Head-to-head reliability
AUDI RS E TRON GT vs Honda Accord
How the AUDI RS E TRON GT 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 E TRON GT vs Honda Accord: The Audi has 1 complaint over 5 years and 5 recalls, while the Honda has 4,524 complaints over 10 years, 38 recalls, and 3 deaths reported. The Audi’s single complaint involves driver-assistance failure; the Honda’s many complaints cover engine, electrical, and collision-avoidance issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI RS E TRON GT or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI RS E TRON GT
The Audi RS E TRON GT is a high-performance electric hatchback with very few complaints on file—just one over five years—but five recalls, including two for the traction battery and one for the onboard charging cable. The single complaint describes a serious failure where emergency braking, cross-traffic warning, and forward collision warning all failed to work, allowing a collision in a parking lot. In ownership terms, the low complaint count suggests most drivers haven't reported problems, but the recall list points to potential electrical and braking-system issues that a buyer should verify were fixed.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream sedan with a huge complaint volume—over 4,500 in ten years—and 38 recalls, including 162 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths. Owners most often report engine problems (rough running, loss of power, rattling), electrical glitches (power steering and braking lockups, tire pressure warnings), and forward collision avoidance systems that brake unexpectedly or fail to act. The pattern shows a car with many reported issues across core systems, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection and recall check are essential.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI RS E TRON GT | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 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 E TRON GT
- 01BACK OVER PREVENTION1
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
One owner reported that the rear cross-traffic warning and emergency braking failed to detect a crossing vehicle in a parking lot, leading to a collision. The system failed again after the first crash, suggesting a persistent sensor or software fault that could affect low-speed maneuvering.
The same complaint notes that forward collision warning and emergency braking did not function, allowing the vehicle to hit another car. For a buyer, this means the advanced driver-assistance features may not be reliable and should be tested carefully.
“On [XXX], the vehicles safety systems (emergency braking, cross traffic warning, forward collision warning) failed to function allowing the vehicle to hit a cross traffic vehicle in a parking lot. The safety system failed again after the first collision allow…”
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 driving at highway speeds, with the vehicle losing speed. Others describe rattling noises while accelerating and rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which can indicate internal engine or hybrid-system wear.
Complaints include simultaneous failure and lock-up of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing a near-collision. Another owner had a tire fail catastrophically shortly after a TPMS warning was supposedly repaired, pointing to possible sensor or service issues.
Owners describe the system braking unexpectedly or failing to intervene, sometimes under identical driving and weather conditions on the same route. This inconsistency makes the feature hard to trust and could increase crash risk if the driver relies on it.
Reports include a persistent rotten-egg/sulfur odor that remained after a paid filter replacement, and a foot slipping behind a plastic center-panel trim piece. These suggest build-quality or trim-fit issues that, while not always safety-critical, can be annoying and costly to resolve.
“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 E TRON GT — 5 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charg…
The risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated tem…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Audi RS E-Tron GT and E-Tron GT vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery modules.
The risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery module increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. Dealers will, analyze the battery data and replace the high-voltage battery modules as necessary free of charge. Own…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Audi RS E-Tron GT and Audi E-Tron GT vehicles. The front axle brake hoses can develop tears, causing a leak and a brake circuit failure.
The risk: A failed brake circuit can cause longer brake pedal travel and reduced braking performance, extending the distance required to stop and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front axle brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 6, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47UP.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 E-TRON GT, and RS E-TRON GT vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module.
The risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery module increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software as the final remedy free of charge. For vehicles where on-line data is available (Audi recall number 931A), as an interim measure, the vehicles will be monitored through online data evaluat…
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 E TRON GT or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Audi RS E TRON GT has far fewer complaints per year (0.2 vs. 452.4) and fewer recalls (5 vs. 38), but its single complaint involves a serious driver-assistance failure. The Honda Accord’s much higher volume means you are more likely to encounter engine, electrical, and collision-avoidance problems, so the Audi appears less issue-prone on paper—though both need careful inspection.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Audi has 1 complaint over 5 years; Honda has 4,524 over 10 years, with 162 crash-related and 3 deaths reported.
- Recall focus: Audi recalls center on traction battery, charging cable, brake lines, and rear camera; Honda recalls cover hybrid power control software, spare tire, seat belt retractor, occupant sensor, and fuel pump.
- Reported failure patterns: Audi owners report driver-assistance systems failing to brake; Honda owners report engine power loss, electronic steering/braking lockup, and inconsistent forward collision avoidance.
- Safety-system complaints: Both have forward collision avoidance issues, but Honda’s are far more numerous and include unexpected braking and failure to act.
- Check that all five recalls—especially the two traction battery recalls and the onboard charging cable recall—were performed and documented.
- Test the forward collision warning, emergency braking, and cross-traffic warning in a safe setting to confirm they activate and detect obstacles.
- Listen for rattling or rough running during acceleration and check for smooth transitions between EV and gas modes on a test drive.
- Verify that the electronic power steering and braking systems feel normal at highway speeds, and confirm any TPMS or forward collision avoidance warnings have been properly repaired.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full recall history for the specific vehicle and confirm all open recalls were completed.
- Test all advanced driver-assistance features (forward collision warning, emergency braking, cross-traffic alert) during a test drive.
- For the Honda Accord, listen for engine rattles, check for rough hybrid transitions, and watch for warning lights on the dash.
- For the Audi RS E TRON GT, ask for battery health documentation and confirm charging cable recall work was done.
- Have a independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on the systems named in complaints and recalls.
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 E TRON GT | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | 0 | 109 |
| 2024 | 1 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
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 E TRON GT or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI RS E TRON GT vs Honda Accord
- AUDI RS E TRON GT total complaints
- 1
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- AUDI RS E TRON GT total recalls
- 5
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- AUDI RS E TRON GT avg complaints/year
- 0.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- AUDI RS E TRON GT
- AUDI RS E TRON GT top complaint area
- BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE