Head-to-head reliability
BMW 650I vs Honda Accord
How the BMW 650I 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 650i vs Honda Accord: The BMW 650i has 47 complaints over 10 years (4.7/yr) with engine failures dominating, while the Honda Accord has 4290 complaints (429/yr) with issues across engine, electrical, and collision avoidance systems. The BMW has 0 crash-related complaints; the Accord has 154. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 650I or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 650I
The BMW 650i is a high-performance luxury coupe or convertible that, based on NHTSA data, demands serious attention to its engine and fuel system. Owners frequently report a 'Drivetrain Malfunction' warning accompanied by shaking and a fuel odor, often traced to failed fuel injectors—a costly repair on a $100k+ vehicle. The engine accounts for over half of all complaints (24 of 47), and the N63 engine issues appear even in nearly new cars, suggesting a chronic design weakness. With 4 recalls and an average of 4.7 complaints per year, the 650i is a vehicle that requires diligent maintenance and a willingness to address recurring powertrain problems.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a very high complaint volume (4290 over 10 years, averaging 429 per year) and 38 recalls, reflecting its widespread use and diverse issues. Engine problems (924 complaints) include noises and loss of power, while electrical system complaints (820) cover TPMS failures and wiring damage. A notable pattern involves Forward Collision Avoidance (798 complaints) with reports of unintended braking or loss of drive power, sometimes leading to crashes. Despite the high numbers, the Accord's issues span many systems, and the crash-related complaints (154) indicate real safety concerns that buyers should investigate.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 650I | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 47 Better | 4,290 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 154 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.7 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.
BMW 650I
- 01ENGINE24
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
- 03POWER TRAIN8
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
The most common failure is the N63 engine's fuel injectors, which cause a 'Drivetrain Malfunction' warning, shaking, and a strong fuel odor. Owners report this happening even on brand-new cars with under 100 miles, and replacement is very expensive.
Fuel injector failures are also listed under this component, with the same symptoms. Additionally, some owners report stalling while driving and loss of all engine power, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Intermittent vibration felt through the seats and center console at highway speeds is reported, along with stalling and power loss. These issues suggest driveline or transmission problems that affect drivability.
A recall for the electronic auxiliary water pump (18V-248) causes an 'Engine Temperature High' warning on cold startup. This is a separate issue from the engine failures but adds to cooling system concerns.
“A FEW MONTHS AGO THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DISPLAY "DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION" ON THE SCREEN WHILE SHAKING WITH A HORRIBLE ODOR OF FUEL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD ALL OF THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED! WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A $100K+…”
“BMW 650 N63 ENGINE ISSUES AKA DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION (DTM) ERROR HAS BEEN A VERY COMMON ISSUE IN THESE CARS. IF YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH PEOPLE WITH BRAND NEW CARS WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES HAVE THESE ISSUES AS WELL. LONG STORY SHORT BMW, NA OFFERED TO BUY BACK MY…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE924
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM820
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE798
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER696
- 05SERVICE BRAKES577
Owners report unusual noises and loss of power, sometimes accompanied by multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS). The vehicle may lose speed and become undrivable, indicating potential engine or transmission failure.
TPMS warnings and tire failures are common, with one owner reporting a catastrophic tire failure shortly after service. Rodent damage to wiring harnesses, such as the camshaft position sensor wiring, is also reported, leading to electrical faults.
The system can cause unintended braking or loss of drive power, sometimes leading to crashes. Owners report the system activating with no obstacles, and dealers have been unable to resolve the issue.
Brake-related complaints are frequent, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Given the high count (577), buyers should inspect brake performance and check for any recall work.
“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.
BMW 650I — 4 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Co…
The risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notif…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran…
The risk: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mi…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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
BMW 650I or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW 650i has far fewer complaints per year (4.7 vs. 429.0) than the Honda Accord, but its issues are concentrated on expensive engine repairs. The Accord's high volume reflects its popularity and a wider range of problems, including safety-critical systems like forward collision avoidance. In practice, the 650i may be more predictable in its failures (engine-focused), while the Accord's issues are more varied and could affect everyday driving more frequently.
Key differences
- The BMW 650i's complaints are heavily engine-focused (51% engine), while the Honda Accord's top complaint is engine (22%) but also has major issues with electrical system (19%) and forward collision avoidance (19%).
- The BMW 650i has 0 crash-related complaints, whereas the Honda Accord has 154 crash-related complaints, indicating a higher safety risk from failures.
- The BMW 650i averages 4.7 complaints per year; the Honda Accord averages 429 per year, a 91x difference in complaint rate.
- The BMW 650i's recalls address engine cooling, fuel pump, and airbags; the Honda Accord's recalls cover hybrid management, spare tire, brakes, occupant classification, and fuel pump.
- Check for any history of 'Drivetrain Malfunction' warnings and fuel injector replacement; ask for service records related to the N63 engine.
- Inspect the electronic auxiliary water pump for recall completion (18V-248) and look for signs of coolant leaks or overheating.
- Test the Forward Collision Avoidance system on a safe road to ensure it does not activate without cause; check for any related recalls.
- Inspect the wiring harnesses for rodent damage, especially around the engine bay, and verify TPMS sensor condition.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both vehicles.
- For the BMW 650i, request proof of fuel injector replacement and ask about the N63 engine service campaign.
- For the Honda Accord, test drive at highway speeds and monitor for any warning lights or unintended braking.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine and electrical systems.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls specific to the model year you are considering.
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 650I | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 653 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1812 |
| 2017 | 0 | 528 |
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 650I or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 650I vs Honda Accord
- BMW 650I total complaints
- 47
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,290
- BMW 650I total recalls
- 4
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW 650I avg complaints/year
- 4.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 429.0
- More reliable overall
- BMW 650I
- BMW 650I top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE