Head-to-head reliability
Volkswagen Tiguan vs Honda Accord
How the Volkswagen Tiguan 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
Volkswagen Tiguan vs Honda Accord: The Tiguan averages 132 complaints per year and 42 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year and 38 recalls. Both have serious electrical and engine complaints, but the Accord's volume is much higher. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact SUV that averages about 132 complaints per year over the past decade, with 42 recalls. Owners frequently report engine problems, electrical glitches like the infotainment system disconnecting, and unexpected parking brake engagement or shifting into Park. These issues can be frustrating and potentially dangerous, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year—and 38 recalls. Common trouble spots include engine stalling or loss of power, electrical failures such as power steering and braking lockups, and forward collision avoidance system malfunctions. While the Accord is popular, the frequency of reported problems means buyers should be vigilant.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volkswagen Tiguan | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,319 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 42 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 32 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 131.9 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 35 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 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.
Volkswagen Tiguan
- 01ENGINE392
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM293
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER276
- 04POWER TRAIN154
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE132
Owners report unexpected engine shutdowns while driving at low speeds, sometimes accompanied by the vehicle shifting itself into Park. This can leave you stranded or cause a loss of control in traffic.
Complaints include the infotainment system randomly disconnecting from wireless CarPlay and showing Wi-Fi errors. More seriously, some owners say the electronic parking brake engages on its own and the car shifts into Park without input.
Reports describe the electronic parking brake engaging unexpectedly and the vehicle shifting into Park while moving. This can happen at any speed and may lead to sudden stops or loss of power.
Some owners experience false activations or failures of the forward collision warning system, which could reduce the effectiveness of automatic braking and increase crash risk.
“On August 14, 2026, I brought my Volkswagen, with approximately 7,500 miles and still under warranty, to Bay Ridge Volkswagen, an authorized Volkswagen dealership in Brooklyn, NY. At approximately 8:00 AM, the dealer informed me that my vehicle had an applica…”
“This is an additional complaint concerning the same vehicle previously reported under ODI XXX. On XXX, while the vehicle was in Drive and moving at approximately 5 mph in [XXX], it unexpectedly shut off and shifted itself into Park. On XXX, while reversing, t…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report the vehicle losing speed and showing multiple alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS, critical failure) at highway speeds. Others note rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes.
Complaints include the electronic power steering and braking systems failing simultaneously at highway speeds, causing a near-collision. Another owner had a tire fail catastrophically shortly after a TPMS repair.
Owners describe the system braking unexpectedly or failing to intervene when needed, sometimes under identical driving conditions. This can be startling and may lead to rear-end collisions.
Some report a persistent rotten-egg or sulfur odor, which could indicate fuel or emissions issues. Others experience jerking when the engine engages or when using the charge button.
“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.
Volkswagen Tiguan — 42 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. A tie rod bolt on the rear axle assembly may be loose, which can lead to a loss of vehicle control.
The risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the affected tie rod bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42E7.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. A software error may cause the body control module (BCM) system to reset. This may result in the ignition switching off, resulting in an engine stall. It can also lead to a loss of certain controls, warning li…
The risk: An unexpected engine stall, loss of exterior lighting or warning lights, or failure of the rearview camera system can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 6, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for th…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
The risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to allow occupants to sit in the front passenger seat until the remedy is complete. Dealers will repair the affected wiring harness in the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period ma…
The risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer se…
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
Volkswagen Tiguan or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Volkswagen Tiguan has far fewer complaints per year (about 132) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), suggesting the Tiguan may have fewer reported issues overall. However, the Tiguan's complaints include serious safety concerns like unexpected parking brake engagement, so lower volume doesn't automatically mean trouble-free. In practice, the Accord's higher complaint rate means you're more likely to encounter problems, but both vehicles require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Tiguan averages about 132 complaints per year, while the Accord averages about 452—more than three times as many.
- Tiguan owners frequently report unexpected parking brake engagement and shifting into Park, a safety issue not highlighted in Accord complaints.
- Accord owners report simultaneous power steering and braking failure at highway speeds, a severe risk that appears in multiple complaints.
- Both vehicles have forward collision avoidance complaints, but the Accord's are more numerous and include unexpected braking or failure to intervene.
- Test the electronic parking brake and gear shifter: ensure the vehicle does not engage the parking brake or shift into Park on its own while driving or reversing.
- Check the infotainment system: verify that wireless CarPlay and Android Auto connect reliably and do not drop or show Wi-Fi errors during a test drive.
- Test the electronic power steering and brakes: at highway speeds, ensure there is no lockup or loss of assist, and listen for any unusual noises.
- Check for fuel or sulfur odors: a persistent rotten-egg smell could indicate fuel system or emissions problems that may be costly to fix.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially for electrical and fuel system issues.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, and electrical systems, focusing on the specific complaint areas for each vehicle.
- During a test drive, deliberately test the parking brake, gear shifter, infotainment, and forward collision warning systems for any glitches.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that any recall repairs have been completed.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection from a dealer specializing in the brand to catch model-specific problems.
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 | Volkswagen Tiguan | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 30 | 10 |
| 2025 | 49 | 109 |
| 2024 | 71 | 219 |
| 2023 | 68 | 226 |
| 2022 | 269 | 252 |
| 2021 | 141 | 234 |
| 2020 | 140 | 362 |
| 2019 | 192 | 691 |
| 2018 | 284 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 75 | 537 |
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 Volkswagen Tiguan or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volkswagen Tiguan vs Honda Accord
- Volkswagen Tiguan total complaints
- 1,319
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Volkswagen Tiguan total recalls
- 42
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Volkswagen Tiguan avg complaints/year
- 131.9
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Volkswagen Tiguan top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE