Head-to-head reliability
Volvo VHD vs Honda Accord
How the Volvo VHD 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 VHD vs Honda Accord: The Volvo VHD has 0 owner complaints and 46 recalls over 10 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints, 38 recalls, and 162 crash-related reports. The Honda's complaints include engine and electrical failures; the Volvo has no complaint text. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo VHD or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo VHD
The Volvo VHD is a heavy-duty commercial truck, not a typical family car, so its ownership experience is different from a passenger vehicle. Over 10 years, it has 0 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which means there is no pattern of reported failures from drivers. However, it has 46 recalls covering parts like wheels, steering, electrical wiring, transmission, and lights. That tells a buyer that while owners haven't complained, the manufacturer has identified many potential safety defects that need to be fixed.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car with a very different record: 4,524 complaints over 10 years, or about 452 per year. Owners report serious issues with the engine, electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and fuel system, including sudden power loss, braking failures, and unintended acceleration warnings. There are also 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths, plus 38 recalls. This suggests that while many Accords run fine, a notable number of owners experience safety-critical problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo VHD | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 46 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 146 |
| 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 VHD
No component data available.
Recalls exist for wheel lug nuts, bolts, or studs, which could lead to wheel detachment if not addressed. A buyer should verify that any open recall has been fixed, as a loose wheel is a severe safety risk.
Recalls cover steering linkage and knuckle components, which are critical for controlling the truck. If these parts fail, steering could be lost, so checking for completed recall work is essential.
Recalls for electrical wiring and fuses suggest potential shorts or power failures that could disable lights or other systems. A buyer should have a mechanic inspect the wiring harness for signs of overheating or repairs.
A recall on the automatic transmission indicates a possible defect that could cause shifting problems or loss of drive. Confirm the recall was performed and test-drive the truck to check for smooth shifting.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of power with multiple dashboard alarms. These symptoms can leave a driver stranded or unable to maintain speed, which is dangerous on highways.
Complaints describe simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire failures after TPMS warnings. Such failures can cause loss of control, and owners report near-collisions.
Owners say the system can activate unexpectedly, such as with adaptive cruise control set, causing sudden braking or warnings on open roads. This false activation could startle a driver and lead to a crash.
Complaints include persistent rotten-egg sulfur odors and potential fuel pump issues from recalls. A fuel pump failure can cause stalling, and the odor may indicate a leak or emission problem.
“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.
Volvo VHD — 46 recalls
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2025 VN and VHD trucks. The wheel lug nuts may be improperly tightened.
The risk: Improperly tightened lug nuts can allow the wheel to detach, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the left-side lug nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 19, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Truck's number for this recall is RVXX2407.
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2025 VN, VNRe, and VHD trucks. The drag link may contain an improperly heat-treated ball stud that can fail, resulting in a sudden loss of steering control.
The risk: A sudden loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the drag links, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2024. Owners may contact Volv…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2025 VN and VHD trucks. The steering gear may have an improperly seated plug in the valve housing, which can result in a sudden loss of steering control.
The risk: A sudden loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the plug and replace the steering gear as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Truck's number for th…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2025 VN and VHD trucks equipped with Composilite EXS20 steerable lift axle suspension assemblies. The tie rod assembly ball stud could have been improperly heat treated and can fail.
The risk: The ball stud can separate from the vehicle becoming a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the tie rod end assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Truck's number for th…
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
Volvo VHD or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Volvo VHD has far fewer owner complaints per year (0 vs. about 452 for the Honda Accord), but it has more recalls (46 vs. 38). In practice, the Volvo VHD shows no reported owner complaint pattern, while the Honda Accord has thousands of complaints about serious safety issues. However, the Volvo's many recalls mean a buyer must ensure all recall repairs are done.
Key differences
- The Volvo VHD has 0 owner complaints but 46 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints and 38 recalls.
- Honda Accord complaints include 162 crash-related incidents, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths; the Volvo VHD has none of these reported.
- Volvo VHD recalls cover basic mechanical systems like wheels and steering, while Honda Accord recalls include hybrid software, fuel pumps, and air bag sensors.
- Honda owners describe sudden power loss, braking failures, and false collision warnings; Volvo owners have no complaint text on record.
- Check for any open recalls on wheels, steering, or transmission and confirm they were repaired with documentation.
- Inspect the electrical wiring and fuse box for signs of overheating, corrosion, or previous repairs.
- Test-drive at highway speeds and listen for engine rattling or feel for rough transitions between EV and gas modes.
- Ask if the electronic power steering and braking systems have ever failed or shown warnings, and check for recall repairs on fuel pump and hybrid software.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle.
- For the Volvo VHD, have a mechanic inspect wheel lug nuts, steering linkage, and transmission operation.
- For the Honda Accord, test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control in a safe area to check for false activations.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for electrical and fuel system repairs on the Honda Accord.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to reproduce any reported symptoms.
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 VHD | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | 0 | 109 |
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 0 | 226 |
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 0 | 234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 362 |
| 2019 | 0 | 691 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 Volvo VHD or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo VHD vs Honda Accord
- Volvo VHD total complaints
- 0
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Volvo VHD total recalls
- 46
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Volvo VHD avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Volvo VHD
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE