Head-to-head reliability
Dodge RAM VAN vs Honda Accord
How the Dodge RAM VAN 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
Dodge RAM VAN vs Honda Accord: The RAM VAN averaged 382 complaints per year over 4 years, with 2 recalls, while the Accord averaged 444 per year over 10 years, with 38 recalls. The van's complaints often involve severe structural and air bag failures, whereas the Accord's include engine and electronic issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge RAM VAN or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge RAM VAN
The Dodge RAM VAN is a full-size work van with a heavy-duty body-on-frame design, often used for commercial or family hauling. Over four years, it averaged 382 complaints per year, with the most common issues in structure, air bags, and electrical systems. Owners report serious problems like frame rust causing steering loss and air bags failing to deploy in crashes. With only two recalls, both for transmission column shift, the van demands careful inspection before purchase.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car, available as a sedan with various powertrains including hybrid. Over ten years, it averaged 444 complaints per year, with engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems drawing the most attention. Recalls cover 38 different issues, from hybrid software to fuel pumps and air bag sensors. While many complaints involve advanced driver aids, some report serious engine and electrical failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge RAM VAN | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,529 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 65 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 382.3 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 98 Better | 144 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 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.
Dodge RAM VAN
- 01STRUCTURE554
- 02AIR BAGS432
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER166
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM134
- 05POWER TRAIN112
Owners report the stabilizer bar falling off the front end and frame rust causing the steering mechanism to separate, leading to complete loss of steering. These are severe safety issues that can occur without warning.
Multiple complaints describe air bags not deploying in frontal crashes, even when the vehicle is totaled. Occupants hit the steering wheel and dash, resulting in injuries.
Reports include stalling while driving and under-hood fires originating in the ABS module area, sometimes totaling the vehicle. These electrical faults can leave you stranded or worse.
The two recalls both involve the automatic transmission column shift lever and linkage, which could affect gear selection. While no specific complaint text is provided, this is a known area to check.
“WHILE COMING BACK FROM SOME ERRANDS AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A BIG SNAP ON MY FRONT END AND BANG AND SCRAPPING ON PAVEMENT AS SOON AS I STOPPED TO LOOK THE WHOLE PIECE OF THE STABILIZER BAR FELL OFF THE FRONT END CHASSIS AND AS I LOOKED ON FRONT E…”
“URGENT SAFETY ISSUE: DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD VEHICLE LOSES COMPLETE STEER ABILITY!!! HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND FOUND FRAME RUSTED THROUGH (DUE TO FACTORY ROUTING OF A/C WATER DRAINAGE) AND CAUSED STEERING MECHANISM TO SEPARATE WHERE THE STEERING CONNECTION IS…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners describe noises, loss of speed, and multiple dashboard alarms leading to critical failure. Some report issues even on new vehicles with low mileage.
Complaints include tire pressure monitoring system failures leading to tire blowouts, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses. These can cause sudden safety hazards.
Adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams may show intermittent error messages and fail to operate. This undermines driver-assist features.
While no sample complaint text is given, this component is among the top five, suggesting brake-related issues are common. Recalls include ABS control unit problems.
“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.
Dodge RAM VAN — 2 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY…
The risk: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
The defect: ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY…
The risk: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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
Dodge RAM VAN or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Honda Accord has a lower average annual complaint rate (443.8 per year) compared to the Dodge RAM VAN (382.3 per year), but the Accord's complaints span ten years versus four for the van. In practice, the van's issues are more concentrated and often involve severe structural and air bag failures, while the Accord's complaints are more varied and include advanced electronics. Buyers should weigh the van's higher per-year severity against the Accord's broader range of potential problems.
Key differences
- The Dodge RAM VAN has reports of frame rust causing steering loss, while the Honda Accord has no such structural complaints.
- Air bag non-deployment in crashes is a recurring complaint for the RAM VAN, whereas the Accord's air bag recall involves occupant classification sensors.
- The RAM VAN has only 2 recalls, both for transmission column shift, while the Accord has 38 recalls covering hybrid software, fuel pumps, and more.
- The Accord's top complaints include forward collision avoidance system failures, a category absent from the RAM VAN's top five.
- Inspect the frame and undercarriage for rust, especially around the steering mechanism and A/C drain routing, as rust-through can cause steering separation.
- Test the air bag system and check for any recall or diagnostic trouble codes, as non-deployment in crashes is a reported issue.
- Check for intermittent warnings related to adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and other driver-assist features, as these are commonly reported.
- Inspect the wiring harness for rodent damage and ensure the TPMS system is functioning, as failures have led to tire blowouts.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially the RAM VAN's transmission and the Accord's many recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the RAM VAN's frame and undercarriage for rust, and test the air bags if possible.
- For the Honda Accord, test all electronic safety systems and look for any warning lights or error messages.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for the Accord's engine and electrical systems, and the RAM VAN's transmission.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds and bumpy roads to listen for noises and feel for steering issues.
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 Dodge RAM VAN or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge RAM VAN vs Honda Accord
- Dodge RAM VAN total complaints
- 1,529
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Dodge RAM VAN total recalls
- 2
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Dodge RAM VAN avg complaints/year
- 382.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Dodge RAM VAN
- Dodge RAM VAN top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE