Head-to-head reliability
RAM Promaster 2500 vs Honda Accord
How the RAM Promaster 2500 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
RAM Promaster 2500 vs Honda Accord: The Promaster has 9 complaints over 10 years (0.9/yr) and no recalls, while the Accord has 4,438 complaints (443.8/yr) and 38 recalls. Promaster issues are mechanical, Accord issues are electronic. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the RAM Promaster 2500 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
RAM Promaster 2500
The RAM Promaster 2500 is a work van that owners rely on daily. Over 10 years, it has had only 9 complaints, averaging less than one per year, with no recalls. The complaints focus on powertrain issues like accelerator pedal problems and shifting difficulties, as well as brake failures where the pedal goes to the floor. While rare, these issues can be serious, but the low overall count suggests a generally reliable workhorse.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 4,438 over 10 years, averaging 443.8 per year, and 38 recalls. Owners report frequent problems with the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, including sudden power loss, warning lights, and unintended braking. The high number of complaints and recalls indicates a more problematic ownership experience, though many issues may be intermittent or software-related.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | RAM Promaster 2500 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 9 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.9 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.
RAM Promaster 2500
- 01POWER TRAIN4
- 02SERVICE BRAKES2
- 03BACK OVER PREVENTION1
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 05VISIBILITY1
Owners report accelerator pedal issues at highway speeds and difficulty shifting into park while reversing, with vibrations felt in the steering wheel. These can affect control and drivability.
Brake failures are described as sudden, with the pedal going to the floor and not returning, and the parking brake randomly engaging at low speeds. This poses a direct safety risk.
Electrical gremlins include false warnings about lights being out and intermittent brake issues, which can be confusing and hard for dealers to diagnose.
“The contact owns a 2020 Ram ProMaster 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V301000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal wa…”
“The contact owns a 2020 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated while reversing at approximately 5 MPH, the contact felt vibration in the steering wheel. The contact depressed the brake pedal and attempted to shift into park(P). The contact was unable to shift…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises and sudden loss of power with multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS) appearing, which can be alarming and potentially dangerous on highways.
Issues range from TPMS warnings leading to tire failures to rodent damage on wiring harnesses, indicating vulnerability to electrical faults and external damage.
The system can trigger false alerts or warnings for adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, sometimes at highway speeds, causing unexpected braking or system disengagements.
“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.
RAM Promaster 2500
No recalls on record.
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
RAM Promaster 2500 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The RAM Promaster 2500 has far fewer complaints per year (0.9 vs 443.8) and no recalls, making it a more reliable choice in terms of reported issues. The Honda Accord's high complaint volume and multiple recalls suggest a higher likelihood of encountering problems, though many may be minor or software-related.
Key differences
- The RAM Promaster 2500 has only 9 complaints in 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,438.
- The RAM Promaster 2500 has zero recalls, but the Honda Accord has 38 recalls.
- RAM Promaster 2500 issues are mostly mechanical (brakes, powertrain), while Accord issues are heavily electronic (engine, electrical, collision avoidance).
- Accord owners report more safety-related incidents (160 crashes, 144 injuries) compared to the Promaster's 1 crash and 1 injury.
- Test the brakes thoroughly: check for pedal feel and any signs of the parking brake engaging on its own.
- Listen for unusual noises from the powertrain and test shifting into park while on an incline.
- Check for any warning lights related to engine, brakes, or collision systems, and ask for service records.
- Inspect the wiring harness for signs of rodent damage, especially if the vehicle is parked outdoors.
Before you buy
- For the RAM Promaster 2500: have a mechanic inspect the brake system and powertrain, and test drive at highway speeds.
- For the Honda Accord: check for open recalls and ensure all software updates are applied.
- Ask for a history of any electrical or sensor-related repairs on the Accord.
- For both: review the NHTSA complaint history and consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system on the Accord in a safe area to ensure it doesn't false-trigger.
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 | RAM Promaster 2500 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | 0 | 101 |
| 2024 | 0 | 214 |
| 2023 | 2 | 224 |
| 2022 | 0 | 238 |
| 2021 | 4 | 226 |
| 2020 | 3 | 355 |
| 2019 | 0 | 677 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1864 |
| 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 RAM Promaster 2500 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- RAM Promaster 2500 vs Honda Accord
- RAM Promaster 2500 total complaints
- 9
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- RAM Promaster 2500 total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- RAM Promaster 2500 avg complaints/year
- 0.9
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- RAM Promaster 2500
- RAM Promaster 2500 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE