Head-to-head reliability
Volvo VN vs Honda Accord
How the Volvo VN 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 VN vs Honda Accord: The Volvo VN has only 7 complaints over 10 years (0.7/yr) versus the Accord's 4,438 (443.8/yr). VN issues center on window leaks and electrical recalls, while Accord owners report engine power loss and false collision warnings. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo VN or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo VN
The Volvo VN is a heavy-duty commercial truck, so its reliability picture is about long-haul durability and downtime costs. Over 10 years, owners filed only 7 complaints—an average of 0.7 per year—which is remarkably low. The few complaints that do exist point to persistent water leaks around windows and electrical system issues, including a recall for braking software. For a buyer, this suggests a generally dependable workhorse, but one where you should verify that known leak and electrical fixes have been applied.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 4,438 over 10 years (443.8 per year). The top problem areas are engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with owners reporting issues like sudden power loss, warning light cascades, and false automatic braking. While many Accords are trouble-free, the sheer number of complaints and the nature of the failures—especially those affecting safety systems—mean a used Accord needs careful scrutiny of its service history and any recall completion.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo VN | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 38 | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.7 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 VN
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 03TIRES1
- 04STRUCTURE1
- 05SERVICE BRAKES1
Owners report that every window leaks, causing water-stained upholstery. This is a known issue, and Volvo issued a recall in 2019 for it, but some owners still experience it, so check for water damage and ensure the recall was performed.
Complaints include a recall for electrical system and service brakes (NHTSA 24V790000) where dealers may not have parts, leaving owners without a fix. Another owner reported odometer fraud, which is not a mechanical failure but a buying risk.
The same window leak issue appears under structure, reinforcing that water intrusion is a common problem that can lead to interior damage and potential mold if not addressed.
“Every window in this truck leaks. The upholstery is water stained around and underneath every window. This , I found out is a common problem for Volvo trucks. Volvo knows about this problem as they had a recall in 2019 for this very problem. Volvo Corp office…”
“This Person hit my SUV and would not Stop, USDOT # 923849 I had to chase him down for a mile before he stopped. He destroyed my New Car 2025 Subaru Forester. I would like this person NOT be able to drive a BIG RIG again.”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises from new, and more seriously, sudden loss of power at highway speeds accompanied by warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS. This can be alarming and potentially dangerous if it happens in traffic.
Issues include a TPMS warning that led to a tire failure shortly after service, and rodent damage to the camshaft position wiring harness, which can cause engine performance problems. Electrical gremlins seem common.
Multiple owners report the system falsely activates at 35 mph on open roads, or shows intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise, lane keeping, and automatic high beams. This can be annoying and erode trust in safety features.
One owner reported the sunroof glass exploding while driving at 40 mph, which is a safety hazard. Another had a tire failure after a TPMS service, suggesting possible repair quality issues.
“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 VN — 38 recalls
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2019-2024 VN and VHD vehicles. The passenger side bench seat may be inadequately attached to the floor. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems"…
The risk: The attachment points may fail, allowing the bench seat to shift and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the weld nut with two nuts and a washer, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks number for this recall is RVXX2312.
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 2019-2024 VN and VHD vehicles. The passenger side bench seat may be inadequately attached to the floor. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems"…
The risk: The attachment points may fail, allowing the bench seat to shift and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the weld nut with two nuts and a washer, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks number for this recall is RVXX2312.
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.
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 VN or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Volvo VN has far fewer complaints per year (0.7 vs. 443.8), making it the more reliable choice in terms of reported issues. However, the VN is a commercial truck, not a passenger car, so the comparison is apples-to-oranges. In practice, the Accord's higher complaint rate means you should budget for potential repairs, especially in engine and electronic systems.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Volvo VN has 7 complaints over 10 years, while Honda Accord has 4,438—a massive difference in reported issues.
- Failure types: Volvo VN issues are mostly water leaks and electrical recalls, while Accord issues include engine power loss and false collision warnings.
- Safety implications: Accord complaints include 160 crashes and 3 deaths, whereas Volvo VN has 1 crash and 1 injury, but the VN is a truck with different usage.
- Recall counts are similar (38 each), but the nature of recalls differs: Volvo VN has seat fasteners and steering linkage, Accord has hybrid software and fuel pump.
- Check for water stains or musty smell around all windows and upholstery, indicating the known leak issue.
- Verify that recall 24V790000 (electrical/brakes) has been performed, as some owners couldn't get parts.
- Look for any history of engine power loss or warning light clusters; ask for service records.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system on a safe road to ensure it doesn't false-activate.
Before you buy
- For the Volvo VN: ask for proof of the 2019 window leak recall and inspect for water damage.
- For the Honda Accord: check if all recalls (especially hybrid software and fuel pump) are completed.
- For the Accord: have a mechanic scan for stored trouble codes and test the adaptive cruise and braking systems.
- For both: get a vehicle history report to check for odometer fraud or accident history.
- Take a thorough test drive at highway speeds to listen for unusual noises and feel for any hesitation.
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 VN | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | 0 | 101 |
| 2024 | 1 | 214 |
| 2023 | 0 | 224 |
| 2022 | 0 | 238 |
| 2021 | 3 | 226 |
| 2020 | 1 | 355 |
| 2019 | 0 | 677 |
| 2018 | 2 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 VN or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo VN vs Honda Accord
- Volvo VN total complaints
- 7
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Volvo VN total recalls
- 38
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Volvo VN avg complaints/year
- 0.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Volvo VN
- Volvo VN top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE