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 4 complaints and 0 crash-related reports over 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints, 162 crashes, and 146 injuries. The RS 7's issues include a 48V electrical fault that can stop the car, whereas the Accord suffers power steering and braking failures. 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 car that sees very few complaints—only 4 over 10 years—but those complaints point to serious issues like a 48V electrical fault that can stop the car in traffic and an engine that burns oil and smells of coolant. With 7 recalls, mostly for backup cameras and an instrument cluster, the RS 7 demands vigilance despite low complaint volume. For a buyer, this means low reported frequency but potentially high-severity problems that can be expensive and disruptive.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with a massive 4,524 complaints over 10 years, including 162 crashes, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths, plus 38 recalls. Owners report engine stalling, electrical failures like power steering and braking lockups, and forward collision avoidance systems that can slam on brakes unexpectedly. This volume suggests widespread, recurring problems that affect everyday driving and safety, making thorough pre-purchase checks essential.
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 | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.4 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 7
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
- 03POWER TRAIN1
- 04ENGINE1
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
Owners report a 48V issue that can cause the car to stop dead in an intersection, with parts back-ordered worldwide and repeated shop visits. This is a critical safety risk because it can leave you stranded in traffic with no warning.
Complaints include a persistent coolant smell and excessive oil consumption that repairs haven't fixed. This matters because it can lead to engine damage, costly repairs, and ongoing frustration.
One owner reported sudden overheating while driving on a freeway with no safe place to stop, forcing them to continue for miles. This indicates a potential cooling system failure that could strand you or damage the engine.
A complaint notes incorrect recall status on the NHTSA website, but the underlying issue may relate to speed control repairs. Buyers should verify all recalls are actually completed, as unresolved software or hardware can affect driving.
“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
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe sudden loss of power at highway speeds with multiple alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS) and rattling noises during acceleration. These symptoms can lead to dangerous slowdowns and suggest major engine or hybrid system faults.
Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing near-collisions, and tire failures after TPMS service. Such failures are life-threatening because they remove steering and braking control.
Owners report the system unexpectedly braking hard at 35 mph or with adaptive cruise control set to 70 mph, even with no obstacles. This can cause rear-end collisions or loss of control, making the feature a liability rather than a safety aid.
Complaints include a persistent rotten-egg sulfur odor that remains after paid repairs, and a foot slipping behind a center panel. These issues point to fuel or hybrid system defects that may cause discomfort or distraction while driving.
“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 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 (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 7 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Audi RS 7 has far fewer complaints per year (0.4 vs. 452.4) and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths, while the Honda Accord has thousands of complaints and hundreds of crash-related reports. In practice, the RS 7's low volume may mean rarer but severe issues, whereas the Accord's high volume suggests widespread, recurring problems that affect many owners.
Key differences
- The Audi RS 7 has only 4 complaints and 0 crash-related reports, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints, 162 crashes, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths.
- Audi RS 7 owners report a 48V electrical fault that can stop the car in traffic, whereas Honda Accord owners report simultaneous power steering and braking failures at highway speeds.
- Honda Accord complaints frequently involve forward collision avoidance braking unexpectedly, a pattern absent from Audi RS 7 data.
- The Audi RS 7 has 7 recalls, mostly for backup cameras and instrument cluster, while the Honda Accord has 38 recalls covering hybrid software, tires, seat belts, air bags, and fuel pumps.
- Check for any history of 48V electrical system repairs or software updates, as a fault can cause the car to shut down while driving.
- Inspect for coolant leaks and monitor oil consumption; a persistent coolant smell or low oil between changes may indicate engine problems.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at low and high speeds; any warning lights or unusual feel could signal impending failure.
- Verify that all recalls, especially for hybrid software and fuel pumps, have been performed, and test the forward collision avoidance system for unexpected braking.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls are completed for both models.
- For the Audi RS 7, ask for records of 48V system repairs and perform a cold-start test for coolant smell and oil consumption.
- For the Honda Accord, test drive at highway speeds to check for power loss, unexpected braking, and steering/braking failures.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the Audi RS 7 for electrical faults and the Honda Accord for hybrid system and fuel odor issues.
- Check NHTSA complaints for the specific model year you're considering to see if patterns persist.
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 | 10 |
| 2025 | 0 | 109 |
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 4 | 234 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 0 | 537 |
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
- 4,524
- AUDI RS 7 total recalls
- 7
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- AUDI RS 7 avg complaints/year
- 0.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- AUDI RS 7
- AUDI RS 7 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE