Head-to-head reliability
Volvo XC90 vs Honda Accord
How the Volvo XC90 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 XC90 vs Honda Accord: The XC90 averages 104 complaints per year, with electrical issues causing sudden power loss, while the Accord averages 444 complaints, with engine stalling and false collision warnings. Both have recalls, but the XC90's engine shutdowns are more dangerous. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo XC90 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90, a luxury SUV, shows a high complaint rate of about 104 per year over the past decade, with electrical issues dominating. Owners report sudden loss of propulsion, warning lights, and brake noises, suggesting potential reliability concerns that could affect daily driving and safety. Recalls focus on engine control, backup prevention, and seat belt fasteners, indicating ongoing software and hardware fixes.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a popular sedan, has a much higher complaint volume at about 444 per year, but this may reflect its larger sales base. Engine problems are most common, with reports of stalling and warning lights, alongside frequent forward collision avoidance issues. Recalls address hybrid power control, spare tires, ABS, airbag sensors, and fuel pumps, pointing to a mix of safety-critical and convenience-related defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo XC90 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,038 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 44 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 47 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 103.8 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 75 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 XC90
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM312
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER223
- 03ENGINE183
- 04SERVICE BRAKES132
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM97
Owners report sudden loss of propulsion and dashboard warnings, often in hybrid models, with dealerships resetting computers but issues recurring. This can lead to unexpected breakdowns and potential safety risks on the road.
There are reports of catastrophic engine shutdown at highway speeds, leaving drivers without power. This is a serious safety concern that may require immediate attention and could be costly to repair.
In cold weather, backing up can produce loud knocking noises, possibly linked to auto-hold brakes. While not always a failure, it indicates potential brake system quirks that could affect confidence and safety.
“My car is a 2022 Volvo hybrid T8, 6-passenger XC90. I purchased the SUV in August of 2023 as a "certified pre-owned" vehicle with only 17,923 miles on it at the time of purchase. This SUV has been fine until within the last two to three months (July-Sept. 202…”
“My car is a 2022 Volvo hybrid T8, 6-passenger XC90. I purchased the SUV in August of 2023 as a "certified pre-owned" vehicle with only 17,923 miles on it at the time of purchase. This SUV has been fine until within the last two to three months (July-Sept. 202…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report stalling and loss of speed accompanied by multiple warning lights, which can be alarming and dangerous, especially on highways. This suggests possible fuel or ignition system issues.
Issues include tire pressure monitoring system failures leading to tire blowouts and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, which can cause unexpected failures and costly repairs.
The system may falsely activate or show errors, potentially causing sudden braking or disabling safety features. This can be distracting and may lead to rear-end collisions if not functioning properly.
“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 XC90 — 44 recalls
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S60, V60, S90L, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An electronic control module (ECM) software error may prevent the combustion engine from starting, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: The vehicle may lose drive power as the high voltage battery is depleted, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the ECM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10198.
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 2015-2024 XC90 vehicles. The second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor bolts may not be tightened properly.
The risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the second-row seat belt buckle anchorage bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2015-2024 XC90 vehicles. The second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor bolts may not be tightened properly.
The risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the second-row seat belt buckle anchorage bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo…
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 XC90 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Volvo XC90 has fewer complaints per year (about 104) compared to the Honda Accord (about 444), but the XC90's issues are more severe, including engine shutdowns. In practice, the Accord's higher volume may reflect its popularity, but both have significant reliability concerns that buyers should investigate.
Key differences
- Volvo XC90 has fewer complaints per year but more severe engine failures, while Honda Accord has more frequent but less catastrophic engine issues.
- Volvo XC90's top issue is electrical, with sudden propulsion loss, whereas Honda Accord's top issue is engine, with stalling and warning lights.
- Honda Accord has a high number of forward collision avoidance complaints, indicating potential false activations, while Volvo XC90 has brake noise issues in cold weather.
- Recalls differ: Volvo focuses on engine control and seat belt fasteners, while Honda covers hybrid power control and fuel pumps.
- Check for any history of engine shutdown or 'Propulsion Service Required' messages, as these indicate potential serious engine control issues.
- Inspect the electrical system, especially in hybrid models, for recurring warning lights or loss of power that may require software updates or component replacement.
- Look for signs of stalling or multiple warning lights, which could point to engine or sensor problems that may be intermittent and hard to diagnose.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system to ensure it doesn't false-activate, as this could be a safety hazard and may require recalibration.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine and electrical systems.
- Test drive at highway speeds to check for any loss of power or unusual warning lights.
- For the Volvo XC90, specifically test the brakes in cold weather if possible, and for the Honda Accord, test the adaptive cruise control and collision warning.
- Ask for service records to see if any of the 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 XC90 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 5 |
| 2025 | 54 | 101 |
| 2024 | 102 | 214 |
| 2023 | 117 | 224 |
| 2022 | 116 | 238 |
| 2021 | 51 | 226 |
| 2020 | 90 | 355 |
| 2019 | 123 | 677 |
| 2018 | 150 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 228 | 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 XC90 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo XC90 vs Honda Accord
- Volvo XC90 total complaints
- 1,038
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Volvo XC90 total recalls
- 44
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Volvo XC90 avg complaints/year
- 103.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Volvo XC90
- Volvo XC90 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE