Head-to-head reliability
BMW R 1250 RS vs Honda Accord
How the BMW R 1250 RS 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 1250 RS vs Honda Accord: The BMW has 1 complaint over 6 years (0.2/yr) and 4 recalls, while the Honda has 4,438 complaints over 10 years (443.8/yr) and 38 recalls. Honda owners report engine, electrical, and safety system failures, whereas BMW's sole issue is a display obstruction. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW R 1250 RS or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW R 1250 RS
The BMW R 1250 RS is a niche sport-touring motorcycle with a very low complaint rate, averaging just 0.2 per year over six years. The single reported issue involves the service indicator warning window obscuring the TFT display, which can hide critical information like fuel level and range. This is a minor but potentially distracting problem for a rider, not a widespread mechanical failure. Overall, it appears to be a reliable machine with few owner-reported issues.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume, averaging 443.8 per year over ten years. Owners report a wide range of issues, from engine problems and electrical glitches to false forward collision warnings and brake system failures. Some complaints describe serious safety concerns, including sudden speed loss and sunroof glass explosions. While many Accords are trouble-free, the sheer number and variety of complaints suggest a more problematic ownership experience compared to the BMW.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW R 1250 RS | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.2 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 1250 RS
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
The only reported issue is that the service indicator warning window can obscure the TFT display, preventing the rider from seeing fuel level, range, and other critical data. This could be a distraction and a potential hazard if the rider cannot monitor essential information.
“The service indicator warning window obscures access to the TFT-display and the rider cannot use or see the display controls which include fuel tank levels, range etc. This is a potential hazard for an operator. The problem is exacerbated by limited availabil…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report engine noises and sudden loss of power accompanied by warning lights for brakes, hill descent, and ABS. Some describe the vehicle losing speed and becoming unable to accelerate, which is a serious safety concern.
Complaints include TPMS warnings leading to tire failure and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, even on relatively new vehicles. These electrical issues can cause unexpected failures and may be costly to repair.
Many owners report false activations or system errors with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams. These intermittent malfunctions can be annoying and may undermine driver trust in safety features.
Some complaints describe non-collision events like sunroof glass exploding while driving, which is a rare but alarming safety hazard. Others mention tire failures shortly after service, indicating potential quality control issues.
“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 1250 RS — 4 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 R 1250 RT, R 1250 R, R 1250 RS, R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycles. The tire pressure labels may not remain affixed to the motorcycle frame. As a result, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: If the label detaches from the motorcycle, proper tire pressure information may not be readily available. This could result in the rider improperly filling the tires which may affect motorcycle handling and control, increasing the risk of…
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tire pressure label, free of charge. The recall began October 19, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 F900R, F900XR, S1000RR, F750GS, F850GS, F850GS Adventure, R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, R1250RS, R1250R, RnineT, RnineT Pure and RnineT Scrambler and 2019-2020 S1000R motorcycles. The brake light may flash instead of remain steady during emerg…
The risk: A flashing brake light can cause confusion to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owner, and dealers will reprogram the emergency stop signal function, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid…
The risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Motorcycle Accessory Brake Fluid Reservoir Covers, part numbers 8405-752, 8405-753, 8405-754 and 9829547 designed to fit certain 2019-2020 BMW R 1250 motorcycles, and part numbers 8404-098, 8405-100, 8405-102, and 1542056 designed to fit certain…
The risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 14, 2020. Parts will be available in mid-September 2020 for the recall repairs. Owners may contact BMW customer servi…
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 1250 RS or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The BMW R 1250 RS has far fewer complaints per year (0.2) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), indicating a much lower rate of reported issues. In practice, this means the BMW is likely to be more reliable and less troublesome, though it is a different type of vehicle. The Accord's higher complaint volume suggests a greater chance of encountering problems, especially with engine, electrical, and safety systems.
Key differences
- The BMW has only 1 complaint over 6 years, while the Honda has 4,438 over 10 years.
- BMW's sole issue is a display obstruction, whereas Honda owners report engine failures, electrical gremlins, and false safety system alerts.
- Honda has 160 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths, while BMW has none.
- Honda's recalls (38) far outnumber BMW's (4), indicating more widespread defects.
- Check that the service indicator warning does not obscure the TFT display; if it does, it may need a software update or adjustment.
- Verify all recall repairs have been completed, especially those related to brake fluid and labels.
- Inspect the engine for unusual noises and check for any pending recalls related to fuel pump or brake control modules.
- Test all driver assistance features (adaptive cruise, lane keep) to ensure they work without false warnings.
Before you buy
- For the BMW: confirm the TFT display is fully visible and not blocked by any warning indicators.
- For the BMW: ask for service records to ensure all recalls were addressed.
- For the Honda: have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine and electrical systems.
- For the Honda: check if the vehicle has any open recalls and get them fixed before purchase.
- For both: test drive at highway speeds to see if any warning lights or system errors appear.
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 1250 RS | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 214 |
| 2023 | 0 | 224 |
| 2022 | 0 | 238 |
| 2021 | 1 | 226 |
| 2020 | 0 | 355 |
| 2019 | 0 | 677 |
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 1250 RS or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW R 1250 RS vs Honda Accord
- BMW R 1250 RS total complaints
- 1
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- BMW R 1250 RS total recalls
- 4
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- BMW R 1250 RS avg complaints/year
- 0.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- BMW R 1250 RS
- BMW R 1250 RS top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE