Head-to-head reliability
AUDI SQ8 vs Honda Accord
How the AUDI SQ8 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 SQ8 vs Honda Accord: The SQ8 has 6 complaints over 7 years (0.9/year) and 17 recalls, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (452.4/year) and 38 recalls. The Accord also reports 162 crashes, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths; the SQ8 reports none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI SQ8 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI SQ8
The Audi SQ8 is a high-performance luxury SUV with very few owner complaints—only 6 over 7 years, averaging 0.9 per year. The main pattern involves electrical glitches, such as door locks trapping occupants and the infotainment system failing, plus some power train quirks. With 17 recalls but no reported crashes or injuries, it appears to have low complaint volume but potentially serious electrical issues when they occur.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with a massive complaint volume: 4,524 over 10 years, averaging 452.4 per year. Owners frequently report engine problems, electrical failures like power steering and braking lockups, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions. There are also 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths, indicating that some issues may have severe consequences.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI SQ8 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 6 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.9 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 SQ8
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
- 02POWER TRAIN2
- 03LANE DEPARTURE1
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
- 05SUSPENSION1
Owners report complete electrical malfunctions where door locks trap people inside, the instrument cluster blacks out, and safety sensors go off randomly. These failures can leave occupants stranded or unable to exit, which is a serious safety concern.
Complaints include the automatic stop/start feature turning off the engine at inappropriate times and the MMI system failing repeatedly, sometimes after over-the-air updates. These issues can cause hesitation or loss of power, affecting drivability.
One owner described the electrical system going 'crazy,' with electronic door handles locking them in and out, instrument cluster blackouts, and safety sensors triggering randomly. This suggests that advanced driver aids may malfunction unpredictably.
A single complaint mentions suspension issues, but details are limited. Buyers should still check for unusual noises or handling problems during a test drive.
“I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the door locking and electrical systems in my 2024 Audi SQ8. On two separate occasions the vehicle experienced a complete electrical malfunction. During the first incident, I and my child were trapped inside th…”
“MMI system stops working all of a sudden. This has happened multiple times and especially when it takes updates on its own. When called customer service they referred to the dealer stating they cannot do anything. Right after my call with them the car starts…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of power with multiple dashboard alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS) and rattling noises during acceleration, sometimes described as diesel-like. These symptoms can lead to dangerous situations on the road.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing near-collisions, and tire failures after TPMS warnings. Such failures can be catastrophic if they occur while driving.
Owners describe the system braking unexpectedly or failing to intervene, sometimes under adaptive cruise control, leading to near-misses. This undermines trust in the safety feature.
Some complaints mention a persistent rotten-egg/sulfur odor, which could indicate fuel or emissions problems. This may require costly repairs and could affect passenger comfort.
“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 SQ8 — 17 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Audi RS Q8, Audi Q8, Audi Q7, and Audi SQ8 vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt buckles may be missing a rivet that secures the buckle to the seat belt stalk.
The risk: A seat belt that is missing a rivet may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 692K. 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 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…
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 SQ8 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Audi SQ8 has far fewer issues per year (0.9 vs. 452.4), but its electrical problems can be severe when they happen. The Honda Accord's much higher complaint rate and reports of crashes, injuries, and deaths suggest a broader range of potentially serious defects. In practice, the SQ8 may be less likely to leave you stranded, but the Accord's issues are more numerous and sometimes life-threatening.
Key differences
- The Audi SQ8 has only 6 complaints over 7 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 over 10 years—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Audi SQ8 complaints center on electrical system failures like door locks trapping occupants and infotainment blackouts; Honda Accord complaints include engine power loss, brake/steering failure, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- The Honda Accord has 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths, whereas the Audi SQ8 has none reported in these categories.
- Both have recalls, but the Accord's 38 recalls cover critical systems like fuel pumps and hybrid power control, while the SQ8's 17 recalls include seat belts and backup cameras.
- Test all electronic door locks and handles multiple times to ensure they don't trap you inside, as owners report complete electrical malfunctions.
- Check the infotainment (MMI) system for sudden blackouts or failures, especially after software updates, and verify that safety sensors and driver aids function consistently.
- During a test drive, listen for rattling noises during acceleration and feel for rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which owners report as engine issues.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking at low speeds and check for any warning lights; owners report simultaneous failure of these systems at highway speeds.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both the Audi SQ8 and Honda Accord, and ensure they are remedied.
- For the Audi SQ8, specifically test the door locking system, infotainment screen, and all electrical components for intermittent failures.
- For the Honda Accord, have a mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, and hybrid system (if applicable) for power loss or rough operation.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds, to check for unexpected braking, steering issues, or loss of power.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any electrical or engine-related complaints have been addressed.
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 SQ8 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | 0 | 109 |
| 2024 | 2 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 3 | 234 |
| 2020 | 1 | 362 |
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 SQ8 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI SQ8 vs Honda Accord
- AUDI SQ8 total complaints
- 6
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- AUDI SQ8 total recalls
- 17
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- AUDI SQ8 avg complaints/year
- 0.9
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- AUDI SQ8
- AUDI SQ8 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE