Head-to-head reliability
Rivian EDV vs Honda Accord
How the Rivian EDV 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
Rivian EDV vs Honda Accord: The EDV averaged 7.8 complaints per year with 39 total, while the Accord averaged 452.4 per year with 4,524 total. The EDV's main issues are seat belts and rear axles; the Accord's are engine and electrical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Rivian EDV or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Rivian EDV
The Rivian EDV is a purpose-built electric delivery van, often bought in fleet quantities rather than by individual owners. Over five years, it has averaged 7.8 complaints per year, with 39 total complaints and 7 recalls. The complaint pattern is dominated by seat belt pretensioner failures (27 complaints) and a handful of suspension and power train issues. For a buyer, this suggests a vehicle with a narrow but recurring set of mechanical problems, especially around seat belts and the rear axle.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream midsize sedan with a long history and a much larger owner base. Over ten years, it has averaged 452.4 complaints per year, totaling 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls. The most common complaint areas are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with 162 crash-related reports and 3 deaths. For a buyer, this means a wide variety of reported issues, from engine rattles to electronic failures, though the sheer volume reflects how many Accords are on the road.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Rivian EDV | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 39 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.8 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 20 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.
Rivian EDV
- 01SEAT BELTS27
- 02SUSPENSION4
- 03POWER TRAIN3
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
- 05STEERING2
Owners report the seat belt pretensioner cable snapping or the anchor pulling apart from its plastic housing during normal buckling. This can leave the belt unable to restrain the driver in a crash, and multiple recalls have addressed pretensioner issues.
Complaints describe a vertical crack in the rear axle, often found during inspection, that can extend most of the way through the axle width. A cracked axle could affect vehicle stability and is a serious structural concern.
Fleet operators report the shift lever breaking off or failing unexpectedly, leaving the vehicle stranded. The lever is described as made of inferior materials, and the failure can happen without warning.
Some complaints mention missing passenger-side airbags in the jump seat area and an air conditioner that shuts off when the bulkhead door is closed. These issues affect passenger safety and driver comfort during long shifts.
“During normal operation of the this vehicle, the seatbelt pretensioner cable snapped when the driver attempted to buckle the seatbelt. This is where the lap belt portion is attached to the seat. The cable is frayed and breaks. This same defect has occurred on…”
“During operation the seatbelt connection to the pretensioner fell apart. There is a plastic housing that the seatbelt anchor is connected to. That metal anchor came apart from inside of the plastic housing and could not be reconnected. Vehicle will need a new…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of speed with multiple dashboard alarms. These symptoms can indicate internal engine or hybrid system problems that may be costly to diagnose.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire pressure monitoring issues that led to a tire failure. Electrical glitches can disable critical safety aids without warning.
Drivers describe the system braking or alerting unexpectedly under clear conditions, sometimes with adaptive cruise control engaged. Such false activations can startle the driver and increase crash risk.
Reports include a persistent rotten-egg or sulfur odor that remains after filter replacement, and fuel pump recalls. These issues point to fuel delivery or emissions problems that may require repeated dealer visits.
“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.
Rivian EDV — 7 recalls
The defect: Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022 R1T, R1S, and EDV vehicles. The fastener connecting the front upper control arm and steering knuckle may have been improperly tightened.
The risk: A loose steering knuckle fastener could separate, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the steering knuckle fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 11, 2022. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian's number for this…
The defect: Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2025 EDV vehicles. The driver's seat belt pretensioner cable may become damaged.
The risk: A damaged seat belt pretensioner cable may not restrain the occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Rivian has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update. In addition Rivian will inspect and replace the driver's seat belt pretensioner assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 16, 2026. Owne…
The defect: Rivian Automotive, LLC. (Rivian) is recalling certain 2023-2024 EDV, R1S, and R1T vehicles. The headlights may be improperly aimed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
The risk: Improperly aimed headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Rivian will inspect and adjust the headlight alignment as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Rivian customer service at 1-888-748-4264. Rivian's number for this recall is FSA…
The defect: Rivian Automotive, LLC (Rivian) is recalling certain 2022-2025 EDV vehicles. The driver's seat belt pretensioner cable may become damaged.
The risk: A damaged seat belt pretensioner cable may not restrain the occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Rivian has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update. In addition Rivian will inspect and replace the driver's seat belt pretensioner assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 16, 2026. Owne…
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
Rivian EDV or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Rivian EDV has far fewer complaints per year (7.8) than the Honda Accord (452.4), but the EDV's complaints cluster around safety-critical seat belts and axles. The Accord's much higher volume reflects its larger population, yet it also shows a broader mix of engine, electrical, and driver-assist problems. In practice, the EDV may have fewer total issues, but the ones it has can be severe; the Accord may have more frequent but varied issues.
Key differences
- The Rivian EDV's top complaint is seat belt pretensioner failure (27 of 39 complaints), while the Honda Accord's top complaint is engine issues (1,006 of 4,524 complaints).
- The EDV has 0 crash-related complaints and 20 injuries, while the Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries, though the Accord's much larger fleet size must be considered.
- The EDV has 7 recalls over 5 years, including multiple seat belt pretensioner recalls; the Accord has 38 recalls over 10 years, covering electrical, fuel, and air bag systems.
- EDV owners report structural cracks in the rear axle and shifter breakage, while Accord owners report electronic steering and braking failures and false forward collision warnings.
- Inspect the seat belt pretensioner cables and anchors for fraying, snapping, or separation from the plastic housing, as these are the most common complaint.
- Check the rear axle for any vertical cracks, especially on the driver side, and test the shift lever for smooth operation and signs of weakness.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and feel for rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which may indicate engine or hybrid system problems.
- Test the electronic power steering, braking, and forward collision avoidance systems at various speeds, and check for any warning lights or unexpected braking.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially seat belt pretensioner recalls on the Rivian EDV and electrical/fuel recalls on the Honda Accord.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the Rivian EDV's seat belts, rear axle, and shifter, and the Honda Accord's engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance sensors.
- Test drive the vehicle under conditions that mimic your daily use, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to check for unusual noises, warnings, or performance issues.
- Ask the seller for any repair records related to the specific complaints reported to NHTSA, such as seat belt replacements or engine repairs.
- Verify that the vehicle's software is up to date, as some complaints on both vehicles mention issues that may be addressed by updates.
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 | Rivian EDV | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | 2 | 109 |
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 30 | 226 |
| 2022 | 7 | 252 |
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 Rivian EDV or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Rivian EDV vs Honda Accord
- Rivian EDV total complaints
- 39
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Rivian EDV total recalls
- 7
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Rivian EDV avg complaints/year
- 7.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Rivian EDV
- Rivian EDV top complaint area
- SEAT BELTS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE