Head-to-head reliability
Ferrari 296 vs Honda Accord
How the Ferrari 296 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
Ferrari 296 vs Honda Accord: The Ferrari 296 has 0 complaints and 2 recalls over 5 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls over 10 years. The Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year, with 162 crash-related and 3 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Ferrari 296 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Ferrari 296
The Ferrari 296 is a high-performance sports car with no owner complaints filed with NHTSA over five years, but it has two recalls for fuel system hose and line issues. Living with it means very little reported failure data, so reliability is largely unknown from this source. The recalls suggest a potential fuel leak risk that should be addressed. Overall, it appears to be a low-volume exotic with few documented problems.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with 4,524 complaints over ten years, averaging 452.4 per year. Owners report a wide range of issues, especially engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance problems, with 162 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths. Recalls cover hybrid software, tires, seat belts, air bags, and fuel pumps. This suggests a complex vehicle with many reported safety concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Ferrari 296 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 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.
Ferrari 296
No component data available.
Two recalls involve fuel delivery hoses, lines, piping, and fittings. A fuel leak could increase fire risk, so buyers should verify these recalls were performed.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of power, alarms for brake, hill descent, ABS, and critical failure, plus rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These can leave a driver stranded or unable to maintain speed.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and tire failure after TPMS service. Such failures can cause loss of control and near-collisions.
Owners describe unexpected braking or failure to resolve threats, sometimes with adaptive cruise control set. This can lead to rear-end collisions or loss of confidence in safety features.
There are 602 complaints about fuel/propulsion, including a recall for fuel pump failure. A failing fuel pump can cause engine stall, increasing crash risk.
“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.
Ferrari 296 — 2 recalls
The defect: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Ferrari 296 vehicles. The fuel tank connecting pipe may corrode due to unintended contact between the fuel tank connecting pipe and the high-voltage battery protection cover, potentially resulting in a fuel leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will install a new fuel tank connecting pipe reinforced with a protective sleeve, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2…
The defect: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Ferrari 296 vehicles. The fuel tank connecting pipe may corrode due to unintended contact between the fuel tank connecting pipe and the high-voltage battery protection cover, potentially resulting in a fuel leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will install a new fuel tank connecting pipe reinforced with a protective sleeve, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2…
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
Ferrari 296 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Ferrari 296 has far fewer issues per year (0 complaints vs. 452.4 for the Honda Accord), but this may reflect lower production and reporting. In practice, the Accord has many documented safety-related failures, while the Ferrari has only two fuel-system recalls and no complaints. A buyer prioritizing low reported problem rates would lean toward the Ferrari, but the Accord's issues are more numerous and severe in the data.
Key differences
- The Ferrari 296 has 0 complaints and 2 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls.
- Honda Accord owners report engine power loss, electrical steering/braking failure, and forward collision avoidance issues; Ferrari 296 has no complaint text, only fuel system recalls.
- The Accord has 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths; the Ferrari has none reported.
- The Accord's top complaint areas are engine (1,006), electrical (895), and forward collision avoidance (837); the Ferrari has no top components listed.
- Confirm both fuel system recalls were completed, as they involve hoses, lines, piping, and fittings that could leak.
- Check for any fuel odor or visible leaks around the fuel delivery system, especially after refueling.
- Test drive at highway speeds and listen for rattling noises, check for sudden power loss or warning lights for brake, ABS, and hill descent.
- Verify that recalls for hybrid software, fuel pump, seat belts, air bags, and tires were performed; ask for proof.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are fixed, especially fuel system for Ferrari and hybrid/fuel pump for Honda.
- For the Honda Accord, test drive at various speeds and check for warning lights, rough transitions, and unexpected braking.
- For the Ferrari 296, inspect fuel lines and hoses for leaks or cracks, and ask about recall service dates.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine, electrical, and safety systems.
- Ask the seller for any NHTSA complaint or repair records, and search the VIN for unrepaired recalls.
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 | Ferrari 296 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | 0 | 109 |
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
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 Ferrari 296 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Ferrari 296 vs Honda Accord
- Ferrari 296 total complaints
- 0
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Ferrari 296 total recalls
- 2
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Ferrari 296 avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Ferrari 296
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE