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 averages 7.7 complaints per year, while the Accord averages 443.8, but the Accord sells in much higher volumes. QX80 owners report electrical and airbag issues, while Accord owners face engine and sensor problems. 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 large luxury SUV that, in ownership terms, offers a commanding presence and premium features, but its reliability record over the past decade shows a moderate number of complaints, averaging about 7.7 per year. The pattern of issues centers on electrical gremlins, including infotainment and sensor problems, which can be frustrating and sometimes affect safety systems like airbags and collision avoidance. Owners also report quirks with the airbag system's occupant detection and occasional unintended braking, suggesting that while the QX80 is generally solid, its electronics can be a source of annoyance and concern.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan known for efficiency and value, but its complaint count is much higher, averaging about 443.8 per year, reflecting its large sales volume. The issues are widespread, with engine problems, electrical faults, and forward collision avoidance glitches being the most common. Owners report serious incidents like sudden power loss, false braking, and even a sunroof explosion, indicating that while the Accord is generally reliable, there are notable safety-related defects that can affect peace of mind.
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 | 77 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.7 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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 QX80
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER21
- 03AIR BAGS10
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE9
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
Owners report failures in the infotainment/Apple CarPlay system and USB-C ports, as well as a systemic U1000 network error from an obsolete 2G TCU that can disable airbags and cause warning lights. This can lead to loss of connectivity and, more critically, safety system malfunctions.
The passenger airbag system may disarm when a small adult or child sits in the seat, illuminating the airbag light and potentially leaving the passenger unprotected in a crash. Some owners also report airbags disabled due to electrical network issues.
The front collision detection/crash sensor system can fail, and the vehicle may unexpectedly brake when driving over certain road surfaces, which could cause rear-end collisions or startle the driver.
While not detailed in the sample, the complaint count suggests issues with speed control, possibly related to unintended acceleration or braking, which is a serious safety concern.
“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.…”
“Vehicle acting as a non conforming testing asset running in Factory Debug Mode (Unit ID: 01). This also shows and caused systemic U1000 Electrical Network Jam from an obsolete/unconfigured 2G TCU. Critical Failures: Airbags disabled showing current codes B002…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises and, in some cases, sudden loss of power accompanied by warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS systems, which can be alarming and potentially dangerous, especially at highway speeds.
There are reports of TPMS warnings leading to tire failures, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, which can cause various electrical malfunctions and leave the vehicle inoperable.
The system may falsely trigger braking at highway speeds with no obstructions, and there are intermittent messages about adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and other driver-assist features, indicating software glitches that can undermine driver confidence.
While not detailed in the sample, the high complaint count suggests issues with braking performance or the antilock system, which could affect stopping ability and safety.
“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 QX80 — 19 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Rogue and 2025 INFINITI QX80 vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Sa…
The risk: The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The in-vehicle infotainment software will be updated by an over-the-air (OTA) software update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 2, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 INFINITI QX80 vehicles equipped with an Around View Monitor (AVM). A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze and display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requir…
The risk: The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the AVM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 2, 2024. Owners may contact INFINITI's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R24B5 and R24C2.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Murano, 2025-2026 Armada, and Infiniti QX80 vehicles. A software error may occur in the In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is shifted into rever…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The IVI system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 2, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti…
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 are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026. Additional letters will be sent on…
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 QX80 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Infiniti QX80 has far fewer complaints per year (7.7) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), but that difference is partly due to sales volume. In practice, the QX80's issues are more concentrated in electronics and safety systems, while the Accord's problems are more varied and include engine and brake concerns. Neither is problem-free, but the QX80's lower complaint rate suggests a more predictable ownership experience, though its issues can be just as serious.
Key differences
- The QX80's complaints are dominated by electrical and airbag issues, while the Accord's are spread across engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance.
- The Accord has a much higher absolute number of complaints, but it also sells in far greater numbers, so the per-vehicle rate may be lower.
- Owners of the QX80 report specific problems like airbag disarming for small adults and unintended braking, while Accord owners report sudden power loss and false braking.
- The Accord has a recall for fuel pump issues, while the QX80's recalls focus on backup prevention and labels, indicating different areas of concern.
- Check the infotainment system and USB ports for functionality, and ask if the 2G TCU has been updated to avoid network errors that can disable airbags.
- Test the passenger airbag system with a small adult or child to ensure it doesn't disarm unexpectedly.
- Listen for unusual engine noises and check for any warning lights related to brakes or power loss, especially during test drives at highway speeds.
- Inspect the wiring harness for signs of rodent damage, and verify that all recall repairs, especially for the fuel pump, have been performed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been addressed for both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on electrical systems and brakes.
- Test drive at various speeds, including highway, to check for unintended braking or power loss.
- Check the operation of all safety features, including airbag lights and forward collision warning.
- Review service records for any recurring issues and see if they were resolved.
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 | 5 | 5 |
| 2025 | 8 | 101 |
| 2024 | 2 | 214 |
| 2023 | 2 | 224 |
| 2022 | 1 | 238 |
| 2021 | 7 | 226 |
| 2020 | 6 | 355 |
| 2019 | 20 | 677 |
| 2018 | 9 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 17 | 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 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
- 77
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Infiniti QX80 total recalls
- 19
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Infiniti QX80 avg complaints/year
- 7.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti QX80
- Infiniti QX80 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE