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 0.1 complaints per year and 2 recalls, while the Accord averages 443.8 complaints annually with 38 recalls. The BMW's main issue is a fuel leak, whereas the Accord faces engine, electrical, and safety system 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 niche sport-touring motorcycle with a very low complaint rate over its production years, averaging just 0.1 complaints per year. The single reported issue involves a fuel leak from under the tank onto the cylinder head, which is a serious fire hazard but appears to be isolated. With only two recalls, one for wheel lugs and one for the fuel pump, the bike generally seems reliable, but the fuel system deserves attention.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a popular family sedan, shows a much higher complaint volume, averaging 443.8 per year, reflecting its widespread use and the breadth of reported issues. Complaints span engine problems, electrical glitches, forward collision avoidance malfunctions, and brake issues, with some incidents leading to crashes and injuries. While many complaints are from newer models, the sheer number indicates a pattern of modern technology and engine troubles that buyers should investigate.
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 | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.1 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 R 1200 S
- 01FUEL SYSTEM1
- 02GASOLINE1
Owners report gasoline leaking from under the fuel tank onto the cylinder head while riding, which poses a fire risk and indicates a potential failure in the fuel line or tank seal.
A recall for wheel lugs/nuts/bolts/studs suggests that these components may loosen or fail, leading to wheel instability.
A recall for the fuel pump indicates a possible defect that could cause fuel delivery issues, stalling, or no-start conditions.
“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
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises, loss of power, and warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS systems, suggesting potential engine or drivetrain failures that could affect drivability.
Complaints include TPMS warnings leading to tire failure and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, indicating vulnerability to electrical issues and environmental damage.
The system may trigger false alerts or malfunction, causing the dashboard to show problems with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic high beams, which can be distracting and erode driver confidence.
Brake-related complaints and a recall for the antilock brake control unit suggest potential failures in braking performance, a critical safety concern.
“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 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 (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 S or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW R 1200 S has far fewer complaints per year (0.1) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the Accord's higher volume reflects its popularity and the complexity of modern sedans, so buyers should weigh the frequency of problems against the vehicle's intended use.
Key differences
- The BMW R 1200 S has a single fuel leak complaint, while the Accord has hundreds of engine and electrical complaints.
- The Accord's forward collision avoidance system has numerous complaints about false activations, a feature the BMW lacks.
- The Accord has 38 recalls versus 2 for the BMW, indicating more widespread manufacturing issues.
- The Accord's complaints include crashes and injuries, whereas the BMW has none reported.
- Inspect the fuel tank area for any signs of leakage or corrosion, especially around the cylinder head.
- Check the wheel lug nuts for proper torque and any signs of loosening.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system for false alerts and ensure all software updates are applied.
- Inspect the wiring harnesses for rodent damage and check the TPMS sensors for proper function.
Before you buy
- For the BMW: have a mechanic inspect the fuel system, including lines and tank seal, and verify recall repairs for wheel lugs and fuel pump.
- For the Accord: check for open recalls and ensure the brake control unit and fuel pump have been updated.
- For the Accord: test all driver-assistance features on a test drive to ensure they work correctly.
- For the Accord: ask for service records to see if any engine or electrical issues have been addressed.
- For both: obtain a vehicle history report to check for any previous accident or damage.
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
- 4,438
- 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
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- BMW R 1200 S
- BMW R 1200 S top complaint area
- FUEL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE