Is the Dodge Charger more reliable than the Nissan Maxima?

Based on our data, the Nissan Maxima is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Dodge Charger or the Nissan Maxima?

The Dodge Charger has more recalls (25) compared to the Nissan Maxima (4). 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 Dodge Charger or the Nissan Maxima?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Charger has a lower complaint rate at 2.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 6.5 for the Nissan Maxima. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Charger or the Nissan Maxima?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Maxima is cheaper to maintain at $540/year versus $652/year for the Dodge Charger.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Dodge Charger vs Nissan Maxima: Reliability Compared

Dodge Charger

Good

More Reliable

Nissan Maxima

Good

Choosing between the Dodge Charger 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 Nissan Maxima currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Dodge Charger and Nissan Maxima Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Dodge Charger is in its eighth generation, having been redesigned in 2024. This places it relatively early in its generation cycle, where new platforms might face initial reliability challenges. However, the Charger has a history of significant facelifts, such as in 2015 and 2020 during its previous generation, which often help address early issues. The Nissan Maxima, on the other hand, concluded its eighth generation in 2023, with a significant facelift in 2020. This mature platform, refined over several years, is likely to offer solid reliability due to the resolution of earlier design and manufacturing issues. Comparing both, the Maxima's recent maturity might suggest a more dependable choice for buyers prioritizing reliability.

Verdict

The Nissan Maxima is more reliable than the Dodge Charger, scoring 76/100 vs 74/100.

The Nissan Maxima edges out the Dodge Charger in reliability with a slightly higher score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. Despite having a higher complaint rate per 10,000 sold at 6.5, the Maxima benefits from a significantly lower recall count—only 4 over 6 years, while the Charger has had 25 over 9 years. Additionally, the Maxima offers lower estimated annual repair costs at $540 versus the Charger's $652. While both vehicles share common issues in electrical systems and power train, the Maxima's lower recall history and repair costs make it the more reliable choice.

Key Differences

1Nissan Maxima costs $112 less per year to repair
2Nissan Maxima has 21 fewer total recalls
3Dodge Charger has 4.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Dodge Charger

—

3Nissan Maxima

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Dodge Charger vs Nissan Maxima: Which Is More Reliable?

Dodge Charger vs Nissan Maxima at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Dodge Charger	Nissan Maxima
Reliability Score	74/100	76/100
Years Tracked	9	6
Total Recalls	25	4
Complaints per 10k Sold	2.2	6.5
Annual Repair Cost	$652/yr	$540/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	15%	15%
Year Wins	1	5

What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Charger and Nissan Maxima?

The Dodge Charger exhibits a higher volume of total complaints at 369 compared to the Nissan Maxima's 84, with significant issues in the Air Bags category, accounting for 98 complaints and 19 of these being crash-linked. The Charger's Electrical System also presents a notable concern with 85 complaints. In contrast, the Nissan Maxima's most reported issues are less severe, with the highest number of complaints being in the Unknown or Other category at 12, and no single category exceeding that figure. While the Charger has various safety-related complaints with crash links, the Maxima's issues are more dispersed and less frequently linked to crashes.

Dodge Charger vs Nissan Maxima common problem areas comparison
Component	Dodge Charger	Nissan Maxima
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.2Very Low	0.9Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.5Very Low	0.5Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.6Very Low	0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.1Very Low	0.7Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.5Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES	—None	0.2Very Low
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.2Very Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	—None
ENGINE	0.1Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge Charger or Nissan Maxima?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Dodge Charger incurs an annual repair cost of $652 with a relatively low repair frequency of 0.2 visits per year, while the Nissan Maxima costs $540 annually but requires more frequent visits at 0.3 times per year. Both vehicles share a similar major repair risk of 15%. Over five years, the Charger will cost $560 more in repairs, but the Maxima's higher visit frequency could lead to more inconvenience and potential downtime. For cost-conscious buyers, the Maxima offers better annual savings, though the Charger might appeal to those valuing fewer repair visits. Balancing cost and convenience, the Maxima stands out as the better value overall.

How Does Dodge Charger vs Nissan Maxima Reliability Compare by Year?

Dodge Charger vs Nissan Maxima year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Dodge Charger	Nissan Maxima	Edge
2023	76/1002R / 22C	77/1000R / 1C	Nissan Maxima
2022	74/1003R / 11C	77/1000R / 5C	Nissan Maxima
2021	76/1002R / 29C	77/1000R / 3C	Nissan Maxima
2020	75/1003R / 54C	74/1001R / 21C	Dodge Charger
2019	71/1005R / 118C	76/1001R / 18C	Nissan Maxima
2018	69/1006R / 121C	72/1002R / 36C	Nissan Maxima

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Dodge Charger scored 76/100 and the 2023 Nissan Maxima scored 77/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Dodge Charger vs the Nissan Maxima?

If you prioritize lower running costs and fewer recalls, the Nissan Maxima might be your ideal choice. With a reliability score of 76, it edges out the Dodge Charger slightly. The Maxima boasts only 4 total recalls compared to the Charger's 25, suggesting better initial build quality. Additionally, the estimated annual repair cost for the Maxima is $540, which is lower than the Charger's $652, making it a more cost-effective option over time. However, if you’re concerned about owner satisfaction and complaint rates, the Dodge Charger could be more appealing. It has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 2.2 compared to the Maxima's 6.5. Despite its higher number of recalls, the Charger’s repair frequency is slightly lower at 0.2 times per year. Ultimately, if you value fewer complaints and can manage slightly higher repair costs, the Charger might suit your needs better.

Dodge Charger vs Nissan Maxima: Common Questions

Is the Dodge Charger more reliable than the Nissan Maxima?: Based on our data, the Nissan Maxima is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Dodge Charger or the Nissan Maxima?: The Dodge Charger has more recalls (25) compared to the Nissan Maxima (4). 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 Dodge Charger or the Nissan Maxima?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Charger has a lower complaint rate at 2.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 6.5 for the Nissan Maxima. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Charger or the Nissan Maxima?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Maxima is cheaper to maintain at $540/year versus $652/year for the Dodge Charger.

More Dodge Charger 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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