Head-to-head reliability
BMW 745I vs Honda Accord
How the BMW 745I 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 745I vs Honda Accord: The BMW 745I has 0 complaints and 7 recalls over 4 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints, 38 recalls, and 162 crash-related reports over 10 years. The BMW shows fewer reported issues per year, but both have recall histories. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 745I or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 745I
The BMW 745I is a luxury sedan with no owner complaints filed over four years, but it has seven recalls covering door latches, transmission, and engine cooling. The lack of complaints could mean owners are not reporting issues, or that the car is less common on the road. For a used buyer, the recall history suggests potential trouble spots that should be checked, even if owners haven't complained.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular family sedan with thousands of owner complaints over ten years, including 162 crash-related reports and 146 injuries. The most common problem areas are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance. This high volume of complaints means many owners have experienced real failures, often serious enough to affect safety.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 745I | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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.
BMW 745I
No component data available.
Recalls for door latch issues mean the doors may not stay closed properly, which could be dangerous. Buyers should check that all doors latch securely and don't pop open while driving.
A recall for the automatic transmission suggests potential shifting problems or sudden loss of power. This can leave you stranded or cause an accident if the transmission fails while moving.
Two recalls for engine and cooling issues point to possible overheating or engine stalling. These problems can lead to expensive repairs and unsafe driving conditions.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of power, alarms for brake and stability systems, and rattling noises. These issues can cause the car to slow down unexpectedly, increasing crash risk.
Complaints include complete failure of power steering and braking at highway speeds, plus tire pressure warnings that may not be fixed properly. Such failures can lead to near-collisions and loss of control.
Owners describe the system braking or alerting unexpectedly, even with no obstacles, and service centers failing to fix it. This can cause sudden stops or distractions that lead to accidents.
Reports include persistent rotten-egg odors and fuel pump recalls. These may indicate fuel leaks or delivery problems that could cause stalling or fire risks.
“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 745I — 7 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2005-2008 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li, 760i, 760Li, and B7 Alpina vehicles equipped with both the Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options. In these vehicles, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.
The risk: The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the door latch system, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
The defect: BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire)…
The risk: If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or ent…
The fix: BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
The defect: BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 7-Series vehicles, equipped with both Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through September 3, 2007. Due to a software problem, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently…
The risk: The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners and dealers will update software. The recall began on December 12, 2012. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A SOFTWARE ERROR, A DESYNCHRONIZATION OF THE VALVETRONIC MOTORS FOR ENGINE BANKS I AND II MAY OCCUR. IF THIS OCCURS, THE ENGINE COULD STALL.
The risk: IN THOSE CASES, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF ENGINE ROUGHNESS, OR STALLING, AS WELL AS TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND THE DRIVER'S REACTIONS, THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
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 745I or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW 745I has far fewer issues per year (0 complaints/year) compared to the Honda Accord (452.4 complaints/year). In practice, this means the BMW is less likely to have reported problems, but its recalls still require attention. The Honda's high complaint volume suggests more frequent and varied failures that owners should be prepared for.
Key differences
- The BMW 745I has 0 complaints and 7 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls over longer periods.
- Honda Accord complaints include 162 crash-related reports and 146 injuries, but the BMW has none reported.
- BMW 745I recalls focus on door latches, transmission, and engine cooling; Honda recalls cover hybrid software, tires, seat belts, air bags, and fuel pumps.
- Honda owners report sudden power loss, braking failures, and false collision warnings, while BMW owners have no complaint text on record.
- Check for open recalls on door latches, transmission, and engine cooling by using the VIN on NHTSA's website.
- Test all doors to ensure they latch securely and do not open while driving, and listen for transmission shifting issues or overheating signs.
- Ask for proof that recalls on fuel pump, hybrid software, and seat belts have been completed.
- During a test drive, watch for sudden loss of power, warning lights for brakes or stability, and any unexpected braking from the forward collision system.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds and check for warning lights, unusual noises, or loss of power.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, electrical system, and brakes for signs of the reported issues.
- For the Honda Accord, specifically test the forward collision avoidance system and ask about any history of fuel odors or fuel pump repairs.
- For the BMW 745I, verify that all recall repairs have been done and check door latches and transmission operation.
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 745I or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 745I vs Honda Accord
- BMW 745I total complaints
- 0
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- BMW 745I total recalls
- 7
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW 745I avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- BMW 745I
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE