Head-to-head reliability
BMW 745li vs Honda Accord
How the BMW 745li 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 745li vs Honda Accord: The BMW 745li has 0 complaints and 7 recalls over 4 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls over 10 years. The Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year, with 162 crash-related and 146 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 745li or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 745li
The BMW 745li is a large luxury sedan with no owner complaints filed over four years, but seven recalls covering engine cooling, fuel delivery, and door latches. The lack of complaints may reflect low sales or limited data rather than flawless reliability. Buyers should focus on whether recall repairs were completed, as these systems can fail without warning.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream sedan with 4,524 complaints over ten years, averaging 452.4 per year, plus 38 recalls. Owners report engine rattles, electrical failures like power steering and braking lockups, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions. These issues range from annoying to potentially dangerous, so a thorough inspection and recall check are critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 745li | 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 745li
No component data available.
Recalls exist for engine and cooling problems, but no owner complaints describe symptoms. A buyer should verify these recalls were fixed to avoid potential overheating or stalling.
A recall covers fuel delivery, which could lead to leaks or stalling. Without complaint details, the exact failure pattern is unknown, so ask for proof of recall service.
A door latch recall suggests doors may not secure properly, risking opening while driving. Confirm the latch recall was performed.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of speed with multiple alarms. These can indicate serious powertrain issues.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and tire failure after TPMS service. Such failures can cause loss of control.
Owners describe the system braking unexpectedly or failing to intervene, sometimes under adaptive cruise control. This unpredictability is a safety concern.
A fuel pump recall exists, and owners report rotten-egg odors that persist after repairs. This may signal fuel delivery or emissions problems.
“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 745li — 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 745li or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW 745li has 0 complaints per year versus 452.4 for the Honda Accord, but the BMW has 7 recalls and the Accord has 38. The BMW's lack of complaints may be due to low ownership, while the Accord's high complaint rate reflects widespread, documented issues. In practice, the BMW may have fewer reported problems, but the Accord's problems are better known and easier to research.
Key differences
- The BMW 745li has no owner complaints but 7 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls, indicating far more reported problems.
- Honda Accord owners report specific dangerous failures like power steering and braking lockup, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions, which are not described for the BMW.
- The BMW's recalls cover engine cooling, fuel delivery, and door latches, but without complaint text, the real-world frequency is unknown.
- The Honda Accord has 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths, showing that some reported issues have led to serious outcomes.
- Check for proof that the engine cooling and fuel delivery recalls were completed, as unresolved issues could cause overheating or stalling.
- Inspect door latches to ensure they engage securely, since a recall exists for latch failure.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds if possible, and listen for rattles during acceleration that might indicate engine problems.
- Verify that the fuel pump recall and any forward collision avoidance software updates were performed, and check for persistent sulfur odors.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are repaired for both models.
- For the BMW 745li, ask for service records specifically addressing engine cooling, fuel delivery, and door latches.
- For the Honda Accord, test drive at various speeds to check for steering, braking, and acceleration issues, and listen for engine rattles.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Honda Accord's electrical system, including power steering and braking, and check for forward collision avoidance calibration.
- For either car, request a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the systems mentioned in recalls and complaints.
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 745li or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 745li vs Honda Accord
- BMW 745li total complaints
- 0
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- BMW 745li total recalls
- 7
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW 745li avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- BMW 745li
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE