Head-to-head reliability
BMW 740li vs Honda Accord
How the BMW 740li 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 740li vs Honda Accord: The BMW 740li has 32 complaints over 6 years (5.3/year) and 5 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (452.4/year) and 38 recalls. The BMW reports engine and transmission issues; the Honda reports electrical and collision avoidance problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 740li or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 740li
The BMW 740li is a large luxury sedan that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over six years, owners filed 32 complaints, averaging about 5.3 per year, with engine and power train issues being the most common. Reported problems include excessive oil consumption, sudden engine shutdowns, and transmission failures, which can lead to expensive repairs and safety risks. Recalls for lighting, driveline, and starter issues add to ownership complexity.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a much higher complaint volume: 4,524 over ten years, or about 452 per year. The most frequent complaints involve engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems, with some reports of power steering and braking failures. There are also 162 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths, indicating serious safety concerns. Recalls cover hybrid software, tires, seat belts, air bags, and fuel pumps.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 740li | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 32 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.3 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 740li
- 01ENGINE8
- 02POWER TRAIN7
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
Owners report excessive oil consumption and burning, which can lead to engine damage or fire. One complaint described a loud noise before the car shut off on the highway, creating a stall risk.
Transmission problems include failure to shift into park or reverse, and sudden downshifts to first gear while driving. These issues can cause loss of control or leave the car unable to move.
High-pressure fuel pump failures are reported, often triggering 'drivetrain malfunction' warnings and costly repairs. One owner spent over $3,500 in a year on breakdowns.
Electrical gremlins can prevent doors from unlocking via remote or touch, requiring the physical key. This may indicate broader electrical faults that are hard to diagnose.
“BMW 750 I XDRIVE 2011 --EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AND OR BURNING. THE DESIGN OF THE VALVE STEM SEALS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE SAFETY CONCERNS ARE THE FOLLOWING: 1) FIRE HAZARD. 2) PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJU…”
“II WAS ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE LATE NIGHT AROUND 10.30PM WITH MY WIFE GOING SOUTH AND ALL OF SUDDEN WE HEAR LOUD NOISE FROM OUR CAR AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHUT OFF BY ITSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY . I WAS GOING ON 70 MILES PER HOUR AND WAS VERY LUCKY THAT T…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises during acceleration, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of power with multiple warning lights. These symptoms can indicate hybrid system or engine management faults.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing near-collisions. TPMS warnings followed by tire failure are also reported.
Adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems may activate unexpectedly or fail to respond, even under clear conditions. This undermines driver confidence in advanced safety features.
Persistent rotten-egg odors and fuel pump issues are noted, sometimes requiring repeated repairs. These can signal fuel delivery problems that may affect performance and emissions.
“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 740li — 5 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme…
The risk: Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme…
The risk: Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme…
The risk: Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 201…
The risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 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 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 740li or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW 740li has far fewer complaints per year (5.3 vs. 452.4), but both vehicles have serious reported issues. The Honda Accord's higher volume means more owners experience problems, though many may be minor; the BMW's lower volume includes costly engine and transmission failures. In practice, the BMW may have fewer but more expensive problems, while the Honda may have more frequent but sometimes less severe issues.
Key differences
- The BMW 740li averages 5.3 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages 452.4, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- BMW complaints often involve engine oil consumption and transmission failures, which can be expensive; Honda complaints include electronic steering and braking failures, which can be dangerous.
- The Honda Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths, while the BMW has 2 crash-related complaints and 0 deaths, though these numbers don't account for vehicle population.
- Both have recalls, but the Honda's include hybrid software and air bag sensors, while the BMW's include lighting and driveline components.
- Check for excessive oil consumption by asking about oil top-off frequency and inspecting for blue exhaust smoke.
- Test the transmission thoroughly for delayed engagement, failure to shift into park or reverse, and unusual noises.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems for any warning lights or intermittent failure during a test drive.
- Verify that forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control function correctly, as some owners report unexpected activation or failure.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to check for recurring repairs or lemon law buybacks.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- Check for open recalls on the NHTSA website and ensure they are addressed before purchase.
- For the BMW, specifically ask about oil consumption and transmission service history.
- For the Honda, test all advanced safety features and ask about any software updates or hybrid system repairs.
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 740li | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
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 740li or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 740li vs Honda Accord
- BMW 740li total complaints
- 32
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- BMW 740li total recalls
- 5
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW 740li avg complaints/year
- 5.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- BMW 740li
- BMW 740li top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE