Head-to-head reliability
BMW K 1300 GT vs Honda Accord
How the BMW K 1300 GT 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 1300 GT vs Honda Accord: The BMW has 11 complaints over 10 years (1.1/yr) with no crashes, while the Honda has 4,438 complaints (443.8/yr) and 160 crash-related reports. BMW owners report stalling and switch failures; Honda owners report electrical and driver-assist issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW K 1300 GT or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW K 1300 GT
The BMW K 1300 GT is a sport-touring motorcycle that, in ownership terms, shows a low but persistent complaint rate of about 1.1 per year over the last decade. The pattern centers on engine stalling and fuel system issues, often in hot weather or during deceleration, which can be unnerving in traffic. Electrical switchgear failures also appear, affecting controls like turn signals and windshield adjustment. While no crashes or injuries were reported, these issues point to a machine that may need attentive maintenance and occasional repairs.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a popular midsize sedan, has a much higher complaint volume at about 443.8 per year, reflecting its large sales base. Complaints span many systems, with engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance being the top areas. Owners report issues like warning lights, loss of power, and problems with driver-assist features, some of which could be safety-relevant. The Accord also has a higher number of crash-related complaints and injuries, though these are not necessarily caused by defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW K 1300 GT | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.1 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 K 1300 GT
- 01ENGINE5
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 04VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
- 05POWER TRAIN1
Owners report frequent stalling, especially when downshifting and pulling in the clutch at low speeds, and also after sustained cruising in hot weather. The RPM can dip below idle and the bike dies, which is dangerous in traffic.
Stalling and loss of power in high temperatures (95-100°F) are described, with the bike refusing to restart until it cools. This suggests a fuel delivery or vapor lock issue that can leave you stranded.
The left-hand multi-switch fails, causing loss of horn, turn signals, and windshield adjustment. Owners note this is a recurring problem, and riding without these functions is both illegal and unsafe.
“I purchased this 2009 BMW K1300GT used from a dealer 3 weeks ago. He only let me do a short test drive around the block and it ran fine. I purchased it and began riding it daily to and from work, 48 miles round trip. There are 6 lights and 4 Stop sighs on my…”
“DOWNSHIFTING THE MOTORCYCLE STALLS FREQUENTLY UPON SLOWING AND PULLING IN THE CLUTCH. USUALLY THIS OCCURS AT DECELERATION IN SECOND OR FIRST GEAR. ONE CAN SEE THE RPM DIP BELOW THE NORMAL IDLE SPEED AND THEN THE BIKE STALLS. THIS IS QUITE DANGEROUS AS IT OCCU…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Complaints include unusual noises from new, and sudden loss of power with multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS) appearing at highway speeds, which can be alarming and potentially dangerous.
Issues range from TPMS warnings leading to tire failure, to rodent damage on wiring harnesses, and intermittent problems with various electronic systems. These can be costly to diagnose and repair.
The system may falsely activate or show errors for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic high beams. Some owners report the system braking unexpectedly, which could cause rear-end collisions.
“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 K 1300 GT — 8 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-…
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 fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-…
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 fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-…
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 fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. 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 (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 K 1300 GT or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW K 1300 GT has far fewer complaints per year (1.1) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), but its issues are more concentrated on stalling and electrical failures that could leave you stranded. The Accord's higher volume reflects its popularity, but the nature of its complaints—especially with driver-assist systems—may be more concerning for daily commuting. In practice, the BMW may require more mechanical vigilance, while the Accord might present more electronic gremlins.
Key differences
- The BMW K 1300 GT has a much lower complaint rate (1.1/yr) than the Honda Accord (443.8/yr), but its complaints are dominated by engine stalling and fuel system problems.
- The Honda Accord's top complaint areas include engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance, with many reports of warning lights and system malfunctions.
- The BMW has no crash-related complaints, while the Accord has 160 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths, though these are not necessarily defect-related.
- The BMW's electrical issues involve handlebar switches, while the Accord's electrical issues are broader, including TPMS and wiring harness damage.
- Test the bike thoroughly for stalling, especially when downshifting and in hot weather; check for any hesitation or RPM dips.
- Inspect the left-hand multi-switch for proper operation of horn, turn signals, and windshield adjustment, as failures are common.
- Check for any warning lights related to brakes, ABS, or driver-assist systems, and test the forward collision avoidance at safe speeds to ensure it doesn't false-activate.
- Look for signs of rodent damage under the hood, especially on wiring harnesses, and verify the TPMS is functioning correctly.
Before you buy
- For the BMW: take a long test ride including stop-and-go traffic and highway cruising to see if stalling occurs.
- For the BMW: verify all electrical controls on the left handlebar work repeatedly.
- For the Honda: have a mechanic scan for stored trouble codes in the engine and driver-assist systems.
- For the Honda: test the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping on a clear road to ensure they respond correctly.
- For both: check the vehicle's recall status and ensure all outstanding recalls have been addressed.
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 1300 GT or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW K 1300 GT vs Honda Accord
- BMW K 1300 GT total complaints
- 11
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- BMW K 1300 GT total recalls
- 8
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW K 1300 GT avg complaints/year
- 1.1
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- BMW K 1300 GT
- BMW K 1300 GT top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE