Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti QX4 vs Honda Accord
How the Infiniti QX4 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 QX4 vs Honda Accord: The QX4 averages 41.8 complaints per year with 17 recalls, while the Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year with 38 recalls. QX4 issues often involve suspension and rust; Accord issues include engine and electrical failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti QX4 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti QX4
The Infiniti QX4 is a used SUV that averages about 42 complaints per year, with most owner reports centered on suspension, structure, and steering. Owners describe popping noises during turns, severe vibrations from corroded inner aprons, and rust forming on frame rails. These are age-related wear and corrosion issues that can affect how the vehicle drives and steers, so a thorough inspection is important before buying.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year—but that reflects its far larger sales base over 10 years. Owner reports frequently mention engine problems like loss of power and rough transitions, electrical failures such as power steering and braking lockups, and forward collision avoidance system malfunctions. These issues range from annoying to potentially serious, so checking for open recalls and software updates is essential.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti QX4 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 167 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 15 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 41.8 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 11 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 QX4
- 01SUSPENSION44
- 02STRUCTURE36
- 03STEERING20
- 04EQUIPMENT20
- 05AIR BAGS10
Owners report popping sounds from the front when turning at low speeds, often linked to worn or corroded suspension parts. Another complaint describes severe vibration from a corroded inner apron near the tire. These can affect steering and ride quality, so inspect for rust and worn bushings.
Reports include rust forming on the passenger-side frame rail below the control arm and severe corrosion of the inner apron. Structural rust can weaken the vehicle over time and may be expensive to repair, so a rust check is critical.
Owners mention a popping noise during turns and a steering column that squeaks repeatedly despite repairs. These symptoms suggest steering components may wear out, affecting control and requiring ongoing attention.
Recalls cover front air bag inflator modules on both driver and passenger sides. These recalls are safety-related and should be fixed by a dealer; check that the work was completed.
“AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, I WAS TAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 5-10MPH WHEN I HEARD A "POPPING" SOUND COME FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR AS I WAS TURNING. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE SOUND WOULD OCCUR WHEN TAKING A RIGHT…”
“WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 INFINITI QX4 ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED A SEVERE VIBRATION COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND TIRE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOOK OFF MY LEFT FRONT TIRE AND SAW WHERE MY INNER APRON WAS SEVERELY CORRODED,…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of speed with multiple warning lights, and rattling noises during acceleration with rough transitions between electric and gas modes. These can indicate engine or hybrid system issues that may be costly to diagnose and fix.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking at highway speeds, and a tire failure after a TPMS service. Electrical glitches can affect critical safety systems, so a pre-purchase scan for fault codes is wise.
Owners describe the system activating unexpectedly or failing to resolve threats, sometimes under adaptive cruise control. This can cause sudden braking or a near-miss, so verify any software updates or recalls are done.
There are reports of fuel pump issues and hybrid management problems, including a recall for the fuel pump. These can lead to stalling or poor performance, so confirm recall repairs are up to date.
“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 QX4 — 17 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 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 IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK,…
The risk: THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RE…
The fix: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2…
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: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
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 QX4 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Infiniti QX4 has far fewer complaints per year (about 42 vs. 452 for the Accord), but the QX4's issues are often age-related rust and suspension problems. The Accord's higher volume reflects its much larger sales over 10 years, yet its complaints include serious electrical and engine failures. In practice, the QX4 may need more rust inspection, while the Accord demands attention to recalls and electronic systems.
Key differences
- The QX4's top complaints are suspension and structural rust, while the Accord's are engine and electrical failures.
- The QX4 has 17 recalls over 4 years, including air bag inflators; the Accord has 38 recalls over 10 years, covering hybrid software and fuel pumps.
- Accord owners report sudden loss of power and braking failures; QX4 owners report popping noises and corrosion-related vibrations.
- The QX4 averages about 42 complaints per year; the Accord averages about 452, but the Accord sold in much higher numbers.
- Check the front suspension for popping noises when turning and inspect for rust on the inner apron and frame rails.
- Look for a squeaky steering column and verify that air bag inflator recalls have been completed.
- Scan for stored fault codes related to the engine, hybrid system, and forward collision avoidance, and test drive for sudden power loss or rough transitions.
- Confirm that recalls for the fuel pump, hybrid power control unit, and occupant classification sensor have been performed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the QX4 for rust on the frame and suspension, and the Accord for engine, electrical, and hybrid system health.
- Test drive the QX4 over bumps and turns to listen for popping or vibration; test drive the Accord at highway speeds to check for warning lights or power loss.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for the Accord's hybrid system and any software updates.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been remedied by a dealer before purchase.
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 QX4 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti QX4 vs Honda Accord
- Infiniti QX4 total complaints
- 167
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Infiniti QX4 total recalls
- 17
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Infiniti QX4 avg complaints/year
- 41.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti QX4
- Infiniti QX4 top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE