Last updated: 2026-03-04
Nissan Reliability Ratings — Every Model Ranked
Nissan offers generally reliable vehicles, though reliability varies across models and years. Most Nissan models fall within the "Good" range, making them a reasonable choice for buyers who prioritize dependability.
Nissan Reliability Score Comparison
Visual comparison of reliability scores across all Nissan models. Longer bars indicate higher reliability.
Nissan Model Rankings
| # | Vehicle | Best Year | Score | Rating | Recalls | Complaints / 10k | Maint. Rating | Est. Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissan Altima | 2023 | 78/100 | Good | 20 | 6.5 | 4 | $483/yr |
| 2 | Nissan Kicks | 2022 | 78/100 | Good | 9 | 8.3 | 4 | |
| 3 | Nissan Sentra | 2023 | 77/100 | Good | 20 | 7.5 | 4 | $491/yr |
| 4 | Nissan Rogue | 2025 | 74/100 | Good | 42 | 11.5 | 4 | $467/yr |
| 5 | Nissan Pathfinder | 2025 | 73/100 | Good | 14 | 9.5 | 3.5 | $542/yr |
Nissan Models
Nissan Altima
6th gen (2019–2023), facelifted 2023
The Nissan Altima, covering model years 2018 to 2026, holds an average reliability score of 83/100, indicating excellent reliability overall. Common issues reported include electrical system malfunctions, particularly with door lock actuators, and problems with the automatic emergency braking system, especially in earlier models.
Nissan Kicks
2nd gen (2025–2023)
The Nissan Kicks, spanning model years 2018 to 2026, holds an average reliability score of 78 out of 100, indicating good reliability. Common issues reported by owners include electrical system malfunctions and transmission problems, particularly in earlier models, while more recent years show improvements with lower complaint rates and scores reaching up to 83 in 2026.
Nissan Sentra
8th gen (2020–present)
The Nissan Sentra, covering model years 2018 through 2026, has an average reliability score of 83/100, indicating an excellent reliability rating. Common issues reported include power train and electrical system problems, particularly with the CVT transmission and automatic emergency braking system, although recent models show fewer complaints.
The Nissan Rogue, covering model years 2018 to 2026, maintains an average reliability score of 80/100, indicating a generally good reliability reputation. Common issues reported by owners include service brakes and electrical system problems, with repair costs estimated at $467 annually, below the compact SUV average.
Nissan Pathfinder
5th gen (2022–2023), facelifted 2023
Covering model years from 2018 to 2026, the Nissan Pathfinder holds an average reliability score of 66 out of 100, categorized as "Good" on the Auto Reliability Index. While the Pathfinder shows improvement over time, with 2024 and 2025 models reaching scores of 77, frequent complaints center on the electrical system and power train.
Common Nissan Problems
Top complaint categories across all Nissan models, based on owner-reported issues to NHTSA.
Nissan by Category
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Nissan cars reliable?
- Nissan vehicles have an average reliability score of 76/100 ("Good") across 5 models and 8 years in our database. Nissan offers generally reliable vehicles, though reliability varies across models and years.
- What is the most reliable Nissan?
- Based on our data, the highest-scoring Nissan model-year is the 2025 Nissan Rogue at 84/100. Scores can change as new recalls and complaints are filed. See our full Nissan reliability rankings for the latest data.
- How much does it cost to maintain a Nissan?
- Annual repair costs for Nissan models range from $467 to $542 based on independent reliability data. Costs vary significantly by model and year.
- Which Nissan models should I avoid?
- Based on our data, these Nissan models are statistical outliers within their model lines: 2019 Altima (72/100), 2020 Altima (71/100), 2020 Sentra (71/100), 2018 Kicks (71/100), 2023 Rogue (68/100). These have higher recall counts or complaint volumes relative to their siblings.
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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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