Head-to-head reliability
Ferrari 458 vs Honda Accord
How the Ferrari 458 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 458 vs Honda Accord: The Ferrari has 1.1 complaints per year versus the Accord's 443.8, but Ferrari issues include airbag explosions and fires, while Accord problems involve engine power loss and false braking. The Accord has 38 recalls, Ferrari 11. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Ferrari 458 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Ferrari 458
The Ferrari 458 is a high-performance exotic that, in ownership terms, is a weekend or special-use car. Its complaint history is very low in volume, but the issues that do surface are serious: airbag systems that can deploy without a crash or are tied to the Takata recall, a fire risk in the rear, and interior plastics that melt. Owners also report fuel-filling problems. This pattern suggests that while the car is rarely in the shop, when problems occur they can be dramatic and expensive, and some are safety-critical.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mass-market sedan with a high complaint volume, reflecting its popularity and daily-driver role. The complaints cluster around engine performance, electrical gremlins, forward-collision warning glitches, and brake issues. Many reports describe sudden warning lights, loss of power, and false activations of safety systems, which can be unnerving and potentially dangerous. The sheer number of complaints, though, is partly a function of how many Accords are on the road, and the recall list covers a range of components from fuel pumps to airbag sensors.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Ferrari 458 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 9 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.1 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 144 |
| 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 458
- 01AIR BAGS5
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 03FUEL SYSTEM1
- 04GASOLINE1
- 05SERVICE BRAKES1
Owners report airbag inflators that are part of the Takata recall, with parts unavailable for repair, and one case where the driver's airbag deployed suddenly with no collision. This is a serious safety defect that could cause injury or unexpected deployment.
Two complaints describe a vehicle fire starting in the rear passenger side, consistent with a prior recall, and another where interior dashboard plastics melt, making buttons sticky and labels unreadable. Fire risk is obviously critical, while melting plastic is a quality and usability issue.
A 2015 model could not be refueled at any station; the nozzle would not accept fuel. This is a practical inconvenience that could leave you stranded, though not a safety hazard per se.
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FERRARI 458 ITALIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V341000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT…”
“TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH ON A PERFECTLY FLAT AND SAFE HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG ON MY 2012 FERRARI 458 SUDDENLY AND FOR NO VALID REASON EXPLODED AND DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, THERE WAS NO POTHOLE OR ANY OTHER DAMAGE THAT WOULD HAVE…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises from new, and more seriously, sudden loss of power with multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS) while driving at highway speeds. This can be a dangerous situation if it happens in traffic.
Complaints include a TPMS warning that led to a tire failure shortly after service, and rodent damage to a wiring harness on a nearly new car. Electrical issues can cause a cascade of failures and are often hard to diagnose.
The system can falsely activate or show intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise, lane keeping, and automatic high beams. Owners report the system braking for no reason on open roads, which could cause a rear-end collision from following traffic.
While not detailed in the sample, the high complaint count for brakes suggests issues like premature wear, pulsation, or failure of the antilock system. Brake problems are always safety-critical.
“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.
Ferrari 458 — 11 recalls
The defect: On January 9, 2018 Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) recalled 1,073 model year 2013 California, 458 Italia, 458 Spider, FF, and F12 Berlinetta vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2018 for the original population. The recall will begin in June 2018 for the expanded population. Owners…
The defect: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2012 Ferrari California, 458 Italia, 458 Spider, and FF vehicles that have not already had their passenger frontal air bag replaced. These passenger frontal air bag modules have air bag inflators that may explode in the event of a crash due…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly with one that uses an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2018. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-8…
The defect: Ferrari North America, Inc. (FNA) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Spider, 458 Speciale, 458 Speciale A, California T, FF, F12 Berlinetta, and LaFerrari vehicles manufactured December 19, 2014, to April 29, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a driver side a…
The risk: In the event of a crash, the deployment of the driver's air bag in a rotated orientation increases the risk of injury.
The fix: FNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front Driver's Side Air Bag Module, free of charge. The recall began on August 10, 2015. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-866-551-2828. Ferrari's number for this recall i…
The defect: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 F458 Italia and F458 Spider vehicles manufactured March 5, 2010, to May 20, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the secondary latch for the front trunk storage compartment may not release when the vehicle is stationary. As…
The risk: In the event an individual is trapped in the trunk and the latch system does not release the trunk lid, it increases the risk of personal injury or possibly death.
The fix: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will modify the existing front trunk latch system with a new component that will meet requirements, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at…
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
Ferrari 458 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Ferrari 458 has far fewer complaints per year (1.1 vs 443.8), but its issues are more severe in nature, including airbag explosions and fires. The Accord's higher volume reflects its ubiquity, but the types of problems—loss of power, false braking—are also serious. In practice, the Ferrari is likely to spend more time in the shop for each issue, but the Accord's problems are more frequent and can affect daily driving.
Key differences
- The Ferrari has a much lower complaint rate, but its complaints include a spontaneous airbag deployment and a vehicle fire, which are rare but catastrophic.
- The Accord's complaints are dominated by engine and electrical issues that can cause sudden power loss or false braking, affecting everyday safety.
- The Ferrari's interior plastic melting is a unique quality issue not seen in the Accord.
- The Accord has a much higher number of crash-related complaints (160) and injuries (144) compared to the Ferrari's zero crashes, though this may reflect higher usage.
- Check for open Takata airbag recalls and ensure the inflator has been replaced; ask for proof.
- Inspect the rear engine bay for signs of fire damage or previous repairs, and check the interior dashboard for melted or sticky plastic.
- Test the forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise on a clear road to see if they activate falsely.
- Look for any warning lights related to engine, brakes, or electrical systems, and get a diagnostic scan for pending codes.
Before you buy
- For the Ferrari: obtain a full service history and verify all recalls are performed, especially the airbag and fire-related ones.
- For the Ferrari: have a pre-purchase inspection by a Ferrari specialist who can check for signs of fire or electrical issues.
- For the Accord: check the NHTSA recall list and ensure any outstanding recalls are fixed before purchase.
- For the Accord: take a thorough test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to see if any warning lights appear.
- For both: ask for a Carfax or similar report to see if the vehicle has been in any reported incidents.
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 458 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 534 |
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 458 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Ferrari 458 vs Honda Accord
- Ferrari 458 total complaints
- 9
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Ferrari 458 total recalls
- 11
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Ferrari 458 avg complaints/year
- 1.1
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Ferrari 458
- Ferrari 458 top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE