Head-to-head reliability
BMW C 400 X vs Honda Accord
How the BMW C 400 X and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports β and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
BMW C 400 X averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. BMW C 400 X has 1 complaints and 2 recalls on record; Honda Accord has 4,397 complaints and 38 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW C 400 X | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1 Better | 4,397 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 159 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.2 Better | 439.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 143 |
| 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 β what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
BMW C 400 X
- 01VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
- 02SERVICE BRAKES1
βSCOOTER PURCHASED ON MAY 28, 2019 AND SERVICED ON AUGUST 27, 2019 DEALERSHIP INFORMED SON THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON BRAKE CALIPERS AND NO REMEDY. RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED ON OCTOBER 18, 2019. SCOOTER HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE END OF AUGUST 2019. A REMEDY Fβ¦β
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE968
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM850
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE814
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER720
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM587
β2021 Honda Accord EX-L, 1.5T turbocharged engine. Within 8 months of purchase at approximately 21,900 miles, I experienced three separate incidents of sudden complete engine power loss at highway speeds. During each incident the vehicle would not exceed 2,000β¦β
βI am filing a complaint regarding the premature head gasket failure on my 2021 Honda Accord, which failed on May 28, 2026, with only 89,000 miles on the vehicle. A head gasket is a critical engine component that should last well beyond 89,000 miles under normβ¦β
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns β the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
BMW C 400 X β 2 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 C400X scooters. Water may collect in the throttle cable, which can freeze in cold temperatures, resulting in a stuck throttle.
The risk: If the throttle sticks open, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will replace the throttle cable with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 C 400 X, 2018-2020 G 310 GS, and 2017-2020 G 310 R scooters and motorcycles. The front and rear brake caliper pistons may corrode, possibly causing the piston to stick or drag in the caliper bore.
The risk: A sticking or dragging brake could affect braking performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front and rear brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Honda Accord β 38 recalls
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 sysβ¦
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 Rβ¦
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 arβ¦
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,β¦
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansiβ¦
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022β¦
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,β¦
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles β lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | BMW C 400 X | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 213 |
| 2023 | 0 | 224 |
| 2022 | 0 | 234 |
| 2021 | 0 | 221 |
| 2020 | 0 | 350 |
| 2019 | 1 | 667 |
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 C 400 X or Honda Accord in front of you β accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW C 400 X vs Honda Accord
- BMW C 400 X total complaints
- 1
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,397
- BMW C 400 X total recalls
- 2
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW C 400 X avg complaints/year
- 0.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 439.7
- More reliable overall
- BMW C 400 X
- BMW C 400 X top complaint area
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE