Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti QX80 vs Honda Accord
How the Infiniti QX80 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 QX80 vs Honda Accord: The QX80 has 78 complaints over 10 years (7.8/year) and 3 crash-related reports, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints (452.4/year) and 162 crash-related reports. The QX80 shows fewer reported issues per year, but both have recalls and owner complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti QX80 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti QX80
The Infiniti QX80 is a full-size luxury SUV with a low complaint rate: 78 complaints over 10 years, about 7.8 per year. Owners most often report electrical glitches, especially infotainment and Apple CarPlay failures, plus battery drain and false forward-collision warnings. There are 19 recalls, including backup camera and label issues, and 3 crash-related complaints with 2 injuries. Overall, it appears to have fewer reported problems per year, but the electrical and driver-assist complaints can be frustrating.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 4,524 complaints over 10 years, about 452 per year. The most common areas are engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance, with owners describing loss of power, braking system failures, and unintended braking. There are 38 recalls, including hybrid power control software and fuel pump issues, and 162 crash-related complaints with 146 injuries and 3 deaths. This suggests a wider range of reported safety concerns, though many may be resolved by recalls or repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti QX80 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 78 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.8 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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 QX80
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER21
- 03AIR BAGS10
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE10
- 05ENGINE7
Owners report infotainment and Apple CarPlay failures, USB-C port problems, and dead batteries after short stops. These issues can leave you without navigation, backup camera, or phone connectivity, and a dead battery can strand you.
Complaints include airbag warning lights and disabled airbags due to electrical network errors. In a crash, non-deploying airbags increase injury risk, so any airbag light should be checked immediately.
Owners describe unintended braking, especially over certain road surfaces, and false collision warnings. This can cause sudden, unexpected braking that may startle you or other drivers.
While fewer complaints, some owners report engine-related issues. These can be costly, so a thorough mechanical inspection is wise.
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Two components have failed: the infotainment/Apple CarPlay system, including the USB-C connectivity port, and the front collision detection/crash sensor system.…”
“MY WIFE IS IN QUARANTINE WITH OUR DAUGHTER IN OREGON. DRIVES THE QX80 EVERY 2 OR 3 DAYS, TO GO TO THE STORE FOR FOOD. QX80 STARTED UP JUST FINE, DROVE IT TO THE STORE AND PARKED IT. 35 MINUTES LATER, CAME OUT OF THE STORE WITH PERISHABLE GROCERIES, THE BATTER…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report loss of power, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and rattling noises. Sudden power loss at highway speeds is a serious safety concern.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of power steering and braking, TPMS warnings, and tire failures. These can lead to loss of control and near-collisions.
Owners describe unintended braking and adaptive cruise control issues, sometimes occurring repeatedly under similar conditions. This can cause sudden braking and increase crash risk.
Some owners report fuel pump failures and propulsion issues, which can cause stalling or loss of power. This is especially dangerous in traffic.
“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 QX80 — 19 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such,…
The risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, Nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such,…
The risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, Nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such,…
The risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, Nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final…
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 QX80 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Infiniti QX80 has far fewer complaints per year (7.8 vs. 452.4) and fewer crash-related reports (3 vs. 162). In practice, that means you are less likely to encounter frequent, recurring problems with the QX80, though both vehicles have recalls and owner complaints that require attention.
Key differences
- The QX80 averages 7.8 complaints per year; the Accord averages 452.4, a huge difference in reported issue frequency.
- The QX80's top complaints are electrical and infotainment; the Accord's are engine and electrical, with more severe symptoms like power loss and braking failure.
- The Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries; the QX80 has 3 crash-related and 2 injuries.
- Both have recalls, but the Accord's include hybrid power control software and fuel pump issues, while the QX80's include backup camera and label problems.
- Check for infotainment and Apple CarPlay functionality, including USB-C port operation, as these are frequently reported failures.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system for unintended braking or false warnings, and ensure no airbag warning lights are on.
- Look for signs of engine issues such as rattling noises, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, or loss of power during a test drive.
- Verify that all recalls, especially those for hybrid power control software and fuel pump, have been performed, and check for electrical problems like power steering or braking warnings.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls are completed for the specific model year.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, focusing on the common failure areas for each vehicle.
- During a test drive, test all electronics: infotainment, backup camera, forward collision warnings, and airbag lights.
- For the Accord, specifically test the transition between electric and gas modes and listen for engine rattles.
- For the QX80, check battery health and ensure the infotainment system connects properly to phones.
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 QX80 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 10 |
| 2025 | 8 | 109 |
| 2024 | 2 | 219 |
| 2023 | 2 | 226 |
| 2022 | 1 | 252 |
| 2021 | 7 | 234 |
| 2020 | 6 | 362 |
| 2019 | 20 | 691 |
| 2018 | 9 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 17 | 537 |
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 QX80 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti QX80 vs Honda Accord
- Infiniti QX80 total complaints
- 78
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Infiniti QX80 total recalls
- 19
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Infiniti QX80 avg complaints/year
- 7.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti QX80
- Infiniti QX80 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE