Head-to-head reliability
BMW 640I vs Honda Accord
How the BMW 640I 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
BMW 640I vs Honda Accord: The BMW 640I averages 2.9 complaints per year with 7 recalls, while the Honda Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Accord has 162 crash-related reports and 3 deaths; the BMW has 3 crash-related reports and 0 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 640I or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 640I
The BMW 640I is a low-volume luxury coupe that averages just 2.9 complaints per year over eight years, but those complaints cluster around serious issues like sudden engine shutdowns, electrical fires, and doors that won't open. With 7 recalls and 3 crash-related reports, it's a car that demands vigilance despite its low complaint count. Owners report being stranded in traffic and struggling to exit the vehicle, so living with it means staying on top of recalls and being prepared for inconvenient, sometimes frightening, failures.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume family sedan with a massive 452.4 complaints per year over ten years, reflecting its popularity but also a wide range of recurring problems. The 4,524 complaints include 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths, with engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems drawing the most attention. Owners describe sudden power loss, braking failures, and false automatic braking, making it a car that needs thorough inspection and recall checks before purchase.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 640I | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 23 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.9 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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.
BMW 640I
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
- 02ENGINE6
- 03STRUCTURE3
- 04WHEELS3
- 05SERVICE BRAKES2
Owners report the vehicle shutting off at a red light and failing to restart, creating a hazard in traffic. Another complaint describes a vehicle fire that started while driving, pointing to potentially serious electrical faults.
A recurring complaint is the engine cutting out after refueling, leaving the car unable to restart. Owners also report high-temperature warnings due to a failed auxiliary water pump, which was subject to a recall.
Door handles fail to unlock the doors, sometimes trapping occupants inside. One owner noted both doors eventually failed, requiring the power lock button to exit, which is concerning in an emergency.
Owners report cracked wheels causing tire leaks, with dealers acknowledging a design defect affecting multiple models. Another complaint describes tire blowouts at low mileage due to tread separation.
“ON 9/27/19 I LEFT THE GAS STATION WITH FULL TANK OF GAS AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A BUSY ROAD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE LIGHT CHANGED GREEN MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. I PUT THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED OUT OF THE…”
“To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally report a vehicle fire that occurred on [XXX] at approximately [XXX] in Alabama State University. The vehicle involved is a 2012 BMW 640i Coupe (black) with the license plate number [XXX]. The fire started while…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of power at highway speeds with multiple dashboard warnings, as well as rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These issues can leave drivers vulnerable in fast-moving traffic.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking at highway speeds, and a tire failure shortly after a TPMS repair. Such failures can lead to near-collisions and loss of control.
Owners describe the system activating unexpectedly on open roads or with adaptive cruise control engaged, causing sudden braking. This false activation can startle drivers and increase crash risk.
Reports include persistent rotten-egg odors that remain after paid repairs, and a foot slipping behind a plastic panel. These may seem minor but indicate build quality or design oversights.
“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.
BMW 640I — 7 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
The fix: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BM…
The risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Co…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may c…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Co…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may c…
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
BMW 640I or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW 640I has far fewer issues per year (2.9 vs. 452.4), but its problems tend to be severe and safety-related, such as engine shutdowns and door failures. The Honda Accord's much higher complaint volume means more frequent visits to the shop, though many issues are widespread and well-documented. In practice, the BMW may spend less time in the shop but carries a higher risk of a sudden, dangerous failure.
Key differences
- The BMW 640I averages 2.9 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages 452.4, a huge gap in reported problem frequency.
- BMW complaints often involve sudden engine shutdowns and doors that won't open, whereas Honda complaints frequently cite power loss and false automatic braking.
- The Honda Accord has 162 crash-related reports and 3 deaths, compared to 3 crash-related reports and 0 deaths for the BMW, though the Accord's much larger sales volume likely influences these totals.
- Both have fuel pump recalls, but the BMW also has recalls for air bag inflators and backup cameras, while the Honda has recalls for hybrid power control software and seat belt retractors.
- Check for open recalls, especially the auxiliary water pump and fuel pump, and ask for proof of repair.
- Test all door handles from inside and outside, and verify the central locking works, as failures can trap occupants.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear or damage, and confirm the spare tire is safe, given reports of blowouts and a spare tire recall.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system and adaptive cruise control at various speeds to ensure they don't activate unexpectedly.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to check for open recalls on both vehicles and confirm they were fixed.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds, stop-and-go traffic, and a refueling stop to check for stalling or warning lights.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system, engine, and door mechanisms on the BMW, and the hybrid components and brakes on the Honda.
- Ask for a complete service history and look for repeated repairs in the same area, which may indicate a persistent defect.
- Verify that all safety systems, including forward collision avoidance and backup cameras, function correctly before purchase.
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 | BMW 640I | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 691 |
| 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 BMW 640I or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 640I vs Honda Accord
- BMW 640I total complaints
- 23
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- BMW 640I total recalls
- 7
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW 640I avg complaints/year
- 2.9
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- BMW 640I
- BMW 640I top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE