Is the Honda Civic more reliable than the Nissan Versa?

Based on our data, the Honda Civic is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Honda Civic or the Nissan Versa?

The Honda Civic has more recalls (37) compared to the Nissan Versa (11). 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 Honda Civic or the Nissan Versa?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Versa has a lower complaint rate at 1.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 4.8 for the Honda Civic. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Civic or the Nissan Versa?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Civic is cheaper to maintain at $368/year versus $456/year for the Nissan Versa.

Is the Honda Civic or Nissan Versa safer?

Both the Honda Civic and Nissan Versa 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.

Last updated: 2026-07-17

Honda Civic vs Nissan Versa: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Honda Civic

Good

Nissan Versa

Good

Choosing between the Honda Civic and the Nissan Versa? 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 compact sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Honda Civic currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda Civic and Nissan Versa Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Honda Civic is in its eleventh generation, having been redesigned in 2022. This places it relatively early in its generation cycle, where newer platforms sometimes face initial reliability issues. However, Honda's track record with the Civic suggests that these are often addressed quickly. The Nissan Versa, on the other hand, is in the third generation (N18), last redesigned in 2019. It received a facelift in 2024, indicating it's in the mature phase of its cycle. Generally, vehicles later in their generation tend to exhibit improved reliability as manufacturers refine components and address any early issues.

Verdict

The Honda Civic is more reliable than the Nissan Versa, scoring 78/100 vs 76/100.

Both the Honda Civic and Nissan Versa share an average reliability score of 76/100, indicating similar overall dependability. However, the Civic has a significantly higher number of recalls over nine years compared to the Versa's five-year period, suggesting more frequent issues requiring manufacturer intervention. The Civic also has a higher owner complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Versa's 1.5 per 10,000, though it benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $368 versus the Versa's $456. While both vehicles present their own sets of common issues, the lower complaint rate and fewer recalls give the Versa a slight edge in reliability.

Key Differences

1Honda Civic costs $88 less per year to repair
2Nissan Versa has 26 fewer total recalls
3Nissan Versa has 3.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

3Honda Civic

—

2Nissan Versa

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Honda Civic vs Nissan Versa: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda Civic vs Nissan Versa at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda Civic	Nissan Versa
Reliability Score	78/100	76/100
Years Tracked	9	5
Total Recalls	37	11
Complaints per 10k Sold	4.8	1.5
Annual Repair Cost	$368/yr	$456/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk	10%	10%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	4	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Civic and Nissan Versa?

The Honda Civic exhibits a significant concentration of issues in its steering system, with 1,538 complaints and 58 of these linked to crashes, suggesting a critical area of concern. In contrast, the Nissan Versa's most reported issue is the power train, with 63 complaints and only 1 crash-linked incident, indicating a less severe impact compared to the Civic's steering issues. Both models show noteworthy airbag-related problems, but the Civic's 76 complaints with 21 crash-linked cases suggest a more severe risk compared to the Versa's 19 complaints and 12 crash-linked incidents. Overall, while the Civic has a broader range of problem areas, the severity and frequency of steering and airbag issues are particularly notable.

Honda Civic vs Nissan Versa common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda Civic	Nissan Versa
STEERING	2.5Low	—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.1Very Low	0.4Very Low
ENGINE	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.1Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda Civic or Nissan Versa?

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Honda Civic and Nissan Versa have different maintenance and repair profiles. The Honda Civic incurs an annual repair cost of $368, which is $88 less than the $456 for the Nissan Versa. Over a five-year period, this amounts to a $440 savings with the Civic. Additionally, the Civic requires fewer repair visits, averaging 0.2 visits per year compared to the Versa's 0.4 visits. Both vehicles have an identical major repair risk of 10%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda Civic presents better value, combining lower annual costs and reduced repair frequency.

How Does Honda Civic vs Nissan Versa Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda Civic vs Nissan Versa year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda Civic	Nissan Versa	Edge
2025	84/1005R / 49C	81/1000R / 9C	Honda Civic
2024	81/1005R / 131C	73/1001R / 91C	Honda Civic
2021	81/1003R / 118C	77/1003R / 29C	Honda Civic
2020	78/1008R / 405C	74/1002R / 60C	Honda Civic
2018	71/1004R / 605C	76/1005R / 55C	Nissan Versa

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda Civic scored 84/100 and the 2025 Nissan Versa scored 81/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda Civic vs the Nissan Versa?

If you prioritize low running costs and fewer owner complaints, the Honda Civic might be the better choice for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $368 and just 4.8 complaints per 10,000 sold, it offers a more economical and generally satisfying ownership experience. Its repair frequency is lower at 0.2 times per year, which means fewer trips to the mechanic. However, keep in mind that the Civic has a higher number of recalls (37) and some significant issues with steering and the fuel system. On the other hand, if you value a vehicle with fewer recalls and are willing to accept slightly higher repair costs, consider the Nissan Versa. It has experienced only 11 recalls, indicating potentially more consistent manufacturing quality. While the estimated annual repair cost is higher at $456, the Versa's major repair risk is on par with the Civic at 10%. This makes it a solid choice if you're concerned about recalls and can handle a slightly higher repair frequency.

Honda Civic vs Nissan Versa: Common Questions

Is the Honda Civic more reliable than the Nissan Versa?: Based on our data, the Honda Civic is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda Civic or the Nissan Versa?: The Honda Civic has more recalls (37) compared to the Nissan Versa (11). 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 Honda Civic or the Nissan Versa?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Versa has a lower complaint rate at 1.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 4.8 for the Honda Civic. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Civic or the Nissan Versa?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Civic is cheaper to maintain at $368/year versus $456/year for the Nissan Versa.
Is the Honda Civic or Nissan Versa safer?: Both the Honda Civic and Nissan Versa 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.

More Honda Civic comparisons

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More Nissan Versa 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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