Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Impala or the Nissan Maxima?

The Nissan Maxima has more recalls (4) compared to the Chevrolet Impala (2). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Impala or the Nissan Maxima?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Maxima has a lower complaint rate at 6.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 9.1 for the Chevrolet Impala. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Impala or the Nissan Maxima?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Maxima is cheaper to maintain at $540/year versus $568/year for the Chevrolet Impala.

Is the Chevrolet Impala or Nissan Maxima safer?

Both the Chevrolet Impala and Nissan Maxima received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Chevrolet Impala vs Nissan Maxima: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Chevrolet Impala

Good

Nissan Maxima

Good

Choosing between the Chevrolet Impala and the Nissan Maxima? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Impala currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Chevrolet Impala and Nissan Maxima Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Nissan Maxima is in its eighth generation, which spanned from 2016 to 2023 with a facelift in 2020. This suggests that the Maxima platform is mature, often indicating a well-sorted and reliable vehicle, as most issues would have been resolved over its lifecycle. In contrast, the Chevrolet Impala's tenth generation ended in 2020, with its last significant redesign occurring in 2014. The Impala's late-generation models generally benefit from improved reliability due to the resolution of earlier issues. Both models' mature platforms typically offer dependable performance, but the Maxima's more recent generation may offer newer features and technology.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Impala is more reliable than the Nissan Maxima, scoring 78/100 vs 76/100.

The Chevrolet Impala edges out the Nissan Maxima in reliability with a slightly higher average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100 for the Maxima. While the Impala has a higher owner complaint rate at 9.1 per 10,000 sold versus the Maxima's 6.5, it benefits from fewer recalls, with just 2 over three years against the Maxima's 4 over six years. The Maxima offers a lower estimated annual repair cost of $540 compared to the Impala's $568. Both vehicles have common issues related to the electrical system and power train, but the Impala's fewer recalls and slightly higher reliability score make it a marginally better choice for those prioritizing reliability.

Key Differences

1Nissan Maxima costs $28 less per year to repair
2Nissan Maxima has 2.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Chevrolet Impala scores 2 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

4Chevrolet Impala

—

2Nissan Maxima

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Chevrolet Impala vs Nissan Maxima: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Impala vs Nissan Maxima at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chevrolet Impala	Nissan Maxima
Reliability Score	78/100	76/100
Years Tracked	3	6
Total Recalls	2	4
Complaints per 10k Sold	9.1	6.5
Annual Repair Cost	$568/yr	$540/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	13%	15%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2020 NHTSA	2023 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	3	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Impala and Nissan Maxima?

The Chevrolet Impala exhibits a broader range of issues compared to the Nissan Maxima, with a particularly high incidence of problems related to the electrical system and power train. Notably, the Impala has a significant number of crash-linked complaints, especially concerning air bags, which account for half of the 12 air bag-related complaints. In contrast, the Maxima's most frequent issues are categorized under "unknown or other," followed by service brakes and forward collision avoidance, with no crash-linked complaints reported. While both vehicles share some common problem areas such as service brakes and electrical systems, the Impala's issues are more frequently associated with safety-critical components, which might raise concerns for potential buyers prioritizing safety.

Chevrolet Impala vs Nissan Maxima common problem areas comparison
Component	Chevrolet Impala	Nissan Maxima
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.9Low	0.9Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.5Low	0.5Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1.3Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	1.1Low	0.2Very Low
STEERING	1.2Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.7Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.5Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.3Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.3Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	0.3Very Low
ENGINE	0.2Very Low	—None
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES	—None	0.2Very Low
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.2Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Impala or Nissan Maxima?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Nissan Maxima has an annual repair cost of $540, which is $28 less than the Chevrolet Impala's $568. Over five years, this translates to a $140 savings for the Maxima. However, the Maxima has a higher repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year compared to the Impala's 0.2 visits, and a slightly higher major repair risk at 15% versus 13% for the Impala. While the Maxima offers lower annual costs, the Impala's lower repair frequency and reduced risk of major repairs make it the better value for cost-conscious buyers seeking reliability and fewer service disruptions.

How Does Chevrolet Impala vs Nissan Maxima Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Impala vs Nissan Maxima year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chevrolet Impala	Nissan Maxima	Edge
2020	79/1000R / 15C	74/1001R / 21C	Chevrolet Impala
2019	79/1001R / 28C	76/1001R / 18C	Chevrolet Impala
2018	77/1001R / 59C	72/1002R / 36C	Chevrolet Impala

Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Chevrolet Impala scored 79/100 and the 2019 Nissan Maxima scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Impala vs the Nissan Maxima?

If you prioritize a slightly higher reliability score and fewer recalls, the Chevrolet Impala is a solid choice. With a reliability score of 78/100, two recalls, and a lower major repair risk of 13%, it offers peace of mind for those concerned about long-term dependability. While the estimated annual repair cost is $568, slightly higher than the Maxima, the Impala also has a lower repair frequency of 0.2 times per year, suggesting fewer visits to the mechanic. On the other hand, if you are looking to minimize running costs and can manage a slightly higher risk of major repair, the Nissan Maxima might be more suitable. It features a lower annual repair cost of $540 and fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 6.5, compared to the Impala. However, with four recalls and a 15% major repair risk, you might encounter more issues over time. Choose the Maxima if keeping ongoing expenses down is your priority.

Chevrolet Impala vs Nissan Maxima: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Impala more reliable than the Nissan Maxima?: Based on our data, the Chevrolet Impala is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Impala or the Nissan Maxima?: The Nissan Maxima has more recalls (4) compared to the Chevrolet Impala (2). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Impala or the Nissan Maxima?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Maxima has a lower complaint rate at 6.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 9.1 for the Chevrolet Impala. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Impala or the Nissan Maxima?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Maxima is cheaper to maintain at $540/year versus $568/year for the Chevrolet Impala.
Is the Chevrolet Impala or Nissan Maxima safer?: Both the Chevrolet Impala and Nissan Maxima received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Chevrolet Impala comparisons

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More Nissan Maxima comparisons

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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.

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