Head-to-head reliability
Volvo XC60 vs Honda Accord
How the Volvo XC60 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 XC60 vs Honda Accord: The XC60 averages 113 complaints per year with 0 deaths, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 3 deaths. The Accord has more engine and electrical failure reports, while the XC60 has more driver-assist quirks. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo XC60 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo XC60
The Volvo XC60 is a luxury compact SUV that averages about 113 complaints per year over the past decade, with 44 recalls. The most common owner-reported trouble spots are electrical system glitches, brake issues, and driver-assist features that sometimes activate unexpectedly. Many complaints describe annoying but not always dangerous problems, though some involve sudden braking or power loss that could be alarming.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream midsize sedan with a much higher complaint rate—about 452 per year—and 38 recalls. Owners frequently report engine and electrical problems, including loss of power, stalling, and failures of steering or braking systems. Some complaints also involve forward collision avoidance and fuel system issues, with a few reports of crashes and deaths.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo XC60 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,128 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 44 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 80 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 112.8 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 79 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 XC60
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM427
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER206
- 03SERVICE BRAKES165
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE158
- 05LANE DEPARTURE98
Owners report start/stop battery warnings, strange odors from the AC/heater, and repeated electrical glitches. These can be frustrating and may require dealer visits, but are rarely described as immediate safety threats.
Some drivers describe sudden unintended acceleration while braking, and others mention brake-related warnings. This is a serious concern because it could lead to loss of control in parking lots or at low speeds.
Complaints include automatic braking activating for no reason, sometimes in intersections or when pulling out of a garage. This unexpected braking can startle the driver and potentially cause a rear-end collision.
Owners report lane-assist steering interventions that feel unnecessary or overly aggressive. While not always dangerous, these can make the car feel unpredictable to drive.
“The support battery for start/stop started to show on the dash and tells me that service is required about 2 weeks ago. "THE LOCATION OF THE BATTERY IS MY CONCERN". A month ago, the air coming out from the vent of the ac/heater started to smell like a rotten…”
“Dear NHTSA, I would like to submit a safety complaint regarding my 2026 Volvo XC60 Ultra, purchased new and currently with approximately 5,939 miles. I am submitting this complaint because I have experienced repeated vehicle behaviors that I believe may have…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe rattling noises, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of power at highway speeds. These issues can leave a driver stranded or unable to accelerate, which is a major safety risk.
Reports include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire pressure warnings followed by tire failure. Such failures can cause immediate loss of control.
Complaints mention the system braking unexpectedly under adaptive cruise control, sometimes on the same route and conditions. This can lead to near-collisions or rear-end impacts.
Some owners report persistent rotten-egg odors and fuel delivery problems. These may indicate fuel leaks or other issues that could lead to stalling or fire risk.
“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 XC60 — 44 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 model year 2017 S60 and S60 Cross Country, V60 and V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles manufactured August 16, 2016, through October 21, 2016. The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator in…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front seat side air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552.…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply wi…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply wi…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for…
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 XC60 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Volvo XC60 has far fewer complaints per year (about 113) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), suggesting the Volvo may have fewer reported problems overall. However, the Accord's higher volume of complaints includes more severe issues like engine power loss and brake failure, while the Volvo's complaints are more often about electrical annoyances and driver-assist quirks.
Key differences
- The Honda Accord has about four times as many complaints per year as the Volvo XC60, with more reports of engine and electrical failures that can cause loss of power or braking.
- Volvo XC60 complaints often involve driver-assist features like automatic braking and lane departure, which may activate unexpectedly but are less likely to be life-threatening.
- Honda Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported in crash-related complaints, while Volvo XC60 has 0 deaths and 79 injuries, though these numbers don't prove fault.
- Both vehicles have recalls for electrical and software issues, but the Accord also has recalls for fuel pumps and seat belts, indicating a broader range of safety concerns.
- Check for any history of electrical system repairs, especially start/stop battery warnings or AC odors, as these are commonly reported.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and lane departure systems during a test drive to see if they activate unexpectedly or feel overly sensitive.
- Listen for engine rattling noises during acceleration and feel for rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which owners frequently report.
- Ask about any prior electrical or brake system repairs, especially if the car has experienced power steering or braking failures, as these are serious safety issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both models, particularly electrical and fuel system recalls.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the electrical system, brakes, and driver-assist features for both cars before purchase.
- For the Honda Accord, specifically test the engine under acceleration and check for smooth hybrid transitions if applicable.
- For the Volvo XC60, verify that all software updates for driver-assist systems have been performed.
- Search NHTSA complaints for the specific model year you're considering to see if common issues have been addressed.
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 XC60 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 10 |
| 2025 | 37 | 109 |
| 2024 | 46 | 219 |
| 2023 | 216 | 226 |
| 2022 | 370 | 252 |
| 2021 | 124 | 234 |
| 2020 | 88 | 362 |
| 2019 | 108 | 691 |
| 2018 | 108 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 16 | 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 XC60 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo XC60 vs Honda Accord
- Volvo XC60 total complaints
- 1,128
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Volvo XC60 total recalls
- 44
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Volvo XC60 avg complaints/year
- 112.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Volvo XC60
- Volvo XC60 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE