Head-to-head reliability
Dodge RAM vs Honda Accord
How the Dodge RAM 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 vs Honda Accord: The RAM averages 1,013 complaints per year with 21 deaths, while the Accord averages 444 complaints and 3 deaths. RAM owners report fires, air bag failures, and steering loss; Accord owners report engine stalling and driver-assist glitches. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge RAM or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge RAM
The Dodge RAM is a full-size pickup that owners rely on for heavy work, but NHTSA data shows a high volume of complaints—over 10,000 in 10 years—with serious issues in air bags, steering, and power train. Owners report fires from the dashboard, air bags failing to deploy in crashes, and sudden loss of steering or power. These patterns suggest that living with an older RAM can mean dealing with safety-critical failures that may appear without warning.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize car known for everyday dependability, and its complaint rate is less than half that of the RAM—about 444 per year. However, owners still report engine stalling, electrical glitches, and forward collision avoidance systems that intermittently fail. While the Accord has fewer overall complaints, the presence of advanced driver-assist issues means buyers should verify that safety tech works properly.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge RAM | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 10,128 | 4,438 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 46 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 690 | 160 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1012.8 | 443.8 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 547 | 144 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 21 | 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
- 01AIR BAGS2,203
- 02STEERING1,978
- 03POWER TRAIN1,924
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,061
- 05SUSPENSION996
Owners report smoke and flames from under the dashboard, as well as air bags failing to deploy in head-on crashes. These are life-threatening defects that demand immediate attention.
Complaints include sudden loss of power steering and a violent 'death wobble' that makes the truck hard to control. Such failures can happen at highway speeds, increasing crash risk.
Drivers describe driveshafts popping out, rear wheels seizing, and sudden loss of acceleration or reverse. These failures can leave the truck stranded or cause loss of control.
Owners report repeated stalling, dying batteries, and check engine lights followed by power loss. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and may lead to unexpected breakdowns.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE D…”
“I was in a head on accident going approximately 40 mph. I was wearing my seatbelt. A Chevy Trailblazer Crossed the centerline and hit me head on at approximately 40 mph. The airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt also did not restrain. As a result I hit the…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Some owners hear noises and experience sudden power loss with multiple warning lights. This can indicate serious internal problems that may require costly repairs.
Complaints include tire pressure warnings followed by tire failure, and rodent damage to wiring. Electrical faults can disable safety systems and leave you stranded.
Owners report intermittent failures of adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic braking. When these systems don't work, they can't help prevent a crash.
Some drivers experience brake-related warnings and potential loss of braking assist. Brake problems are always a top 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.
Dodge RAM — 46 recalls
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DODGE RAM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2009 THROUGH OCTOBER 2010. SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINE AND A HYDROBOOST BRAKE SYSTEM MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A POWER STEERING RESERVOIR CAP WITH EXCESSIVE VENT PRESSURE LEVELS THAT MAY RESULT IN B…
The risk: BRAKE LIGHTS THAT ARE SLOW TO EXTINGUISH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR CAP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 DODGE RAM D2, DJ, AND DS-BODY VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." SOME VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH CERTIFICATION AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION LABELS PRINTED WITH INCORRECT WEIGHT OR SEATI…
The risk: THE MISINFORMATION ON THESE LABELS COULD LEAD TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS THAT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATION AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION LABELS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, THEY MAY TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A CHRYSLER DEALER FOR INSTALLATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE O…
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING, 300, CHARGER (LX) AND DODGE CHALLENGER (LC), AVENGER (JS), AND JOURNEY (JC), AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2011 DODGE RAM LIGHT DUTY PICKUP (DS) VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SEPARATION AT THE CRIMPED END OF THE POWER STEER…
The risk: LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 4500 AND 5500 VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WEAKENING AND FRACTURE OF THE LEFT BALL STUD ON THE TIE ROD RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING.
The risk: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. 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 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Honda Accord has far fewer complaints per year (about 444 vs. 1,013 for the RAM) and fewer crash-related reports. In practice, this means the Accord is likely to spend less time in the shop for major safety defects, while the RAM's higher rate of severe issues could lead to more downtime and risk.
Key differences
- The RAM has more than twice the annual complaint rate of the Accord, with many reports of fires, air bag failures, and steering loss.
- Accord complaints often involve advanced driver-assist systems that fail intermittently, while RAM issues tend to be mechanical and can cause immediate loss of control.
- The RAM has 21 reported deaths in the data versus 3 for the Accord, reflecting the severity of its reported crashes.
- Both have electrical problems, but RAM owners report stalling and power loss, while Accord owners report sensor and wiring issues.
- Check for any signs of dashboard fire damage or melted wiring under the dash, as owners reported smoke and flames.
- Test drive at highway speeds to feel for steering wobble or vibration, and ask if the power steering or tie rod recalls were addressed.
- Verify that all forward collision avoidance features (adaptive cruise, lane keeping, automatic braking) work consistently during a test drive.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear or damage, and check for any electrical issues like warning lights or rodent-chewed wires.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls were completed, especially for air bags, steering, and brakes.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the RAM for steering play, driveshaft condition, and any signs of electrical faults.
- For the Accord, test all driver-assist systems and check for engine noises or transmission hesitation during a thorough test drive.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and specifically inquire about any recurring electrical or stalling problems.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds and rough roads to reproduce issues like death wobble or intermittent warnings.
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 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge RAM vs Honda Accord
- Dodge RAM total complaints
- 10,128
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Dodge RAM total recalls
- 46
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Dodge RAM avg complaints/year
- 1012.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Honda Accord
- Dodge RAM top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE