Last updated: 2026-10-10
Nissan Maxima vs Toyota Avalon: Reliability Compared
Nissan Maxima
Toyota Avalon
Choosing between the Nissan Maxima and the Toyota Avalon? 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 75/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Nissan Maxima is more reliable than the Toyota Avalon, scoring 76/100 vs 75/100.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Avalon costs $77 less per year to repair
- 2Nissan Maxima has 7 fewer total recalls
- 3Nissan Maxima has 5.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Nissan Maxima vs Toyota Avalon: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Nissan Maxima | Toyota Avalon |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 76/100 | 75/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 4 | 11 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.5 | 11.9 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $540/yr | $463/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.4/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 15% | 13% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2023 NHTSA | 2022 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 | 3 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon?
| Component | Nissan Maxima | Toyota Avalon |
|---|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 2.1Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.9Very Low | 1.1Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.5Very Low | 1.4Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 1.5Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.3Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.5Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| TIRES | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Nissan Maxima vs Toyota Avalon Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Nissan Maxima | Toyota Avalon | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 77/1000R / 5C | 80/1000R / 8C | Toyota Avalon |
| 2021 | 77/1000R / 3C | 76/1002R / 21C | Nissan Maxima |
| 2020 | 74/1001R / 21C | 75/1003R / 10C | Toyota Avalon |
| 2019 | 76/1001R / 18C | 69/1004R / 68C | Nissan Maxima |
| 2018 | 72/1002R / 36C | 77/1002R / 24C | Toyota Avalon |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Nissan Maxima scored 77/100 and the 2022 Toyota Avalon scored 80/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Nissan Maxima vs Toyota Avalon: Common Questions
- Is the Nissan Maxima more reliable than the Toyota Avalon?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Maxima is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 75/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Nissan Maxima or the Toyota Avalon?
- The Toyota Avalon has more recalls (11) 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 Nissan Maxima or the Toyota Avalon?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Maxima has a lower complaint rate at 6.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 11.9 for the Toyota Avalon. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Nissan Maxima or the Toyota Avalon?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Avalon is cheaper to maintain at $463/year versus $540/year for the Nissan Maxima.
- Is the Nissan Maxima or Toyota Avalon safer?
- Both the Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon
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.
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