Last updated: 2026-07-26

Infiniti vs Toyota: Reliability Compared

Comparing Infiniti and Toyota on reliability? This page compares their scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs across every model we track.

Toyota currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 75/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.

Is Infiniti More Reliable Than Toyota?

MetricInfinitiToyota
Avg Reliability Score75/10076/100
Models Tracked119
Avg Recalls per Model1325
Avg Complaints per Model182616
Avg Annual Repair Cost$639/yr$482/yr

Infiniti Models

1 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Toyota Models

19 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Infiniti vs Toyota: The Verdict

Toyota edges out Infiniti on reliability, though both makes have solid options. Across 1 Infiniti and 19 Toyota models, Toyota averages 76/100 to 75/100 — a 1-point gap built from NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and independent repair cost data.

On the cost front, Toyota is cheaper to maintain at $482/year versus $639/year. Over 5 years, that's roughly $785 in savings. That maintenance gap adds up — budget-conscious buyers should factor in that Toyota advantage.

Where Infiniti and Toyota Differ Most

Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:

ComponentWeightInfinitiToyota
Complaint Severity

Owner complaints weighted by component severity

35%
68/100Good
67/100Good
Repair Costs

Annual maintenance and repair expenses

30%
70/100Good
77/100Good
Recall Impact

Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside)

20%
84/100Excellent
80/100Excellent
Issue Diversity

How many different systems have reported problems

15%
84/100Excellent
82/100Excellent

The biggest gap is in repair costs, where Toyota scores 7 points higher. That single component does the most to separate these two makes.

Infiniti vs Toyota: Strengths and Weaknesses

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

Toyota

Strengths

  • Strong overall reliability (76/100 average)
  • Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • Very affordable maintenance ($482/year avg)
  • Reliability trending upward in recent model years
  • 19 of 19 models rated Good or Excellent
  • Below-average repair frequency

Weaknesses

  • 93 fire-related complaints across lineup
  • Above-average repair severity when issues occur

Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Infiniti or Toyota?

Based on independent repair cost data, Toyota is cheaper to maintain at an average of $482/year compared to $639/year for Infiniti. That's a difference of $157/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.

Toyota Repair Cost Range

$362 – $642/yr

Average: $482/yr

Infiniti vs Toyota Reliability by Vehicle Type

How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:

CategoryInfinitiToyotaWinner
SUVs(1 vs 9 models)75/10077/100Toyota

Toyota wins 1 out of 1 shared categories.

Common Problems: Infiniti vs Toyota

Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:

ComponentInfinitiToyota
POWER TRAIN23%3219%1,909
UNKNOWN OR OTHER18%2414%1,400
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20%2713%1,271
ENGINE13%1810%984
AIR BAGS1%29%914
SERVICE BRAKES8%118%803
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3%48%765
STEERING1%26%565
SEATS3%41%110
BACK OVER PREVENTION3%40%9

Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.

Infiniti vs Toyota Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries

Across all tracked models, Infiniti owners reported 5 crash-related, 1 fire-related, and 8 injury-related complaints to NHTSA. Toyota owners reported 694 crash-related, 93 fire-related, and 627 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.

Infiniti

5

Crash reports

1

Fire reports

8

Injury reports

Toyota

694

Crash reports

93

Fire reports

627

Injury reports

Every Infiniti and Toyota Model Ranked

All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.

Infiniti vs Toyota Reliability Trend by Year

Average reliability score for each model year, showing how quality has trended over time:

Infiniti's reliability is improving — recent model years average 79/100, up from earlier years. Toyota's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100.

Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.

Model YearInfinitiToyotaEdge
202682/100(1)86/100(13)Toyota
202576/100(1)78/100(15)Toyota
202473/100(1)75/100(16)Toyota
202372/100(1)75/100(15)Toyota
202273/100(1)76/100(16)Toyota
202181/100(1)76/100(14)Infiniti
202074/100(1)73/100(13)Infiniti
201971/100(1)70/100(12)Infiniti
201872/100(1)71/100(12)Infiniti

Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.

Infiniti vs Toyota: Head-to-Head Model Matchups

These are direct competitor models between Infiniti and Toyota. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:

The Bottom Line: Infiniti or Toyota?

Toyota has the edge, but don't let a modest score gap override other factors like price, features, and dealer experience.

If you want the single most reliable option: the Toyota Crown leads both lineups with a score of 85/100.

Budget-conscious buyers should note that Toyota costs less to maintain — $482/year vs $639/year. Over a typical 5-year ownership period, that adds up to roughly $785 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.

Infiniti vs Toyota: Common Questions

Is Infiniti more reliable than Toyota?
Based on our data, Toyota is more reliable overall with an average reliability score of 76/100 compared to 75/100. The difference is modest, so both makes are reasonable choices.
Which is cheaper to maintain, Infiniti or Toyota?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, Toyota is cheaper to maintain at an average of $482/year compared to $639/year for Infiniti.
Which make has more recalls, Infiniti or Toyota?
On a per-model average, Toyota has more recalls (~25 per model) compared to Infiniti (~13 per model). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — many are minor or preventative.
What are the most reliable models from Infiniti and Toyota?
The most reliable Infiniti model is the QX60 (avg score: 75/100), while the most reliable Toyota model is the Crown (avg score: 85/100).
What are the most common problems with Infiniti and Toyota vehicles?
The most frequently reported issue for Infiniti is power train (23% of complaints), while for Toyota it's power train (19% of complaints). These are based on NHTSA owner complaint data across all tracked models.
How many Infiniti and Toyota models does Auto Reliability Index track?
We track 1 Infiniti models across 9 model years and 19 Toyota models across 9 model years. Scores are based on NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and independent repair cost data.
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Infiniti or Toyota?
On a per-model average, Infiniti has fewer owner complaints (~182 per model) compared to Toyota (~616 per model). Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Are Infiniti and Toyota getting more or less reliable?
Based on recent model year data, Infiniti reliability is improving while Toyota reliability is improving. We compare average scores across the most recent 3 model years to determine the trend direction.
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Infiniti or Toyota?
For first-time buyers prioritizing reliability, Toyota has a slight edge with its higher average score. However, specific model choice matters more than make — check individual model pages for the best options in your budget and vehicle type.
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Infiniti or Toyota?
Infiniti has fewer owner-reported crashes, fires, and injuries in our database. Infiniti has 5 crash reports, 1 fire reports, and 8 injury reports. Toyota has 694 crash, 93 fire, and 627 injury reports. Note that complaint volume correlates with sales volume.

Comparing Infiniti vs Toyota? 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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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.