Head-to-head reliability
AUDI S6 vs Honda Accord
How the AUDI S6 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 S6 vs Honda Accord: The Audi S6 has 39 complaints over 10 years (3.9/year) and 30 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints (452.4/year) and 38 recalls. The S6 reports 1 crash-related incident and 0 injuries; the Accord reports 162 crash-related, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI S6 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI S6
The Audi S6 is a high-performance luxury sedan that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over 10 years, it has 39 complaints (about 3.9 per year) and 30 recalls, with engine problems dominating. Owners frequently report sudden power loss and turbo failures, often linked to oil starvation, which can leave you stranded. Electrical and steering issues also appear, sometimes causing warning lights and loss of assist.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 4,524 over 10 years (about 452 per year) and 38 recalls. Complaints span engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems, with some reports of stalling, braking/steering failures, and unintended automatic braking. There are also 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths in the data, though these counts don't prove cause. Overall, it's a popular car with a wide range of reported issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI S6 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 39 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 30 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 3.9 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 S6
- 01ENGINE21
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 04STEERING4
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
Owners report clogged oil screens that starve the turbochargers, leading to turbo failure and engine stalling while driving. This can cause sudden power loss and is expensive to repair.
Complaints include sudden electrical shutdowns with no warning, sometimes in heavy rain, leaving the car unable to start or steer. This can be dangerous if it happens at speed.
Some owners experience steering system faults, often after battery issues, which may cause loss of power steering assist. This makes the car hard to control, especially at low speeds.
There are reports of fuel system problems, though fewer than engine issues. These can cause stalling or poor performance, adding to reliability concerns.
“OIL SCREEN INTERIOR OF ENGINE (NON-SERVICEABLE) CLOGGED WHICH PREVENTED TURBO CHARGERS FROM RECEIVING OIL. BOTH TURBO CHARGERS FAILED WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL. WAS DRIVING AT 25 MPH ON TWO LANE CITY STREET. ENGINE DIED, POWER WAS LOST, AND STEERED VEHICLE…”
“While driving my 2020 Audi S6, the vehicle suddenly lost power and completely shut off in the middle of the road without warning. There were no warning lights or messages beforehand. I was unable to accelerate or steer out of the way, which created a major cr…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of power with multiple warning lights. Some describe the car losing speed on the highway, which is a serious safety concern.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety systems.
Owners report unintended automatic braking or failure to avoid collisions, sometimes under adaptive cruise control. This can cause sudden deceleration or near-misses, undermining trust in the system.
Fuel pump and delivery issues are noted, which can lead to stalling or difficulty starting. This adds to the list of potential breakdown scenarios.
“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 S6 — 30 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occ…
The risk: If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles. The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.
The risk: Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 21H7.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occ…
The risk: If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7…
The risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-…
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 S6 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Audi S6 has far fewer complaints per year (3.9 vs. 452.4) and fewer crash-related reports (1 vs. 162), but its issues tend to be severe engine and electrical failures. The Honda Accord's much higher complaint volume means you're more likely to encounter problems, though many may be less catastrophic. In practice, the S6 may have fewer but more expensive breakdowns, while the Accord may have more frequent but sometimes less costly issues.
Key differences
- The Audi S6 has 39 complaints over 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Audi S6 complaints often involve turbo failure and sudden engine shutdown, while Honda Accord complaints include unintended braking and simultaneous steering/braking failure.
- The Honda Accord has 162 crash-related reports and 146 injuries, compared to 1 crash-related and 0 injuries for the Audi S6 in the data.
- Both have recalls, but the Audi S6 has 30 recalls (including air bags and turbos) and the Honda Accord has 38 (including hybrid software and fuel pumps).
- Check for turbocharger health and oil screen clogging—listen for whining or loss of power, and ask for service records.
- Inspect electrical system and battery; look for warning lights related to steering or charging, and test all electronics.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control; ensure no unintended braking or warnings occur during a test drive.
- Check for electrical issues by testing power steering and brakes, and look for any TPMS or hybrid system warnings.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and all service records, paying attention to engine, turbo, and electrical repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Audi S6 for oil leaks, turbo condition, and scan for stored fault codes.
- For the Honda Accord, test drive at highway speeds to check for unintended braking, steering, or power loss.
- Verify that all recalls have been performed on either vehicle, especially those related to air bags, fuel pumps, and hybrid software.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with the specific model's common issues.
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 S6 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 109 |
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 0 | 234 |
| 2020 | 2 | 362 |
| 2018 | 4 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 5 | 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 S6 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI S6 vs Honda Accord
- AUDI S6 total complaints
- 39
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- AUDI S6 total recalls
- 30
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- AUDI S6 avg complaints/year
- 3.9
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- AUDI S6
- AUDI S6 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE