Head-to-head reliability
Isuzu I 290 vs Honda Accord
How the Isuzu I 290 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 290 vs Honda Accord: The Isuzu I 290 has 15 complaints over 2 years (7.5/year) and 2 recalls, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (452.4/year) and 38 recalls. The Isuzu's complaints often involve no-start conditions, whereas the Accord's include 162 crash-related reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Isuzu I 290 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Isuzu I 290
The Isuzu I 290 is a compact pickup that, based on owner complaints, suffers from frustrating no-start and stalling problems. With only 15 complaints over two years, the volume is low, but the pattern is consistent: electrical and engine issues that can leave you stranded. Recalls for the brake light switch add another layer of owner attention.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume vehicle with a much larger complaint pool, reflecting its popularity over ten years. The data shows a broad range of issues, from engine and electrical faults to advanced driver-assist problems, with some crashes and injuries reported. While many complaints may be isolated, the sheer number means buyers should be diligent about checking for specific recurring defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Isuzu I 290 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 15 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.5 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 290
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
- 02ENGINE4
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
- 04POWER TRAIN3
- 05STEERING2
Owners report the Passlock II anti-theft system intermittently locking out the ignition, preventing the truck from starting. This can become a daily occurrence, and dealers may not be able to replicate the fault, leaving owners without a clear fix.
Complaints describe a 'reduced power' light followed by the engine shutting off while driving or idling, sometimes limiting speed to 15 mph. Another owner reports a crank-but-no-start condition that worsens over time, often after refueling.
One owner experienced the vehicle shutting off when slowing to about 5 mph, which could be dangerous in traffic. This suggests a potential stall condition that may be related to the engine or transmission control systems.
“THE PASSLOCKII SYSTEM LOCKS OUT THE IGNITION SO IT WON'T START. THIS WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST BUT HAS BECOME A DAILY OCCURRENCE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THEM. THIS SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND THE MANUFACTURER KNEW IT WHEN THEY MADE THE…”
“THIS TRUCK HAS DEVELOPED AN INTERMITTEN STARTING PROBLEM. AMBIENT TEMPERTURE SEEMS TO HAVE SOME BEARING ON THE FREQUENCY OF THE OCCURANCE, FOR EXAMPLE WHEN I VISITED COLORODO HAVING MUCH LOWER TEMPERATURE THAN IN SOUTH TEXAS, I HAD ZERO OCCURANCES AND WHEN I…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of power with multiple dashboard alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS) and rough transitions between EV and gas modes in hybrid models. These issues can occur at highway speeds, creating a safety risk.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. These are serious safety concerns that could lead to loss of control.
Owners describe unexpected activation or failure of adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems, sometimes under consistent driving conditions. This can cause sudden braking or failure to intervene, increasing crash risk.
“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 290 — 2 recalls
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…
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 290 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Isuzu I 290 has far fewer complaints per year (7.5 vs. 452.4), but its issues are concentrated in no-start and stalling faults that can be disabling. The Honda Accord's higher volume means more reported problems overall, including some severe safety-related failures, so the practical difference is that the Isuzu may leave you stranded more often, while the Accord has a wider variety of potential issues to check.
Key differences
- The Isuzu I 290's complaints center on Passlock II ignition lockout and engine stalling, while the Honda Accord's include high-speed power steering and braking failures.
- The Isuzu has 2 recalls for brake light switches; the Honda has 38 recalls covering hybrid software, fuel pumps, airbags, and more.
- Honda Accord complaints include 162 crash-related reports and 146 injuries, whereas the Isuzu I 290 has zero crash-related complaints in the provided data.
- The Isuzu's issues often leave the truck unable to start; the Accord's issues can occur while driving at speed, posing different safety profiles.
- Check for intermittent no-start conditions by trying to start the truck multiple times, especially after it has sat or in cold weather, to test the Passlock II system.
- Look for a 'reduced power' light or history of engine stalling; test drive at various speeds and pay attention to any hesitation or shutdown.
- Test all electronic safety systems, including adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning, and look for any warning lights or stored codes.
- Inspect tires and TPMS functionality, and check for any history of sudden tire failure or steering/braking assist issues, especially on hybrid models.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls using the VIN, especially the brake light switch on the Isuzu and the fuel pump or hybrid software on the Honda.
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the specific complaint areas: starting/charging system for the Isuzu; engine, electrical, and driver-assist systems for the Honda.
- Test drive the vehicle under conditions that might trigger reported issues, such as cold starts, highway speeds, and stop-and-go traffic.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and any warranty repairs related to the reported components.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been completed and document any outstanding ones.
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 290 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Isuzu I 290 vs Honda Accord
- Isuzu I 290 total complaints
- 15
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Isuzu I 290 total recalls
- 2
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Isuzu I 290 avg complaints/year
- 7.5
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Isuzu I 290
- Isuzu I 290 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE