Head-to-head reliability
Dodge RAM Wagon vs Honda Accord
How the Dodge RAM Wagon 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 Wagon vs Honda Accord: The RAM Wagon averages 543 complaints per year with no recalls, while the Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year and has 38 recalls. Both have safety-related complaints, including air bag failures in the RAM and electronic steering failures in the Accord. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge RAM Wagon or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge RAM Wagon
The Dodge RAM Wagon is a full-size van or truck-based vehicle that owners often rely on for heavy-duty use. Over four years, it has averaged 543 complaints per year, with no recalls on record. The most common complaints involve structural issues like dashboard cracks and frame rust, as well as air bags failing to deploy in crashes. These problems suggest a vehicle that may require frequent attention to safety and durability.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car, often chosen for its reliability and fuel efficiency. Over ten years, it has averaged 452 complaints per year and has 38 recalls. Owners report issues with the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, including problems with hybrid components and unintended braking. While the annual complaint rate is lower than the RAM Wagon's, the higher total complaints and recalls indicate a range of potential issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge RAM Wagon | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,172 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 155 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 543.0 | 452.4 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 166 | 146 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 8 | 3 Better |
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 Wagon
- 01STRUCTURE538
- 02AIR BAGS525
- 03POWER TRAIN252
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM165
- 05SUSPENSION148
Owners report dashboard cracks and holes that worsen over time, sometimes requiring a dash cover to prevent items from falling behind the instrument cluster. Others describe frame rust causing the steering box to disconnect, which can lead to loss of steering control.
In multiple crashes, owners state that air bags failed to deploy, resulting in injuries. This is a critical safety concern because air bags are designed to reduce injury risk in frontal collisions.
Complaints include loose pinion nuts that can cause rear axle seizure and driveshaft separation, leading to loss of control. These failures can happen suddenly at highway speeds, posing a serious risk.
Owners report corrosion in the Front Control Module and Power Distribution Center, causing brake lights, blinkers, headlights, and emergency flashers to fail. This can make the vehicle unsafe to drive, especially at night or in poor weather.
“A FEW YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE DASH BEGAN TO DEVELOP CRACKS AND HOLES. THIS HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE A DASH COVER HAD TO BE PURCHASED TO AVOID THINGS FALLING DOWN BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CURRENTLY, THERE IS MORE M…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRAME AROUND THE STEERING BOX DISCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENC…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe sudden loss of power with multiple warning lights, as well as rattling noises and rough transitions between electric and gas modes in hybrids. These issues can leave drivers stranded or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and tire failure after TPMS service. Such failures can lead to loss of control and increase crash risk.
Owners report unexpected braking or failure to respond to obstacles, sometimes occurring repeatedly under similar conditions. This can cause near-misses or collisions if the system does not work as expected.
Complaints include persistent sulfur-like odors and fuel pump issues that may cause stalling or difficulty starting. These problems can affect vehicle performance and safety.
“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.
Dodge RAM Wagon
No recalls on record.
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
Dodge RAM Wagon or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Honda Accord has fewer complaints per year (452.4) than the Dodge RAM Wagon (543.0), but the Accord has 38 recalls compared to none for the RAM Wagon. In practice, the Accord may have more frequent recall-related repairs, while the RAM Wagon's higher annual complaint rate suggests more ongoing owner-reported issues. Both vehicles have safety-related complaints, so neither can be considered problem-free.
Key differences
- The Dodge RAM Wagon has no recalls but a higher annual complaint rate (543.0 vs 452.4), while the Honda Accord has 38 recalls but a lower annual complaint rate.
- RAM Wagon complaints often involve structural rust and air bag non-deployment, whereas Accord complaints frequently involve engine power loss and electronic steering/braking failures.
- The Accord has a significant number of complaints about forward collision avoidance (837), a system not highlighted in RAM Wagon complaints.
- The RAM Wagon has more crash-related complaints (155) and injuries (166) than the Accord (162 crashes, 146 injuries), despite the Accord's longer reporting period.
- Check the frame and underbody for excessive rust, especially around the steering box, as owners report rust causing steering disconnection.
- Inspect the dashboard for cracks or holes, and test all electrical components (lights, blinkers, brake lights) for corrosion-related failures.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds if possible, as owners report simultaneous failure.
- Check for any history of engine power loss or warning lights, and verify that forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control function correctly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for recalls and accident damage.
- Have a mechanic inspect the frame and underbody for rust (RAM Wagon) or the electrical and hybrid systems (Accord).
- Test drive at various speeds, including highway, to check for steering, braking, and power delivery issues.
- Verify that all safety systems (air bags, forward collision avoidance) are operational and have not been recalled.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for electrical and powertrain repairs.
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 Wagon or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge RAM Wagon vs Honda Accord
- Dodge RAM Wagon total complaints
- 2,172
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Dodge RAM Wagon total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Dodge RAM Wagon avg complaints/year
- 543.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Honda Accord
- Dodge RAM Wagon top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE