Last updated: 2026-08-24
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 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
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
More Nissan Maxima comparisons
Decided between Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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 via vehicles.dev. 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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