Head-to-head reliability
Isuzu I 280 vs Honda Accord
How the Isuzu I 280 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
Isuzu I 280 vs Honda Accord: The Isuzu I 280 has 11 complaints per year and 2 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 452.4 complaints per year and 38 recalls, including 162 crash-related and 3 deaths. The Isuzu's issues are mainly electrical and fuel-related; the Accord's include serious safety defects. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Isuzu I 280 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Isuzu I 280
The Isuzu I 280 is a compact pickup that shares its platform with the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. Over one year, it has 11 complaints and 2 recalls, with no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths. The most common owner-reported issues involve exterior lighting and electrical system failures, often tied to brake light switch problems. Living with one means dealing with electrical gremlins and potential fuel leaks, but the overall complaint volume is low.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mid-size sedan with a much larger owner base, reflected in 4,524 complaints over 10 years and 38 recalls. It has 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths reported. The most frequent problem areas are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with some owners reporting serious failures like power steering and braking loss. This suggests that while many Accords are reliable, certain model years have significant safety-related defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Isuzu I 280 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 11.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Isuzu I 280
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
- 05AIR BAGS1
Owners report complete loss of brake lights and cruise control, often caused by a faulty brake light switch that keeps blowing fuses. This can make the vehicle unsafe to drive and may fail state inspections.
Complaints include anti-theft lock devices preventing the engine from starting for over 20 minutes, with interior lights dimming. This can leave you stranded and points to underlying wiring or module issues.
A strong gasoline odor from the top of the fuel tank is reported, similar to issues in Chevy Colorado pickups. This indicates a potential fuel leak, which is a fire hazard and should be fixed immediately.
Owners describe front wheel hub assembly failures that affect the drive shaft, ABS, and emergency brake, plus clicking noises from under the gearbox. These are costly repairs that can affect drivability and safety.
“COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS / CRUISE CONTROL / KEEPS BLOWING FUSES. LEARNED OF RECALL ID # 52989 DATED 7/29/2009 - SO I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ( COURTESY GMC - 205.836.2000 ) THEIR SERVICE MANAGER SENT ME AWAY - SAID TRUCK HAD RECALL #06030 PERFORMED ON 11/…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU I280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED FAULTY BRAKES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED. THERE WAS A RE…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of speed with multiple warning lights. These symptoms can indicate serious powertrain issues, especially in hybrid models.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing near-collisions. Other electrical issues like TPMS warnings and tire failures after service are also reported.
Owners describe the system failing to prevent collisions or activating unexpectedly, even with adaptive cruise control set. This undermines a key safety feature and can lead to crashes.
Fuel pump and delivery issues are common, with recalls for fuel pumps. A failing fuel pump can cause stalling or inability to start, leaving you stranded.
“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.
Isuzu I 280 — 2 recalls
The defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS MAY EXPERIENCE THE PERMANENT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP (CHMSL) IS AFFECTED IN BOTH INSTANCES. ALSO, IF EQUIPPED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE. ANY TRAILER BRAKE LAMPS WHICH ARE…
The risk: A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
The defect: GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSI…
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE…
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
Isuzu I 280 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Isuzu I 280 has far fewer complaints per year (11.0) compared to the Honda Accord (452.4), but the Accord's much larger sales volume means the rate per vehicle may be lower. In practice, the Isuzu's issues are mostly electrical and fuel-related, while the Accord's include serious safety defects like power steering and braking failures. A buyer should weigh the lower complaint count against the potential severity of the Accord's problems.
Key differences
- The Isuzu I 280 has 11 complaints per year versus 452.4 for the Honda Accord, but the Accord sells in far higher numbers, so per-vehicle rates are not directly comparable.
- Isuzu owners report brake light switch failures causing loss of brake lights and cruise control, while Honda owners report electronic power steering and braking failures at speed.
- The Honda Accord has 162 crash-related complaints, 146 injuries, and 3 deaths; the Isuzu I 280 has none reported in the data.
- Both have fuel system issues: Isuzu with gasoline odors from the tank, Honda with fuel pump recalls and delivery problems.
- Check that the brake light switch recall has been performed; test brake lights, cruise control, and fuses for repeated blowing.
- Inspect the fuel tank area for gasoline odors or leaks, especially around the top of the tank, and confirm no active fuel smell.
- Verify all safety recalls are completed, especially for fuel pump, seat belts, air bags, and electrical system software.
- Test drive at highway speeds to check for electronic power steering and braking function, and listen for engine rattles or rough hybrid transitions.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are fixed by a dealer.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brake light switch, wiring, and fuel system for the Isuzu; for the Honda, check power steering, brakes, and hybrid components.
- Test all lights, cruise control, and electrical accessories during a test drive.
- Scan for stored trouble codes, especially in the ABS, airbag, and powertrain systems.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any safety-related repairs have been done.
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 Isuzu I 280 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Isuzu I 280 vs Honda Accord
- Isuzu I 280 total complaints
- 11
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Isuzu I 280 total recalls
- 2
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Isuzu I 280 avg complaints/year
- 11.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Isuzu I 280
- Isuzu I 280 top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE