Head-to-head reliability
BMW M6 vs Honda Accord
How the BMW M6 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 M6 vs Honda Accord: The M6 has 13 complaints and 0 crash-related reports over 10 years, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints and 162 crash-related reports. The M6 averages 1.3 complaints per year versus 452.4 for the Accord. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW M6 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW M6
The BMW M6 is a high-performance luxury car that can be costly to maintain, with 13 complaints over 10 years (about 1.3 per year) and 12 recalls. Owners report sudden engine stalling, electrical glitches, and structural issues like convertible top failures. While there are no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data, the low complaint volume still includes serious problems that could strand or endanger drivers.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 4,524 complaints over 10 years (about 452 per year) and 38 recalls. Reports include engine and electrical failures, forward collision avoidance malfunctions, and fuel system issues, with 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths. This suggests that while many Accords are on the road, some owners experience significant safety defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW M6 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 13 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.3 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 M6
- 01ENGINE5
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
- 03STRUCTURE4
- 04SEATS3
- 05SUSPENSION2
Owners report sudden engine stalling while driving at highway speeds, which can lead to dangerous situations. Another complaint mentions drivetrain malfunction codes appearing within a week of purchase, indicating potential reliability issues.
Electrical problems include drivetrain malfunction codes and failures of the convertible top, rear window, and trunk. These issues can be intermittent and expensive to diagnose and repair.
Structural complaints involve the convertible top, rear window, and trunk not working properly. One owner also reported a fire starting in the roof, suspected to be electrical, which is a serious safety concern.
Seat-related complaints include a passenger restraint and airbag malfunction, which could affect safety in a crash. Another report describes a fire that started in the roof, highlighting potential electrical hazards.
“WHILE DRIVING ON A MULTI-LANE DIVIDED EXPRESSWAY AT 65MPH SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN WHICH FORCED A VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. OTHER CARS DID NOT HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SLOW DOWN AND REACT NOR DID I. LUCKILY AFTER A FEW NARROW MISSES I MANAGED…”
“PURCHASED VEHICLE WITH CLEAN CARFAX BUT WITHIN 1 WEEK IT WAS THROWING CODES OF DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO REFUSED TO SERVICE PROVIDING INTEL THAT IT UNDERWENT A 152 POINT INSPECTION BEFORE SALE TOOK VEHICLE TO BMW DEALERSHIP SERVICE AND…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report loss of speed and multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS) at highway speeds. Another complaint describes rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes, with Honda refusing to fix the issue.
Electrical failures include simultaneous loss of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing near-collisions. A TPMS repair was followed by a catastrophic tire failure, suggesting possible service-related issues.
Owners report that the forward collision avoidance system fails to resolve threats, with incidents occurring under similar conditions. One complaint notes sudden braking or failure to intervene, which could lead to crashes.
Fuel system issues include a persistent rotten-egg odor that was not fixed by filter replacement. Another complaint mentions a foot slipping behind a plastic panel, which could interfere with pedal operation.
“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 M6 — 12 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2019 M6 Gran Coupe vehicles. The third brake light may become loose, possibly allowing the light to detach from the vehicle.
The risk: If the third brake light detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third brake light and properly secure it with new fasteners. If the third brake light detached from the vehicle and is damaged, it will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2019 M6 Gran Coupe vehicles. The third brake light may become loose, possibly allowing the light to detach from the vehicle.
The risk: If the third brake light detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third brake light and properly secure it with new fasteners. If the third brake light detached from the vehicle and is damaged, it will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2019 M6 Gran Coupe vehicles. The third brake light may become loose, possibly allowing the light to detach from the vehicle.
The risk: If the third brake light detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third brake light and properly secure it with new fasteners. If the third brake light detached from the vehicle and is damaged, it will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mi…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. 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 M6 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW M6 has far fewer complaints per year (1.3 vs. 452.4) and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data, while the Honda Accord has many more complaints and some serious safety outcomes. In practice, this means the M6 may have fewer reported problems overall, but the Accord's higher volume likely reflects its much larger sales numbers. Buyers should weigh the severity of reported issues against the frequency.
Key differences
- The BMW M6 has 13 complaints over 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524, but the Accord sells in much higher numbers.
- The M6 has 0 crash-related complaints, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths in the data; the Accord has 162 crash-related, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths.
- M6 owners report sudden engine stalling and electrical issues like convertible top failures; Accord owners report engine power loss, electrical failures, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- Both have recalls: M6 has 12 (many for brake lights and air bags), Accord has 38 (including hybrid power control and fuel pump).
- Check for any signs of engine stalling or drivetrain malfunction codes, especially during test drives at highway speeds.
- Inspect the convertible top, rear window, and trunk operation, and look for any electrical gremlins or signs of fire damage in the roof area.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems, and check for any warning lights related to ABS or hill descent.
- Verify that forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control function correctly, and check for any unusual odors or fuel system issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on reported problem areas.
- During a test drive, replicate highway speeds and test all electronic features, including infotainment, driver aids, and convertible top (if applicable).
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that all recall repairs have been completed.
- For the Honda Accord, specifically test the forward collision avoidance system and check for any signs of electrical or fuel system problems.
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 M6 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 691 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 1 | 537 |
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 M6 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW M6 vs Honda Accord
- BMW M6 total complaints
- 13
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- BMW M6 total recalls
- 12
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW M6 avg complaints/year
- 1.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- BMW M6
- BMW M6 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE