Head-to-head reliability
Volvo V40 vs Honda Accord
How the Volvo V40 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
Volvo V40 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Volvo V40 has 80 complaints and 9 recalls on record; Honda Accord has 4,173 complaints and 35 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo V40 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 80 Better | 4,173 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 35 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 146 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 16.0 Better | 417.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 135 |
| 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.
Volvo V40
- 01SERVICE BRAKES32
- 02HYDRAULIC31
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING14
- 04SUSPENSION7
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
“ON APRIL 13, 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY 4 PM, I WAS BACKING MY V40 VOLVO 2004 WAGON OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT THE KOSSMAN GARAGE, LIBERTY AVENUE,PITTSBURGH, PA, GOING SLOWLY BECAUSE IT WAS A TIGHT SPACE, WHEN MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK, AT ALL. DESPITE PUSHING MY BRAK…”
“"2003 VOLVO V40 COLD START BRAKE FAILURE" ON COLD WINTER MORNINGS, WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING, AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED AND AS I BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE, THE BRAKE IS SO WEAK THAT I CANNOT EFFECTIVELY STOP THE VEHICLE. I WOULD NEED TO PRESS THE BRAKE…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE940
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM812
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE784
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER677
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM567
“2021 Honda Accord EX-L, 1.5T turbocharged engine. Within 8 months of purchase at approximately 21,900 miles, I experienced three separate incidents of sudden complete engine power loss at highway speeds. During each incident the vehicle would not exceed 2,000…”
“I am filing a complaint regarding the premature head gasket failure on my 2021 Honda Accord, which failed on May 28, 2026, with only 89,000 miles on the vehicle. A head gasket is a critical engine component that should last well beyond 89,000 miles under norm…”
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.
Volvo V40 — 9 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS, THERE MAY BE A FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL DUE TO INADEQUATE WELDING.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A V-CLAMP TO THE FUEL RAIL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NON-RETURN VALVE MAY CRACK DUE TO A POOR WELD CAUSING A VACUUM LEAK.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, MORE BRAKE PEDAL FORCE MAY BE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND/OR MAY EXPERIENCE A ROUGH ENGINE IDLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE VACUUM HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
The defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
The risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
The fix: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR I…
The defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
The risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
The fix: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR I…
Honda Accord — 35 recalls
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…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
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 Volvo V40 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo V40 vs Honda Accord
- Volvo V40 total complaints
- 80
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,173
- Volvo V40 total recalls
- 9
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 35
- Volvo V40 avg complaints/year
- 16.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 417.3
- More reliable overall
- Volvo V40
- Volvo V40 top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE