Head-to-head reliability
BMW 760li vs Honda Accord
How the BMW 760li 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 760li vs Honda Accord: BMW 760li has 0.3 complaints per year vs Accord's 443.8, but BMW's issues are costly (oil consumption, fuel pump). Accord has more safety complaints (160 crashes). BMW has 19 recalls, Accord 38. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 760li or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 760li
The BMW 760li is a high-performance luxury sedan that, based on owner reports, demands serious attention to maintenance. With only 3 complaints over 10 years, it shows a low complaint rate, but the issues reported are significant: excessive oil consumption due to valve stem seals, a failing electric auxiliary water pump, and high fuel pump problems leading to breakdowns. These are costly repairs that can leave owners stranded, making it a vehicle for those prepared for premium upkeep.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a popular midsize sedan, has a much higher complaint volume (4438 over 10 years), reflecting its widespread use. Owners report a range of issues, from engine noises and electrical glitches to problems with forward collision avoidance systems and even a sunroof explosion. While many complaints are not safety-critical, the sheer number and variety suggest that Accord owners may encounter more frequent annoyances and some serious safety concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 760li | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.3 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 144 |
| 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 760li
- 01ENGINE1
- 02POWER TRAIN1
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
Owners report excessive oil consumption and burning, traced to faulty valve stem seals. This can lead to low oil levels, potential engine damage, and a fire hazard if oil leaks onto hot surfaces.
The electric auxiliary water pump can fail, causing overheating and potential engine damage. One owner noted that despite a recall, BMW refused to honor it, leading to out-of-pocket costs.
High fuel pump failures trigger 'Drivetrain Malfunction' warnings and breakdowns. Owners have spent thousands on repairs, indicating a reliability concern that can leave you stranded.
“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…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises and sudden loss of power accompanied by multiple warning lights (brake, ABS, hill descent). These issues can be intermittent but alarming, potentially indicating serious engine or electronic problems.
Problems include TPMS warnings leading to tire failures and rodent damage to wiring harnesses. Electrical gremlins can cause a range of malfunctions, from warning lights to complete system failures.
The system can trigger false alerts or malfunctions, with messages about adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic high beams appearing intermittently. This can be distracting and undermine driver confidence in safety features.
“I purchased this vehicle at 0 miles in July 2025 from Honda Accord in Pensacola Florida. I reported in July 2025 that there was a noise and I was unhappy with the vehicle and would like to exchange the vehicle within the 30 days months later, the noise got lo…”
“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…”
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 760li — 19 recalls
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 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 BMW 760Li vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) may have been programmed with incompatible software during a service visit, possibly causing the engine to stall.
The risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: All affected vehicles have been repaired by programming the ECU with the correct software. Therefore, owner letters will not be sent. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
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 (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an…
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.
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 760li or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW 760li has far fewer complaints per year (0.3 vs 443.8), but its issues are more severe and costly. The Accord's higher complaint rate reflects its popularity, but many are minor. In practice, the BMW offers a more exclusive but potentially more expensive ownership experience, while the Accord is more mainstream with a higher chance of encountering issues.
Key differences
- BMW 760li has a very low complaint rate (0.3/yr) but issues are major (engine oil consumption, water pump, fuel pump).
- Honda Accord has a high complaint rate (443.8/yr) with a wide range of issues, including electrical and safety system glitches.
- BMW 760li has 19 recalls, while Accord has 38, but Accord's recalls include hybrid and brake system updates.
- Accord owners report more safety-related complaints (160 crashes, 144 injuries) compared to BMW's zero.
- Check for signs of excessive oil consumption, such as blue exhaust smoke or low oil levels between changes.
- Inspect the electric auxiliary water pump and fuel pump for proper operation; ask for service records.
- Test all forward collision avoidance and driver assistance features to ensure they work correctly without false alerts.
- Look for any electrical issues, such as warning lights or intermittent failures, and check the wiring harness for damage.
Before you buy
- For BMW 760li: obtain a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine oil consumption and cooling system.
- For BMW 760li: verify that all recalls have been performed, especially the water pump recall.
- For Honda Accord: check the service history for any engine or electrical repairs.
- For Honda Accord: test drive at highway speeds to see if any warning lights appear.
- For both: review NHTSA complaint data and recall notices for the specific model year.
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 760li or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 760li vs Honda Accord
- BMW 760li total complaints
- 3
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- BMW 760li total recalls
- 19
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW 760li avg complaints/year
- 0.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- BMW 760li
- BMW 760li top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE