Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti EX35 vs Honda Accord
How the Infiniti EX35 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
Infiniti EX35 vs Honda Accord: The EX35 has 92 complaints over 6 years (15.3/year) and 6 recalls, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (452.4/year) and 38 recalls. The Accord also reports 146 injuries and 3 deaths, versus 3 injuries and 0 deaths for the EX35. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti EX35 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti EX35
The Infiniti EX35 is a compact luxury SUV with a relatively low complaint volume: 92 complaints over 6 years, averaging about 15 per year. Owners most often report air bag warning lights, steering instability, and occasional engine power loss. With 6 recalls and 3 injuries reported, it's a vehicle that demands careful inspection of safety systems before purchase.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 4,524 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 452 per year. Common issues include engine problems, electrical glitches, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions. With 38 recalls, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths reported, it's a high-volume vehicle with a wide range of reported problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti EX35 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 92 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 15.3 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.
Infiniti EX35
- 01AIR BAGS22
- 02STEERING16
- 03ENGINE15
- 04POWER TRAIN13
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
Owners report the passenger side air bag warning light flashing due to a faulty occupant classification sensor (OCS). This can mean the air bag may not deploy correctly in a crash, and repairs often require replacing the sensor.
Complaints describe 4WAS and stability control warning lights coming on over rough roads, with the rear feeling unstable and the steering wheel off-center. Another owner reported the electronic steering wheel tilt malfunctioning, leaving the wheel stuck.
Some owners experienced sudden engine power loss and shutdown while driving, followed by difficulty restarting. Another reported a bad solenoid switch causing a squealing noise, requiring dealership repair.
Owners report severe hesitation when accelerating after slowing or stopping, which can be dangerous in traffic. One complaint also mentions a recall for a power train issue where parts were not yet available.
“I TOOK THE CAR TO JIM COLEMAN INFINITI SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO FIND OUT WHY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING NON-STOP. AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC THEY CONCLUDED IT WAS DUE TO PASSENGER SIDE OCS SENSOR FAULTY, SO IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE SENSOR THEY NEED TO REPLAC…”
“I PURCHASED 2009 INFINITI EX 35 ONE MONTH AGO(SEPTEMBER 30, 2009). THERE IS A "PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT. ACCORDING TO INFINITI SERVICE CENTER NEARBY, IT IS DESIGNED TO DETECT CHILD OR SMALL ADULT WHO IS LESS THAN 100 POUNDS SEATING ON PASSENGER SIDE A…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report alarms for brake, hill descent, ABS, and critical failure, with the vehicle losing speed. Others describe rattling noises while accelerating and rough transitions between EV and gas modes.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing a near-collision. Another owner had a TPMS warning that led to a tire failure shortly after service.
Owners report the system failing to prevent collisions, with incidents occurring under similar driving conditions. One complaint describes adaptive cruise control suddenly braking or accelerating unexpectedly.
Some owners report a persistent rotten-egg or sulfur odor, which can indicate fuel system issues. Others mention fuel pump problems, and there is a recall for fuel pump delivery.
“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.
Infiniti EX35 — 6 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2008 Infiniti EX35 vehicles equipped with the power tilt/telescope option included in the premium package, manufactured June 29, 2007, to April 25, 2008, 2009 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2007, to April…
The risk: Extra play in the steering wheel or a loss of steering may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft on the Infiniti EX35, FX35, and FX45 vehicles, and will replace the steering column assembly on the Nissan GT-R vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2…
The defect: CURT IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 1 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 11500, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 26, 2008 AND MARCH 12, 2009, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 NISSAN INFINITI EX35 VEHICLES. WHEN THE HITCH IS LOADED TO THE MAXIMUM RATING, THE BUMPER STRUCTURE OF THE VEH…
The risk: A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR SHOULD THE TOWED VEHICLE SEPARATE FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE WHILE IN OPERATION.
The fix: CURT MFG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MFG TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-738-7213.
The defect: CURT IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 1 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 11500, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 26, 2008 AND MARCH 12, 2009, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 NISSAN INFINITI EX35 VEHICLES. WHEN THE HITCH IS LOADED TO THE MAXIMUM RATING, THE BUMPER STRUCTURE OF THE VEH…
The risk: A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR SHOULD THE TOWED VEHICLE SEPARATE FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE WHILE IN OPERATION.
The fix: CURT MFG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MFG TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-738-7213.
The defect: CURT IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 1 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 11500, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 26, 2008 AND MARCH 12, 2009, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 NISSAN INFINITI EX35 VEHICLES. WHEN THE HITCH IS LOADED TO THE MAXIMUM RATING, THE BUMPER STRUCTURE OF THE VEH…
The risk: A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR SHOULD THE TOWED VEHICLE SEPARATE FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE WHILE IN OPERATION.
The fix: CURT MFG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MFG TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-738-7213.
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
Infiniti EX35 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Infiniti EX35 has far fewer complaints per year (about 15) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452). In practice, this means the EX35 may have fewer reported problems overall, but the Accord's higher volume means more data and potentially more widespread issues. Both have safety-related complaints, so neither should be considered problem-free.
Key differences
- The Infiniti EX35 has 92 complaints over 6 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 over 10 years, showing a much higher complaint rate for the Accord.
- Infiniti EX35 owners frequently report air bag sensor and steering instability issues, while Honda Accord owners report engine power loss and electrical failures.
- The Honda Accord has 38 recalls and 146 injuries reported, compared to 6 recalls and 3 injuries for the Infiniti EX35.
- Forward collision avoidance and fuel system problems are prominent in the Honda Accord, whereas the Infiniti EX35's top issues are air bags, steering, and engine.
- Check for a flashing or illuminated air bag warning light, which may indicate a faulty occupant classification sensor (OCS) and could affect air bag deployment.
- Test drive over rough roads and listen for steering warnings or feel for rear instability, as owners report 4WAS and stability control issues.
- Look for any warning lights related to brakes, ABS, or hill descent, and test the electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds if possible.
- Check for a rotten-egg or sulfur odor, which may indicate fuel system problems, and verify if the fuel pump recall has been addressed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been repaired, especially air bag and fuel pump recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the air bag system, steering components, and engine for the specific issues reported by owners.
- Test drive the vehicle under various conditions, including highway speeds and rough roads, to check for hesitation, warning lights, or unusual noises.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and check if the vehicle has been regularly serviced.
- For the Honda Accord, specifically test the forward collision avoidance system and electronic power steering, and check for any electrical glitches.
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 Infiniti EX35 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti EX35 vs Honda Accord
- Infiniti EX35 total complaints
- 92
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Infiniti EX35 total recalls
- 6
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Infiniti EX35 avg complaints/year
- 15.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti EX35
- Infiniti EX35 top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE