Head-to-head reliability
AUDI SQ7 vs Honda Accord
How the AUDI SQ7 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 SQ7 vs Honda Accord: The SQ7 averages 1.6 complaints per year with costly engine coolant leaks and electrical fire risks, while the Accord averages 429 complaints per year with frequent power loss and collision system failures. The Accord has 154 crash-related complaints versus zero for the SQ7. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI SQ7 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI SQ7
The Audi SQ7 is a luxury SUV that, based on NHTSA data, shows a low complaint rate of about 1.6 per year over seven years, but owners report recurring electrical and engine issues. The wireless charging pad and USB-C ports are described as potential fire hazards due to overheating, while the 4.0L V8 engine suffers premature coolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat housing, often requiring costly repairs. Safety systems like backup camera and forward collision avoidance also show sporadic failures, with some recalls issued but fixes not always effective.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a popular midsize sedan, has a much higher complaint rate of 429 per year over ten years, with frequent engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance issues. Owners report sudden loss of power, brake system warnings, and catastrophic tire failures, as well as sporadic activation of collision avoidance systems. The high number of crash-related complaints (154) and injuries (141) underscores real-world safety concerns, though the vehicle has 38 recalls addressing various components.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI SQ7 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11 Better | 4,290 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 154 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.6 Better | 429.0 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 SQ7
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
- 02ENGINE3
- 03BACK OVER PREVENTION2
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE2
- 05STEERING1
Owners report the wireless charging pad and USB-C ports overheating, causing phone shutdowns and potential fire risk. The USB ports have a defective design where connectors push in, leading to shorts and circuit board overheating.
The 4.0L twin-turbo V8 develops coolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat housing at low mileage (under 27,000 miles), with replacement costs exceeding $5,000. This is a known, ongoing issue across Audi models.
The backup camera and parking sensors malfunction sporadically, with software updates sometimes failing to fix the issue. Owners report repeated dealer visits without a solution.
The pre sense and adaptive cruise control systems show sporadic failures, with warning lights for multiple safety systems activating without clear cause. Sensors have been replaced and recalibrated but problems persist.
“The wireless phone charging pad in the newer Audi vehicles is a potential fire hazard, and could cause burn injuries or an accident. It also renders the phone being charged inoperable due to overheating shutdown which is equally a safety hazard if there were…”
“USB-C ports found on the front center console and second row center console have a defective design that leads to frequent "push in" of the USB connector. This is leading to shorts, circuit boards overheating, and potential fire risk. It is a frequent issue r…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE924
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM820
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE798
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER696
- 05SERVICE BRAKES577
Owners report sudden loss of power while driving, accompanied by brake, ABS, and hill descent system warnings. The vehicle may lose speed and become undriveable, posing a crash risk.
TPMS warnings lead to catastrophic tire failures shortly after service, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses (e.g., camshaft position sensor) occurs even on low-mileage vehicles, causing electrical faults.
The collision avoidance system activates unexpectedly, causing sudden braking at highway speeds, and has been linked to crashes. Dealers have failed to resolve the issue despite multiple attempts.
The sunroof glass can explode spontaneously while driving, and tire failures occur catastrophically after TPMS repairs, indicating potential quality control issues.
“I purchased this vehicle at 0 miles in July 2025 from Honda Accord in Pensacola Florida. I reported in July 2025 that there was a noise and I was unhappy with the vehicle and would like to exchange the vehicle within the 30 days months later, the noise got lo…”
“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…”
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 SQ7 — 17 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2023-2024 SQ8, RSQ8, Q8, Q7, and 2024 SQ7 vehicles. The driver's seat side air bag may have been improperly mounted to the seatback frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand…
The risk: An improperly mounted air bag may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69GA.
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. (Volkswagen) is recalling one Audi SQ7 vehicles. The fasteners securing the high pressure fuel pump may not be tightened properly, resulting in a fuel leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the screw connections and replace the high pressure fuel pump and fuel lines as necessary, free of charge. The one affected vehicle was repaired. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-52…
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 are expected to be mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is availa…
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…
Buyer analysis
AUDI SQ7 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Audi SQ7 has far fewer complaints per year (1.6 vs 429), but its issues are costly and involve safety-critical systems like engine cooling and electrical fire risk. The Honda Accord's much higher complaint volume includes more crash-related incidents, making it riskier in daily use despite lower repair costs per issue.
Key differences
- Audi SQ7 has 1.6 complaints per year vs Honda Accord's 429 per year, a massive difference in frequency.
- Audi SQ7's top issues are electrical fire risk and engine coolant leaks; Honda Accord's top issues are sudden power loss and false collision warnings.
- Audi SQ7 has 0 crash-related complaints; Honda Accord has 154 crash-related complaints with 141 injuries.
- Audi SQ7 recalls focus on fuel pump and backup camera; Honda Accord recalls include hybrid power control unit and brake module.
- Inspect the wireless charging pad and USB-C ports for signs of overheating or damage, as they are reported fire hazards.
- Check for coolant leaks around the water pump and thermostat housing, especially on 2021 models with the 4.0L V8.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system on a safe road to see if it activates unexpectedly, a common complaint.
- Check for any TPMS warnings and ensure tires are properly inspected after service, as catastrophic failures have occurred.
Before you buy
- For Audi SQ7: Ask for service records showing water pump and thermostat replacement, and check if recall 90TV (backup camera) was performed successfully.
- For Honda Accord: Verify if recall for hybrid power control unit (HPCU) software update was applied, and test the collision avoidance system.
- For both: Request a pre-purchase inspection by a dealer specializing in the brand.
- Check NHTSA recall status using the VIN for both vehicles.
- Test drive at highway speeds to feel for any power loss or warning lights.
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 SQ7 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 | 96 |
| 2024 | 1 | 207 |
| 2023 | 0 | 219 |
| 2022 | 0 | 214 |
| 2021 | 6 | 217 |
| 2020 | 2 | 340 |
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 SQ7 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI SQ7 vs Honda Accord
- AUDI SQ7 total complaints
- 11
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,290
- AUDI SQ7 total recalls
- 17
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- AUDI SQ7 avg complaints/year
- 1.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 429.0
- More reliable overall
- AUDI SQ7
- AUDI SQ7 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE