Head-to-head reliability
BMW R 1200 S vs Honda Accord
How the BMW R 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 R 1200 S vs Honda Accord: The BMW has 1 complaint and 2 recalls over 9 years, while the Honda has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls over 10 years. The BMW's main issue is a fuel leak; the Accord reports engine, electrical, and collision avoidance problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW R 1200 S or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW R 1200 S
The BMW R 1200 S is a sporty motorcycle with very few reported problems over its nine-year span, averaging just 0.1 complaints per year. The main owner complaint involves gasoline leaking from under the fuel tank onto the cylinder head while riding, which is a serious fire risk. There are also two recalls, one for wheel lug nuts and one for the fuel pump. Overall, it appears to be a low-complaint vehicle, but the fuel leak issue is a critical safety concern.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular family sedan and hybrid with a very high number of complaints—4,524 over ten years, or about 452 per year. Owners report a wide range of issues, including engine problems, electrical failures, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions. There are 38 recalls and 162 crash-related complaints, with 146 injuries and 3 deaths reported. This suggests that while many Accords may be reliable, a significant number of owners experience serious safety defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW R 1200 S | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.1 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 R 1200 S
- 01FUEL SYSTEM1
- 02GASOLINE1
Owners report gasoline leaking from under the fuel tank onto the cylinder head while riding at around 35 mph, with no warning lights. This can lead to a fire hazard, especially when the engine is hot.
The same fuel leak complaint appears under the gasoline component, indicating a recurring issue with fuel delivery that could cause a dangerous fire. Buyers should inspect for any signs of fuel seepage or strong gasoline odors.
“The contact owns a 2007 BMW R 1200S Motorcycle. The contact stated while riding at approximately 35 MPH, there was gasoline leaking from under the fuel tank onto the cylinder head. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of power, alarms for brake and stability systems, and rattling noises during acceleration. These issues can leave drivers stranded or cause dangerous slowdowns on highways.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire pressure monitoring system warnings followed by tire failure. These electrical glitches can lead to loss of control.
Owners describe unexpected braking or failure to brake under adaptive cruise control, sometimes occurring repeatedly on the same route. This undermines a key safety feature and increases crash risk.
Reports include persistent rotten-egg odors and a foot getting trapped behind a plastic panel. While not always safety-critical, these issues point to quality and design problems that can be frustrating.
“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 R 1200 S — 2 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 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the aux…
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 either reinforce the fuel pump flange or replace the pump, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW…
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 R 1200 S or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW R 1200 S has far fewer issues per year (0.1 vs. 452.4), but its single complaint is a serious fuel leak that could cause a fire. The Honda Accord has many more complaints, including crashes, injuries, and deaths, though not every owner experiences problems. In practice, the BMW may be less likely to leave you stranded, but the fuel leak demands immediate attention; the Accord's higher complaint volume suggests a greater chance of encountering a safety defect.
Key differences
- The BMW R 1200 S has only 1 complaint and 2 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls.
- The BMW's main issue is a fuel leak onto the cylinder head, a fire hazard; the Accord's top issues include engine power loss, electrical failures, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- The Accord has 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths; the BMW has none of these reported.
- Both have a fuel pump recall, but the BMW also has a wheel lug nut recall, while the Accord has recalls for tires, seat belts, air bags, and hybrid software.
- Check for any gasoline smell or visible fuel leaks under the fuel tank, especially around the cylinder head, as owners report leaks while riding.
- Verify that the fuel pump recall has been performed, and inspect wheel lug nuts for proper torque due to the wheel stud recall.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds; owners report simultaneous failure that can cause near-collisions.
- Check for rattling noises during acceleration and rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which may indicate engine or hybrid system issues.
Before you buy
- For the BMW R 1200 S: ask for proof that both recalls (fuel pump and wheel lug nuts) have been completed, and inspect the fuel tank area for leaks or stains.
- For the Honda Accord: run the VIN through NHTSA to see all open recalls, and test drive at highway speeds to check for steering, braking, and adaptive cruise control issues.
- On any used Accord, listen for engine rattles and check for sulfur odors; these are common owner complaints.
- On the BMW, start the engine and let it idle, then rev it slightly to see if any fuel drips appear under the tank.
- For both vehicles, request a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on the specific complaint areas listed.
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 S or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW R 1200 S vs Honda Accord
- BMW R 1200 S total complaints
- 1
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- BMW R 1200 S total recalls
- 2
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW R 1200 S avg complaints/year
- 0.1
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- BMW R 1200 S
- BMW R 1200 S top complaint area
- FUEL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE