Head-to-head reliability
FIAT 124 Spider vs Honda Accord
How the FIAT 124 Spider 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
FIAT 124 Spider vs Honda Accord: the 124 Spider has 65 complaints over 4 years (about 16 per year) and 5 recalls, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (about 452 per year) and 38 recalls. The Accord also shows 146 injuries and 3 deaths in the data. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FIAT 124 Spider or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FIAT 124 Spider
The FIAT 124 Spider is a niche two-seat convertible with a relatively low complaint volume: 65 complaints over 4 years, averaging about 16 per year. The most common owner-reported problem is air bag software, often tied to a recall where parts were not available, leaving owners waiting. Other recurring issues include seat belt retractors failing and electrical glitches like warning lights and rattling. With only 5 recalls and no reported injuries or deaths in the data, it appears to be a low-volume car with a handful of persistent, specific annoyances.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume family sedan with 4,524 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 452 per year. The complaint pattern is broad: engine problems, electrical failures, forward collision avoidance warnings, and fuel system issues. There are 38 recalls, 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths reported. This suggests that while many Accords are on the road, a notable number of owners experience serious safety-related defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FIAT 124 Spider | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 65 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 16.3 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.
FIAT 124 Spider
- 01AIR BAGS30
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 03SEAT BELTS8
- 04ENGINE7
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
Owners report air bag recall notices, especially for the restraint control module software, but parts are often unavailable, leaving the repair unresolved for months. This matters because the air bag may not deploy correctly in a crash.
Multiple owners say the seat belt retractors on both driver and passenger sides fail, sometimes within months of purchase, and replacement parts can take weeks to arrive. A failing retractor means the belt may not tighten properly, increasing injury risk.
Complaints include abnormal rattling, check engine and TPMS warning lights, and key fob issues, often requiring a dealer visit. These glitches can be annoying and may indicate underlying wiring or sensor problems.
One owner found more than an ounce of oil in the intake at 15,595 miles, a sign of blow-by that can lead to carbon buildup. Another reported missed recall notifications due to dealer paperwork errors, which could leave safety fixes undone.
“I am writing to formally express my concern and disappointment regarding the lack of transparency and communication surrounding the airbag recall for the Fiat 124, first issued in 2024. As of today, Fiat has not provided any meaningful updates, solutions, or…”
“The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 124 Spyder. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V694000 (AIR BAGS) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe sudden loss of power with multiple dashboard alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS) and rattling noises during acceleration, sometimes with rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These symptoms can leave a driver stranded or unable to maintain highway speeds.
Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire failure after a TPMS repair. Such failures can cause a near-collision or loss of control.
Owners say the system can suddenly brake or warn under clear conditions, even with adaptive cruise control set, and dealers have failed to resolve it. Unwanted braking at speed is a serious safety concern.
Complaints include a persistent rotten-egg or sulfur odor that remains after paid repairs, and fuel pump recalls. The odor may indicate a fuel or emissions issue that is hard to diagnose and fix.
“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.
FIAT 124 Spider — 5 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta…
The risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is A3B.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. The impeller inside the fuel pump may be deformed, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety recall were mailed on January 6, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed July 5, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LL…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta…
The risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is A3B.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta…
The risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is A3B.
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
FIAT 124 Spider or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The FIAT 124 Spider has far fewer complaints per year (about 16) than the Honda Accord (about 452), but the Accord is far more common on the road. In practice, the 124 Spider’s issues are narrower and often tied to recalls, while the Accord’s complaints span serious safety systems like brakes, steering, and collision avoidance. A buyer should weigh the lower frequency of 124 Spider problems against the Accord’s higher but more varied risk profile.
Key differences
- The FIAT 124 Spider averages about 16 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages about 452 per year, but the Accord sells in much higher numbers.
- Air bag software and seat belt retractor failures dominate 124 Spider complaints, often with parts unavailable for recall repairs.
- Honda Accord complaints include sudden power loss, electronic steering and braking failure, and unwanted forward collision avoidance braking.
- The Accord has 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths in the data, while the 124 Spider has 1 crash-related complaint and no injuries or deaths.
- Check for open air bag recalls and confirm the restraint control module software has been updated; owners report long waits for parts.
- Test both seat belt retractors for smooth, strong retraction; multiple owners report failure on both sides.
- Scan for stored engine and hybrid codes, and test-drive at highway speeds to check for sudden power loss or rough EV-to-gas transitions.
- Verify that forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control do not brake unexpectedly; owners report unwanted braking under clear conditions.
Before you buy
- Ask for a written recall history and proof that all open recalls, especially air bag and fuel pump recalls, have been completed.
- On the FIAT 124 Spider, inspect the seat belts and air bag warning light, and check for oil in the intake if possible.
- On the Honda Accord, test the electronic power steering, brakes, and forward collision avoidance system during a test drive.
- Request a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the top complaint areas.
- Check the NHTSA website by VIN for any unrepaired recalls before you buy either vehicle.
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 | FIAT 124 Spider | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 362 |
| 2019 | 9 | 691 |
| 2018 | 16 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 32 | 537 |
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 FIAT 124 Spider or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FIAT 124 Spider vs Honda Accord
- FIAT 124 Spider total complaints
- 65
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- FIAT 124 Spider total recalls
- 5
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- FIAT 124 Spider avg complaints/year
- 16.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- FIAT 124 Spider
- FIAT 124 Spider top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE