Head-to-head reliability
BMW 750li vs Honda Accord
How the BMW 750li 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 750li vs Honda Accord: The BMW 750li has 78 complaints over 10 years (7.8/year) and 13 recalls, with 0 crash-related reports. The Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints (452.4/year), 38 recalls, 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 750li or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 750li
The BMW 750li is a large luxury sedan that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over 10 years, it has 78 complaints (7.8 per year) and 13 recalls, with no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data. Owner complaints frequently describe engine and power train problems that cause sudden power loss or violent vibration, often while merging or driving. Electrical and fuel system issues also appear, including smoke and fuel leaks, which can be alarming.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a much higher complaint volume: 4,524 over 10 years (452.4 per year) and 38 recalls. The data includes 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths. Owners report engine and electrical failures, such as loss of power and electronic steering/braking lock-ups, as well as forward collision avoidance malfunctions. Some complaints involve odors and tire failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 750li | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 78 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.8 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 750li
- 01ENGINE28
- 02POWER TRAIN19
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
Owners report the engine malfunctioning while driving, with sporadic full power loss and violent vibration during acceleration. This can leave a driver stuck in traffic or unable to merge safely.
Complaints describe the car vibrating violently and refusing to accelerate, often with a display message. This suggests drivetrain issues that can strand a driver unexpectedly.
Owners report smoke after A/C service and doors that fail to open when parked. These electrical faults can be both a fire risk and a safety concern if they affect exit from the vehicle.
Fuel leaks into the engine causing smoke under the hood, and oil leaks from seals create white smoke from exhaust and engine bay. These leaks can lead to fire or engine damage if ignored.
“THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED IN MY CAR WHILE DRIVING AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON PUBLIC ROADS WITH MULTIPLE ENGINE PARTS IDENTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE CAR SPORADICALLY STOPS OPERATING WITH FULL POWER AND THERE HAVE BEEN SE…”
“WHEN ENTERING THE ON RAMP TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I ACCELERATED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AND CAR VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I CONTINUED TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR BUT NOTHING HAPPENED AND A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DISPLAY. NOW, I'M STUCK BETWE…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report alarms for brake, hill descent, and ABS failures, with the vehicle losing speed and unable to accelerate. Rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas mode are also noted.
Complaints include electronic power steering and braking systems failing simultaneously at highway speeds, causing a near-collision. A TPMS warning led to a tire failure shortly after service.
Owners describe the system failing to resolve threats, with incidents under adaptive cruise control at highway speeds. This can undermine driver trust in the safety feature.
A persistent rotten-egg/sulfur odor was reported, requiring filter replacement and odor treatment that did not fix it. This may indicate fuel or emissions system issues.
“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 750li — 13 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 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…
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 750li or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW 750li has far fewer complaints per year (7.8) than the Honda Accord (452.4), but the Accord's data includes 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths, while the BMW shows none. In practice, the BMW may have fewer reported problems overall, but the Accord's higher volume means more owners are reporting issues, including severe outcomes.
Key differences
- The BMW 750li averages 7.8 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages 452.4 per year, a huge difference in reported problem frequency.
- The Accord's data includes 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths; the BMW's data shows 0 in all three categories.
- BMW complaints center on engine and power train power loss, vibration, and fuel leaks; Accord complaints include electronic steering/braking failures and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- Both have recalls, but the Accord has 38 versus 13 for the BMW, covering issues like hybrid software, tires, seat belts, air bags, and fuel pumps.
- During a test drive, accelerate hard from a stop and at highway speeds to check for violent vibration, hesitation, or sudden power loss, which owners report.
- Inspect for fuel or oil leaks under the hood and white smoke from the exhaust, as owners describe fuel leaking into the engine and oil seal leaks.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking at low and highway speeds; owners report simultaneous failure and lock-up.
- Check for a rotten-egg or sulfur odor and ask if any fuel or emissions system repairs were done, as owners report persistent odors.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially the Accord's hybrid software and fuel pump recalls.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- During the test drive, listen for rattles, feel for vibrations, and test all electronic features including steering, brakes, and driver-assist systems.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes, fuel system repairs, and any recall work.
- For the Accord, specifically test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control if equipped, and check tire condition and TPMS function.
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 750li | 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 750li or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 750li vs Honda Accord
- BMW 750li total complaints
- 78
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- BMW 750li total recalls
- 13
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW 750li avg complaints/year
- 7.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- BMW 750li
- BMW 750li top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE