Last updated: 2026-07-26
Honda vs Infiniti: Reliability Compared
Honda
9 models tracked
Infiniti
1 models tracked
Comparing Honda and Infiniti on reliability? This page compares their scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs across every model we track.
Infiniti currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.
Is Honda More Reliable Than Infiniti?
| Metric | Honda | Infiniti |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 74/100 | 75/100 |
| Models Tracked | 9 | 1 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 38 | 13 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 2118 | 182 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $441/yr | $639/yr |
Honda vs Infiniti: The Verdict
Infiniti holds a modest reliability advantage over Honda — enough to notice, not enough to be the only factor. The overall picture: Honda scores 74/100 across 9 models, while Infiniti comes in at 75/100 across 1 models — all data-driven, no bias.
On the cost front, Honda is cheaper to maintain at $441/year versus $639/year. Over 5 years, that's roughly $990 in savings. The repair cost gap might seem small year-to-year, but over a typical 5-year ownership period it compounds into meaningful savings for Honda owners.
Where Honda and Infiniti Differ Most
Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:
| Component | Weight | Honda | Infiniti |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 61/100Good | 68/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 84/100Excellent | 70/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 74/100Good | 84/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 84/100Excellent |
Dig into the components and repair costs stands out — Honda outscores by 14 points there, which carries significant weight in the final number.
Honda vs Infiniti: Strengths and Weaknesses
Honda
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (74/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($441/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 9 of 9 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 70 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Infiniti
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (75/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($639/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda or Infiniti?
Based on independent repair cost data, Honda is cheaper to maintain at an average of $441/year compared to $639/year for Infiniti. That's a difference of $198/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Honda Repair Cost Range
$301 – $547/yr
Average: $441/yr
Honda vs Infiniti Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Honda | Infiniti | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(5 vs 1 models) | 73/100 | 75/100 | Infiniti |
Infiniti wins 1 out of 1 shared categories.
Common Problems: Honda vs Infiniti
Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:
| Component | Honda | Infiniti |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 19%3,186 | 1%2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 18%2,940 | 20%27 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 10%1,640 | 18%24 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 10%1,663 | — |
| ENGINE | 9%1,566 | 13%18 |
| POWER TRAIN | 7%1,153 | 23%32 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 7%1,145 | — |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5%908 | 8%11 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3%461 | 3%4 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0%39 | 3%4 |
Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.
Honda vs Infiniti Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Across all tracked models, Honda owners reported 572 crash-related, 70 fire-related, and 515 injury-related complaints to NHTSA. Infiniti owners reported 5 crash-related, 1 fire-related, and 8 injury-related complaints. Infiniti has fewer severe incident reports overall. These counts reflect owner-reported incidents and don't establish causation — but they're a useful signal for comparing safety profiles.
Honda
572
Crash reports
70
Fire reports
515
Injury reports
Infiniti
5
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
8
Injury reports
Every Honda and Infiniti Model Ranked
All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.
Honda Models
Infiniti Models
Honda vs Infiniti Reliability Trend by Year
Average reliability score for each model year, showing how quality has trended over time:
Honda's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100, up from earlier years. Infiniti's reliability is improving — recent model years average 79/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Honda | Infiniti | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 84/100(9) | 82/100(1) | Honda |
| 2025 | 79/100(9) | 76/100(1) | Honda |
| 2024 | 78/100(9) | 73/100(1) | Honda |
| 2023 | 74/100(8) | 72/100(1) | Honda |
| 2022 | 74/100(8) | 73/100(1) | Honda |
| 2021 | 75/100(8) | 81/100(1) | Infiniti |
| 2020 | 70/100(8) | 74/100(1) | Infiniti |
| 2019 | 65/100(8) | 71/100(1) | Infiniti |
| 2018 | 66/100(7) | 72/100(1) | Infiniti |
Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.
The Bottom Line: Honda or Infiniti?
The data favors Infiniti, but remember: the best model from the "losing" make often beats the worst model from the "winning" one.
If you want the single most reliable option: the Honda HR-V leads both lineups with a score of 83/100.
Budget-conscious buyers should note that Honda costs less to maintain — $441/year vs $639/year. Over a typical 5-year ownership period, that adds up to roughly $990 in savings.
All scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data combined with independent repair cost databases. Check individual model pages for year-specific reliability data before making a final decision.
Honda vs Infiniti: Common Questions
Is Honda more reliable than Infiniti?
Which is cheaper to maintain, Honda or Infiniti?
Which make has more recalls, Honda or Infiniti?
What are the most reliable models from Honda and Infiniti?
What are the most common problems with Honda and Infiniti vehicles?
How many Honda and Infiniti models does Auto Reliability Index track?
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Honda or Infiniti?
Are Honda and Infiniti getting more or less reliable?
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Honda or Infiniti?
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Honda or Infiniti?
Comparing Honda vs Infiniti? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.