Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti FX45 vs Honda Accord
How the Infiniti FX45 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 FX45 vs Honda Accord: The FX45 averages 4.5 complaints per year with 40 recalls, while the Accord averages 443.8 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Accord also has 160 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths, versus 1 crash and no deaths for the FX45. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti FX45 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti FX45
The Infiniti FX45 is a performance SUV with a relatively low complaint volume—27 over six years, about 4.5 per year—but it has 40 recalls, which is high for so few complaints. Owners report headlights aimed too low or clouded by moisture, airbags deploying in minor impacts, and driveshafts falling out at speed. Living with one means staying on top of recall notices and checking lighting and undercarriage parts regularly.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream sedan with a very high complaint volume—4,438 over ten years, about 444 per year—and 38 recalls. Owners report engine noises, electrical glitches, forward collision warnings, brake problems, and even sunroof glass shattering. It also has 160 crash-related complaints, 144 injuries, and 3 deaths, so buyers should be aware of these reported safety concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti FX45 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 27 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 40 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.5 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Infiniti FX45
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING6
- 02AIR BAGS5
- 03POWER TRAIN4
- 04STRUCTURE4
- 05FUEL SYSTEM3
Owners complain that headlights are aimed too low to light the road ahead, and that lights sweat or cloud up, limiting visibility. This matters because poor night visibility can make driving unsafe, especially on unlit roads.
Reports describe side airbags and even a seat airbag deploying during a minor grazing impact on the doors. This matters because unexpected airbag deployment can startle the driver and cause loss of control, and it may indicate overly sensitive sensors.
Owners report loud noises when accelerating and, in some cases, the driveshaft falling out from under the vehicle at speeds like 35–50 mph. This is a serious failure that can cause loss of power and a dangerous situation on the road.
Complaints include the steering wheel peeling and becoming sticky, and cracks appearing on the dashboard near the airbag. These are mostly cosmetic and comfort issues, but a cracked dash near an airbag could affect airbag performance.
“I RECENTLY TOOK DELIVERY OF A NEW INFINITY FX45. IT NOW HAS ABOUT 600 MILES ON IT. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE AIMED TOO LOW TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD. VISIBILITY IS SEVERELY LIMITED TO ABOUT 2+ CAR LENGTHS AHEAD. I CANNOT MAINTAIN MINIMAL SPEED ON AN UNLIT HIGHWAY…”
“ALL THE LIGHTS ARE SWEATING, POOR VISIBILITY. ACCORDING TO: NUMBER OF REVIEWS ON HTSA: 06V-328 REVIEW DATE: ABRYCT 3 2006 NUMBER REVOCATION MANUFACTURER: R0608 SUMMARY DURING CANADIAN COMPLIANCE TESTING SOME SPECIAL VEHICLES SPORTS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL ST…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises from new vehicles and sudden loss of speed with multiple dashboard alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS, critical failure). This matters because an engine that loses power at highway speeds is a serious safety risk.
Complaints include TPMS warnings followed by catastrophic tire failure, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses even on new cars. Electrical gremlins can cause warning lights, disable safety systems, and lead to expensive repairs.
Owners report intermittent warnings for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and automatic high beams. These failures mean the car's safety aids may not work when needed, increasing crash risk.
Brake-related complaints appear frequently, with some owners experiencing brake system alarms and loss of braking performance. Brake problems are critical because they directly affect the ability to stop safely.
“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.
Infiniti FX45 — 40 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles ar…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 o…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Missis…
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer s…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may caus…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2003-2005 FX35 and FX45, and 2006 M35 and M45 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registere…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-70…
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
Infiniti FX45 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Infiniti FX45 has far fewer complaints per year (about 4.5) than the Honda Accord (about 444), but the FX45 has more recalls (40 vs 38) despite the lower complaint count. In practice, the Accord's much higher complaint rate means you're more likely to encounter reported problems, while the FX45's issues tend to be more specific and recall-related.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Infiniti FX45 averages 4.5 complaints per year; Honda Accord averages 443.8 per year, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Crash and injury reports: Honda Accord has 160 crash-related complaints, 144 injuries, and 3 deaths; Infiniti FX45 has 1 crash-related complaint and no injuries or deaths.
- Top issues: FX45 owners report lighting, airbag, and driveshaft failures; Accord owners report engine, electrical, forward collision avoidance, and brake problems.
- Recalls: Both have many recalls (40 for FX45, 38 for Accord), but the FX45's recalls include airbag inflator modules, while the Accord's include hybrid power control software and fuel pump issues.
- Check for driveshaft noise or vibration when accelerating, and inspect the driveshaft and undercarriage for signs of looseness or previous repair—owners reported driveshafts falling out.
- Test all exterior lights, especially headlights, for proper aim and moisture inside the lenses; also inspect the dashboard for cracks near the passenger airbag.
- Listen for unusual engine noises and watch for multiple dashboard warnings (brake, ABS, hill descent) during a test drive—owners reported sudden power loss and alarm clusters.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear or damage and check TPMS functionality; also look for signs of rodent damage to wiring under the hood, especially on newer models.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to check for open recalls on both vehicles, and confirm all recall work has been completed.
- For the Infiniti FX45, have a mechanic inspect the driveshaft, airbag sensors, and headlight aim and seals before purchase.
- For the Honda Accord, scan for stored trouble codes, test all advanced driver aids (adaptive cruise, lane keeping), and check brake and tire condition.
- Ask for a complete maintenance history and look for repeated repairs in the same area, which can signal a persistent problem.
- Take a thorough test drive on both city streets and highways, paying attention to noises, warning lights, and how the vehicle handles emergency braking.
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 FX45 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti FX45 vs Honda Accord
- Infiniti FX45 total complaints
- 27
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Infiniti FX45 total recalls
- 40
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Infiniti FX45 avg complaints/year
- 4.5
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti FX45
- Infiniti FX45 top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE