Head-to-head reliability
BMW 750I vs Honda Accord
How the BMW 750I 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 750I vs Honda Accord: The BMW 750I averages 3.2 complaints per year with 5 recalls, while the Honda Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths; the 750I has 1 crash-related complaint and 1 injury. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 750I or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 750I
The BMW 750I is a luxury sedan with 32 complaints over 10 years, averaging 3.2 per year. Owners report engine issues like faulty grill shutter actuators and VANOS solenoid failures, plus power train problems such as front differential carrier bearing noise. Electrical gremlins, including moisture in the brake modulator, can disable safety systems. With 5 recalls and 1 crash-related complaint, it demands careful maintenance.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream sedan with 4,524 complaints over 10 years, averaging 452.4 per year. Common reports include engine stalling, electrical failures like power steering and braking lockup, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions. There are 38 recalls and 162 crash-related complaints, with 3 deaths reported. The high volume suggests widespread issues across many model years.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 750I | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 32 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 3.2 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 750I
- 01ENGINE11
- 02POWER TRAIN8
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
- 05WHEELS3
Owners report rough starts, drivetrain malfunctions, and repeated VANOS solenoid and valve cover replacements, sometimes within months. Grill shutter actuator failures are also noted, which can affect cooling and trigger warnings.
Front differential carrier bearing failures cause noise and require expensive repairs. Recurring drivetrain malfunctions lead to rough running and loss of power, often requiring multiple dealer visits.
Moisture can enter the brake modulator enclosure, causing it to shut down and disable braking functions. Engine overheating and sudden shutdowns are also reported, leaving drivers stranded.
Broken rear wheel rims and tire bulges are reported, suggesting susceptibility to road damage. This can lead to blowouts and loss of control if not addressed.
“There are two grill shutter actuators. One for the upper and one for the lower. Different part numbers. NHTSA issued a TSB for N63R in 2019: MC-10160279-9999 (G12 (N63R)/G30 (B58M) RADIATOR GRILL UPPER AND LOWER ACTIVE AIR FLAPS: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO…”
“BMW 2013 750LI DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION RE-OCCURRING CAUSING ROUGH START AND WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY 485 VANOS SOLENOIDS & VALVE COVERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN 7 MONTHS ON MY VEHICLE THAT HAS 22,000 MILES. MY FULL SERVICE WARRANTY IS GOING TO EXPIRE…”
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 speed with multiple warning lights. These issues can leave the car undrivable and may require costly repairs.
Electronic power steering and braking systems can fail simultaneously at highway speeds, causing near-collisions. TPMS warnings and subsequent tire failures are also reported, posing safety risks.
Adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems may malfunction, with reports of sudden braking or failure to detect obstacles. This undermines a key safety feature and can lead to crashes.
Fuel pump failures and hybrid system issues can cause stalling or loss of power. Owners report persistent odors and jerky operation, indicating potential fuel delivery 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 750I — 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 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 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 2020 750i xDrive, 2019 M850i xDrive Coupe, M850i xDrive Convertible, X5 xDrive50i, X7 xDrive50i, and M5 vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may not have been properly attached to the engine, which may cause the fuel pump flange to crack, result…
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. 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 750I or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW 750I has far fewer complaints per year (3.2 vs. 452.4), but both have serious safety-related issues. The Accord's higher volume means more owners experience problems, while the 750I's lower volume still includes costly engine and electrical failures. In practice, the 750I may have fewer overall incidents, but each repair can be expensive; the Accord's issues are more widespread but may be cheaper to fix.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: BMW 750I averages 3.2 per year; Honda Accord averages 452.4 per year, indicating far more reported issues for the Accord.
- Crash and injury reports: BMW 750I has 1 crash-related complaint and 1 injury; Honda Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries, with 3 deaths.
- Recalls: BMW 750I has 5 recalls; Honda Accord has 38 recalls, covering more systems like fuel pumps and air bags.
- Reported failure types: BMW 750I issues often involve engine VANOS solenoids and differential bearings; Honda Accord issues include electronic steering/braking failures and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- Check for rough starts, drivetrain malfunction warnings, and service records for VANOS solenoid or valve cover replacements.
- Inspect for moisture around the brake modulator and test all electrical functions, including braking and stability control.
- Test electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds; look for any warning lights or intermittent failures.
- Verify forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control operation; check for recalls related to fuel pump and electrical system.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been addressed.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic specializing in the model, focusing on engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- For the BMW 750I, specifically check for VANOS solenoid and differential bearing noise, and inspect for water intrusion in the brake modulator.
- For the Honda Accord, test drive at highway speeds to check for steering/braking lockup and verify forward collision avoidance functionality.
- Review NHTSA complaints for the specific model year to identify common issues and ensure any applicable warranties are transferable.
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 750I | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 2 | 234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 362 |
| 2019 | 0 | 691 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1884 |
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 750I or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 750I vs Honda Accord
- BMW 750I total complaints
- 32
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- BMW 750I total recalls
- 5
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW 750I avg complaints/year
- 3.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- BMW 750I
- BMW 750I top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE