Head-to-head reliability
Bugatti Chiron vs Honda Accord
How the Bugatti Chiron 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
Bugatti Chiron vs Honda Accord: the Chiron has 0 complaints and 13 recalls over 7 years, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints, 38 recalls, and 162 crash-related reports over 10 years. The Accord's owner reports include engine stalling, electrical steering/braking failures, and unwanted automatic braking. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Bugatti Chiron or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Bugatti Chiron
The Bugatti Chiron is a low-volume hypercar, so it sees very little real-world use and has no owner complaints on file with NHTSA over seven years. That zero-complaint record sounds impressive, but it mostly reflects how few of these cars are driven regularly and how rarely owners file federal complaints. The 13 recalls are the main reliability signal: they cover seat belts, stability-control software, and a driveshaft issue. For a buyer, the takeaway is that problems are more likely to show up as recall notices than as a pattern of repeated breakdowns.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mass-market sedan and hybrid that accumulates thousands of NHTSA complaints because so many are on the road and driven daily. Over ten years it has 4,524 complaints, 38 recalls, and 162 reports tied to crashes, with 146 injuries and 3 deaths. The most common complaint areas are the engine, electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and fuel system. Owner reports describe stalling or losing speed, warning lights, power-steering and braking failures, and automatic emergency braking that activates unexpectedly.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Bugatti Chiron | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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.
Bugatti Chiron
No component data available.
Multiple recalls cover front seat-belt components. A buyer should confirm the recall work was completed, because a belt that does not lock or retract properly is a basic safety failure.
A recall addresses stability-control software. If the software is not updated, the system may not intervene as designed in a skid, which matters on a high-power car.
A driveshaft recall is listed. A failing driveshaft can cause vibration, noise, or loss of drive, so any pre-purchase inspection should check for outstanding recall status.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report the vehicle losing speed, showing brake/ABS/hill-descent alarms, and making rattling noises while accelerating. These symptoms can leave a driver with reduced power in traffic, which is a serious concern for a daily commuter.
Complaints describe electronic power steering and braking failing at highway speed, plus a tire failure after a TPMS warning. Electrical faults that affect steering or brakes are among the most dangerous because they remove driver control.
Owners report the system braking or warning unexpectedly under normal driving, sometimes with adaptive cruise control set. Unwanted automatic braking can cause a rear-end collision or a loss of control if the driver reacts suddenly.
Fuel-system complaints and a fuel-pump recall appear in the data. A failing fuel pump can cause stalling or a no-start, and the recall should be checked as completed before purchase.
“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.
Bugatti Chiron — 13 recalls
The defect: Bugatti is recalling certain 2016-2023 Bugatti Chiron vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts, and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occu…
The risk: The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 1, 2024. Owners may contact Bugatti customer service at 1-703-826-7545. Bugatti's number for this recall is BUGCR036.
The defect: Bugatti is recalling certain 2018 Chiron vehicles. The heat shield for the gas generator for the side air bags may have been incorrectly installed during the air bag manufacturing process, potentially reducing the performance of the air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme…
The risk: If the air bag deployment performance is reduced, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Bugatti will notify owners, and dealers will remove the affected seats to repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2018. Owners may contact Bugatti customer service at 1-805-557-1050.
The defect: Bugatti is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chiron vehicles. The front seat recliner brackets may not be welded properly, which can cause the back of the seat to move unexpectedly, affecting the driver's seating position.
The risk: If the driver's seating position changes unexpectedly, it could increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bugatti will notify owners, and service centers will inspect the welds on the recliner brackets for both seats, replacing the seat assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 7, 2017. Owners may contact Bugatti cus…
The defect: Bugatti (Bugatti) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Chiron, 2018-2020 Chiron Sport and 2020-2021 DIVO vehicles. After an ignition cycle, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) does not automatically default back to the full-function original mode if the Handling Mode is selected on the Drive Mode swit…
The risk: If the Handling Mode is activated, the ESC System goes into Sport mode. After an ignition cycle, the ESC does not default to the original default mode (ESC Normal Mode). After restarting the car, the Drive Mode remains in Handling mode aff…
The fix: Bugatti will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the software of the affected control units, free of charge. Owners may contact Bugatti customer service at 1-703-826-7545. Bugatti's number for this recall is BUGCR033.
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
Bugatti Chiron or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Bugatti Chiron has 0 complaints per year on record, while the Honda Accord averages about 452 complaints per year. In practice, the Accord's much larger owner base and daily use mean far more reported problems, including crashes and injuries. The Chiron's lower complaint rate does not prove it is trouble-free; it mainly shows that very few are driven and reported.
Key differences
- The Chiron has 0 complaints and 13 recalls over 7 years, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls over 10 years.
- Accord owners report engine stalling or losing speed, electrical steering/braking failures, and unwanted forward-collision-avoidance braking; the Chiron has no complaint text on record.
- The Accord's data includes 162 crash-related reports, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths; the Chiron's data shows 0 in each of those categories.
- Chiron recalls cover seat belts, stability-control software, and a driveshaft; Accord recalls include hybrid power-control software, a spare tire, a rear seat-belt retractor, an occupant-classification sensor, and a fuel pump.
- Check whether the front seat-belt recalls and the stability-control software recall have been completed, since those are the main safety items on file.
- Have the driveshaft inspected for vibration or noise, because a driveline recall is listed and a failing shaft can lead to loss of drive.
- Test-drive for rattling on acceleration, rough transitions between EV and gas mode, and any sudden loss of speed or warning-light clusters, which owners report in engine complaints.
- Check for electronic power-steering or braking warning messages and confirm the fuel-pump recall and hybrid power-control software recall were performed.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN through NHTSA to confirm every open recall is closed, especially seat belts and stability control on the Chiron and fuel pump, hybrid software, and seat-belt retractor on the Accord.
- For the Accord, ask for service records related to engine stalling, electrical faults, and forward-collision-avoidance complaints, and test the adaptive cruise control and automatic braking on a safe road.
- For the Chiron, arrange a specialist inspection of the driveshaft, seat belts, and stability-control software version before purchase.
- On any test drive, watch for warning lights, unexpected braking, steering or brake assist failure, and any loss of power, and walk away if these appear.
- Confirm the temporary spare tire recall status on the Accord if the car has a spare, since a tire failure was reported after a TPMS warning.
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 | Bugatti Chiron | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 0 | 234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 362 |
| 2019 | 0 | 691 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1884 |
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 Bugatti Chiron or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Bugatti Chiron vs Honda Accord
- Bugatti Chiron total complaints
- 0
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Bugatti Chiron total recalls
- 13
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Bugatti Chiron avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Bugatti Chiron
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE