Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti QX60 vs Honda Accord
How the Infiniti QX60 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 QX60 vs Honda Accord: The QX60 has 254 complaints over 10 years (25.4/yr) vs Accord's 4,438 (443.8/yr). QX60 owners report CVT failures and sunroof explosions; Accord owners face false braking and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti QX60 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti QX60
The Infiniti QX60 is a luxury three-row SUV that, in ownership terms, shows a pattern of recurring issues across multiple systems. With 254 complaints over 10 years (about 25 per year), owners report problems with the engine, electrical system, and powertrain, including a CVT failure at 120,000 miles and random electrical glitches. While not as numerous as some rivals, the nature of these issues—such as a sunroof that can shatter and a transmission that fails—suggests a vehicle that may require frequent dealer visits.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 4,438 complaints over 10 years (about 444 per year). This is partly due to its large sales base, but the data reveals significant issues with the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance. Owners report sudden power loss, false emergency braking, and electrical failures, which can be alarming and potentially dangerous. Despite its reputation for reliability, these reports indicate that the Accord is not immune to serious problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti QX60 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 254 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 12 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 25.4 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 25 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 QX60
- 01ENGINE58
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM52
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER52
- 04POWER TRAIN47
- 05SERVICE BRAKES29
Owners report engine noise and potential failure shortly after purchase or service, with one 2022 model experiencing issues after an oil change at 29,564 miles. This suggests possible manufacturing or maintenance-related defects that could lead to costly repairs.
Common complaints include the car not starting without a jump, random alarm activation, and malfunction alerts. These issues point to problems with the battery, alarm system, or software, which can be intermittent and hard to diagnose, leaving owners stranded or frustrated.
The CVT transmission is a major concern, with one owner reporting complete failure at 120,000 miles and problems from early on. Another owner experienced unintended downshifting, which could lead to loss of control. These issues highlight potential durability and safety risks.
“Our 2022 Infiniti QX60 was brought in at Infiniti Service Center for regular oil change. The car had 29,564 miles. After the service, I was deciding whether to take the highway or the local route. I thought of stopping by the church, so I decided to take the…”
“On Saturday, 3/22/25-vehicle lease start date for the 2025 QX60-lease from Sanford Infiniti On Saturday, 4/5/25- brought the vehicle back to Sanford Infiniti due to noise coming from the engine. According to their written paperwork, “The issue is currently un…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report engine noise and sudden loss of power accompanied by warning lights, which can be dangerous on highways. This suggests possible issues with fuel delivery or engine management that may require immediate attention.
Problems include TPMS warnings leading to tire failure and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, which can cause electrical malfunctions. These issues indicate vulnerabilities in the vehicle's electrical components and potential for unexpected failures.
Many complaints involve the system falsely activating or displaying errors, such as braking unexpectedly on open roads or warning messages for adaptive cruise control. This can be startling and may increase the risk of rear-end collisions if the system malfunctions.
“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 QX60 — 15 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2022 INFINITI QX60 and Nissan Pathfinder vehicles. The second-row seat track may be missing a mounting bolt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly…
The risk: A missing mounting bolt may allow the seat track to move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat track and install a new mounting bolt as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numb…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. When driving at certain high speeds, the Adaptive Front-Light System (AFS) may incorrectly adjust the headlights downward.
The risk: Incorrectly adjusted headlights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reconfigure the Intelligent Power Distribution Module (IPDM) settings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Murano, Pathfinder, and INFINITI QX60 vehicles. One or both front brake caliper assemblies may have reduced strength and could break. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard n…
The risk: A broken front brake caliper can cause a loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front brake caliper assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 9, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or INFINITI's customer servi…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Nissan Murano, INFINITI QX60, 2021 Nissan GT-R, INFINITI QX50, and Q50 vehicles. The front steering knuckle or rear axle housing may have insufficient strength due to improper heat-treatment.
The risk: The steering knuckle or rear axle could deform upon impact, such as from hitting a curb, resulting in a loss of steering control, or possible wheel separation. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2021. Nissan owners may contact customer service at 1-800-867-7669. INFINITI o…
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 QX60 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Infiniti QX60 has fewer complaints per year (25.4) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), but this is partly due to lower sales volume. In practice, the QX60's issues are more concentrated in major components like the transmission, while the Accord's problems are more widespread across safety systems. Neither is clearly more reliable, but the QX60's lower complaint rate may translate to fewer overall visits to the shop.
Key differences
- The QX60 has a higher proportion of powertrain complaints, including CVT failures, while the Accord has more complaints about forward collision avoidance systems.
- The Accord's electrical system issues include rodent damage to wiring, which is not mentioned in QX60 complaints.
- The QX60 has a sunroof explosion incident, while the Accord also has a sunroof explosion, but the Accord's is on a hybrid model.
- The Accord has a higher number of crash-related complaints (160 vs 12) and injuries (144 vs 25), suggesting more severe incidents.
- Inspect the CVT transmission for any signs of slipping or unusual noises, as failures have been reported as early as 30-40k miles.
- Check the sunroof glass for any cracks or stress marks, as there is a report of it shattering unexpectedly.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system in a safe area to ensure it does not false-brake or show errors, as many owners report issues.
- Inspect the wiring harnesses for rodent damage, especially if the car is parked outdoors, as this has been a common problem.
Before you buy
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic, focusing on the transmission and electrical system for the QX60, and the engine and safety systems for the Accord.
- Check the vehicle's recall status and ensure all recalls have been addressed.
- Ask for service records to see if any major repairs have been done, especially for the CVT or forward collision system.
- Take both cars for an extended test drive, including highway speeds, to listen for unusual noises and test all electronic features.
- Consider a warranty or extended service plan to cover potential costly repairs.
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 | Infiniti QX60 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 5 |
| 2025 | 16 | 101 |
| 2024 | 19 | 214 |
| 2023 | 27 | 224 |
| 2022 | 22 | 238 |
| 2021 | 0 | 226 |
| 2020 | 23 | 355 |
| 2019 | 37 | 677 |
| 2018 | 38 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 67 | 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 Infiniti QX60 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti QX60 vs Honda Accord
- Infiniti QX60 total complaints
- 254
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Infiniti QX60 total recalls
- 15
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Infiniti QX60 avg complaints/year
- 25.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti QX60
- Infiniti QX60 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE