 recalls. The complaints cluster around electrical gremlins, especially central locking and a sudden loss of electrical power at speed, along with repeated camera failures. There are no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in this data, but the electrical symptoms owners describe can be alarming and may recur after dealer visits.
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, and 38 recalls. Reported issues span engine and electrical failures, forward collision avoidance problems, and fuel/propulsion concerns, with 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths in the data. That does not mean every Accord is dangerous, but it shows a wider variety of serious-sounding owner reports than the Audi.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI RS 6 Avant | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.2 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 6 Avant
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 02VISIBILITY/WIPER1
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
- 04STEERING1
- 05POWER TRAIN1
Owners report a recurring central locking/door latch malfunction with a 'Central Locking System Malfunction' warning, and one owner described losing electrical power at 65 mph with yellow warnings for sport differential and electric system, then a red electric system warning. These symptoms matter because they can affect door operation and, in the highway case, power delivery while driving.
The rear camera repeatedly stops working, and owners say dealership replacement parts have not fixed it, with other cameras also failing. For a buyer, that means backup and surround-view aids may be unreliable even after repair attempts.
The same owner complaint links camera failures to forward collision avoidance problems, suggesting the driver-assist camera system can be affected. This matters because those systems depend on cameras working consistently.
One complaint ties a loss of electrical power at highway speed to steering-related warning messages, including sport differential and electric system malfunctions. A buyer should treat any electrical warning that coincides with steering feel as a serious issue to diagnose.
“My Audi RS6 has experienced a recurring central locking/door latch malfunction. The vehicle displays a “Central Locking System Malfunction” warning and the affected door does not operate normally. This appears to be a known issue affecting the C8 Audi platfor…”
“Loss of electrical power while cruising on the interstate at 65 mph. There was a series of warning messages, YELLOW colored malfunctions such as "Sport differential malfunction", "electric system malfunction". Then RED colored warning message "Electric system…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report alarms for brake, hill descent, ABS, and critical failure while approaching highway speeds, with the vehicle losing speed, plus rattling noises on acceleration and rough EV-to-gas transitions. These can indicate drivetrain or hybrid system faults that affect power and drivability.
One owner reported electronic power steering and braking systems failing and locking up simultaneously at highway speeds, causing a near-collision; another reported a TPMS repair followed by a catastrophic tire failure. Electrical faults here can involve safety-critical steering and braking functions.
Owners describe unresolved forward collision avoidance defects, including sudden behavior with adaptive cruise control set to 70 mph and incidents under similar driving conditions. This matters because these systems are meant to prevent crashes, not create unexpected braking or warnings.
The data lists 602 fuel/propulsion complaints, and one owner reported a persistent rotten-egg/sulfur odor that remained after a paid filter replacement and odor treatment. Fuel and propulsion issues can affect emissions, performance, and ownership cost.
“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 6 Avant — 8 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal M…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal M…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal M…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
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 6 Avant or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Audi RS 6 Avant has far fewer issues per year at 1.2 complaints annually versus 452.4 for the Honda Accord, but the Accord's much larger sales volume over 10 years means raw counts are not directly comparable. In practice, the Audi's small complaint set centers on recurring electrical and camera faults, while the Accord's larger set includes engine, electrical, and driver-assist reports with some crash, injury, and death counts.
Key differences
- The Audi RS 6 Avant averages 1.2 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages 452.4 per year over a longer 10-year span.
- Audi complaints concentrate on electrical system issues like central locking and a highway power loss, plus repeated camera failures.
- Honda complaints include engine alarms with loss of speed, electronic power steering and braking lockup, and forward collision avoidance problems.
- The Honda data includes 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths, while the Audi data shows 0 in each of those categories.
- Check for any 'Central Locking System Malfunction' warning and test every door latch, since owners report recurring central locking and door latch failures.
- Test the rear camera and all other cameras repeatedly, and ask for repair records, because owners say camera replacements have not permanently fixed the problem.
- Scan for stored engine, ABS, and hybrid system codes, and test-drive at highway speeds to watch for brake, hill descent, ABS, or critical failure alarms.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking feel at low and highway speeds, and check for any forward collision avoidance or adaptive cruise control warnings.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the specific model, including a scan for stored electrical and powertrain codes.
- For the Audi RS 6 Avant, verify all camera functions and door locks, and ask whether any electrical power loss or warning messages have been repaired.
- For the Honda Accord, check for open recalls on the hybrid power control unit, fuel pump, seat belts, air bags, and spare tire, and confirm they were completed.
- Request complete service records and look for repeated visits for the same complaint, since owners describe recurring problems after dealer repairs.
- Test-drive both vehicles under the conditions owners mention, including highway speeds, camera use, and adaptive cruise control if equipped.
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 6 Avant | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | 1 | 109 |
| 2024 | 2 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 4 | 234 |
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 6 Avant or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI RS 6 Avant vs Honda Accord
- AUDI RS 6 Avant total complaints
- 7
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- AUDI RS 6 Avant total recalls
- 8
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- AUDI RS 6 Avant avg complaints/year
- 1.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- AUDI RS 6 Avant
- AUDI RS 6 Avant top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE