Head-to-head reliability
Volvo V90 vs Honda Accord
How the Volvo V90 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 V90 vs Honda Accord: The V90 averages 3.4 complaints per year over 5 years, while the Accord averages 443.8 per year over 10 years. The V90 has no crash-related complaints, but the Accord has 160. Common V90 issues include taillight moisture and sensor failures, whereas Accord owners report engine and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo V90 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo V90
The Volvo V90, a premium wagon, shows a relatively low complaint rate over five years, averaging about 3.4 per year. Owners report issues with exterior lighting, electrical systems, and speed control, with specific problems like taillight moisture and sensor failures. While not crash-related, these issues can be inconvenient and costly, and some, like speed control surges, pose safety concerns.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a popular midsize sedan, has a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 440 per year over a decade. Complaints are dominated by engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance issues, with many reports of sudden power loss, system malfunctions, and even a sunroof explosion. The higher number of crash-related complaints and injuries underscores the severity of some failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo V90 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 17 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 3.4 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.
Volvo V90
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING7
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 03VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
- 04VISIBILITY/WIPER3
- 05AIR BAGS2
Owners report rear taillight failures due to moisture intrusion, which can lead to lights not working and failing safety inspections, requiring costly replacements.
There are reports of hybrid battery failure in related models, showing a 'Hybrid System Failure' message and requiring complete battery replacement, which is a major expense.
Wheel sensors fail, causing a chain reaction that disables ABS, ESC, and tire pressure monitoring, and there are instances of unintended acceleration when pulling out, which can be dangerous.
Excessive windshield glare from the dashboard and heads-up display causes distraction and even vertigo, which is a safety concern while driving.
“Rear taillight failure due to moisture incursion. No message appeared, but light failure was observed less than a month ago. Car is in for regular service now and item is being replaced at great personal expense, since it will not pass required safety inspect…”
“Rear taillight failure due to moisture incursion. No message appeared, but light failure was observed less than a month ago. Car is in for regular service now and item is being replaced at great personal expense, since it will not pass required safety inspect…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises and sudden loss of power at highway speeds, accompanied by multiple warning lights, which can be alarming and potentially hazardous.
There are reports of TPMS warnings leading to tire failures, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, causing electrical issues and potential safety risks.
The system can malfunction, causing false alerts or unintended braking, and there are intermittent issues with adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, which can be distracting and undermine driver confidence.
Brake system failures are reported, including critical failure warnings and loss of braking ability, which is a serious safety concern.
“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.
Volvo V90 — 9 recalls
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improper…
The risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improper…
The risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improper…
The risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
The defect: Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.
The risk: A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Vo…
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
Volvo V90 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Volvo V90 has far fewer complaints per year (3.4 vs 443.8) and no crash-related incidents, indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the Accord's problems are more varied and severe, with many involving safety-critical systems. In practice, the V90 may offer more peace of mind regarding reliability, but the Accord's issues are more widespread and potentially more dangerous.
Key differences
- The Volvo V90 has a much lower complaint rate (3.4/yr) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8/yr).
- Volvo V90 complaints focus on lighting, electrical, and speed control, while Accord complaints are dominated by engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance issues.
- The Accord has 160 crash-related complaints and 144 injuries, whereas the V90 has none, indicating more severe consequences from failures.
- Accord owners report sudden power loss and brake failures, which are more critical than the V90's taillight moisture and glare issues.
- Inspect the rear taillights for moisture or condensation, as this is a common failure point.
- Check for any warning messages related to wheel sensors or hybrid system, and test the vehicle's acceleration from a stop for any surging.
- Listen for unusual engine noises and test the vehicle at highway speeds for any loss of power or warning lights.
- Check the forward collision avoidance system for proper operation, and be aware of any intermittent warnings or unintended braking.
Before you buy
- For the Volvo V90, ask for service records related to taillight replacements and any electrical or sensor repairs.
- For the Honda Accord, check for open recalls and ensure the fuel pump and brake system have been updated.
- Test drive both vehicles, paying attention to acceleration, braking, and any warning lights.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the wiring harnesses for rodent damage, especially in the Accord.
- Check the vehicle's history for any reported accidents or major 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 | Volvo V90 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 226 |
| 2020 | 3 | 355 |
| 2019 | 4 | 677 |
| 2018 | 5 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 3 | 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 Volvo V90 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo V90 vs Honda Accord
- Volvo V90 total complaints
- 17
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Volvo V90 total recalls
- 9
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Volvo V90 avg complaints/year
- 3.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Volvo V90
- Volvo V90 top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE