Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti Q45 vs Honda Accord
How the Infiniti Q45 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 Q45 vs Honda Accord: The Q45 has 61 complaints over 8 years (7.6/year) and 10 recalls, while the Accord has 4,438 complaints over 10 years (443.8/year) and 38 recalls. Q45 owners report stalling and no-start issues; Accord owners report engine, electrical, and driver-assist problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti Q45 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti Q45
The Infiniti Q45 is a luxury sedan with a relatively low complaint volume—61 over 8 years, about 7.6 per year—but the pattern is troubling. Owners repeatedly describe stalling, no-start conditions, and sudden power loss, often with no warning and no diagnostic code. Electrical and engine issues dominate, and multiple recalls cover air bags, brake lights, and wheels. For a buyer, this means a car that may leave you stranded and require persistent troubleshooting.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with a much higher complaint count—4,438 over 10 years, averaging 443.8 per year—but that reflects its huge sales volume. The most common trouble spots are engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems, with many reports of warning lights, loss of power, and intermittent driver-assist failures. Recalls address hybrid power control software, antilock brakes, fuel pumps, and air bag sensors. A buyer should expect more frequent but often more familiar issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti Q45 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 61 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.6 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 Q45
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
- 02ENGINE8
- 03EXTERIOR LIGHTING7
- 04VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
- 05WHEELS7
Owners report repeated stalling and failure to restart, sometimes 15 or more times, often with no warning. One owner described the car shutting off while driving with family inside, creating a risk of rear-end collision. This can leave you stranded and is hard to diagnose.
Complaints include the engine shutting off without warning within a few miles of starting, losing all power, and requiring multiple attempts to restart. Another owner had a no-start condition traced to the starter, which was replaced. These symptoms suggest intermittent ignition or fuel delivery problems.
Owners report low-beam headlamp failures, including a left HID ballast failing at 37,600 miles during nighttime driving. Losing headlights at night is a serious safety concern and can be expensive to repair.
Complaints describe a delay of up to two seconds during quick acceleration, feeling like the engine stalled, and failure to downshift on hills. Another owner reported that with cruise control set, flooring the gas caused the car to buck and drop back to the set speed. These issues make merging and passing unpredictable.
“2004 INFINITI Q45 LEMON THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS AN IN-SERVICE DATE OF 12-17-04, PURCHASED BY ME ON 02-08-08 AT 26,670 MILES WITH 10 MONTHS REMAINING ON THE TIME WARRANTY THAT'S EXPIRED. IT WAS RETURNED TO MAJOR INFINITI ON 09-29-10 WITH 42,171 MILES ^0,000 WARRAN…”
“MY 2003 INFINITI Q45 REPEATEDLY STALLS [SO FAR, 15+ TIMES] AND OFTEN WILL NOT RESTART [10+ TIMES]. WITH MY FAMILY AND ME IN THE CAR, THE STALLING OF THE CAR PUTS US REPEATEDLY IN JEOPARDY OF A REAR-END COLLISION OR VANDALISM OR BODILY INJURY IN DANGEROUS AREA…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report noises, loss of speed, and multiple dashboard alarms including brake, hill descent, and ABS failures. One 2025 Accord started normally but then lost speed and could not accelerate on the highway. These symptoms can indicate serious powertrain or sensor problems.
Complaints include a tire pressure warning followed by a catastrophic tire failure, and rodent damage to the camshaft position wiring harness on a nearly new car. Electrical gremlins can cause misleading warnings and unexpected breakdowns.
Owners report intermittent messages for adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and automatic high beams. One owner said the system failed to resolve a threat despite service visits. These failures can reduce driver confidence in safety features.
With 592 complaints, brake issues are a top concern. Owners describe brake system alarms and critical failure messages, sometimes accompanied by loss of speed. Brake problems are directly safety-related and should be inspected carefully.
“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 Q45 — 10 recalls
The defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 INFINITI Q45 VEHICLES. A WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SEAT MOUNTED AIRBAG MAY EXPERIENCE INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE, RESULTING IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS.
The risk: NON-DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE WIRING CONNECTOR, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 19, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
The defect: CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE STOP LAMP AND REFLEX REFLECTOR REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE CRASHES, INJURIES AND DEATHS BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY, AND BY ENHANCING THE CONSPICUITY OF MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE PUBLIC ROADS SO THAT THEIR PRESENCE IS PERCEIVED AND THEIR SIGNALS UNDERST…
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR COMBINATION LAMP ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH ALLOY WHEELS, THE WHEELS MAY HAVE A CASTING DEFECT FROM WHICH CRACKS COULD PROPAGATE AS THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
The risk: IF A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF CRACKS DEVELOP, THE WHEEL COULD FAIL AND SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING HUB, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT IN…
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 Q45 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Infiniti Q45 has far fewer complaints per year (7.6 vs. 443.8), but its issues often involve stalling and no-start conditions that can strand you. The Honda Accord has many more complaints, but they are spread across a much larger fleet and include more varied systems. In practice, the Q45 may be more unpredictable, while the Accord may require more frequent attention to warning lights and driver-assist features.
Key differences
- The Q45 averages 7.6 complaints per year; the Accord averages 443.8 per year, but the Accord sells in far higher numbers.
- Q45 owners frequently report stalling and no-start conditions; Accord owners more often report warning lights and driver-assist failures.
- The Q45 has 10 recalls over 8 years; the Accord has 38 recalls over 10 years, covering hybrid software, brakes, fuel pumps, and air bags.
- Q45 complaints include HID headlamp ballast failures; Accord complaints include sunroof glass shattering and tire failures.
- Check for any history of stalling or no-start conditions, especially intermittent engine shutoff while driving. Ask for service records related to the starter, ignition, and fuel system.
- Inspect the HID headlamps and ballasts for proper function, as failures have been reported during nighttime driving.
- Scan for stored codes related to forward collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist, as intermittent warnings are common.
- Inspect tires and brake system thoroughly, including ABS sensors and brake control module, due to reports of catastrophic tire failure and brake alarms.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and all available service records for either car.
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the specific systems listed in the red flags.
- For the Q45, test drive extensively, including cold starts and highway merging, to check for stalling or hesitation.
- For the Accord, verify that all recalls have been performed, especially those for brakes, fuel pump, and hybrid software.
- Ask the seller directly about any warning lights, unusual noises, or intermittent issues, and be wary of vague answers.
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 Q45 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti Q45 vs Honda Accord
- Infiniti Q45 total complaints
- 61
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Infiniti Q45 total recalls
- 10
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Infiniti Q45 avg complaints/year
- 7.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti Q45
- Infiniti Q45 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE