Head-to-head reliability

Nissan Titan vs Honda Accord

How the Nissan Titan and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Nissan Titan753 complaints · 33 recalls Fewer issues per year
Honda Accord4,438 complaints · 38 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Nissan Titan vs Honda Accord: The Titan averages about 75 complaints per year with 33 recalls, while the Accord averages about 444 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The Titan's issues often involve the engine and EGI harness, while the Accord sees more forward collision and electrical complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The picture

Is the Nissan Titan or Honda Accord more reliable?

A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.

Nissan Titan

The Nissan Titan is a full-size pickup that shows a moderate complaint volume over ten years, averaging about 75 complaints per year. The most common owner-reported issues center on the engine, power train, and electrical system, often tied to a specific recall for the EGI harness. Many complaints mention repeated check engine lights and acceleration hesitation, which can mean ongoing diagnostic visits. With 33 recalls and 34 crash-related reports, it's a truck that demands a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint rate—about 444 per year—but that's partly because far more Accords are on the road. Owners frequently report engine and electrical problems, plus a large number of forward collision avoidance complaints. Recalls cover hybrid power control software, antilock brake modules, and fuel pumps. The high crash-related count (160) and injury reports (144) suggest that some safety systems may not always perform as expected.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryNissan TitanHonda Accord
Total complaintsAll model years combined753 Better4,438
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns33 Better38
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints34 Better160
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years75.3 Better443.8
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints17 Better144
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints33

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 Titan

  1. 01ENGINE298
  2. 02POWER TRAIN213
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM111
  4. 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM76
  5. 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER75
What these mean
Engine

Owners report check engine lights and issues with the EGI harness, often linked to recall PC773. Some also describe hesitation on acceleration from a stop or at highway speeds, which can make merging feel unpredictable.

Power Train

Complaints mention transmission and power control problems, sometimes with the same EGI harness recall. A few owners say the truck hesitates or shifts roughly, which could lead to costly repairs if not addressed.

Electrical System

The EGI harness recall also appears here, along with reports of warning lights and intermittent electrical glitches. These can be frustrating to diagnose and may affect other systems.

Fuel/Propulsion System

Owners describe hesitation on acceleration and power control issues, with some referencing technical service bulletins. This can feel like the truck is not responding smoothly when you press the gas.

In owners' words — ENGINE

The problem I am writing about concerns this vehicle and recall #PC773 EGI HARNESS. Reference must also be made to Nissan #NTB20-89 dated December 8, 2020. I purchased this vehicle from Bates Nissan (5501 East Central Texas Expressway, Killeen TX 76543, 254-7…

Worst dealership my husband and I ever dealt with. We purchased a 2019 Nissan XD Titan Diesel with warranty. Two days after purchase, the check engine light came on. I called Spencer from the service department to let them know. They took the truck the very n…

Honda Accord

  1. 01ENGINE985
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
  3. 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
  5. 05SERVICE BRAKES592
What these mean
Engine

Reports include strange noises, loss of power at highway speeds, and multiple dashboard alarms (brake, hill descent, ABS). Some owners say the vehicle could not maintain speed, which is a serious safety concern.

Electrical System

Owners report TPMS warnings, tire failures shortly after service, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses. These electrical gremlins can be intermittent and hard to trace.

Forward Collision Avoidance

Many complaints involve adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams showing error messages. Some say the systems activate unexpectedly or fail to work, which could reduce driver confidence.

Service Brakes

There are complaints about brake system warnings and antilock brake control module issues. Recalls also cover the ABS control unit, so braking performance may be affected if not repaired.

In owners' words — ENGINE

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.

Nissan Titan — 33 recalls

Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module
#20V188000

The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.

The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-62…

Tires
#21V169000Nov 2021

The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

The risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's nu…

Electrical System — Wiring — Front Underhood
#20V759000Aug 2020

The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Titan and Titan XD pickup trucks. The engine wiring harness could contain an exposed wire that can cause an electrical short or arcing if it contacts another wire.

The risk: An electrical short can impair the performance of the engine, transmission, or fuel pump, increasing the risk of an engine stall and a crash. An electrical short or arcing increases the risk of a fire.

The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine harness, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261

Exterior Lighting — Turn Signal — Bulbs
#21V471000

The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Titan, Titan XD, and Versa vehicles. The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate.

The risk: Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bulbs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PM986 and P…

Honda Accord — 38 recalls

Electrical System — Propulsion System — Hybrid Management — Power Control Unit/Module (Hpcu) — Software
#25V785000

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…

Tires — Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
#26V366000Apr 2026

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…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module
#23V430000

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.

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger
#24V064000Jan 2024

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 Titan or Honda Accord: which should you buy?

The Nissan Titan has far fewer complaints per year (about 75 vs. 444 for the Accord), but the Accord sells in much higher numbers, so the rate per vehicle may be closer. In practice, the Titan's issues tend to cluster around engine and electrical harness problems, while the Accord's complaints span engine, electrical, and advanced safety systems. A buyer should weigh the Titan's lower overall complaint count against the Accord's more widespread but potentially more varied issues.

Recommendation. If you need a truck and can thoroughly inspect the EGI harness and engine history, the Titan may be a reasonable choice. If you prefer a sedan and want advanced safety features, the Accord is popular but be aware of forward collision and electrical complaints. In either case, a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is essential.

Key differences

  • The Titan averages about 75 complaints per year, while the Accord averages about 444—but the Accord is sold in much larger numbers, so per-vehicle rates may be similar.
  • Titan complaints often center on the engine and EGI harness recall, while Accord complaints frequently involve forward collision avoidance and electrical glitches.
  • The Accord has more crash-related reports (160 vs. 34) and injuries (144 vs. 17), though these counts don't account for the number of vehicles on the road.
  • Both have 3 deaths reported, but the Accord's higher volume means the rate per vehicle could be lower.
Watch on Nissan Titan
  • Check for any open recalls, especially PC773 for the EGI harness, and ask for proof of repair.
  • Test drive at highway speeds and from a stop to feel for hesitation or rough shifting that owners report.
Watch on Honda Accord
  • Ask if the forward collision avoidance system has ever shown error messages, and test adaptive cruise control and lane keeping on a test drive.
  • Inspect tires and TPMS sensors, as some owners reported tire failures shortly after service.

Before you buy

  • Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles and confirm they were fixed.
  • Take a long test drive that includes highway merging and stop-and-go traffic to feel for hesitation or transmission issues.
  • Have a mechanic inspect the engine wiring harness on the Titan and the electrical system on the Accord.
  • For the Accord, test all driver-assist features (adaptive cruise, lane keeping, automatic high beams) for error messages.
  • Ask for service records to see if recurring check engine lights or electrical problems were addressed.

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.

YearNissan TitanHonda Accord
202430214
202352224
202226238
2021110226
202021355
201946677
2018901864
2017172534
Years to scrutinize: the 2016 Nissan Titan drew the most complaints (196); the 2018 Honda Accord drew the most (1,864). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Titan or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Nissan Titan vs Honda Accord — comparison facts
Comparison
Nissan Titan vs Honda Accord
Nissan Titan total complaints
753
Honda Accord total complaints
4,438
Nissan Titan total recalls
33
Honda Accord total recalls
38
Nissan Titan avg complaints/year
75.3
Honda Accord avg complaints/year
443.8
More reliable overall
Nissan Titan
Nissan Titan top complaint area
ENGINE
Honda Accord top complaint area
ENGINE