Last updated: 2026-10-10
Honda vs Nissan: Reliability Compared
Honda
9 models tracked
Nissan
12 models tracked
Nissan edges out Honda on used-car reliability, but only slightly. Nissan draws fewer complaints and recalls, while Honda costs less to keep running. Both brands hold a good standing and both are improving, so the model and year matter more than the badge.
Is Honda More Reliable Than Nissan?
| Metric | Honda | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 74/100 | 77/100 |
| Models Tracked | 9 | 12 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 38 | 14 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 2118 | 531 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $441/yr | $523/yr |
Honda vs Nissan: The Verdict
A slight edge goes to Nissan. It wins on complaint severity and recall impact. Honda owners filed 584 crash complaints and 520 injury complaints, against 331 and 268 for Nissan. Federal recall records show 338 recalls for Honda and 172 for Nissan.
Honda wins on cost. Independent repair-cost data puts its average upkeep at $441 a year, compared with $523 for Nissan. Problems spread across vehicle systems about evenly for both. Because the gap is small, a clean model year from the weaker brand beats a troubled one from the stronger brand.
Where Honda and Nissan Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Honda | Nissan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 61/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 84/100Excellent | 76/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 74/100Good | 85/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
Dig into the components and recall impact stands out — Nissan outscores by 11 points there, which carries significant weight in the final number.
Honda vs Nissan: 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
- 69 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Nissan
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (77/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($523/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 12 of 12 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 41 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Honda and Nissan Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Honda
Nissan
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda or Nissan?
Based on independent repair cost data, Honda is cheaper to maintain at an average of $441/year compared to $523/year for Nissan. The difference is relatively small, so maintenance costs shouldn't be a major deciding factor between these makes.
Honda Repair Cost Range
$301 – $547/yr
Average: $441/yr
Nissan Repair Cost Range
$456 – $748/yr
Average: $523/yr
Honda vs Nissan Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Honda | Nissan | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedans(2 vs 5 models) | 77/100 | 75/100 | Honda |
| SUVs(5 vs 6 models) | 73/100 | 77/100 | Nissan |
| Trucks(1 vs 1 models) | 77/100 | 80/100 | Nissan |
Nissan wins 2 out of 3 shared categories.
Common Problems: Honda vs Nissan
| Component | Honda | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 18%2,940 | 23%1,283 |
| STEERING | 19%3,164 | 5%272 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 8%1,404 | 17%929 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 10%1,664 | 6%342 |
| ENGINE | 9%1,523 | 8%436 |
| POWER TRAIN | 7%1,149 | 11%609 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5%876 | 11%590 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 7%1,142 | 0%11 |
| AIR BAGS | 2%410 | 4%205 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Honda vs Nissan Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Honda
584
Crash reports
69
Fire reports
520
Injury reports
Nissan
331
Crash reports
41
Fire reports
268
Injury reports
Every Honda and Nissan Model Ranked
Honda Models
Nissan Models
Honda vs Nissan Reliability Trend by Year
Honda's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100, up from earlier years. Nissan's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Honda | Nissan | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 84/100(9) | 83/100(9) | Honda |
| 2025 | 79/100(9) | 80/100(11) | Nissan |
| 2024 | 78/100(9) | 79/100(9) | Nissan |
| 2023 | 74/100(8) | 77/100(9) | Nissan |
| 2022 | 74/100(8) | 77/100(8) | Nissan |
| 2021 | 75/100(8) | 77/100(10) | Nissan |
| 2020 | 70/100(8) | 73/100(11) | Nissan |
| 2019 | 65/100(8) | 73/100(10) | Nissan |
| 2018 | 66/100(7) | 73/100(11) | Nissan |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Honda vs Nissan: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Honda and Nissan. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Honda vs Nissan?
If you want a sedan, lean Honda. The Civic and Accord both rate good, and Honda is stronger across sedans as a group. For a small SUV, target a 2021 HR-V and skip the 2019, where the instrument display can go blank in cold weather, and the 2023, where rear hatch glass can shatter with no impact. Skip a 2025 Prologue, since dealers often return those cars unrepaired.
If you want an SUV or a truck, lean Nissan. The Frontier rates excellent and beats the Ridgeline on standing. A 2024 Ariya is the better Ariya buy, with far fewer complaints and no recalls. Avoid the 2023, where owners report sudden loss of drive power. Be careful with the Leaf. Battery trouble defines it, the 2019 and 2020 draw the most complaints, and upkeep runs about $748 a year. If you must have one, favor the 2021.
The Bottom Line: Honda or Nissan?
Choose Nissan if you want the slightly safer record, especially in an SUV or truck. Choose Honda if low running costs and a sedan matter most. The strongest single model across both lineups is the Honda HR-V, and the 2021 is the year to favor. Honda's $82 yearly repair-cost advantage adds up to about $410 over five years, which is real but modest.
Honda vs Nissan: Common Questions
Is Honda more reliable than Nissan?
Which brand has more recalls, Honda or Nissan?
Which is cheaper to repair, Honda or Nissan?
What problems do Nissan owners report most?
What problems do Honda owners report most?
Comparing Honda vs Nissan? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
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How we score Honda and Nissan models
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.