Head-to-head reliability
Nissan 370Z vs Honda Accord
How the Nissan 370Z 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
Nissan 370Z vs Honda Accord: The 370Z averages 4.1 complaints per year with 1 recall, while the Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The 370Z's main issue is clutch/transmission failure; the Accord reports engine stalling and electronic safety faults. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan 370Z or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan 370Z
The Nissan 370Z is a two-seat sports car with a relatively low complaint volume: 41 complaints over 10 years, averaging 4.1 per year. The pattern is dominated by power train issues, especially clutch and transmission problems, which can leave the car stuck in gear. There are also air bag, brake, and engine complaints, plus one recall for side/window air bags. For a buyer, this suggests a car that is fun but needs a careful mechanical inspection, particularly of the clutch system.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 4,524 complaints over 10 years, averaging 452.4 per year. The complaints span engine, electrical, forward collision avoidance, fuel/propulsion, and other systems, with 38 recalls and 3 deaths reported. This volume reflects the Accord's huge sales numbers, but it also means many owners report serious issues like stalling, braking failures, and unintended automatic braking. A used Accord buyer should check for open recalls and test all electronic safety features.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan 370Z | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 41 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.1 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 4 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.
Nissan 370Z
- 01POWER TRAIN22
- 02AIR BAGS6
- 03SERVICE BRAKES4
- 04ENGINE4
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
Owners report the concentric slave cylinder (CSC) failing abruptly, causing the clutch pedal to go to the floor and leaving the car stuck in gear or unable to shift. This can strand you in traffic and may damage the transmission, so a pre-purchase clutch inspection is critical.
Complaints describe air bags deploying violently or erroneously, sometimes in low-speed impacts or at a stop. There is also a recall for side/window air bags, so buyers should confirm that recall work was completed.
Reports include brake failure after track use and repeated front radar obstruction warnings that dealers struggle to fix. These issues can affect stopping confidence and driver-assist reliability.
Some owners report the clutch pedal sticking to the floor and the car stalling or failing to accelerate after a check engine light. These symptoms point to clutch hydraulic or engine management problems that can leave you without power.
“SUMMARY: THE VEHICLE CONCENTRIC SLAVE CYLINDER (CSC), A COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH, FAILED ABRUPTLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, LEAVING THE VEHICLE FORCED IN-GEAR AND UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF GEARS OR TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A…”
“AS I BEGAN TO START MY VEHICLE ONE DAY, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE GROUND BECAUSE IT HAD NO PRESSURE ON IT. I FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH FLUID WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY AND REFILLED IT. AFTER IT REBUILT PRESSURE, IT WAS OPERABLE AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS UNTI…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of speed, multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS), and stalling while driving. Others describe rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which can indicate internal engine or hybrid system issues.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. These electrical faults can create immediate safety risks and are hard to diagnose.
Owners report the system braking unexpectedly on open roads or with adaptive cruise control set, sometimes repeatedly on the same route. This can cause near-collisions and erodes trust in the car's safety tech.
There are complaints of rotten-egg/sulfur odors and fuel pump issues, with a recall for fuel pump delivery. These can lead to performance problems and potential fire risks if not addressed.
“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.
Nissan 370Z — 1 recall
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018 Nissan 370Z vehicles. The driver's side curtain air bag may have been installed incorrectly during production, possibly affecting its deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safet…
The risk: The incorrect curtain air bag installation can prevent the air bag from deploying correctly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the curtain air bag, correcting its installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
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
Nissan 370Z or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Nissan 370Z has far fewer complaints per year (4.1 vs. 452.4), but its issues tend to be concentrated in the clutch and transmission, which can be expensive. The Honda Accord's much higher complaint count reflects its larger sales volume, but it also has more recalls and reports of serious safety failures. In practice, the 370Z may be simpler to own if you can handle clutch repairs, while the Accord demands more vigilance for electronic and safety-system faults.
Key differences
- The 370Z's top complaint area is power train (22 of 41 complaints), often clutch-related, while the Accord's top area is engine (1,006 of 4,524), with stalling and warning lights.
- The Accord has 38 recalls and 3 deaths reported, versus 1 recall and 0 deaths for the 370Z, indicating a broader range of safety campaigns.
- The 370Z has 3 crash-related complaints and 4 injuries; the Accord has 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries, though this is partly due to far higher sales.
- The Accord's complaints include forward collision avoidance and electrical failures that can affect steering and braking, while the 370Z's complaints are more mechanical and clutch-focused.
- Check the clutch pedal feel and engagement point; a soft or sticking pedal can signal a failing concentric slave cylinder (CSC).
- Ask for proof that the side/window air bag recall was performed, and listen for any unusual noises from the transmission during a test drive.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control on a highway drive; unexpected braking is a common complaint.
- Look for warning lights related to brakes, ABS, or power steering, and confirm all recalls (especially fuel pump and hybrid software) are completed.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall site and confirm all open recalls are fixed before purchase.
- For the 370Z, have a mechanic inspect the clutch hydraulic system and CSC for leaks or wear.
- For the Accord, test all electronic safety features (forward collision warning, lane keep, adaptive cruise) and check for stored trouble codes.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to reproduce stalling or braking issues.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the complaint areas above.
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 | Nissan 370Z | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 252 |
| 2021 | 0 | 234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 362 |
| 2019 | 1 | 691 |
| 2018 | 2 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 5 | 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 Nissan 370Z or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan 370Z vs Honda Accord
- Nissan 370Z total complaints
- 41
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Nissan 370Z total recalls
- 1
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Nissan 370Z avg complaints/year
- 4.1
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Nissan 370Z
- Nissan 370Z top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE