Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Quest vs Honda Accord
How the Nissan Quest 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 Quest vs Honda Accord: the Quest logged 526 complaints over 10 years, about 53 a year, with 8 recalls, while the Accord logged 4,524 complaints, about 452 a year, with 38 recalls. The Quest's reports include sudden stalls and electrical shutdowns; the Accord's include engine alarms and driver-assist faults. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Quest or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Quest
The Nissan Quest is a discontinued minivan, so parts and service knowledge are thinner than for a mainstream sedan. Its complaint volume is modest at about 53 per year over ten years, but the pattern is troubling: owners describe sudden loss of propulsion, jerking on acceleration, and electrical shutdowns where steering, lights, and brakes cut out without warning. Recalls touch air bags, brake pedals and linkages, and electrical software, so a used Quest needs a careful history check rather than a quick test drive.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume sedan with a much larger complaint pool, roughly 452 per year, which partly reflects how many are on the road. The reports cluster around engine and electrical faults, including alarms and speed loss at highway speeds, power steering and braking lockups on newer hybrids, and forward collision avoidance systems that brake or warn unexpectedly. Recalls cover hybrid power control software, fuel pumps, seat belts, air bags, and spare tires, so the Accord's issues are broad but well documented.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Quest | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 526 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 15 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 52.6 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 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 Quest
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM121
- 02POWER TRAIN85
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM83
- 04ENGINE65
- 05FUEL SYSTEM64
Owners report jerking on acceleration after a stop and, more seriously, episodes where the van powers off entirely, with steering, lights, and brakes lost while the fuel gauge still shows a quarter tank. That combination of stalling and electrical shutdown is the biggest thing to verify on a test drive.
Complaints describe the vehicle stopping on the road with no warning light, and transmissions needing replacement without a check engine light ever coming on. Shaking while turning and reduced acceleration are also reported, so transmission behavior on a warm-weather drive matters.
The same sudden power-off event appears under electrical complaints, and at least one owner says dealers could not find the cause. For a buyer, that means intermittent electrical faults may not show up in a short inspection.
Owners report bad noises and hesitation at low mileage, plus overheating with the check engine light on and smoke under the hood. These are the kinds of failures that strand a family, so service records and a cold-start listen are worth the effort.
“I'VE NOTICED THAT IN 2016 AT ABOUT THE TIME I PURCHASED MY VAN IT HAD A JERKING WHENEVER YOU ACCELERATE AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP OR EVEN TO JUST ACCELERATE I TOOK IT BACK TO THE PLACE I GOT IT THEY TEST DRIVE THE VAN WHILE I SAT IN IT WITH THEM BUT EVE…”
“THE FOLLOWING HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE POWERS OFF, WITHOUT WARNING ~ STEERING, LIGHT,S BRAKES, ETC. THE VEHICLE SLOWLY STOPS AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. (IMMEDIATELY PRIOR, THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS 1/4 A TANK AND THE TRIP COMPUTER SHOWS 60 MIL…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Reports include alarms for brake, hill descent, and ABS followed by loss of speed at highway speeds, plus rattling on acceleration and rough transitions between electric and gas mode on hybrids. A buyer should test highway acceleration and watch for warning lights.
Owners describe electronic power steering and braking failing and locking up at highway speed on newer hybrids, and a tire failing shortly after a TPMS repair. Electrical faults here can affect steering and braking, not just accessories.
Complaints describe the system braking or warning unexpectedly at steady speeds with adaptive cruise set, sometimes on the same route a year apart. Unresolved dealer visits are part of the pattern, so ask whether software updates were applied.
Fuel pump delivery is a recall subject, and owners report drivability problems tied to fuel and propulsion. Confirm recall work was completed, since an open fuel pump recall is a real breakdown 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.
Nissan Quest — 8 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
The risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
The defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES. THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT PIN END WAS NOT SPIN-FORMED TO SPECIFICATION DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE PIVOT PIN COULD SLIDE AND CAUSE THE…
The risk: THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE UNUSUAL AND NOTICEABLE LOOSENESS IN THE PEDAL AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING FORCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE PIVOT PIN HAD BEEN FORMED PROPERLY AND WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
The defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 29, 2010, THROUGH FEBRUARY 21, 2012. DUE TO SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING, WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS OR IDLING ON A DECLINE WITH ¼ TANK FUEL OR LESS, THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. A…
The risk: VEHICLE STALLING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.
The defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES. THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT PIN END WAS NOT SPIN-FORMED TO SPECIFICATION DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE PIVOT PIN COULD SLIDE AND CAUSE THE…
The risk: THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE UNUSUAL AND NOTICEABLE LOOSENESS IN THE PEDAL AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING FORCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE PIVOT PIN HAD BEEN FORMED PROPERLY AND WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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 Quest or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Nissan Quest averages about 53 complaints a year versus about 452 for the Honda Accord, so per vehicle the Quest generates far fewer reports. That does not make the Quest the safer choice: its smaller pool still contains sudden stall and electrical shutdown reports, while the Accord's larger pool is spread across many systems and model years. In practice, the Accord is easier to research and repair, but you must screen for specific engine, electrical, and driver-assist faults.
Key differences
- The Quest's complaints center on stalling, jerking, and total electrical shutdown, while the Accord's center on engine alarms, hybrid power loss, and driver-assist misfires.
- The Accord has far more recalls, 38 versus 8, including hybrid power control software and fuel pump delivery, so recall completion is a bigger checklist item.
- The Quest reports 15 crash-related complaints and 18 injuries; the Accord reports 162 crash-related complaints and 146 injuries with 3 deaths, though its much larger population affects raw counts.
- The Quest is discontinued, which can mean harder parts sourcing, while the Accord's high volume means more mechanics and more documented fixes.
- During the test drive, come to a full stop and accelerate repeatedly to check for jerking, and watch for any warning lights or power loss.
- Ask for records of any electrical or fuel system repairs, and check that the air bag, brake pedal, and electrical software recalls were completed.
- Test highway acceleration and adaptive cruise if equipped, watching for brake, ABS, or hill descent alarms and any unexpected braking.
- Verify recall work for hybrid power control software and fuel pump delivery, and ask whether steering and braking electronic updates were applied.
Before you buy
- Run both vehicles' VINs through NHTSA to confirm all recalls were completed, especially air bags and brake pedals on the Quest and hybrid software and fuel pump on the Accord.
- Take a 20-minute test drive that includes full stops, restarts, highway speeds, and if possible hot weather to surface stall and shutdown behavior.
- Have an independent mechanic scan for stored codes and check transmission and electrical history, since owners report faults with no warning light.
- For the Accord, test driver-assist features and ask for service records on any forward collision or steering complaints.
- For the Quest, listen for engine noise on a cold start and check for hesitation, overheating signs, and prior fuel system work.
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 Quest | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 | 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 Quest or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Quest vs Honda Accord
- Nissan Quest total complaints
- 526
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Nissan Quest total recalls
- 8
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Nissan Quest avg complaints/year
- 52.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Quest
- Nissan Quest top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE