Head-to-head reliability
BMW R 1200 RT vs Honda Accord
How the BMW R 1200 RT 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 R 1200 RT vs Honda Accord: The BMW has 26 complaints over 10 years (2.6/yr) with 4 recalls, while the Accord has 4438 complaints (443.8/yr) with 38 recalls. BMW issues include fuel leaks and driveshaft failures; Accord issues include engine and electrical problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW R 1200 RT or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW R 1200 RT
The BMW R 1200 RT is a touring motorcycle that, in ownership terms, demands attention to known failure points. Over 10 years, owners report a modest 2.6 complaints per year, but the issues are serious: fuel leaks from warped tanks, broken throttle body cams, electrical glitches, and driveshaft failures that can lock the rear wheel at highway speed. Recalls and stop-ride notices have addressed some of these, but the pattern suggests a bike that can be reliable but requires proactive maintenance and awareness of potential safety-critical defects.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume sedan with a much higher complaint rate—443.8 per year—reflecting its popularity and the breadth of reported issues. Owners frequently cite engine problems, electrical system faults, and false activations of forward collision avoidance systems. While many complaints are about annoyances like warning lights, some involve safety concerns like sudden loss of power or unintended braking. The Accord's reliability picture is mixed: it has many reported issues, but the sheer number of vehicles on the road means some problems are inevitable.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW R 1200 RT | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 26 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.6 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 R 1200 RT
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
- 03SUSPENSION4
- 04POWER TRAIN4
- 05FUEL SYSTEM4
Owners report fuel leaks from a warped fuel tank, often attributed to ethanol in gasoline, requiring tank replacement. Also, plastic throttle body cams can break, causing a sudden loss of power during acceleration.
Starting issues occur where the starter motor won't engage even with the clutch pulled, and software updates for features like gear shift assistant can introduce new bugs, leaving owners with malfunctioning electronics.
A stop-ride notice was issued for 2014 models with Dynamic ESA due to a suspension defect, leaving owners without a usable bike for months while waiting for parts or a buyback.
Catastrophic driveshaft and U-joint failures can occur at highway speeds, causing the rear wheel to lock up and the bike to fishtail dangerously, with damage to the swing arm.
“I have a 2014 R1200RT that is leaking fuel because of a warped fuel tank. VIN: [XXX] My dealer tells me that this was a problem on my years RT and that this can only be fixed by replacing the fuel tank. I was told that ethanol was probably the culprit in taki…”
“WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING POORLY, HARDLY ANY POWER. I MOVED OVER 3 LANES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER & TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS INFORMED THE PLASTIC THROTTLE BODY CAMS HAD BROKEN.…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises and loss of power, sometimes accompanied by warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS systems, indicating potential engine or related system failures.
Issues range from TPMS warnings that lead to tire failures to rodent damage on wiring harnesses, causing electrical malfunctions. Some problems are intermittent and hard to diagnose.
The system can activate unexpectedly at highway speeds with no obstacles, or display intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, which can be distracting and erode driver trust.
Brake-related complaints include sudden loss of braking power or unintended brake application, often linked to the antilock brake system or electronic control unit, posing a safety risk.
“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 R 1200 RT — 4 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
The risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
The risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
The risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 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 2014 R1200 RT motorcycles manufactured November 27, 2013, to May 5, 2014. The affected vehicles have a Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA) rear shock absorber. The piston rod within the rear shock absorber can break without…
The risk: If the piston rod breaks it will cause loss of stability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Dynamic ESA shock absorber, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in July 2014. Owners may contact BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-525-7417. Note: Owners are advised not to rid…
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 R 1200 RT or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW R 1200 RT has far fewer complaints per year (2.6) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the BMW's problems are often more severe, such as driveshaft failures, while the Accord's issues are more numerous but varied in severity. In practice, the BMW may require less frequent trips to the shop, but when problems occur, they can be more dangerous.
Key differences
- The BMW has a much lower complaint rate (2.6/yr) than the Accord (443.8/yr), but its complaints often involve safety-critical failures like driveshaft lock-ups and fuel leaks.
- The Accord's top issue is engine problems (985 complaints), while the BMW's top is fuel/propulsion (6), showing a different failure distribution.
- The Accord has 160 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths, whereas the BMW has none, but the BMW's driveshaft failures could lead to crashes if not addressed.
- The BMW has had stop-ride notices and recalls for suspension and fuel pump issues, while the Accord has recalls for software and brake modules, indicating different areas of concern.
- Inspect the fuel tank for any signs of warping or leaks, especially if the bike is a 2014 model, and check if the recall for the fuel pump has been performed.
- Ask about the driveshaft condition and whether it has been replaced or inspected, as failures can occur without warning at highway speeds.
- Check for any outstanding recalls, especially those related to the forward collision avoidance system or brake control module, and ensure they have been addressed.
- Look for signs of electrical issues, such as intermittent warning lights or problems with the TPMS, and have the wiring harness inspected for rodent damage if the car is parked outdoors.
Before you buy
- For the BMW R 1200 RT, verify that all recalls, especially the fuel pump and suspension ones, have been completed by a dealer.
- For the Honda Accord, check the vehicle's recall status on the NHTSA website and confirm any open recalls are fixed.
- Test the BMW's throttle response and listen for any unusual engine noises that might indicate throttle body issues.
- For the Accord, test the forward collision avoidance system in a safe area to ensure it doesn't activate without reason.
- Have a mechanic inspect the driveshaft on the BMW and the brake system on the Accord for any signs of wear or failure.
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 R 1200 RT | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 226 |
| 2020 | 0 | 355 |
| 2019 | 0 | 677 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 0 | 534 |
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 R 1200 RT or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW R 1200 RT vs Honda Accord
- BMW R 1200 RT total complaints
- 26
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- BMW R 1200 RT total recalls
- 4
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW R 1200 RT avg complaints/year
- 2.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- BMW R 1200 RT
- BMW R 1200 RT top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE