Head-to-head reliability
Rolls Royce Phantom vs Honda Accord
How the Rolls Royce Phantom 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
Rolls Royce Phantom vs Honda Accord: The Phantom has 0 complaints and 8 recalls over 10 years, while the Accord has 4,438 complaints, 38 recalls, and 160 crash-related reports. The Accord's top issues are engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Rolls Royce Phantom or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Rolls Royce Phantom
The Rolls Royce Phantom is a low-volume luxury car that, over the past 10 years, has generated zero owner complaints to NHTSA. That clean complaint record suggests owners have not reported recurring safety defects, but it does not prove the car is trouble-free. The eight recalls are all for back-over prevention displays, cameras, and headlights, meaning the main documented issues involve driver-assist visibility features rather than engine or brake failures. For a buyer, this points to a car with very little public complaint data, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is still essential.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume family sedan with 4,438 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 444 per year. The most common complaint areas are the engine, electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and service brakes. Owners report symptoms like engine noises, sudden loss of speed with multiple dashboard alarms, TPMS warnings followed by tire failure, and intermittent adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping errors. There are also 160 crash-related complaints, 144 injuries, and 3 deaths in the data, so these are not just minor annoyances.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Rolls Royce Phantom | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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.
Rolls Royce Phantom
No component data available.
Recalls cover the rearview camera display, which may fail to show an image when reversing. This matters because a non-working backup camera makes it harder to see behind the car, especially in a large luxury sedan.
Multiple recalls address the rear camera sensing system, meaning the camera or its software may not function correctly. A buyer should verify the backup camera works every time the car is shifted into reverse.
A recall for headlights suggests some Phantoms had lighting that did not meet safety standards. Non-working or misaimed headlights reduce night visibility, so check that both low and high beams work properly.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report engine noises shortly after purchase and sudden power loss with brake, hill descent, ABS, and critical failure alarms. These symptoms can leave a driver unable to maintain highway speeds, which is a serious safety concern.
Complaints include TPMS warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure and rodent damage to the camshaft position wiring harness. Electrical gremlins can cause misleading warnings or leave the car undrivable, so a full electrical check is wise.
Owners report intermittent messages for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and automatic high beams. When these systems drop out, the car may not brake or steer as expected, so test them on a test drive.
Brake-related complaints appear among the top five areas, and some engine complaints mention brake alarms. Brake problems can directly affect stopping distance, so have a mechanic inspect the brakes and ABS system before buying.
“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.
Rolls Royce Phantom — 8 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Rolls-Royce Phantom vehicles. The headlights may not have received a metal coating application, which can result in the low beams not adequately illuminating road signs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal…
The risk: Improperly illuminated road signs may be difficult for the driver to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the headlights, free of charge. The affected vehicles are still at dealerships and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Rolls-Royce customer service at 1-877-877-3735.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Co…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may c…
The defect: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Ltd. (Rolls-Royce) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Rolls-Royce Phantom vehicles. The Central Information Display may not raise to the correct position, resulting in a rearview camera image that is partially blocked from view.
The risk: A partially blocked rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 28, 2021. Owners may contact Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877-3735.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (…
The risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-8…
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
Rolls Royce Phantom or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Rolls Royce Phantom has far fewer issues per year, with 0 complaints per year versus about 444 per year for the Honda Accord. In practice, that means an Accord buyer is much more likely to encounter a reported problem, while a Phantom buyer has almost no public complaint pattern to review. However, the Phantom's low complaint count may reflect low sales volume and limited reporting rather than perfect reliability.
Key differences
- The Phantom has 0 complaints over 10 years, while the Accord has 4,438 complaints, including 160 crash-related, 144 injuries, and 3 deaths.
- Phantom recalls focus on backup cameras, displays, and headlights, while Accord recalls cover hybrid power control software, spare tires, ABS control modules, airbag sensors, and fuel pumps.
- Accord owners report engine noises, sudden power loss, TPMS-related tire failure, and intermittent forward collision warnings; Phantom owners have no complaint text on record.
- The Accord's top complaint areas are engine (985), electrical (863), forward collision avoidance (821), and service brakes (592), showing a broad range of reported issues.
- Check the backup camera display and rear sensing system for any recall-related faults, since multiple recalls cover these parts.
- Test the headlights, including high beams and automatic functions, because a recall exists for exterior lighting.
- Listen for engine noises at idle and during acceleration, and watch for sudden power loss or multiple dashboard alarms on a test drive.
- Test the forward collision avoidance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams, for intermittent error messages.
Before you buy
- Ask for the complete recall history and proof that all open recalls were repaired on the specific vehicle.
- Have a mechanic inspect the backup camera and rear sensing system on the Phantom, and the engine, electrical system, and brakes on the Accord.
- On the Accord, test the forward collision avoidance systems and check for any stored trouble codes related to ABS, TPMS, or hybrid power control.
- Verify that the tires, including the spare, are in good condition and match the recall history for the Accord.
- Request a pre-purchase inspection from a brand-specific specialist and review the NHTSA complaint database for the exact model year you are considering.
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 | Rolls Royce Phantom | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | 0 | 101 |
| 2024 | 0 | 214 |
| 2023 | 0 | 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 Rolls Royce Phantom or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Rolls Royce Phantom vs Honda Accord
- Rolls Royce Phantom total complaints
- 0
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Rolls Royce Phantom total recalls
- 8
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Rolls Royce Phantom avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Rolls Royce Phantom
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE