Head-to-head reliability
AUDI RS 7 vs Honda Accord
How the AUDI RS 7 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 7 vs Honda Accord: The Audi RS 7 has only 4 complaints over 10 years (0.4/yr) with no crashes, while the Honda Accord has 4326 complaints (432.6/yr) and 155 crash-related incidents. The RS 7's issues are rare but serious, like sudden stops from 48V faults; the Accord's frequent issues include engine and infotainment glitches. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI RS 7 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI RS 7
The Audi RS 7 is a high-performance luxury sedan that, in ownership terms, is a niche vehicle with a low complaint volume but serious, potentially dangerous electrical and powertrain issues. Owners report sudden stops due to a 48V electrical fault, overheating on highways, and persistent coolant/oil consumption problems, suggesting that while failures are rare, they can be severe and disruptive.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mass-market sedan with a high complaint volume, reflecting its popularity and widespread use. Owners frequently report engine issues like head gasket and turbocharger failures, electrical problems with the infotainment screen (ghost touches, crashes), and forward collision avoidance system glitches that can cause unintended braking. These issues are common and can affect daily driving safety and convenience.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI RS 7 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4 Better | 4,326 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 155 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.4 Better | 432.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 141 |
| 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 7
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
- 03POWER TRAIN1
- 04ENGINE1
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
Owners report the car suddenly stopping in traffic due to a 48V electrical issue that is back-ordered worldwide, requiring multiple repair visits. This can be a serious safety hazard if it occurs in an intersection or highway.
The car can suddenly overheat, forcing the driver to pull over, but on highways with no shoulders, this is dangerous. Owners also report excessive oil consumption and coolant smells, indicating potential engine problems.
Persistent coolant smell and excessive oil consumption are reported, with repairs attempted but not resolving the issue. This suggests a possible head gasket or internal engine leak that could lead to costly repairs.
“The car stopped in the middle of the intersection due to a 48V issue that is back ordered worldwide. It has been in the shop five times in reference to this stopping multiple times in the road.”
“This website shows the wrong information. Recall was successfully repaired but it shows here as unrepaired.”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE940
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM832
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE802
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER701
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM579
Owners report head gasket failures and turbocharger issues, leading to coolant loss and reduced performance. These are major engine problems that can be expensive to fix and may cause breakdowns.
The central infotainment screen suffers from 'ghost touching' and crashes, which can distract the driver and make it hard to control vehicle settings. This is a common and annoying issue that can also affect safety if it happens while driving.
The system can randomly brake hard or turn off, and the steering wheel may become hard to turn. These unpredictable behaviors can increase the risk of a collision or cause panic.
“I am submitting this complaint regarding an apparent head gasket failure involving my 2022 Honda Accord Sport 1.5T equipped with Honda's 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. At approximately 143,000 miles, I began experiencing coolant loss without any visible exter…”
“I am writing to file a complaint regarding a serious issue with my Honda vehicle involving the turbocharger system. The turbocharger appears to be failing, causing a significant reduction in vehicle speed and performance while driving. During operation, the v…”
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 7 — 7 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 (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…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
Buyer analysis
AUDI RS 7 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Audi RS 7 has far fewer complaints per year (0.4 vs 432.6) and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths, while the Honda Accord has many more complaints and some crash-related incidents. In practice, the RS 7 is less likely to have issues, but when it does, they can be severe; the Accord's issues are more frequent but often less catastrophic.
Key differences
- The Audi RS 7 has a 48V electrical issue that can cause sudden stops, while the Honda Accord has infotainment ghost touches that distract drivers.
- The Audi RS 7 has overheating and oil consumption problems, while the Honda Accord has head gasket and turbocharger failures.
- The Audi RS 7 has zero crash-related complaints, while the Honda Accord has 155 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths.
- The Audi RS 7 has only 4 complaints in 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4326 complaints in the same period.
- Check for any history of 48V electrical system repairs or back-ordered parts, as this can indicate a recurring issue.
- Inspect for coolant leaks or oil consumption by checking the coolant level and oil dipstick, and ask for service records related to overheating.
- Test the infotainment screen for ghost touches or crashes by using it extensively during a test drive.
- Check for any signs of head gasket failure, such as white smoke from the exhaust or coolant in the oil, and ask about turbocharger performance.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the electrical system and engine for the Audi, and the engine and infotainment for the Honda.
- Test drive both vehicles in various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for any hesitation or unusual behavior.
- Ask for service records and verify that any recalls have been completed.
- Check online owner forums for common issues and typical repair costs for each model.
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 7 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 4 |
| 2025 | 0 | 97 |
| 2024 | 0 | 208 |
| 2023 | 0 | 221 |
| 2022 | 0 | 218 |
| 2021 | 4 | 217 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1828 |
| 2017 | 0 | 529 |
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 7 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI RS 7 vs Honda Accord
- AUDI RS 7 total complaints
- 4
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,326
- AUDI RS 7 total recalls
- 7
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- AUDI RS 7 avg complaints/year
- 0.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 432.6
- More reliable overall
- AUDI RS 7
- AUDI RS 7 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE