Head-to-head reliability
BMW K 1200 S vs Honda Accord
How the BMW K 1200 S 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 K 1200 S vs Honda Accord: The BMW has 5 complaints over 9 years (0.6/year) and 8 recalls, while the Honda has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (452.4/year) and 38 recalls. The BMW's complaints include ABS pump failure and water intrusion; the Honda's include engine power loss and electrical failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW K 1200 S or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW K 1200 S
The BMW K 1200 S is a high-performance sport motorcycle with a complex electronic suspension and ABS system. Over 9 years, it has only 5 complaints, averaging 0.6 per year, but the pattern is concerning: multiple owners report the ABS pump module failing at low mileage, causing a drastic reduction in braking power. There are also reports of water entering the ABS computer, which can knock out the speedometer and electronic suspension. With 8 recalls, including several for wheel lug bolts, this bike demands diligent maintenance and pre-purchase inspection.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan and hybrid with a massive owner base, generating 4,524 complaints over 10 years—about 452 per year. The most common issues involve the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with some reports of sudden power loss, steering and braking failure, and unintended automatic braking. There are 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths, along with 38 recalls. While many complaints may be isolated, the volume and severity of some reports mean buyers should check for open recalls and test all safety systems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW K 1200 S | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 5 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.6 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 K 1200 S
- 01SERVICE BRAKES3
- 02SUSPENSION1
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 04ENGINE1
- 05POWER TRAIN1
Owners report the ABS pump module failing even on low-mileage, well-maintained bikes, causing a 'residual braking' mode with only about 20% of normal braking power. This significantly increases stopping distance and is a serious safety concern.
A faulty seal on the ABS computer housing can let water in, which owners say causes electronic suspension failure along with ABS and speedometer problems. This can leave the bike with degraded handling and no speed readout.
The same water intrusion into the ABS computer housing is reported to cause electrical failures, including loss of speedometer and electronic suspension. This points to a vulnerability in the computer's sealing that can affect multiple systems.
One owner reported the rightmost cylinder breaking through the upper crankcase at highway speed, causing an engine fire and sudden deceleration. While this is a single complaint, it's a catastrophic failure that could pose a severe risk.
“I-ABS PUMP MODULE FAILURE ON VERY LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE, MAINTAINED PER MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. ABS PUMP FAILURE CAUSES "RESIDUAL BRAKING" DEFAULT, WHICH IS ABOUT 20% OF NORMAL BRAKE PERFORMANCE AND SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN NEEDED TO REASONABLY STOP AND CON…”
“ABS computer housing has faulty seal allowing water to enter ,causing abs and speedometer failure,and electronic suspension failure. Its apparently happened to quite a few people in the forums.”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe sudden power loss at highway speeds with multiple alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS) and rattling noises during acceleration, sometimes with rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These issues can leave the car unable to maintain speed, increasing crash risk.
Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure. Such failures can cause loss of control and near-collisions.
Owners report the system failing to prevent collisions or activating unexpectedly, including with adaptive cruise control set. This can lead to unintended braking or failure to brake when needed, both of which are dangerous.
Complaints include persistent rotten-egg odors and potential fuel system defects, though specific failures are less detailed. These odors may indicate catalytic converter or fuel delivery issues that could affect emissions and performance.
“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 K 1200 S — 8 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2…
The risk: If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2…
The risk: If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2…
The risk: If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2…
The risk: If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. 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 K 1200 S or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW K 1200 S has far fewer complaints per year (0.6 vs. 452.4), but its issues tend to be severe when they occur, such as ABS pump failure and a reported engine fire. The Honda Accord's much higher complaint volume means many owners experience problems, but the rate per vehicle is likely lower given the huge number on the road. In practice, the BMW may be more reliable overall but riskier if a failure happens, while the Accord has more widespread but often less catastrophic issues.
Key differences
- The BMW K 1200 S has only 5 complaints over 9 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 over 10 years, but the Accord sells in vastly higher numbers.
- BMW complaints center on ABS pump failure and water intrusion causing brake, speedometer, and suspension issues; Honda complaints include engine power loss, electrical failures, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- The BMW has 8 recalls, including multiple for wheel lug bolts; the Honda has 38 recalls, covering electrical, fuel, airbag, and seat belt systems.
- Honda Accord complaints include 162 crash-related, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths; the BMW has 0 in each of those categories.
- Check the ABS pump module for proper function and any signs of failure, as owners report it can fail at low mileage and reduce braking to about 20% of normal.
- Inspect the ABS computer housing seal for water intrusion, which can cause ABS, speedometer, and electronic suspension failures.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control systems for unexpected braking or failure to engage, as owners report near-collisions.
- Listen for engine rattling during acceleration and check for rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which may indicate engine or hybrid system issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the BMW's wheel lug bolts and the Honda's fuel pump and electrical system.
- For the BMW, have a mechanic inspect the ABS pump, computer housing seals, and electronic suspension for proper operation.
- For the Honda, test drive at highway speeds to check for power loss, unintended braking, and smooth hybrid transitions.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and specifically inquire about any ABS, electrical, or engine repairs.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic familiar with the specific model's common issues.
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 K 1200 S or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW K 1200 S vs Honda Accord
- BMW K 1200 S total complaints
- 5
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- BMW K 1200 S total recalls
- 8
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW K 1200 S avg complaints/year
- 0.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- BMW K 1200 S
- BMW K 1200 S top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE