Last updated: 2026-10-10
Land Rover vs Nissan: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Land Rover
2 models tracked
Nissan
12 models tracked
Nissan beats Land Rover on reliability by a wide margin. Owners file far fewer complaints per car sold, and Nissan also comes out ahead on repair costs, recall impact and how widely problems spread. Land Rover's Range Rover Sport rates only mixed.
Is Land Rover More Reliable Than Nissan?
| Metric | Land Rover | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 58/100 | 77/100 |
| Models Tracked | 2 | 12 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 100 | 14 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 472 | 531 |
Land Rover Models
2 models ranked by reliability
Land Rover vs Nissan: The Verdict
The gap is large, and it favors Nissan. Land Rover draws 4.2 complaints per 1,000 sold, against 1 for Nissan. Nissan is also stronger on complaint severity, repair costs, recall impact and the spread of problems across systems.
Recalls tell a similar story once you count models. Land Rover has 200 recalls across two models. Nissan has 172 across twelve. Electrical faults lead the complaint list for both brands, but Nissan's good standing holds across nearly its whole lineup. Both brands show an improving recent trend.
Where Land Rover and Nissan Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Land Rover | Nissan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 50/100Mixed | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 40/100Mixed | 76/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 64/100Good | 85/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 79/100Good | 82/100Excellent |
Dig into the components and repair costs stands out — Nissan outscores by 36 points there, which carries significant weight in the final number.
Land Rover vs Nissan: Strengths and Weaknesses
Land Rover
Strengths
- Above-average reliability (58/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
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
Land Rover vs Nissan Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Land Rover | Nissan | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(1 vs 6 models) | 60/100 | 77/100 | Nissan |
| Sedans(1 vs 5 models) | 57/100 | 75/100 | Nissan |
Nissan wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Land Rover vs Nissan
| Component | Land Rover | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29%244 | 23%1,283 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12%100 | 17%929 |
| POWER TRAIN | 12%99 | 11%609 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1%10 | 11%590 |
| ENGINE | 8%70 | 8%436 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | — | 6%342 |
| STEERING | 8%66 | 5%272 |
| AIR BAGS | 3%22 | 4%205 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 11%94 | 2%124 |
| STRUCTURE | 4%30 | 2%96 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Land Rover vs Nissan Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Land Rover
33
Crash reports
17
Fire reports
42
Injury reports
Nissan
331
Crash reports
41
Fire reports
268
Injury reports
Every Land Rover and Nissan Model Ranked
Land Rover Models
Nissan Models
Land Rover vs Nissan Reliability Trend by Year
Land Rover's reliability is improving — recent model years average 67/100, 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 | Land Rover | Nissan | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 70/100(2) | 83/100(9) | Nissan |
| 2025 | 64/100(2) | 80/100(11) | Nissan |
| 2024 | 64/100(2) | 79/100(9) | Nissan |
| 2023 | 55/100(2) | 77/100(9) | Nissan |
| 2022 | 56/100(2) | 77/100(8) | Nissan |
| 2021 | 56/100(2) | 77/100(10) | Nissan |
| 2020 | 42/100(1) | 73/100(11) | Nissan |
| 2019 | 56/100(1) | 73/100(10) | Nissan |
| 2018 | 47/100(1) | 73/100(11) | Nissan |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Who Should Buy Land Rover vs Nissan?
If you want the lowest risk, shop Nissan. The Frontier is rated excellent among trucks. The Ariya is rated excellent among SUVs too, but buy a 2024 and skip the 2023, whose owners report a sudden loss of drive power and a "Service EV System" warning. Altima, Sentra and Rogue all rate good. Be careful with the Leaf. Battery trouble defines it, so target a 2021 and avoid 2019 and 2020.
Land Rover suits you only if you specifically want one of its two models and accept the risk. The Defender 110 rates good. Look for a 2024, and know that a failed DC/DC converter can trigger a warning and then a full shutdown. Windshields can also crack with no impact. The Range Rover Sport is mixed, with freezing screens and coolant pipes that can split. Favor the 2024 and skip 2018 and 2020.
The Bottom Line: Land Rover or Nissan?
Choose Nissan for dependability and lower running costs. The strongest single model across both lineups is the Ariya, best bought as a 2024. Independent repair-cost data puts the Nissan average at about $523 a year, though the Leaf runs higher at $748. Take a Land Rover only if you want a Defender 110, and check its electrical system closely first.
Land Rover vs Nissan: Common Questions
Is Land Rover more reliable than Nissan?
Which has more recalls, Land Rover or Nissan?
Which is cheaper to repair, Land Rover or Nissan?
What is the most common problem on Land Rover and Nissan vehicles?
Which Nissan models should I avoid used?
Comparing Land Rover vs Nissan? 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 score Land Rover 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.