Head-to-head reliability
RAM Promaster 3500 vs Honda Accord
How the RAM Promaster 3500 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 3500 vs Honda Accord: Over 10 years, the Promaster 3500 has 3 complaints and 0 recalls, while the Accord has 4,438 complaints and 38 recalls. The Accord also reports 160 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths; the Promaster 3500 reports none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the RAM Promaster 3500 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
RAM Promaster 3500
The RAM Promaster 3500 is a full-size commercial van often used for work or cargo. Over ten years, it has only 3 complaints and no recalls, which suggests very few reported problems. Owners report issues like the engine fan running after shutdown, a fractured radiator tube causing coolant leaks, and in one case an engine compartment fire. These are serious but rare, so a used Promaster 3500 may be a low-risk choice if you check for these specific faults.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a much higher complaint volume: 4,438 complaints and 38 recalls over ten years. The most common areas are engine, electrical, forward collision avoidance, and brakes. Owners describe noises, warning lights, loss of power, tire failures, and sunroof explosions. While many complaints may be minor, the high number and presence of crashes, injuries, and deaths mean you should carefully inspect any used Accord and check for open recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | RAM Promaster 3500 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.3 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 3500
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
Owners report the engine fan continuing to run for hours after the vehicle is turned off, which can drain the battery and prevent starting the next morning. Another owner found a fractured radiator tube joint causing a coolant leak. These issues can lead to breakdowns and expensive repairs if not addressed.
One complaint describes a fire originating in the engine compartment of a parked van, causing severe damage. Electrical fires are rare but potentially devastating, so buyers should inspect for any signs of overheating or wiring damage.
The same fire incident was also filed under this category, highlighting that some serious events may not be easily classified. This suggests that any unusual smell, smoke, or burning odor should be taken seriously.
“The contact owns a 2024 Ram 3500. The contact stated that after turning the vehicle off, the engine fan kept running for approximately five hours. The contact stated that the following morning, the vehicle failed to start. Roadside Assistance was called to th…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the radiator tube joint was fractured. The contact became aware there was coolant leaking from the radiator. There was no warning light…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises and, in some cases, sudden loss of power with multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS). These symptoms can indicate serious engine or sensor failures that may leave you stranded or cause a crash.
Complaints include tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses even on new vehicles. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and costly to fix.
Many owners report intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams, sometimes with no obstruction. These failures can disable safety features and distract the driver.
Brake-related complaints are common, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Given the high count, buyers should have the braking system thoroughly inspected, especially the ABS and traction control modules.
“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 3500
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 3500 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The RAM Promaster 3500 has far fewer complaints per year (0.3 vs. 443.8) and no recalls, while the Honda Accord has many more complaints and 38 recalls. In practice, this means the Promaster 3500 is likely to have fewer reported problems, but the Accord's higher volume may reflect its popularity and a wider range of issues. Both have serious reported incidents, so condition and maintenance history matter more than brand alone.
Key differences
- The RAM Promaster 3500 has only 3 complaints and 0 recalls over 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,438 complaints and 38 recalls.
- Promaster 3500 complaints include engine fan running after shutdown and a radiator tube fracture; Accord complaints include engine noise, loss of power, and forward collision avoidance warnings.
- The Accord has 160 crash-related complaints, 144 injuries, and 3 deaths; the Promaster 3500 has none of these reported.
- Accord recalls cover hybrid power control, spare tires, ABS, airbag sensors, and fuel pumps; the Promaster 3500 has no recalls on record.
- Check for coolant leaks or a fractured radiator tube joint, as reported by an owner.
- Listen for the engine fan continuing to run after the engine is off, which can drain the battery.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear or damage, especially if TPMS warnings have occurred, due to reports of catastrophic tire failure.
- Test all forward collision avoidance features (adaptive cruise, lane keeping, automatic high beams) for intermittent warnings or failures.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- For the Promaster 3500, have a mechanic pressure-test the cooling system and check the radiator and fan operation.
- For the Honda Accord, scan for stored trouble codes related to the engine, ABS, and forward collision avoidance systems.
- Test-drive both vehicles extensively, including highway speeds, to replicate reported symptoms like loss of power or warning lights.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and any electrical or brake repairs.
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 3500 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | 0 | 101 |
| 2024 | 1 | 214 |
| 2023 | 2 | 224 |
| 2022 | 0 | 238 |
| 2021 | 0 | 226 |
| 2020 | 0 | 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 3500 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- RAM Promaster 3500 vs Honda Accord
- RAM Promaster 3500 total complaints
- 3
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- RAM Promaster 3500 total recalls
- 0
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- RAM Promaster 3500 avg complaints/year
- 0.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- RAM Promaster 3500
- RAM Promaster 3500 top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE