Head-to-head reliability
Volvo VNL vs Honda Accord
How the Volvo VNL 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 VNL vs Honda Accord: The VNL has 21 complaints over 10 years (2.1/year) and 67 recalls, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints (452.4/year) and 38 recalls. The Accord also reports 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries, versus 2 and 3 for the VNL. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo VNL or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo VNL
The Volvo VNL is a heavy-duty semi-truck used for commercial hauling, not a typical passenger car. Over 10 years, it has only 21 complaints (about 2 per year) but 67 recalls, with 2 crash-related and 3 injuries. Owners report serious issues like power loss, steering pull, and brake defects, often on new trucks. Living with a VNL means dealing with frequent recalls and potentially costly repairs, but the low complaint count suggests many problems are addressed through recalls.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize car for everyday driving. It has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (about 452 per year) and 38 recalls, with 162 crash-related, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths. Owners frequently report engine stalling, electrical failures, and forward collision avoidance problems. Living with an Accord means higher reported complaint volume, but many issues may be covered by recalls or warranties.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo VNL | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 21 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 67 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.1 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 VNL
- 01POWER TRAIN6
- 02STEERING6
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 04SERVICE BRAKES4
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
Owners report sudden power loss, rear axle smoking, and warning messages like 'Stop Vehicle' while driving. These can leave you stranded or cause loss of control, so a pre-purchase inspection should focus on transmission and axle health.
Complaints include steering wheel pulling to the passenger side and engine malfunction warnings. This can make the truck hard to control, especially at highway speeds, so check for uneven tire wear and steering play.
Owners describe multiple electrical module failures, check engine lights, and DEF system problems. These can disable the truck or cause repeated shop visits, so test all electronics and scan for fault codes.
Reports include brake defects causing loss of motive power and low coolant warnings. Brake issues on a heavy truck are critical, so inspect air tanks, lines, and brake response carefully.
“The contact owns a 2026 Volvo VNL(4). The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the message "Stop Vehicle - Apply Parking Brake Only While at Stand Still" was displayed, with three unknown warning lights were illuminated, with a continuous a…”
“The contact owned a 2019 Volvo Truck VNL. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently. The contact stated that while the driver was driving approximately 50 mph when they noticed the rear axle smoking. They pulled to…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden power loss with multiple alarms. These can lead to expensive repairs and unsafe driving conditions, so check for recalls and service history.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking, and TPMS issues leading to tire failure. Electrical glitches can be dangerous, so test all driver-assist features and battery health.
Owners describe unexpected braking or failure to avoid collisions, sometimes under adaptive cruise control. This undermines a key safety feature, so verify software updates and sensor operation.
Reports include fuel pump failures and hybrid system problems causing stalling or loss of power. These can leave you stranded, so check for fuel pump recalls and hybrid battery condition.
“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 VNL — 67 recalls
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Truck) is recalling certain 2022-2024 VNL and VHD vehicles equipped with RollTek driver seats. A missing circuit will prevent the side air bag from deploying during a crash.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy, increases the risk of an injury.
The fix: Dealers will connect a jumper harness between the seat and main cab harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 4, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Tr…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022-2023 VNL vehicles. The air tank bracket fasteners were excessively tightened and may have broken.
The risk: Broken fasteners may allow the air tank to detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX2205.
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 2022 VNL vehicles equipped with Alcoa Mirror Polish Wheels, part number ULT 391, and wheel size 22.5 x 8.25. Under certain circumstances, these wheels may not be able to support the load, which can cause the wheels to bend or break whil…
The risk: Bent or broken wheels can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: The affected vehicles have been contained by the manufacturer, and therefore no owners will be notified. Dealers will replace the wheels, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service a…
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 VNL or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Volvo VNL has far fewer complaints per year (2.1 vs. 452.4), but it also has more recalls (67 vs. 38) and is a commercial truck with different usage patterns. The Honda Accord's higher complaint volume means more owners report problems, but many are covered by recalls. In practice, the VNL may require more frequent recall visits, while the Accord may have more individual issues to address.
Key differences
- Volvo VNL has 21 complaints over 10 years vs. 4,524 for Honda Accord, but VNL has 67 recalls vs. 38 for Accord.
- VNL owners report power loss, steering pull, and brake defects; Accord owners report engine stalling, electrical failures, and forward collision avoidance issues.
- Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries; VNL has 2 crash-related and 3 injuries, though VNL is a commercial truck with different exposure.
- VNL complaints often involve new trucks with immediate defects; Accord complaints span various model years and include hybrid system problems.
- Check for transmission or rear axle issues, especially if the truck has a history of power loss or smoking.
- Inspect steering components for pulling or uneven wear, and test all electrical modules and DEF system operation.
- Look for signs of engine rattling or rough hybrid transitions, and verify fuel pump recall completion.
- Test forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control for unexpected braking or failures.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and verify all recalls are completed for the specific VIN.
- For the Volvo VNL, have a commercial truck mechanic inspect brakes, steering, and electrical systems.
- For the Honda Accord, test drive at highway speeds and check for engine noises, electrical glitches, and driver-assist functionality.
- Scan for stored fault codes and check for any pending software updates.
- Review NHTSA complaints for the exact model year to identify common patterns.
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 VNL | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 10 |
| 2025 | 2 | 109 |
| 2024 | 0 | 219 |
| 2023 | 1 | 226 |
| 2022 | 2 | 252 |
| 2021 | 0 | 234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 362 |
| 2019 | 4 | 691 |
| 2018 | 8 | 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 VNL or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo VNL vs Honda Accord
- Volvo VNL total complaints
- 21
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Volvo VNL total recalls
- 67
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Volvo VNL avg complaints/year
- 2.1
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Volvo VNL
- Volvo VNL top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE