Head-to-head reliability
Fisker Ocean vs Honda Accord
How the Fisker Ocean 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
Fisker Ocean vs Honda Accord: The Fisker Ocean has 884 complaints in 2 years (442/year) and 10 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints in 10 years (452/year) and 38 recalls. Both show serious issues, but the Accord's longer history and dealer support make it easier to own. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Fisker Ocean or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Fisker Ocean
The Fisker Ocean is an electric SUV from a now-defunct brand, which makes long-term ownership risky because parts and service may be hard to find. In just two years, owners filed 884 complaints, with many describing sudden power loss, braking failures, and software glitches. The high complaint rate per year (442) and 10 recalls suggest frequent, serious problems that can leave you stranded or in danger. Buying one means accepting that repairs and warranty support may be very difficult.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream sedan with a long production history and a large dealer network, so parts and service are easy to find. Over ten years, owners filed 4,524 complaints, averaging 452 per year, which is similar to the Fisker's annual rate but spread across many more vehicles. The complaints cover engine, electrical, and driver-assist issues, but the overall ownership experience is more predictable. Recalls are common (38), yet Honda's established support network makes them easier to address.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Fisker Ocean | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 884 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 12 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 442.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 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.
Fisker Ocean
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM380
- 02SERVICE BRAKES324
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER283
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE211
- 05LANE DEPARTURE122
Owners report sudden, total loss of power while driving, often linked to battery management or software issues. This can leave you without propulsion in traffic, creating a severe safety hazard.
Complaints describe brake failures, including issues with the electric and hydraulic brake systems and the auto-hold feature. Some owners say the brakes can malfunction or fail to engage properly, increasing stopping distance.
Owners report that the automatic emergency braking can activate unexpectedly, bringing the car to an abrupt stop even when no obstacle is present. This false activation can cause rear-end collisions or loss of control.
The lane-keeping system may steer unexpectedly or fail to assist, according to complaints. This can make the car feel unpredictable and hard to keep in its lane.
“The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V499000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 24V466000 (STRUCTURE), 24V623000 (SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC) and 24V865000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; AUTOHOLD BRAKE SYSTEM/BRAK…”
“Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding a critical safety failure of my Fisker Ocean One. This incident involved a sudden and total loss of power while driving, which created a severe safety hazard for myself and other motorists.…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe rattling noises during acceleration, rough transitions between electric and gas modes, and sudden loss of power with multiple warning lights. These issues can lead to expensive repairs and unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire pressure monitoring system problems that may not be resolved after service. Such failures can cause loss of control.
Owners report that adaptive cruise control and automatic braking can behave erratically, sometimes braking suddenly or failing to respond. This undermines trust in the driver-assist features.
Some complaints mention fuel pump issues and hybrid system problems that can cause stalling or power loss. These can leave you stranded and require costly repairs.
“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.
Fisker Ocean — 10 recalls
The defect: Fisker Group Inc (Fisker) is recalling all 2023-2024 Ocean vehicles. The exterior door handles can stick and fail to open.
The risk: A door that fails to open can prevent occupants from exiting in an emergency, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Fisker will inspect and replace the door handles as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2024. Owners may contact Fisker customer service at 1-844-347-5371. Fisker's number for this recall is TSB5506…
The defect: Fisker Group Inc (Fisker) is recalling all 2023-2024 Ocean vehicles. A communication failure with the cabin electric water pump can cause the high voltage battery management system (BMS) to enter limp mode, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Fisker will replace the pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2024. Owners may contact Fisker customer service at 1-844-347-5371. Fisker's number for this recall is TSB30032401.
The defect: Fisker Group Inc (Fisker) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ocean vehicles. The brake module software may cause an unexpected reduction in regenerative braking, decreasing the braking performance.
The risk: Decreased braking performance can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Fisker will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2024. Owners may contact Fisker customer service at 1-844-347-5371. Fisker's number for this recall is TSB10062…
The defect: Fisker Group Inc (Fisker) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ocean vehicles. The transmission may not shift into the selected gear, allowing the vehicle to roll away while in Drive or Reverse.
The risk: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Fisker released an over-the-air (OTA) software update on March 11, 2024, free of charge. Owners may contact Fisker customer service at 1-844-347-5371.
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
Fisker Ocean or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Fisker Ocean has a slightly lower annual complaint rate (442 vs. 452), but its complaints often describe sudden power loss and brake failures that can be catastrophic. The Honda Accord's higher total complaints are spread over more than twice as many years and a much larger fleet, and its issues, while serious, are more varied and often less immediately dangerous. In practice, the Accord is a safer bet for reliable daily transportation because of its established service network and parts availability.
Key differences
- Fisker Ocean owners frequently report sudden total power loss and brake failures, while Honda Accord complaints more often involve engine rattles, rough hybrid transitions, and driver-assist glitches.
- The Fisker Ocean has 10 recalls in 2 years, including electrical, brake, and structure issues; the Honda Accord has 38 recalls over 10 years, covering hybrid software, tires, seat belts, air bags, and fuel pumps.
- Fisker is out of business, so warranty and repair support may be unavailable, whereas Honda has a vast dealer network and ongoing parts supply.
- The Honda Accord has 3 reported deaths and 146 injuries in its complaint history, while the Fisker Ocean has 0 deaths and 7 injuries, but the Fisker's shorter time on the road and lower production numbers may understate long-term risks.
- Check for any history of sudden power loss or electrical faults; ask if the battery management software has been updated per recall 24V499000.
- Inspect the brakes carefully, including the auto-hold function, and confirm that recall 24V623000 and 24V865000 have been performed.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and feel for rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which could indicate engine or hybrid system problems.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control at highway speeds to ensure they don't brake unexpectedly or fail to respond.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been completed, especially for the Fisker Ocean's electrical and brake recalls.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds, braking, and driver-assist features to check for sudden power loss, brake failure, or false automatic braking.
- For the Fisker Ocean, verify that a qualified independent shop can service the vehicle and source parts, since the manufacturer is defunct.
- For the Honda Accord, check for hybrid system and fuel pump recall repairs, and listen for engine rattles or rough transitions.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the electrical system, brakes, and engine/hybrid components.
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 | Fisker Ocean | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 884 | 226 |
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 Fisker Ocean or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Fisker Ocean vs Honda Accord
- Fisker Ocean total complaints
- 884
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Fisker Ocean total recalls
- 10
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Fisker Ocean avg complaints/year
- 442.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Fisker Ocean
- Fisker Ocean top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE