Head-to-head reliability
Volvo VAH vs Honda Accord
How the Volvo VAH 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 VAH averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Volvo VAH has 1 complaints and 31 recalls on record; Honda Accord has 4,397 complaints and 38 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 VAH | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1 Better | 4,397 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 31 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 159 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.1 Better | 439.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 143 |
| 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 VAH
- 01POWER TRAIN1
“My 2023 Volvo VAH experienced complete transmission failure. Dealer claims failure was caused by water contamination from air system. However: • Air dryer filter had been replaced at authorized Volvo dealer. • Entire air dryer unit had been replaced with new…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE968
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM850
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE814
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER720
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM587
“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 VAH — 31 recalls
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2023-2024 VN, VHD, and VAH trucks. The steering gear fasteners may not be properly tightened.
The risk: Loose steering gear fasteners may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the steering gear fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this reca…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022-2024 VNR, VNL, VHD, and VAH trucks. The windshield wiper motor gears may wear prematurely, causing the motor to fail.
The risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks number for this recall is R…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2020-2025 VN, VAH, VHD and VNRE trucks, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop working.
The risk: Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may have diminished or lost functionality, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Truck's number for this recall is RVXX2409.
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2019-2026 VAH trucks. The passenger seat belt anchor may fail due to inadequate floor reinforcement. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly A…
The risk: A seat belt anchor that fails will not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will install a new weld nut and washer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX2510…
Honda Accord — 38 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,…
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 VAH | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | 0 | 98 |
| 2024 | 0 | 213 |
| 2023 | 1 | 224 |
| 2022 | 0 | 234 |
| 2021 | 0 | 221 |
| 2020 | 0 | 350 |
| 2019 | 0 | 667 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1853 |
| 2017 | 0 | 532 |
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 VAH or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo VAH vs Honda Accord
- Volvo VAH total complaints
- 1
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,397
- Volvo VAH total recalls
- 31
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Volvo VAH avg complaints/year
- 0.1
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 439.7
- More reliable overall
- Volvo VAH
- Volvo VAH top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE