Are Nissans Reliable? Nissan Reliability by Model
Across the 6 most-documented Nissan models, CarWhere's analysis of 25,659 NHTSA complaints finds 6 carry at least one model year to avoid; none is entirely free of a flagged year, with the Altima carrying the fewest. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Data as of July 2026.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall campaigns · Data as of July 2026 · How we rate model years
25,659 NHTSA complaints
model years flagged on federal data
every model carries at least one
What Nissan owners report most
The vehicle systems drawing the most federal service-bulletin activity across the 6 Nissan models we analyze — a signal of where problems concentrate.
Nissan reliability by model
| Model | Complaints | Years to avoid | Best years | Worst year vs. its avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Altima | 9,677 | 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 | 2011, 2021, 2022 and 2023 | 5.6× |
| Nissan Rogue | 6,994 | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2023 | 2020 | 6× |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 3,079 | 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023 and 2024 | 2011, 2012 and 2020 | 6.7× |
| Nissan Titan | 585 | 2008, 2017, 2018 and 2019 | 2011 and 2012 | 4.3× |
| Nissan Murano | 1,892 | 2009, 2010 and 2015 | 2018, 2019 and 2021 | 6.1× |
| Nissan Sentra | 3,432 | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 | 2009, 2012 and 2023 | 3.4× |
Counts are raw federal filings (NHTSA owner complaints), not adjusted for sales volume. A model year is flagged when its severity-weighted complaint rate is among the highest within that model's own history — never a comparison against other brands. Follow any model for its full year-by-year verdict. Full methodology.
Where Nissan owners report the most trouble
Nissan Pathfinder: 8 model years flagged to avoid (2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023 and 2024) — the worst logged up to 6.7× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Nissan Murano: 3 model years flagged to avoid (2009, 2010 and 2015) — the worst logged up to 6.1× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Nissan Rogue: 5 model years flagged to avoid (2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2023) — the worst logged up to 6× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
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FAQ
Are Nissans reliable?
Nissan reliability varies sharply by model and year, not by brand. Across the 6 most-documented Nissan models, 6 carry at least one model year we flag to avoid on NHTSA complaint and recall data. No Nissan model is entirely free of a flagged year; the Altima carries the fewest. These are raw federal complaint counts, not adjusted for how many vehicles Nissan sold, so they can't be read as a single cross-brand reliability score — use the per-model verdicts below.
What is the most reliable Nissan?
Every Nissan model we analyze carries at least one flagged year, but the Altima has the fewest — the most best-rated years and lowest severity-weighted complaint rate in the lineup. Reliability comes down to the specific model year, so check the year-by-year verdict before buying.
Which Nissan models have the most years to avoid?
The Nissan models carrying the most flagged years are the Pathfinder (8 years flagged, worst up to 6.7× its own average), the Murano (3 years flagged, worst up to 6.1× its own average), the Rogue (5 years flagged, worst up to 6× its own average). A flag means that model year has one of the highest severity-weighted complaint rates within that model's own history — it is not a comparison against other brands.
How do I check a specific Nissan before buying?
Start with the free Nissan window sticker lookup at carwhere.com/window-sticker/nissan to confirm the exact trim and factory options, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for that VIN — it includes the recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for the exact model year plus a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & data notes
All figures are drawn from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Defects Investigation — owner-filed complaints and recall campaigns — across the 6 most-documented Nissan models and every model year on record for each. Retrieved July 2026. Counts are raw federal filings and are not adjusted for the number of vehicles sold or registered, so they cannot be read as a single cross-brand reliability ranking; each model year's verdict compares it only against the rest of that model's own history. Full scoring at the methodology page.