Last updated: 2026-10-10
Nissan vs Toyota: Reliability Compared
Nissan
12 models tracked
Toyota
19 models tracked
Nissan edges Toyota on reliability, though the two are effectively tied. Recall impact is the main reason. Both brands hold a good standing and are improving. Repair costs and complaint severity are even, Toyota is stronger among sedans, and Nissan is stronger among trucks.
Is Nissan More Reliable Than Toyota?
| Metric | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 77/100 | 76/100 |
| Models Tracked | 12 | 19 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 14 | 25 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 531 | 616 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $523/yr | $482/yr |
Nissan vs Toyota: The Verdict
Call it a slight edge for Nissan, and a thin one. Both brands hold a good standing, and both are trending up. The deciding difference is recall impact, where Nissan is stronger. Toyota has far more recalls on file, 474 against 172.
Almost everything else is even: complaint severity, repair costs, and how widely problems spread across systems. Toyota does cost a little less to keep up, at about $482 a year against $523. The split by body style matters more. Toyota is stronger among sedans, Nissan is stronger among trucks, and SUVs are a draw.
Where Nissan and Toyota Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 67/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 76/100Good | 77/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 85/100Excellent | 80/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
The biggest gap is in recall impact, where Nissan scores 5 points higher. That single component does the most to separate these two makes.
Nissan vs Toyota: Strengths and Weaknesses
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
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
How Reliable Are Nissan and Toyota Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Nissan
Toyota
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Nissan or Toyota?
Based on independent repair cost data, Toyota is cheaper to maintain at an average of $482/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.
Nissan Repair Cost Range
$456 – $748/yr
Average: $523/yr
Toyota Repair Cost Range
$362 – $642/yr
Average: $482/yr
Nissan vs Toyota Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Nissan | Toyota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedans(5 vs 6 models) | 75/100 | 78/100 | Toyota |
| SUVs(6 vs 9 models) | 77/100 | 77/100 | Tie |
| Trucks(1 vs 2 models) | 80/100 | 67/100 | Nissan |
The makes split categories evenly at 1–1.
Common Problems: Nissan vs Toyota
| Component | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 23%1,283 | 12%1,271 |
| POWER TRAIN | 11%609 | 19%1,909 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 17%929 | 13%1,350 |
| ENGINE | 8%436 | 9%963 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 11%590 | 8%780 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%205 | 9%911 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2%112 | 8%796 |
| STEERING | 5%272 | 5%532 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 6%342 | 0%50 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Nissan vs Toyota Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Nissan
331
Crash reports
41
Fire reports
268
Injury reports
Toyota
699
Crash reports
93
Fire reports
633
Injury reports
Every Nissan and Toyota Model Ranked
Nissan Models
Toyota Models
Nissan vs Toyota Reliability Trend by Year
Nissan's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100, 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 Year | Nissan | Toyota | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 83/100(9) | 86/100(13) | Toyota |
| 2025 | 80/100(11) | 78/100(15) | Nissan |
| 2024 | 79/100(9) | 75/100(16) | Nissan |
| 2023 | 77/100(9) | 75/100(15) | Nissan |
| 2022 | 77/100(8) | 76/100(16) | Nissan |
| 2021 | 77/100(10) | 76/100(14) | Nissan |
| 2020 | 73/100(11) | 73/100(13) | Tie |
| 2019 | 73/100(10) | 70/100(12) | Nissan |
| 2018 | 73/100(11) | 71/100(12) | Nissan |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Nissan vs Toyota: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Nissan and Toyota. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Nissan vs Toyota?
If you want a truck, lean Nissan. The Frontier rates excellent, and Nissan is stronger than Toyota in that class. Toyota's Tacoma is a sound used truck with low repair costs, but it ranks below average among trucks. If you go that route, favor the 2021 and skip 2018 and 2019. Watch for an automatic transmission that shudders and hunts for gears at light throttle.
If you want a sedan, lean Toyota. Corolla and Crown both rate excellent. The Crown is new, so target the 2024, which has had time to build a record. On the Nissan side, the Altima is a good sedan pick. Be careful with the Leaf. Battery trouble defines it, repair costs run about $748 a year, and 2019 and 2020 draw the most complaints. The 2021 is the year to favor. For an electric SUV, the Ariya 2024 is the better buy over the 2023, which has reports of sudden loss of drive power.
The Bottom Line: Nissan or Toyota?
Choose by body style, not by brand. Nissan has the thin edge, but it is close enough that the specific model and year matter more. Among all models, the Crown looks strongest, though its record is short, so target the 2024. Toyota costs about $41 less a year to maintain, roughly $205 over five years. That gap is small. Skip the Leaf if repair cost is your concern.
Nissan vs Toyota: Common Questions
Is Nissan more reliable than Toyota?
Which brand has more recalls, Nissan or Toyota?
Which is cheaper to repair, Nissan or Toyota?
What problems do Nissans have most often?
What problems do Toyotas have most often?
Comparing Nissan vs Toyota? 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 Nissan and Toyota 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.